Paper 2 Question 4: Mark Scheme (AQA GCSE English Language): Model Answers
Assessment Objective 3 (AO3)
AO3: Compare writers' ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts.
Level Descriptors and Assessment Criteria
| Level | Skills Descriptors | Indicative Standard This indicative standard provides an exemplification of the skills descriptors at each level. It is not a model answer, nor a complete response, nor does it seek to exemplify any particular content. |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 Perceptive, detailed comparison 13–16 marks | Compares ideas and perspectives in a perceptive way: • analyses how writers' methods are used • selects a range of judicious supporting detail from both texts • shows a detailed and perceptive understanding of the different ideas and perspectives in both texts. | The writer of Source A feels that his experience of travelling by train has been something to be endured rather than enjoyed and he cannot wait for his journey to end after over a week of travel. His use of repetition and listing of 'no more' in his first paragraph not only makes clear how many tedious aspects of the journey he disliked but also reflects the intense monotony he has felt on this trip. In complete contrast to these contemptuous and weary feelings of the writer of Source A, the writer of Source B is filled with admiration and awe as she embraces the novelty of train travel. She indicates this from the start of her letter with the idea that ordinary writing paper is not adequate to contain her 'raptures'. Her use of 'raptures' has connotations of euphoria and an almost spiritual experience. Here, the writer of Source B establishes the idea of how fantastical her trip was. |
| Level 3
Clear, relevant comparison
9–12 marks | Compares ideas and perspectives in a clear and relevant way:
• explains clearly how writers' methods are used
• selects relevant detail to support from both texts
• shows a clear understanding of the different ideas and perspectives in both texts. | The writer of Source A feels that his experience of train travel has been miserable because he has been on this train for so long and become bored, so he is looking forwards to the end of his long journey. He uses repetition and listing of 'no more' in his first paragraph to highlight how many aspects of the experience he cannot wait to leave behind. On the other hand, the writer in Source B feels that her train ride has been thrilling, which may link to this being her first time on a train, unlike the more experienced writer of Source A. Her delight in the experience is clear at the start of her letter, where the noun 'raptures' suggests she felt in a state of utter joy. She is amazed by her journey because it is such a new and extraordinary experience. |
| Level 2
Some attempts at comparison
5–8 marks | Attempts to compare ideas and perspectives:
• makes some comment on how writers' methods are used
• selects some appropriate textual detail/references, not always supporting, from one or both texts
• shows some understanding of different ideas and perspectives. | The writer of Source A feels that his experience of travelling by train has been awful and he is fed up of being on the train. At the start, he uses repetition and listing of 'no more' to emphasise the things he doesn't like about the train. On the other hand, the writer in Source B has really enjoyed her train ride and had a great time. She uses the phrase 'my raptures' to make it clear that her experience was very exciting. This shows that she is more enthusiastic about her experience. |
| Level 1
Simple, limited comment
1–4 marks | Makes simple cross reference of ideas and perspectives:
• makes simple identification of writers' methods
• selects simple reference(s)/textual detail(s) from one or both texts
• shows simple awareness of ideas and/or perspectives. | The writer of Source A feels that his experience of travelling by train is negative and he doesn't like it. At the start he repeats 'no more' to show the bad things about the train journey. This is different from Source B, where the writer feels positive about her train ride. She says 'my raptures' to her friend at the start of her letter. This shows that the writer has liked her experience. |
| Level 0
No marks | Nothing to reward. | |