Re-read paragraphs 1 and 3, which contain phrases about Laurent. Give: • the meaning of each phrase as it is used in the passage • the effect of each phrase as it is used in the passage.

Mark scheme

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

1. 9(a) Meaning: [1] (he knows / realises) he is not doing / filling his time/his life with anything meaningful / valuable / useful / fulfilling / satisfying // he is not doing what he wants to do / not achieving anything / throwing his life away // he spends time / his life / his job doing things that are boring / unsatisfying / unfulfilling / without purpose // he feels / thinks banking is unfulfilling / boring / meaningless / unsatisfying
2. 9(a) Effect: [1] he feels / is depressed / sad / unhappy / frightened / empty / negative / regretful / frustrated / anxious / dissatisfied / worried / unfulfilled // the situation / his life is depressing / sad / frightening // the reader feels sympathy / sorry for him
3. 9(b) Meaning: [1] it took him (a short) time / a while to realise / recognise / process / grasp / take in / be sure about / focus on / notice / be aware of / confirm / identify / absorb (what he had seen) // he didn't know / catch on / work out / understand / figure out at once / right away / immediately / instantly / at first (what he had just seen) - Accept any sensible length of time: a minute / seconds / some seconds /a while / some time / gradually etc.
4. 9(b) Effect: [1] what he saw / it was surprising / unexpected / took him aback // it / something seemed / was out of place / odd / strange / unusual // he was surprised / taken aback / puzzled / confused / perplexed - Note: One word answers work here: (the effect is) surprise / confusion / puzzlement