Cambridge Lower Secondary Sample Test

For use with curriculum published in

September 2020

English Paper 1
Mark Scheme
Stage 7

English_S7_01_MS/5RP
© UCLES 2020
S7/01 English Stage 7 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Section A: Reading

Question Answer Marks

1 Give one word and one phrase from the first paragraph (lines 1–3) that tell 2
the reader that climbing El Capitan is not easy.

Award 1 mark for each of:

• word: monster
• phrase: (providing the) ultimate challenge

Question Answer Marks

Look at the second paragraph (lines 4–7).

2(a) How did the ‘Dawn Wall’ get its name? 1

Award 1 mark for:

• It the first place on El Capitan to get sun (from the east) / the sun shines on
it at dawn.
2(b) Give one word that means dangerous. 1

Award 1 mark for:

• treacherous

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S7/01 English Stage 7 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Question Answer Marks

Look at the third paragraph (lines 8–14).

3(a) Give one word that introduces a contrasting idea. 1

Award 1 mark for:

• However
3(b) Give one phrase that means only.

Award 1 mark for:

• (with) nothing more than

3(c) Give one two-word phrase that tells the reader Caldwell and Jorgeson 1
worked together.

Award 1 mark for:

• joined forces
3(d) Give two examples of a passive verb form from the third paragraph. Give 2
one example using a present verb form and one example using a past verb
form.

Award 1 mark for each of the following up to a maximum of 2 marks.

• is (usually) needed / are (then) clipped

• had always been considered
• had (never) been done (before)

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S7/01 English Stage 7 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Question Answer Marks

Look at the fourth paragraph (lines 15–23).

4(a) Explain in your own words what makes the Dawn Wall such a difficult 2
climb. Give one quotation from the text to support your answer.

Explanation:

Award 1 mark for the idea that there is nothing to hang onto / it is a very smooth
surface / has sharp pieces of rocks sticking out

Quotation:

Award 1 mark one of the following:

• slippery footholds
• razor-sharp edges
• smooth rock
• forced to hang on by their fingertips
• there is almost nothing to cling onto
4(b) After completing the challenge Caldwell and Jorgeson became famous. 1
Give one phrase from the text that tells the reader this.

Award 1 mark for:

• into the history books

Question Answer Marks

5 Look at the heading. 2

Why do you think this heading is suitable for this text? Give two ideas.

Award 1 mark for each of the following up to 2 marks:

• hanging on is what they are doing

• no threads allowed because it is free climbing
• the colloquial saying is hanging by a thread but these are free climbers so
they can’t use anything to hang by for their climb.

Question Answer Marks

6 How is this information text structured? Tick () two boxes. 2

Award 1 mark for each of the following:

• The text has an introductory paragraph.

• The text is non-chronologically organised.

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S7/01 English Stage 7 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Question Answer Marks

7 What is the purpose of Text B? Tick () one box. 1

Award 1 mark for:

• to advise

Question Answer Marks

8 Give one word from the second paragraph (lines 4–14) that introduces a 1
contrasting and surprising idea.

Award 1 mark for:

• Actually

Question Answer Marks

9(a) Look at line 12 in Text B. Why has a colon ( : ) been used? 1

Give one reason.

Award 1 mark for:

• to introduce a list
9(b) Why has a dash ( – ) been used in line 13? 1
Give one reason.

Award 1 mark for:

• to give more information

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S7/01 English Stage 7 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Question Answer Marks

10(a) Your friend wants to take up rock climbing and has asked you what they 3
should do. Write a list of tips using the information from Text B.

Award 1 mark for each of the following up to 3 marks:

• They should start with friends who have climbed before

• They should practise first on an indoor climbing wall
• They should start on lower level slopes outside
• They should get used to the rock face
• They should get used to wearing climbing shoes
• They should wear the appropriate kit: harness, shoes, helmet
• They should practise the technique of moving sideward or stepping down
• They should maintain three points of contact
• They should try leaning out (when they are more confident)
• They should consult a guide if they are going to a new area.
10(b) Write a summary of up to 50 words about what to do before taking up rock 2
climbing seriously. Include four points from your list. Use your own words
as far as possible.

Award 2 marks for a summary that combines the main points into a coherent
summary, e.g.:

Try to go out for your first climb with friends. Practise on an indoor wall to get
used to the moves and equipment. Then, start with an easy climb outside. If you
are going to a new place, talk to a guide who can tell you where to climb.

Award 1 mark for a summary that includes some but not all of the main points.

Award 0 marks for a summary made up of facts which are not synthesised.

Do not award more than 1 mark where the summary exceeds 50 words.

Accept words lifted from the text where they contribute to a cohesive summary.

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S7/01 English Stage 7 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Section B: Writing

Question Answer Marks

Notes to markers

• Use the marking grids on the next two pages.

• Marking should always begin from the lowest mark in each column and work upward.
• A ‘best fit’ judgement should be made in judging first in which box to place the response and
then, within that box, which mark is appropriate.
• The lower mark within a box should be given if some the criteria have been met but not all.
• Note on extent:
Award 0 marks where the performance fails to meet the lowest criteria.
Award 0 marks for 20 words or fewer.
Award a maximum of 7 marks for responses of between 21 and 60 words.
You need not count the words unless you think there will be fewer than 60. In normal-sized
handwriting 60 words will be approximately 8 lines.

11 Write an account for your friend about a new activity that you have tried.

Think about:

• the type of actvity

• what you need for the actvity
• persuading your friend why it is a good actvity
• any helpful tips.

11 Content, purpose and audience. 8

Text structure and organization. 7

Sentence structure and punctuation. 7

Spelling 3

[Total 25]

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S7/01 English Stage 7 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Content, purpose and audience Text structure and organisation

[8 marks]
The material is relevant with content
developed with vocabulary that is appropriate
for the purpose / text type, i.e. powerful
verbs, technical vocabulary.
Features of the text type are obvious.
Clear viewpoint with a consistent, engaging
style throughout.
[7–8]
[7 marks]
The response is presented clearly, with well-
organised material within paragraphs.
Ideas are developed with chronological or
logical links between paragraphs.
Cohesion within and between paragraphs is
achieved using devices such as connectives
to support content.
[6–7]

The material has ideas and content with
some detail developed with deliberate
choices of vocabulary for the purpose / text
type i.e. clear detail using technical language.
Main features of the text type are evident.
Paragraphs are used to help structure the
text where the main idea is usually supported
by following sentences.
Logical sequence with attempts to link ideas
is evident but not consistent.

Straightforward viewpoint, with a generally Some use of organisational devices.

appropriate and consistent style, which
mostly sustains reader interest.
[5–6] [4–5]

Relevant material with attempts to develop Paragraphs / sections are evident with
basic information using a simple vocabulary related points grouped together or linked by
relevant to the purpose / text type. time sequence.

General aspects of text type are evident, i.e. Some attempt to sequence relevant ideas
impersonal language using 3rd person. logically.

The writer’s attitude to the subject may be Movement between paragraphs or sections,
conveyed, with some attempt to engage the may be disjointed.
reader.
[3–4] [2–3]
Some material included that is relevant to the Some basic sequencing of material grouped
task. by content.

Vocabulary is simple and relevant.

Some elements of the text type can be seen;

a maximum of 1 mark can be awarded if not
the correct genre.
[1–2] [1]
No creditable response. No creditable response.
[0] [0]

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S7/01 English Stage 7 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Sentence structure and punctuation Spelling

[7 marks] [3 marks]
Some sentences will contain simple
connectives and there will be an attempt at
using longer sentences, connectives and
complex clauses.

Grammar is usually accurate throughout the

text.

Punctuation is used accurately to demarcate

sentences and for speech punctuation –
errors may occur where structures are
ambitious.

Commas are always used in lists and usually

to mark clauses.
[6–7]
Some complex sentences are used to create
effect and develop ideas e.g. noun, adverbial,
adjectival, and verb phrases, or a range of
connectives (e.g. if, so, because, then).

Grammar in complex sentences is generally

correct in terms of tense and verb form.

End of sentence punctuation, and simple use

of commas (in lists and clauses) is nearly
always accurate throughout the text.
Capitalisation is always correct.

Speech marks may be used around words

spoken but other speech punctuation may
not be accurate.
[4–5]
A mix of simple and compound sentences, Spelling is usually correct throughout. (There
with simple connectives to join clauses, may occasional be phonetically plausible
e.g. and, but attempts at complex words.)

Generally correct grammar, i.e. subject and
verb generally agree, verb tense is generally
consistent.
Demarcation of straightforward sentences is
usually correct. There may be evidence of
comma splicing.
Note: if punctuation is totally lacking and
other descriptors met then give the lower
mark here.
[2–3]
Correct spelling of most, not all, polysyllabic
words, e.g. appear, information, making,
possible, probably, wondering, search.
[3]
Spelling of common words, including
polysyllabic and compound words, is
generally accurate, e.g. friend, another,
around, because, anything, something.
Spelling of plurals and some past and
present words is generally accurate,
e.g. boxes, clothes, told, stopped, wanted.
[2]

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S7/01 English Stage 7 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Some simple sentence structures are used Spelling of high frequency words is generally
successfully. correct, e.g. their/there, when, were, what,
some, etc.
Some variation in sentence openings.

Some correct use of punctuation, such as full

stops and capital letters.

Note: where more ambitious structures are

used with NO simple sentences, begin
marking at 2–3 marks, provided that the 2nd
descriptor about variation in sentence
openings has been met.

Also: learners should gain marks for good

English with punctuation errors rather than
lose marks for essentially good English.
[1] [1]
No creditable response. No creditable response.
[0] [0]

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