Sample Answer for Paper 2 Question 3: Model Answer

9/12 Answer

Condescending language is used to describe the 'mud-larks'. They are described as 'poor creatures', who have 'the most deplorable... appearance'. The utilising of the adjective in 'poor', implies that they may be unsupported financially, suggesting that their work offers little income. The fact that animalistic imagery is constructed to further allude to this idea of poverty, strengthens a vivid image of repulsion from the writer: they are inhuman. Use of the collective noun in creatures', signifies that there are also many of them; because they work together. Additionally, the writer further adds onto this image of unkemptness, especially when the superlatives in 'most', may demonstrate how they are out of the ordinary. As a result, we may connote their daily routines to be the very same: unnatural, however, when thinking back to the adjective 'poor', we acknowledge that they have no other choice.

Another way language is used is through the triadic list, which demonstrates how their routines are inclusive. The writer sees 'crowds of boys and little girls, some old men and many old women,' connotating this idea of an overcrowded community. The fact that the collective noun "crowds" is used, displays how they seem to be disorganized as they worked, alluding to this idea of incoherency within their routines. This further suggested by the difference in adjectives: 'little,' 'some,' and 'many,' which may imply that despite their ages, they all have had difficulty in financially supporting themselves. The juxtaposition of 'some' and 'many', displays how there is no knowing who may work as 'mud-larks,' thus revealing that their routine may also be a doable one that even children can carry out.

The writer further uses language to show that the mud-larks lack intelligence as they worked. They are described as 'dull and apparently stupid,' where the adjective 'dull' gives an impression of boredom and lack of significance. This alludes to how they may also lack education. The use of the adverbial phrase 'apparently stupid', regards them to be a confusing community, as the adverb 'apparently' shows how it was unexpected. Further use of the adjective 'stupid', again, provides a condescending tone, which reveals that their work and routine are meaningless.

Feedback:

Strengths	Areas for Improvement
Detailed analysis of language	Sentences could be clearer and more concise
Effective use of direct quotations	Analysis could be deepened by exploring wider context and writer's intentions
Insightful inferences about implications of language	Maintain focus on how language describes routines and conditions
Identification of a range of linguistic techniques	Avoid repetition of ideas
Well-structured argument with clear points	Include more varied examples from the text to support points

Overall, the response demonstrates a strong understanding of the text and effective analysis of language, but could be improved with clearer expression, deeper analysis, and more varied examples.