O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Meaning1123/21 · May/June 2021 · Q65 Marks

From paragraph 4

(b)Apart from the fact that Quashia wasn't there to help, why did the writer offer to be Rene's assistant?[1]
(c)When the writer suggested she could be Rene's assistant, he muttered 'incomprehensible misgivings'. Explain in your own words what his reaction was.[2]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Quashia / he was (much) younger (than Rene) // Rene was seventy-six (years old) / (much) older than he was / (too) old / an old man
[1] Quashia / he was strong / (much) stronger / more powerful (than Rene) // Rene was not as strong (as he was) / was not strong enough
Allow for (i) or for (ii): Quashia / he worked on (the/a) farm / was (the/a) farm worker // It was Quashia's / his job / work
1 mark for each correct response. Accept in either order. Credit correct responses where they appear, even if both are in one limb, or if a correct response straddles both limbs
[1] None of Rene's / his friends were available / could do the work / it // (all of) Rene's / his friends had committed themselves elsewhere
Allow lift of lines 21–22 ‘Rene suggested bringing someone with him, one of his friends (who would accept a reasonable daily rate), but nobody (strong enough) was available'
there was far too much (for Rene) to do on his own // there were too many trees to treat (for Rene alone) // (Rene reiterated / repeated that) he could not accomplish / do the job on his own // nobody else (strong enough) was available
[1] (But what he said) wasn't understandable / couldn't be understood / was difficult to understand / was unfathomable / unintelligible // he mumbled // his words were unclear / hard to make out
[1] He was unsure / uncertain / nervous / wary / uneasy / unconvinced / had reservations / doubts / concerns // Allow an explanation for Rene's 'misgivings' i.e. that Rene / he did not think / believe a woman / girl could do the job / would be strong enough // Rene / he did not think / believe the writer could do the job because she was a woman
This is an OWN WORDS question. Key ideas are to be found in the words INCOMPREHENSIBLE and MISGIVINGS. Any paraphrases which capture these ideas are acceptable but do not accept mere synonyms of the words without a relevant context. Do not insist on, or reward, paraphrase of 'muttered'. Allow inclusion of key words in an answer which also paraphrases the words correctly.