Part A: Mark Scheme and Model Answer (OCR GCSE English Literature): Model Answers

Part A: Mark Scheme and Model Answer

• Mark Scheme: The answer will be marked primarily on AO2 (67%), which focuses on the analysis of how language, form, and structure create meaning, and AO1 (33%), which assesses your understanding of the passage and its place in the wider text. The top marks are awarded for consistently detailed and precise analysis, effective use of quotations, and fluent, accurate writing.

Example question and model answer

Model answer:

In both Anita and Me by Meera Syal and Tickets, Please! by D.H. Lawrence, the groups of women are presented as assertive and dominant, taking charge of situations in ways that defy traditional gender roles. Syal and Lawrence use language and structure to highlight the power dynamics within these groups, as well as the emotional intensity of their actions.

In Anita and Me, the group of women are portrayed as a strong, collective force that influences the community around them. They are depicted as "determined" and "unyielding," showcasing their resilience in the face of societal expectations. Syal's use of vivid imagery, such as describing the women as a "pack of wolves," emphasises their unity and strength, suggesting that together they are an unstoppable force. The metaphor conveys the idea that these women are not to be underestimated, and it highlights their power in the narrative.

Similarly, in Tickets, Please!, the women also take charge, but in a more aggressive and confrontational manner. The "girls" in the tramway service are described as "fearless" and "unyielding," challenging the authority of the male inspector, John Thomas. Lawrence uses short, sharp sentences to create a sense of urgency and tension in the scene, mirroring the intensity of the women's actions. The physicality of their rebellion, with phrases like "they pounced on him" and "stripped him," illustrates their determination to assert control and humiliate him, turning the power dynamics on their head.

Both extracts highlight the emotional reactions of the women to the situations they face. In Anita and Me, the women's determination is driven by a desire to protect their families and maintain their cultural identity. Their actions are motivated by a deep sense of responsibility and care. In contrast, the women in Tickets, Please! are motivated by a collective sense of anger and betrayal. Their reaction is intense, driven by a need to assert their dominance over a man who has wronged them.

The writers' use of language and techniques effectively conveys the strength and agency of the women in both extracts. Syal's use of metaphors and collective imagery contrasts with Lawrence's use of physical action and abrupt dialogue, but both depict women who are in control of their circumstances. These both challenge traditional gender roles, showcasing women as powerful and autonomous, capable of leading and shaping their own narratives.