2015 Specification IGCSE May - Extended – Mark Scheme
The Trouble with Everest / Eco-tourism
Question 1
[20 marks]
Question 1
You are the writer of the text The Trouble with Everest. You have been asked
to give a talk to a group of climbers who are about to start training for an
expedition to the summit of Mount Everest.
In your talk you should address the following points:
 What training and preparation should take place
 The conditions climbers can expect on Mount Everest
 The benefits and rewards of taking on this challenge
Base the talk on what you have read in Passage A and be careful to use your
own words. Address each of the three bullets.
Write about 250-350 words.
Up to 15 marks will be available for the content of your answer, and up to
5 marks for the quality of your writing.
[20 marks]
The question tests Reading Objectives R1-R3 (15 marks)
R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings
R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
R3 analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions
AND writing Objectives W1-W4 (5 marks)
W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
W2 sequence facts, ideas and opinions
W3 use a range of appropriate vocabulary
W4 use register appropriate to audience and context
General notes:
Candidates should select ideas from the passage and develop them relevantly, supporting
what they write with details from the passage. Look for an appropriate register for the
genre, and a clear and balanced response which covers the three areas of the question, is
well sequenced, and is in the candidate’s own words.
Candidates might use the following ideas
What training and preparation should take place
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Climbing other mountains
Climbing in similar conditions i.e. snow and ice
Purchase/acquisition of appropriate equipment to high specification
Physical training to improve fitness
Climbing at altitude so that the body can be accustomed to lower levels of oxygen
Costings /financial planning
Planning a route
Ensuring you have a guide
Contingency plan for unexpected events or accidents
The conditions climbers can expect on Everest
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Snow and blizzards
Difficult/inhospitable terrain
Dangerous cracks in glacial ice
Sudden and unexpected changes in weather conditions
Extreme conditions such as freezing fog
Altitude sickness/oxygen deprivation
Freeing/sub-zero temperatures
Very powerful winds
The benefits and rewards of taking on this challenge
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Sense of personal achievement
Improved physical fitness and health
Status of being someone who has climbed Everest
Seeing natural beauty at its best
Developing high levels of resilience
Working as part of a team
The discriminator is the development of the writer’s opinions and predictions for the
future, as this requires candidates to draw inferences. Ideas and opinions must be
derived from the passage, developing the implications.
A
CONTENT (Extended Tier)
Use the following table to give a mark out of 15 for Reading
B
WRITING: STRUCTURE AND ORDER, STYLE OF LANGUAGE
Use the following table to give a mark out of 5 for Writing.
Question 2
Question 2
Re-read the descriptions of:
(a)
The fog in paragraph 3 , beginning, “On Everest the weather can
change… ”
(b)
The climate in paragraph 4, beginning, “But fog is not the only
hazard…”
Select four powerful words or phrases from each paragraph. Your choices
should include imagery. Explain how each word or phrase selected is used
effectively in context.
Write about 200 to 300 words.
Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.
This question tests Reading Objective R4 (10 marks)
R4 – demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects
(a)
The fog in paragraph 3, beginning, “On Everest the weather can change… ”
The general effect is that the fog is both overpowering and dangerous.
 “impenetrable “ – the fog is so dense climbers cannot see or move through it

“living, breathing ghostly white matter” – the personification of the fog suggests
that it is like a living ghost, making climbers fearful of its power
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“suffocating mist” – the fog almost chokes the climbers because it is so thick

“white blindfold” - the fog blinds the climbers, emphasising the dangers they face
because they cannot see

“a web of entrapment” – the fog can make climbers feel as they have been caught
in a maze because they do not know which way to go; the fog is deliberately trying
to trap them
(b)
The climate in paragraph 4, “But fog is not the only hazard…”
The general effect suggests that the climate, including the wind, is very severe and
powerful.

“Laced with ice” – the temperatures are always cold; it is as if nature is being
deliberately destructive/violent by poisoning/spiking the air with freezing conditions

“persistent, violent force” – the temperatures do not get any better; they are
constantly challenging for the climbers
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“aggressive and punishing bite” – personification of the climate; the climate is like
an angry and violent person; it makes climbers feel intimidated, as if the climate is
causing them harm for daring to try and conquer Everest

“blinding and perilous blizzard conditions” - the blizzards are so severe that the
climbers are left vulnerable because they cannot see. “Perilous” shows that the
blizzards are extremely dangerous, to the point where human life is threatened.

“Furious, hurricane level wind” – emphasises the power and strength of the wind;
the personification of the wind shows that it is reacting as if it is extremely angry
Reading: Language Analysis
Use the following table to give a mark out of 10 for Reading
Question 3
This question tests Reading Objectives R1, R2 and R5 (15 marks):
R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings
R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
R5 select for specific purposes
and writing assessment objectives W1 to W3 (5 marks)
W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
W2 sequence facts, ideas and opinions
W3 use a range of appropriate vocabulary
(a) Notes
What opportunities and benefits does eco-tourism offer, according to Passage B?
Write your answer using short notes.
You do not need to use your own words.
Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer.
Reading content for Question 3 (a)
Give 1 mark per point listed below, up to a maximum of 15
The opportunities and benefits offered by Eco-Tourism in Passage B
Give 1 mark for a point about:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Chance to travel to faraway/exotic locations
Work with wildlife such as orang utans in Borneo/orphan elephants in Africa
Practical tasks such as digging a well in Indonesia
Increased amounts of money going into ecological and wildlife projects
Satisfying the human need to help
Appeals to our desire to champion a cause
Doing something that fulfills a moral purpose
Makes you feel less guilty about the damage to the environment
Helps communities create resources and facilities that will provide long-term help
Can help a wide range of people in local and international destinations
Helps communities make money
Improves social mobility
Provides more opportunities for trade and tourism
Makes a difference to the planet.
Allows you to participate in and learn about different cultures/ways of life
Preserves traditions and methods
Improves human rights for vulnerable communities through raising awareness
18. Brings about change that will make a difference to other people in the future
Note: Although lifting of words and phrases from the passage is acceptable it is important
that in such cases candidates show evidence of understanding by clearly focusing on the key
details; over-lengthy lifting which does not identify specific points should not be rewarded.
Credit responses that attempt to use own words and convey the essence of the point.
(b)
Now use your notes to write a summary of what Passage B tells you
about the opportunities and benefits of eco-tourism.
You must use continuous writing (not note form) and use your own
words as far as possible.
Your summary should include all 15 of your points in Question 3(a) and
must be 200 to 250 words.
Up to 5 marks are available for the quality of your writing.
Marking Criteria for Question 3 (b)
Writing: (concision, focus and use of own words)
Use the following table to give a mark out of 5 for Writing.
PiXL has written both the papers, and the ‘answers’ provided in this Mark Scheme. The
instructions on how to mark the paper, including objectives and the marking grids, are taken
from the CIE Mark Scheme.