GCSEEnglish LanguagePaper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writingMark Scheme

4MARK SCHEME –GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE –PAPER 1INTRODUCTIONThe information provided for each question is intended to be a guide to the kind of answers anticipated and is neither exhaustive nor prescriptive. All appropriate responses should be given credit.Where literary or linguistic terms appear in the Mark Scheme, they do so generally for the sake of brevity. Knowledge of such terms, other than those given in the specification, is notrequired. However, when determining the level of response for a particular answer, examiners should take into account any instances wherethe studentuses these terms effectively to aid the clarity and precision of the argument. Level of response marking instructionsLevel of response mark schemes are broken down into four levels. There are two, four, five or six marks in each level; dependent upon question. Please note: The sample responses in each Indicative Standard/Content Descriptor column are not intended to be complete, full or model answers. Instead, they are there as a guide, to provide you with part of an answer, an indicative extract of a response at the required level. If a student was to continue to develop a response at that standard, they would gaina mark at that level.Step 1 Determine a levelStart at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that mightbe seen in the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With practice and familiarity you willfind that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the lower levels of the mark scheme.Step 2Determine a markOnce you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.The Skills Descriptors column indicates the different skills that students need to demonstrate in their answer for that level. To achieve full marks in a level, students shouldmeet all of the skills descriptors in that level. Students achieving marks at the bottom of a level will ideally have met all skills descriptors of the previous level and at least one of the skills descriptors in that level.An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question mustbe awarded no marks.