Paper 1 Question 5: Mark Scheme (AQA GCSE English Language): Model Answers
AQA GCSE English Language Mark Scheme Summary with Examples
| AO5: Content and Organisation | Descriptors | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 (19-24 marks) | Convincing and crafted communication; Structured, developed, complex, and varied organisation | |
| Upper Level 4 (22-24 marks) | - Compelling, assured tone, style, and register - Extensive vocabulary, sophisticated linguistic devices - Highly structured with seamlessly integrated ideas and markers | "As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Sarah felt an overwhelming sense of calm wash over her. Her journey, though arduous, had led her to this moment of serene beauty, a reminder of the resilience within her." |
| Lower Level 4 (19-21 marks) | - Convincing communication with consistent tone and style - Extensive vocabulary with conscious crafting - Structured writing with integrated discourse markers | "The sun set slowly, turning the sky into a beautiful mix of colours. Sarah felt calm after her long journey, knowing that she had been strong enough to get through it." |
| Level 3 (13-18 marks) | Clear and chosen for effect; Engaging and connected organisation | |
| Upper Level 3 (16-18 marks) | - Effective communication with matched tone and style - Sophisticated vocabulary and linguistic devices - Engaging writing with coherent paragraphs and structural features | "As the sun set, the sky turned a lovely orange. Sarah, after her long journey, felt a calm peace knowing she had made it." |
| Lower Level 3 (13-15 marks) | - Clear communication with generally matched tone and style - Vocabulary chosen for effect with successful devices - Coherent writing with structural features | "The sun was setting, making the sky orange. Sarah felt calm after her long journey, knowing she was strong." |
| Level 2 (7-12 marks) | Mostly successful and controlled content; Linked, relevant, and paragraphed organisation | | | Upper Level 2 (10-12 marks) | - Mostly successful communication with some register control - Conscious vocabulary use and some devices - Relevant ideas with paragraphs and markers | "The sunset made the sky orange. Sarah felt calm after her journey, knowing she was strong." | | Lower Level 2 (7-9 marks) | - Some success in communication with attempts to match register - Begins to vary vocabulary with some devices - Linked ideas with attempts at paragraphing | "The sunset was orange. Sarah felt calm after her journey and knew she was strong." |
| Level 1 (1-6 marks) | Simple communication; Simple and limited organisation | | | Upper Level 1 (4-6 marks) | - Simple ideas with limited register control - Simple vocabulary and devices - Relevant ideas with random paragraph structure | "The sun was orange. Sarah was calm after her trip." | | Lower Level 1 (1-3 marks) | - Limited meaning with occasional purpose - Simple vocabulary - Unlinked ideas with no paragraphs | "The sun was orange. Sarah was calm." | | Level 0 | No meaningful writing to assess | |
| AO6: Technical Accuracy | Descriptors | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 (13-16 marks) | - Consistent and accurate sentence demarcation - High accuracy in a wide range of punctuation - Full range of sentence forms for effect - Consistent use of Standard English with complex grammar - High accuracy in spelling ambitious vocabulary | "The sunset, breathtakingly beautiful, cast an orange hue across the sky; Sarah, after her arduous journey, felt a profound sense of peace." |
| Level 3 (9-12 marks) | - Mostly secure and accurate sentence demarcation - Mostly successful range of punctuation - Variety of sentence forms for effect - Appropriate use of Standard English with controlled grammar - Generally accurate spelling of complex words | "The sunset was beautiful. It made the sky orange. Sarah, after her journey, felt peaceful." |
| Level 2 (5-8 marks) | - Mostly secure and sometimes accurate sentence demarcation - Some control of punctuation range - Attempts a variety of sentence forms - Some use of Standard English with control of agreement - Some accurate spelling of complex words | "The sunset made the sky orange. Sarah felt peaceful after her journey." | | Level 1 (1-4 marks) | - Occasional sentence demarcation - Some conscious punctuation - Simple range of sentence forms - Occasional use of Standard English with limited control - Accurate basic spelling | "The sun was orange. Sarah felt calm." | | Level 0 | Poor technical accuracy preventing understanding | "Sun orange Sarah calm." |