Sample Answer for Mark Scheme

Paper 1 Question 5:

Write about a time in your life when something unexpected happened. Your response could be real or imagined.

AO5

• AO5: Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences.

Level 5 (20–24 marks):

Candidates will demonstrate highly imaginative and effective communication, with a sophisticated use of tone, style, and register to suit the purpose and audience. The writing will engage the reader with a clear narrative and coherent structure, and ideas will be developed with complexity and depth. Structural and grammatical features will be used deliberately to support coherence and enhance meaning. The narrative will have a sustained focus, and the ideas will be connected logically, contributing to the overall effect.

• For example, a candidate may use a reflective tone to explore an unexpected event, with vivid descriptions and carefully structured sentences to build tension or emotional impact. The use of rhetorical devices, such as direct address or metaphors, will engage the reader and create a lasting impression.

Level 4 (15–19 marks):

At this level, candidates will organise their material effectively, using tone and style that are mostly appropriate for the audience and purpose. The ideas will be well-developed and connected logically. Sentence structures and punctuation will be used effectively to ensure clarity and coherence. However, the response may not show the same level of sophistication or depth as in Level 5.

• For example, the candidate may use a descriptive tone to recount the unexpected event, developing the ideas with clear paragraphing. The response will be generally well-structured, but might lack the complexity or variety of Level 5 responses.

Level 3 (10–14 marks):

Candidates will demonstrate appropriate use of tone, style, and register, but with less variation and complexity in the ideas. The response will be clear and structured, but the development of ideas may be simpler or less detailed. Pacing and sentence structure will be adequate, but there may be less attention to detail or less effective engagement with the audience.

• For example, the candidate may recount an unexpected event with a narrative tone, but the development of the event may be more basic or less impactful, with simpler sentence structures and minimal use of rhetorical devices.

Level 2 (5–9 marks):

At this level, candidates will show an awareness of audience and purpose, but the response may lack the clarity or organisation expected at higher levels. The writing may be underdeveloped, with ideas presented in a straightforward or unclear manner. The response may include basic use of paragraphs, but the tone and style may not always suit the purpose, and the response may lack coherence.

• For example, the candidate may describe the unexpected event with limited detail, using basic sentence structures and only occasional use of dialogue or description to build the narrative.

Level 1 (1–4 marks):

Candidates will offer a basic response with limited ideas and little or no development. The writing may be disjointed or underdeveloped, with inconsistent tone and a lack of clear structure. The response will not be fully engaging or coherent, and may lack basic grammar, punctuation, or sentence structure.

• For example, the candidate may mention an unexpected event but provide very little description, and the writing may have frequent grammar or punctuation errors, making it difficult to follow.

Level 0 (0 marks):

No rewardable material.

AO6

• AO6: Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.

Level 5 (13–16 marks):

The candidate will use an extensive range of vocabulary, with only rare spelling errors. Sentence structures will be complex and strategically varied, contributing to the effectiveness of the response. Punctuation will be highly accurate, and clarity will be maintained throughout, with deliberate effects achieved through careful sentence construction.

Level 4 (10–12 marks):

The vocabulary will be wide and selective, with only occasional spelling errors. The candidate will use a range of punctuation and sentence structures to maintain clarity, though there may be fewer deliberate effects than in Level 5.

Level 3 (7–9 marks):

The vocabulary will be varied, with correct spelling for most words. Sentence structures will be adequate, and punctuation will be mostly accurate, contributing positively to clarity and effect.

Level 2 (4–6 marks):

The vocabulary will be appropriate, with correct spelling for basic words. Sentences will be mostly simple, and punctuation will be adequate, though there may be occasional errors or a lack of variety in sentence