PILOT MATERIAL

KS3
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Provisional Year 8
Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing
Mark Scheme

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 2 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

INTRODUCTION

The 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 not
required. However, when determining the level of response for a particular answer, markers
should take into account any instances where the candidate uses these terms effectively to
aid the clarity and precision of the argument.

Level of response marking instructions.

Level of response mark schemes are broken down into four levels (where appropriate), each
of which has a descriptor. The descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the
level.

Please note: The sample responses in each 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
gain a mark at that level.

There are two, four, five or six marks in each level, dependent upon the question. In higher
tariff questions there is a further descriptor dealing with the top of the level.

Step 1 Determine a level

Start 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 might be 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 will find that for better
answers you will be able to quickly skip through the lower levels of the mark scheme.

When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to
pick holes in small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed
quite as well in as the rest. If the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the
mark scheme you should use a best fit approach for defining the level and then use the
variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level, i.e. if the response is
predominantly level 3 with a small amount of level 4 material it would be placed in level 3 but
be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 4 content.

Step 2 Determine a mark

Once 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.

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 3 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended
to be exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of
the points mentioned in the indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.

An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.

SECTION A: READING – Assessment Objectives

AO1 • Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas.

• Select and synthesise evidence from different texts.

AO2 • Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure
to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology
to support their views.

AO3 • Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are
conveyed, across two or more texts.

AO4 • Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual
references.

SECTION B: WRITING – Assessment Objectives

AO5 • Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting

tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences.

• Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features

to support coherence and cohesion of texts.

AO6 • Candidates must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for
clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation. (This
requirement must constitute 20% of the marks for each specification as a
whole).

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 4 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

Assessment Section A
Objective
AO1 

AO2 

AO3 N/A

AO4 

Section B

AO5 

AO6 

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 5 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

Section A: Reading

0 1 Read again the first part of the source, lines 1 to 4.

List four things from this part of the text about the sweet shop.
[4 marks]

Give 1 mark for each point about the sweet shop:

• Responses must be drawn from lines 1 to 4 of the text

• Responses must be true statements from the extract
• Responses must relate to the sweetshop
• Candidates may quote or paraphrase – either is acceptable
• A paraphrased response covering more than one point should be credited for each point made.

Note: The indicative content must not treated as exhaustive and reference must be made to the selected section of the text.

AO1 • Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas
• Select and synthesise evidence from different texts.

This assesses bullet point 1 identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas.

Indicative content; candidates may include:

• the sweet shop was in Llandaff
• the sweet shop was the centre of the boys’ lives
• the boys visited the sweet shop in 1923
• the boys thought there would be nothing to live for without the sweet shop
• the woman who owned the sweet shop was a horror
• the boys hated the woman who owned the sweet shop

or any other valid responses that you are able to verify by checking the source.

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 6 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

0 2 Look in detail at this extract from lines 5 to 14 of the source:

(Her name was Mrs Pratchett… …all day long.)

How does the writer use language here to describe Mrs Pratchett?

You could include the writer’s choice of:

• words and phrases

• language features and techniques
• sentence forms.
[8 marks]

AO2
Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject
terminology to support their views

This question assesses Language ie: Words / Phrases / Language Features / Language Techniques / Sentence Forms

Level Skills Descriptors Content Descriptors

(NB: The content descriptors are not model answers, nor are they
exhaustive. They are an indication of the level of comment, explanation or
analysis typical for each level)
Level 4 Shows detailed and perceptive understanding of Dahl’s use of language creates a picture of a grotesque looking woman who
Perceptive, language would frighten off most of her customers, even a ‘starving tramp’. The list of
detailed • Analyses the effects of the writer’s choices of adjectives ‘grimy’, ‘black’ and ‘foul’ culminates in an overall description of
language ‘disgusting’, suggesting the idea that being served sweets by this woman
7-8 marks • Selects a judicious range of quotations was almost nauseating because she was contaminated with germs.
• Uses sophisticated subject terminology However, the short sentence ‘But not us’ abruptly changes the mood. Even
accurately though everything about Mrs Pratchett is repulsive, the boys were obsessed
with sweets and therefore willing to overlook her lack of hygiene. Dahl uses
the metaphor ‘sweets were our life-blood’ to exaggerate their importance to
the boys – without sweets they felt they would literally die.

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 7 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

Level 3 Shows clear understanding of language Dahl’s use of language creates a picture of a dirty looking woman who would
Clear, • Clearly explains the effects of the writer’s frighten off most of her customers. The list of adjectives ‘grimy’, ‘black’ and
relevant choices of language ‘foul’ builds up into an overall description of ‘disgusting’, suggesting the idea
• Selects a range of relevant quotations that being served sweets by this woman was revolting because she was
5-6 marks • Uses subject terminology accurately covered in germs. However, the short sentence ‘But not us’ shows that they
were willing to overlook her lack of hygiene because they were so desperate
to get their hands on the sweets.

Level 2 Shows some understanding of language Dahl says Mrs Pratchett was a ‘disgusting old woman’. The adjective
Some, • Attempts to comment on the effect of language ‘disgusting’ shows that the boys thought she was repulsive. Phrases like
attempts • Selects some relevant quotations ‘grimy right hand’ and ‘black fingernails’ describe why they felt this way. It
• Uses some subject terminology, not always gives the effect that she was dirty and they didn’t like to think of her hands all
3-4 marks appropriately over the sweets, although they still bought them.

Level 1 Shows simple awareness of language Dahl says Mrs Pratchett was a ‘disgusting old woman’. The word ‘disgusting’
Simple, • Offers simple comment on the effect of shows the boys didn’t like her serving them sweets.
limited language
• Simple references or textual details
1-2 marks • Simple mention of subject terminology
Level 0 No comments offered on the use of language.
No marks Nothing to reward

AO2 content may include the effect of ideas such as:

• use of sentence length to change mood
• use of, for example, adjectives to enhance description
• the cumulative effect of chosen words and phrases
• employing imagery such as metaphor.

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 8 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

0 3 You now need to think about the whole of the source.

This text is a description of an amusing childhood incident.

How has the writer structured the text to bring it to life for the reader?

You could write about:

• why the writer changes the focus as the extract develops from the sweet shop to Mrs Pratchett and then to the
classroom
• any other structural features that you think bring it to life for the reader.
[8 marks]

AO2
Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject
terminology to support their views

This question assesses how the writer has structured a text. Structural features can be: at a whole text level e.g. beginnings / endings
/ perspective shifts; at a paragraph level eg. topic change / single sentence paragraphs; at a sentence level e.g. sentence length

Level Skills Descriptors Content Descriptors

(NB: The content descriptors are not model answers, nor are they
exhaustive. They are an indication of the level of comment, explanation or
analysis typical for each level)

Level 4 Shows detailed and perceptive understanding of The narrative perspective is an important structural feature. It is written
Perceptive, structural features from the point of view of the boy and his friends. This first-person feature
detailed • Analyses the effects of the writer’s choice of is typical of autobiographical writing which helps the reader to sympathise
structural features with the boy against the woman.The text starts with positioning the sweet
7-8 marks • Selects a judicious range of examples shop in time and place and shows its importance to the boys; then moves
• Uses a range of subject terminology inside to an unflattering description of the owner, Mrs Pratchett: ‘a small
appropriately skinny old hag with a moustache on her upper lip’; and then switches
location to the classroom where the boys discover the dead mouse,

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 9 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

zooming right in to the hole under the floorboard. At first this seems to be
unrelated but then at the end of the text the structure comes full circle and
the boys head off to the sweet shop, with the mouse, to get their revenge
on Mrs Pratchett. The structure manipulates the reader into siding with the
boys because we find out how horrible she is quite early on – ‘She never
smiled. She never welcomed us’ – and the key sentence ‘You can
understand why we had it in for Mrs. Pratchett in a big way’ gets the
reader onside and waiting for something bad to happen to her. Therefore
at the end we feel satisfied, but still on edge because we don’t know
exactly what happens next.

Level 3 Shows clear understanding of structural features There is interesting structural movement in that the text starts generally
Clear, • Clearly explains the effects of the writer’s with the importance of the sweet shop to the boys; then moves inside to
relevant choice of structural features focus specifically on the owner, Mrs Pratchett, who is ‘a small skinny old
• Selects a range of relevant examples hag with a moustache on her upper lip and a mouth as sour as a green
5-6 marks • Uses subject terminology accurately gooseberry’. It then switches places to the classroom where the boys
discover the dead mouse; and then ends by moving back to the outside as
the boys head off to the sweet shop, with the mouse, to get their revenge
on Mrs Pratchett. This cyclical structure means we have sympathy with the
boys’ prank because Dahl has already told us how unpleasant Mrs
Pratchett is so we think she deserves all she gets at the end.

Level 2 Shows some understanding of structural features The writer focuses our attention on the sweet shop in the first paragraph
Some, • Attempts to comment on the effect of and shows the reader how important it is to the boys. The text then moves
attempts structural features on to focus on the owner, Mrs Pratchett, and we learn that she is horrible
• Selects some relevant examples to her customers and has ‘a mouth as sour as a green gooseberry’. When
3-4 marks • Uses some subject terminology, not always the boys decide to play a prank on her with the dead mouse at the end of
appropriately the text we are glad because we know what she’s like.
Level 1 Shows simple awareness of structure The text is written in paragraphs which makes it easy to read. It tells us
Simple, • Offers simple comment on the effect of about the sweet shop first which sets the scene and then moves on to talk
limited structure about Mrs Pratchett and then what the boys do in the classroom.
• Simple references or examples
1-2 marks • Simple mention of subject terminology

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 10 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

Level 0 No comments offered on the use of structure

No marks Nothing to reward

AO2 content may include the effect of ideas such as:

• the change of structural focus from the sweet shop to Mrs Pratchett and then to the classroom
• the order we are told information and the cyclical structure of the text
• how the structure manipulates the reader into siding with the boys against Mrs Pratchett

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 11 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

0 4 Focus this part of your answer on the second half of the source, from line 26 to the end.

Roald Dahl once said: ‘Every writer in the world has to use characters that have something interesting about them.’

To what extent do you agree that the characters in this extract have something interesting about them?

In your response, you could:

• write about your own impressions of the characters

• evaluate how the writer has created these impressions
• support your opinions with quotations from the text.
[20 marks]
AO4
Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references

Level Overview Skills Descriptors Content Descriptors

Statement (NB: The content descriptors are not model
answers, nor are they exhaustive. They are an
indication of the level of comment, explanation or
analysis typical for each level)

• Critically evaluates the text in a detailed way In my view I agree that the characters in this
Level 4 At the top of the • Offers examples from the text to explain views extract do have what Dahl was trying to do with
level critical convincingly them – which is have something interesting about
Perceptive, evaluation will be • Analyses effects of a range of the writer’s them.The boys are interesting because they treat
detailed perceptive and choices Roald Dahl as if he’s a hero. He devises The
detailed • Selects a range of relevant quotations to Great Mouse Plot after Thwaites says he doesn’t
16-20 marks validate views know what to do, so the structure of the writing
suggests that Dahl is more intelligent and
therefore worthy of their admiration. When the
‘sheer genius of the plot’ sinks in, the boys stare
at him ‘in wonder’, suggesting they are looking up

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 12 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

to him like he is some great mastermind and they

are in awe of him. Dahl obviously thinks he’s
wonderful as well, which creates an amusing tone.
He talks about having a moment of ‘brilliance and
glory’ and says ‘It was I and I alone who had the
idea’. The repetition of ‘I’ makes the reader think
he’s big-headed, as if he feels he deserves all the
hero worship he gets.

• Clearly evaluates the text Yes I agree that the characters are interesting,
Level 3 At the top of the • Offers examples from the text to explain views especially the way they interact. Thwaites doesn’t
level critical clearly know what to do with the mouse but then Dahl
Clear, evaluation will be • Clearly explains the effect of the writer’s has the idea of playing the prank on Mrs
relevant clear and choices Pratchett. The order of this makes Dahl seem
consistent • Selects some relevant quotations to support more intelligent than Thwaites. When the ‘sheer
11-15 marks views genius of the plot’ sinks in, the other boys stare at
him ‘in wonder’. The word ‘wonder’ suggests they
are looking up to him like he is their hero. The
reader finds it funny because they cheer and
dance round the classroom. It’s also funny when
Dahl says it was a ‘moment of brilliance and
glory’, because he thinks he’s intelligent as well
and he’s being big-headed.

• Attempts evaluative comment on the text I sort of agree. The characters are good,
Level 2 At the top of the • Offers an example from the text to explain especially Roald Dahl and Thwaites because they
level there will be view(s) say more and stand out from the other three boys
Some, some evaluative • Attempts to comment on the writer’s methods who don’t have names. Thwaites doesn’t know
attempts comments • Selects some quotations , which occasionally what to do with the mouse but then Dahl has the
support views idea of playing a prank on Mrs Pratchett. He
6-10 marks makes us understand how clever he is by saying
‘It was I and I alone who had the idea for the great
and daring Mouse Plot’. The word ‘daring’ shows
us he thinks he’s being very brave.

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 13 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

Level 1 • Simple evaluative comment on the text I too think the characters are good because you
In this level there • Offers simple example from the text which may can see what they are like. Roald Dahl is clever
Simple, will be simple explain view because he comes up with the mouse plan. He
limited personal comment • Simple mention of the writer’s methods says the mouse was ‘an exciting discovery’.
• Simple references or textual details
1-5 marks

Level 0 No relevant comments offered in response to the statement, no impressions, no evaluation.

No marks

AO4 Content may include the evaluation of ideas such as:

• the individual characteristics of the boys, their actions and reactions to the Great Mouse Plot
• interactions between the characters – the dynamic between the boys
• how Dahl has used, for example, language, structure and tone to make an impression on the reader.

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 14 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

Section B: Writing

0 5 A local author is leading a new initiative in your neighbourhood to get young people writing creatively. She wants to select the
best ones to put in an anthology of stories.

Either: Write a story in which this character features: (picture of an old woman in glasses)

Or: Write a story about a character involved in playing a trick or practical joke on someone.
(24 marks for content and organisation
and 16 marks for technical accuracy)
[40 marks]

AO5 Content and Organisation

Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences.
Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts.

Content
• Communication is convincing and compelling throughout
Level 4 Upper • Tone style and register assuredly matched to purpose, form and audience; manipulative, subtle and increasingly abstract
Level 4 • Extensive and ambitious vocabulary with sustained crafting of linguistic devices
19-24 marks Organisation
22-24 • Highly structured and developed writing, incorporating a range of integrated and complex ideas
Content is marks • Fluently linked paragraphs with seamlessly integrated discourse markers
convincing and • Varied and inventive use of structural features
crafted;

Organisation is Content
structured,
• Communication is convincing
developed, Lower • Tone, style and register consistently match purpose, form and audience
complex and
varied
Level 4 • Extensive vocabulary with evidence of conscious crafting of linguistic devices
Organisation
19-21 • Structured and developed writing with a range of engaging complex ideas
marks • Consistently coherent use of paragraphs with integrated discourse markers
• Varied and effective structural features

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 15 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

Content
• Communication is consistently clear and effective
Level 3 Upper • Tone, style and register matched to purpose, form and audience
Level 3 • Increasingly sophisticated vocabulary and phrasing , chosen for effect with a range of appropriate linguistic devices
13-18 marks Organisation
16-18 • Writing is engaging with a range of detailed connected ideas
Content is clear marks • Coherent paragraphs with integrated discourse markers
and chosen for • Effective use of structural features
effect

Organisation is Content
engaging
• Communication is clear
connected Lower • Tone, style and register generally matched to purpose, form and audience
Level 3 • Vocabulary clearly chosen for effect and successful use of linguistic devices
Organisation
13-15 • Writing is engaging with a range of connected ideas
marks • Usually coherent paragraphs with range of discourse markers
• Usually effective use of structural features

Content
• Communication is mostly successful
Level 2 Upper • Sustained attempt to match purpose, form and audience; some control of register
Level 2 • Conscious use of vocabulary with some use of linguistic devices
7-12 marks Organisation
10-12 • Increasing variety of linked and relevant ideas
Content is marks • Some use of paragraphs and some use of discourse markers
successful and • Some use of structural features
controlled

Organisation is Content
linked/relevant Lower • Communicates with some success
and Level 2 • Attempts to match purpose, form and audience; attempts to control register
paragraphed
• Begins to vary vocabulary with some use of linguistic devices
7-9 Organisation
marks • Some linked and relevant ideas
• Attempt to write in paragraphs with some discourse markers, not always appropriate
• Attempts to use structural features

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 16 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

Content
Level 1 Upper • Simple success in communication of ideas
Level 1
1-6 marks
• Simple awareness of purpose, form and audience; limited control of register
4-6 • Simple vocabulary; simple linguistic devices
Content is marks Organisation
simple • One or two relevant ideas, simply linked
• Random paragraph structure
Organisation • Evidence of simple structural features
is simple and
limited
Content
Lower • Communicates some meaning
Level 1
• Occasional sense of purpose, form and/or audience
1-3 • Simple vocabulary
marks Organisation
• One or two unlinked ideas
• No paragraphs
• Limited or no evidence of structural features

Level 0 Candidates will not have offered any meaningful writing to assess
No marks Nothing to reward

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 17 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

AO6 Technical Accuracy

Candidates must use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and
punctuation. (This requirement must constitute 20% of the marks for each specification as a whole.)

• Sentence demarcation is consistently secure and consistently accurate

• Wide range of punctuation is used with a high level of accuracy
Level 4
• Uses a full range of appropriate sentence forms for effect
13-16 marks • Uses Standard English consistently and appropriately with secure control of complex grammatical structures

• High level of accuracy in spelling, including ambitious vocabulary

• Extensive and ambitious use of vocabulary

• Sentence demarcation is mostly secure and mostly accurate

• Range of punctuation is used, mostly with success
Level 3
• Uses a variety of sentence forms for effect
9-12 marks • Mostly uses Standard English appropriately with mostly controlled grammatical structures

• Generally accurate spelling, including complex and irregular words

• Increasingly sophisticated use of vocabulary

• Sentence demarcation is mostly secure and sometimes accurate

• Some control of a range of punctuation
Level 2
• Attempts a variety of sentence forms
5-8 marks • Some use of Standard English with some control of agreement

• Some accurate spelling of more complex words

• Varied use of vocabulary

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 18 MARK SCHEME – KS3 (Y8) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

• Occasional use of sentence demarcation

• Some evidence of conscious punctuation
Level 1
• Simple range of sentence forms
1-4 marks • Occasional use of Standard English with limited control of agreement

• Accurate basic spelling

• Simple use of vocabulary

Level 0 Candidates’ spelling, punctuation etc. is sufficiently poor to prevent understanding or meaning.
No marks

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