O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Meaning1123/11 · May/June 2024 · Q116 Marks

Read Text A, The north shore, in the insert and answer Question 1 and Question 2.

(a)In paragraph 1, give one reason why it was difficult for the writer to paddle his canoe in the icy water.[1]
(b)Using your own words, explain what the text means by 'faintly tracing'. (line 4)[2]
(c)From paragraph 2, identify one feature of the north shore that made it difficult to find a place to camp there. Explain the reason why this feature made it difficult to camp. feature explanation[2]
(d)From paragraph 3, give two things that the writer did to guard against the effects of the wind. • •[2]
(e)Explain what the writer was thinking when he whispered, 'Just a little longer my old friend'. (line 13)[1]
(f)In paragraph 4, how did the writer feel about the weather conditions as he sat in his tent that evening? Give two details from the text to support your answer. writer's feeling details[3]
(g)(i)During the night the writer realised that he might have a particular problem getting past the 'powerful river rapids'. (line 21) What was the problem?[1]
(g)(ii)What did he want to do to avoid the problem?[1]
(h)Explain using your own words the writer's different feelings about the place where he decided to make camp. Give three details from anywhere in the text to support your answer.[3]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Award 1 mark for any of the following: • fierce / strong wind • wind was driving him / his canoe • strong / fierce gusts (of wind)
[2] • generally / barely / unclearly following / travelling along / tracking Award 2 marks for full explanation (both strands). Award 1 mark for partial explanation. Credit alternatives explaining the whole phrase e.g. trying to follow = 2 marks
Reward any one feature • tiny patch / dried strip of grass // (vast) heaps / piles of (ancient) boulders / rocks • arctic / cold wind
Explanation • limited space for tent / wouldn't permit pitching a tent • no tent could last (long) unanchored / difficult to secure tent / tent would blow away
[2] Award 1 mark for each up to a maximum of 2 marks. • pegged down / fastened his tent with extra (guy) lines // made camp with extra (guy) lines // secured his tent • carried (up) his canoe away from the shore / water • overturned his canoe
[1] • the canoe may not / won't make it / last (much) longer (to the end of the trip) // he wants to encourage the canoe / he wants the canoe to keep going // he sympathises / empathises with the canoe
[3] Reward any feeling of fear for his safety, however expressed: • scared / intimidated / threatened / worried(1) Details Award 1 mark for each • howling wind // the wind grow louder // wind whipping up waves / waves smashing the shore // the wind blew ceaselessly • hid in his sleeping bag // hunkered down for the night // lay huddled inside(2) Award up to 3 marks: • 3 marks for a response which shows a secure understanding of the writer's feeling with 2 details • 2 marks for a response which shows some understanding of the writer's feeling with 1 detail • 1 mark for some awareness of the writer's feeling, for example, 1 detail or a feeling without details.
[1] • (navigating them later in the season) when the weather was at its worst / bad
[1] • leave / escape (the shore) in the morning (calm) / early
[3] The writer feels • happy / hopeful: ['spotted a tiny patch of grass', 'looked inviting'] • impressed / awed by the view: ['gracefully sloped mountains', 'emptiness of the landscape'] • happy / grateful / relieved / protected: ['thankful to have found this spot', sheltered 'among the rocks'] • worried / keen to leave / impatient: ['heard of canoeists being windbound on such shores, stuck for weeks', 'not encouraging', 'growing anxious'] • vulnerable / frightened: ['my little tent (as I lay huddled inside)', 'the wind's howling grow louder'] • hopeless: ['still stranded in the same spot', 'trapping me'] • confined / he can't escape: ['still stranded in the same spot', 'nightmarish string of obstacles'] • lonely / isolated: ['emptiness of the landscape'] Award up to 3 marks: • 3 marks for an explanation which shows a secure understanding of writer's different feelings • 2 marks for an attempt at an explanation which shows some understanding of the writer's feeling • 1 mark for some awareness of how he felt. The explanation may be partial. The feelings must be predominantly in the candidate's own words. The supporting details can be quoted or paraphrased. Allow slips in copying. A detail can only be credited if it supports an identified feeling.