O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Ideas1123/21 · May/June 2023 · Q122 Marks

Section 1: Reading for Ideas Read Passage 1, Working from home, in the insert and answer all the questions below.

(a)Notes Identify and write down the advantages of working from home and the disadvantages of working from home, as outlined in the passage. USE MATERIAL FROM PARAGRAPHS 2 TO 7 INCLUSIVE. 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 Advantages of working from home • no time is spent travelling to and from work Disadvantages of working from home • technology might let you down[12]
(b)Summary Now use your notes from 1(a) to write a summary of the advantages of working from home and the disadvantages of working from home, 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: People working from home do not have to spend time[10]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a) no time is spent travelling to and from work (given)
[1] (a) (employees / workers / you are now able to) choose (the) hours they work / their hours // work (can be done) in (conventional) office hours or outside of (conventional) hours / them / at other times
[1] (a) (employees / workers / you can take refreshing) breaks when / as often as they like
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 9–11 'Workers can take... they like (rather than at.... the cafeteria queue, for example)'
[1] (a) no need for childcare (if parents work from home)
[1] (a) Allow lift of line 12 'There is no need...home.'
[1] (a) financial savings / saving money // don't need to pay (for) travel / transport (costs and / or fuel) //
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 14 – 16 ‘(Because you) don't need...costs...(such as for bus...there are) financial savings (to be made...home)
[1] (a) eco-friendly // reduces our (collective) carbon footprint / carbon (dioxide) emissions
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 17–18 'a typical car .... eco-friendly'
[1] (a) removes the temptation to buy unhealthy / fattening snacks / food
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 20 – 21 '(Not being....as well as saving money,) removes...snacks'
[1] (a) money saved (can be) used / spent on other things / more useful things / interesting things
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 23–25 ‘The money saved (when working from home) can be used on (other,) more useful or interesting things, (such as holidays... family)'
[1] (a) technology might let you down (given)
[1] (a) (for some people the) lack of social contact leads to loneliness
[1] (a) (more) serious / adverse / harmful effects on mental health // (more) seriously harms mental health
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 32 – 33 ‘(For some...to) more serious...health, (Including severe anxiety)
[1] (a) no / lack of exercise
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 35–37 'Some workers are dismayed... absolutely no exercise'
[1] (a) Staring at a device / screen (like a laptop all day) harms / damages the eyes
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 38–39 ‘Staring at a device... harm the eyes (causing, for example, blurred vision... strain)'
[1] (a) Helpful / constructive chats (which help to solve problems / provide ideas) don't occur / happen / take place // (these) impromptu meetings don't occur / happen / take place
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 42–44 ‘Helpful chats...ideas; these impromptu...don't occur...home'
[1] (a) restaurants / coffee shop (sometimes are forced to) shut (down) / close (causing unemployment)
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 45–47 ‘(When cities or town centres...home) restaurants ...down (causing unemployment'
[1] (a) bus / train companies / public transport (have to) reduce their services // less (of a) choice of bus / train services / public transport
[1] (a) Allow lift of lines 47–49 ‘(When public transport is being under-utilised,) bus and train companies...services (meaning... have less of a choice)'
[10] (b) Band 5 (9-10 marks): 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 marks): 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 marks): 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 marks): 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 marks): 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 marks): No understanding of the task demonstrated in: A totally irrelevant response. Insufficient material to reward.