O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Meaning1123/12 · May/June 2024 · Q29 Marks

Question 2

(a)Read this sentence from the text: 'Ice crystals cracked and crunched against my teeth, dissolving on my tongue with a sparkling sensation.' (lines 38–39) What effect does the writer suggest about the sensation of the crystals dissolving on his tongue by using the word 'sparkling' to describe it?[2]
(b)Read this extract from the text: 'But, once I'd got over the initial strangeness, I found I could not forget that extraordinary flavour, nor the cold, frozen grittiness. It was as if the ice itself was enticing, daring me on. From then on, without Ahmad knowing, I tasted every ice confection we made.' (lines 43–46) What does the writer want to suggest to the reader at this point in the story?[1]
(c)Explain why the writer uses the word 'creature' rather than ‘boy' in the expression 'a creature incapable of reason.' (line 48)[1]
(d)What two impressions does the writer want to convey to the reader in the sentence: 'And so I learnt the subtle art of more complex water ices: ‘sorbetti', in which the syrups themselves were frozen, transforming magically to mounds of glittering crystals; and 'sherbets', the most difficult and enchanting of all, expertly infused with fragrant cardamom, and resembling refrozen snow.' (lines 50–53)?[2]
(e)Identify one example of how the writer uses language effectively to convey his feelings once he begins his double life, in this extract from the text: 'So began a period in which I lived a double life. By day, I followed Ahmad's instructions dutifully. But by night I was a kind of alchemist, the kitchen my laboratory as I experimented wildly, without method or purpose, trying increasingly outlandish and ridiculous combinations of flavours and ingredients. I froze soft cheeses, vegetable juices, even soups, hoping to chance on something – some method, some key – something that could unlock the deepest, frozen secrets of ice cream.' (lines 61–66) Explain the impression the writer creates in the example you have identified. example explanation[3]

Mark scheme

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

[2] (a) pleasurable / enjoyable; magical; fizzing / tickling / tingling / popping / an explosion; exciting / surprising
[1] (b) turning point // change in his relationship // he's going his own way; becoming bold // has decided to wilfully ignore his master // risky behaviour; becoming obsessed with / addicted to the ices // cannot stop; going to be in trouble with Ahmad if / when he finds out
[1] (c) he is no more than an animal / is inhuman / lacking the power of thought; he is inferior / worthless; (Ahmad) is dismissive / scornful (of him)
[2] (d) hard / complicated / to make // need to be skilful to make them; unique / extraordinary // each one is different; wizardry (involved); beautiful / appealing / mesmerising / sparkling; lovely smell / scent
[3] (e) Responses might use any of the following relevant choices: I lived a double life: living the lives of two different people / deception / cunning / secretly taking on another identity/role; By day, I followed Ahmad's instructions dutifully: appears to be doing as he is told / his public face / pretending / playing a role of loyalty and subservience; by night I was a kind of alchemist: passionate belief he is changing something for the better / like a magician / thinks he will make money (gold) / glorifies what he's doing / self-importance / secrecy under cover of darkness; the kitchen my laboratory as I experimented wildly: (crazed) scientist / no order or structure to what he is doing / driven / obsessed / out of control / unrestrained / in charge ('my'); without method or purpose: no order or planning / random / meaningless / lacks understanding of what he's doing; increasingly outlandish and ridiculous combinations / hoping to chance on something: foolish / unlikely to work / getting (more) desperate / aware he needs luck / success will be coincidental; froze soft cheeses, vegetable juices, even soups: unlikely / bizarre (list of) ingredients / he recognises how extreme his experiments are ('even'); something - some method, some key – something: repetition suggests increasing obsession/desperation / constant searching / urgency / commitment to finding the clue/solution; some key - something that could unlock / the deepest, frozen secrets of ice cream: convinced there is something to find / recognises it will be difficult to discover / excitement of looking for buried treasure