2015 Specification IGCSE November - Extended - Mark Scheme
The Grand Depart
Read carefully Passage A, Yorkshire’s Finest Moment, and then answer Questions 1 and 2 on
this Question Paper.
Question 1
Imagine you are one of the organisers of The Grand Depart.
Write a report for the organising committee about the event.
In your report you should:
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describe the atmosphere before and during the race
give your impressions of the challenges of hosting the event
suggest what impact the event may have now and in the future
Base your report on what you have read in Passage A, but be careful to use your own words.
Address each of the three bullet points.
Begin your report with the first bullet point.
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
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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.
Annotate A1 for references to the atmosphere before and during the race
Annotate A2 for references to the impressions of the challenges of hosting the event
Annotate A3 for references to the impact the event may have had
Candidates might use the following ideas
A1
Describe the atmosphere before and during the race
Reward and idea about:
 Excitement det: 2 million people, festival spirit, support messages on the road dev:
once in a lifetime opportunity
 Optimism/positivity about making money and/or seeing best cyclists det: charging
£10 for facilities, got into position before 7am, dev: disappointed not to make
money, frustrating traffic delays
 ‘Classy’ start det: Harewood House, 18th century dwelling, celebrities, royalty dev:
created media interest
 Intense due to expectations det: Cavendish’s mother’s hometown dev: hero
welcome
 Disappointment det: Mark Cavendish injured dev: expectation of a nation on him
 Enthusiasm det: whooping crowds, attempts at French, high fiving police dev: united
spirit, sense of community
 Frenzied/hysterical whilst waiting for the bikes to come past
 Threatening and intimidating at times det: spectators too close to bikes, pushing
forward dev: dangerous, out of control at times, contrast to the ‘classy’ start
A2
Give your impressions of the challenges of hosting the event
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Organising such large numbers and keeping control det: 2 to 3 million expected dev:
difficult to predict how many coming as didn’t have to book in, people pushed
forward too much, over excitement can be dangerous
Logistical arrangements det: road closures, de-tours, re-surfacing roads, traffic jams
dev: people had to plan their route or couldn’t get to their accommodation,
unknown numbers
Not everyone made money det: farmer offer not taken up, £10 dev: spectators were
wise to money making schemes
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A3
Organising the media det: royalty, A list celebrities, scrum dev: hadn’t expected to
draw so much attention
Dealing with disappointment of crowd det: Cavendish crashing dev: bad press due
to disappointment of a British rider crashing in adopted town
Organising the timing of the event det: support vehicles, free gifts, police presence
dev: narrow roads cause a hazard when millions had lined the route
Cultural differences det: French gendarmes confused dev: not something the French
were used to seeing
Suggest what impact the event may have now and in the future
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Cycling becomes more popular in the area/the country
Tourism increases at the time and in the future (this could be positive or negative
depending on their view) det: accommodation needed, merchandise sold dev:
people return in the future
The local economy benefits det: 2-3 million visitors, merchandise
Community brought together
Would-be entrepreneurs can make money from it
The ‘free’ advertising means people re-think cycling holidays abroad
Creates pride in the area
Grand depart holidays and cycle routes advertised
May not have any impact in which case millions has been spent but not earned
Creates jobs both now and potentially in the future
Unemployment: people were employed in the lead up but afterwards were not
[Point = suggestion/prediction for each aspect (rooted in text), supported by detail, dev =
judgements of the implications of what might happen next/reactions to it]
Note 1: Candidates may see that the impact is both positive and negative. Some may take
the view that it will have a negative impact as the ‘hidden’ gem is no longer hidden and so
tourists will flock and the charm of the area may be ruined others will think that tourism will
improve the local economy.
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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.
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Question 2
Re-read the descriptions of:
(a)
what the crowd saw and felt in paragraph 5, beginning, “The crowds
were left…”
(b)
The description of Yorkshire in paragraph 7, beginning, “The real
winner…”
Select four powerful words or phrases from each paragraph. Your choices should
include imagery. Explain how each word or phrase is used effectively in the 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
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(a)
What the crowd saw and felt
The general effect is of an over excited crowd acting as one body and the races moving as
one. Words reflect the speed of events and the fervour of the crowd.
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(b)
Excited frenzy: highly charged atmosphere almost suggesting it is out of control.
Snake-like formation: a long shape that looks like it is slithering across the
countryside. Suggests they are moving as one.
Happy hysteria: positive feelings leading to madness, heightened excitement. Sense
of all being ‘infected’ with this madness.
Intense action: all the focus on one thing and one moment
Whir of Lycra: the sound as the cyclists went past. Suggests it happened quickly and
all looked the same
Straining calf muscles: bodies/legs being pushed to the limit. Indicates desperation
to win/difficulty of the task, sounds strenuous.
Sleek bent bodies: smooth, aerodynamic, bodies leaning over handlebars. Suggests
they are like machines.
Flashed past: went quickly, difficult to see.
Anarchic: out of control, rebellious. Suggests the ‘hysteria’ has got out of control and
is causing concern
Furious: Could refer to anger but more likely to refer to speed as in ‘fast and furious’.
Suggests feelings are running high.
The description of Yorkshire
The general effect suggests the great and hidden value of Yorkshire and also emphasizes the
variety of its landscapes making it sound idyllic.
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Hidden gems: kept secret, precious stone. Suggests it is of great worth yet
undiscovered.
Under the radar: hidden, undiscovered and out of sight. Suggests only known by a
few.
Eyes of the world: people across the world are looking at Yorkshire due to media
coverage. Personifies the world.
Centre stage: the middle of a public platform. Suggests importance and
predominance like this is Yorkshire’s time to have their moment for all to see.
Meandering narrow roads: winding, thin roads, typical image of the area.
Bustling market towns: busy and thriving suggests how ‘alive’ it is.
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Imposing abbeys: dominating the skyline, making other things look small, reflects
the history of the place.
Brutal, punishing climb: unforgiving, very demanding incline.
Walls infiltrated again: walls have been occupied or taken over again but this time
by tourists rather than soldiers. Suggests that tourists have ‘invaded’ the city.
Shone bright in Yorkshire’s crown: attracts attention, something of royal
importance suggests valuable and attractive.
Shop window: somewhere were something is displayed, catch someone’s eyes.
Suggests Yorkshire has been positioned carefully so that it can be chosen and
‘bought’, shows it in a good light. A wonderful marketing opportunity.
Only credit comments on stylistic effect where explicitly linked to choices.
Reading: Language Analysis
Use the following table to give a mark out of 10 for Reading.
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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
Read carefully Passage B, Nature’s Buzz and then answer Question 3(a) and (b) on this
Question Paper.
Question 3
Answer the questions in the order set.
(a)
Notes
What are the features of the honeybee and why are honeybees important,
according to Passage B?
Write your answer using short notes. Write one point per line. 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
What are the features of the honeybee and why are honeybees important, according to
Passage B?
Give 1 mark for a point about:
1. They are smaller and slimmer (need both for the mark)
2. They have short tongues so they prefer open flowers (do not credit either part on
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their own – need both parts to award the point)
3. There is only one species in Europe (must include Europe to get the point)
4. They live in hives of up to 50,000-60,000 bees (must have the right number. Do not
award ‘hives’ on its own)
5. The queen and many of her daughters live in the hive all year (must have
some/many of her daughters – do not award point without this detail)
6. The queen can live for 3/4 years
7. They make lots of honey that can be harvested to eat OR sell (must have both
‘eat’/’sell’ to get the point)
8. They perform a ‘waggle dance’ to inform others about location of honey (must
have both parts to get the mark)
9. They are valued for their pollination that transforms flowers/blossom to seed AND
fruit (need both seed and fruit to get the point)
10. Best pollinators due to the volume of them/far more of them than wild insects
(must be a comment on volume/amount)
11. They latch on to a pollen supply and stick with it (must have both parts)
12. They are systematic in taking pollen from one place
13. They are vital when weather has been cold
14. Without them fruit won’t blossom/fruit farmers panic about their fruit blossoming
15. Honeybees benefit oil seed rape growers as they speed up pollination (must be
mention of both parts)
16. They ensure oil seed rape ripens at the same point (must mention oil seed rape not
just ‘everything’)
17. Estimated to be worth £900 million every year (need the amount and ‘every year’
to get the point)
18. Honey is worth £15-20 million to the economy
19. Honey has health benefits
20. Without them, nuts and berries fail to grow and effects birds and animals (need
mention of nuts and berries and their effect on both birds and animals to get the
point.)
Notes:
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Only one point per line can be credited.
Extra incorrect information negates
Award responses in 3a that communicate the essence of the point.
Do not credit answers if they are repeated.
If a point is not clear enough, indicate this with a ^.
Over lengthy lifting should not be credited.
If grammar/spelling seriously affect the accuracy of an idea, the point should not be
awarded.
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(b)
Summary
Now use your notes to write a summary of what Passage B tells you about the
features of the honeybee and how they are important.
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.
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Annotate A1 points with ‘A1’ (the features of the honeybee) in left-hand margin
Annotate A2 points with ‘A2’ (why honeybees are important) in left-hand margin
If there is material that is copied write LM in the margin
If they have used their own words well + in the right hand margin
If there is particularly helpful sequencing/organization of points – mark ‘O’ in right hand
margin
Excessive copying of the text should be highlighted
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.
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