O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Ideas1123/21 · May/June 2018 · Q122 Marks

Section 1: Reading for Ideas Read Passage 1, Elephants, in the Insert and answer all the questions below.

(a)Notes Identify and write down the information in the passage which describes the importance of elephants throughout history, and the reasons for the decline in the elephant population today and what is being done to stop this decline. USE MATERIAL FROM THE WHOLE PASSAGE. At this stage, you do not need to use your own words. Use note form. To help you get started, the first point in each section of notes is done for you. You may find it helpful to use bullet points when listing the content points. You will be awarded up to 12 marks for content points. Content Points Importance of elephants throughout history • (Form of) transport Reasons for the decline in the elephant population today and what is being done to stop this decline • Losing their habitats (because of the clearing of land for development projects)[12]
(b)Summary Now use your notes from 1(a) to write a summary of the importance of elephants throughout history, and the reasons for the decline in the elephant population today and what is being done to stop this decline, as outlined in the passage. Use your own words as far as possible. You will be awarded marks for producing a piece of writing which is relevant, well organised and easy to follow. Your summary must be in continuous writing (not note form). You are advised to write between 150 and 180 words, including the 10 words given below. Begin your summary as follows: Elephants have been important throughout history, and were used as[10]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1 mark for each correct point up to a max. of 12
[1] Given point: (Form of) transport
[1] Working animals / work
[1] (Used in) warfare in ancient times
[1] (Used in) modern wars / warfare in modern times
[1] (Featured in) religion(s) // (had) religious significance / symbolism
[1] (Said to) bring (good) luck
[1] Ivory / tusks used to make (valuable works of) art / artistic / decorative / religious objects / cutlery handles / piano keys
[1] Keystone species // have (huge) impact for good on the environment // have a good impact on the environment
[1] (Form of) entertainment / used in circuses / displays
[1] Given point: Losing their habitats (because of the clearing of land for development projects)
[1] Killed by farmers (who do not want to lose agricultural/ grazing ground to national parks)
[1] Poaching of ivory/ tusks // poaching / hunting / killing (of elephants) for ivory/tusks
[1] Classified / identified as threatened / endangered (species)
[1] Ivory trade banned (in some countries)
[1] (Many) zoos/ circuses refuse to display / keep them // (some) zoos are (publicly) criticised by groups / organisations / charities for their treatment of elephants
[1] Organisations / groups / charities raise funds for / to equip anti-poaching patrols // Organisations / groups / charities ensure conservation laws are enforced
[1] (Elephant) refuges / orphanages (established)
Candidates have now fleshed out their notes into a piece of formal, continuous prose.
Candidates are advised to write between 150–180 words including the 10 words given.
Marks are awarded for producing a piece of writing which is relevant, well-organised and easy to follow.
Summary – Task Fulfilment 10 marks
Band 5 9–10 Excellent understanding of the task demonstrated in an impressive response: All content included is relevant, with no unnecessary details/repetitions; Fluent and coherent presentation of the points, including possible synthesising where appropriate, and a wide range of appropriate stylish linking devices.
Band 4 7–8 Good understanding of the task demonstrated in a skilful response: Almost all content included is relevant, with only occasional unnecessary details/repetitions; Generally fluent and coherent presentation of the points, with appropriate linking devices.
Band 3 5–6 Acceptable understanding of the task demonstrated in a competent response: Some of the content included is relevant, with unnecessary details/additions; Satisfactory presentation of the points with limited fluency and coherence and occasional misuse of linking devices.
Band 2 3–4 Insecure understanding of the task demonstrated in a rather faltering response: Content included is of limited relevance, with frequent unnecessary details/repetitions; Presentation of the points breaks down, with little coherence and lacking linking devices.
Band 1 1–2 Very little understanding of the task demonstrated in an incoherent response: Content included is of little relevance, with noticeably unnecessary details/repetitions; Little attempt to present the points with no concept of linking devices.
Band 0 0 No understanding of the task demonstrated in: A totally irrelevant response; Insufficient material to reward.
Short answers: Candidates have been asked to write 150–180 words. There is no penalty for long answers but if a script is obviously short, please count the words, marks as normal (i.e. arrive at mark under relevance and coherence) and award marks to the following maxima: 91–100 = 8 max, 81–90 = 7 max, 71–80 = 6 max, 61–70 = 5 max, 51–60 = 4 max, 41–50 = 3 max, 31–40 = 2 max, 21–30 = 1 max, 0–21 = 0.