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O-LevelEnglish LanguageDirected Writing1123/22 · May/June 2024 · Q125 Marks

Section A: Directed Writing Read both texts and answer Question 1. Text A Santina, 14 years [Figure - Social media post layout with 'Status', 'Photo', 'Log in' buttons, followed by '2 comments' and 'Like', 'Comment', 'Share' buttons] S Santina 3d Nothing is better than a trip to the zoo! It is a great chance to see lots of animals that you might not be able to see in the wild without expensive overseas travel. A visit to the zoo is also the perfect family outing for all ages. Compared to many other family activities, it's great value for money, because you can spend all day there, and it's fun too. The zoo is also a great place for a school trip because activities can be linked to what is being studied in class. As well as the chance to see lots of exotic animals, zoos can help to raise awareness of environmental problems which are causing some species to become endangered. This can help visitors to change any shopping or eating habits which may have a negative impact on these endangered species. Zoos help to protect animals and can also give scientists the ability to study animal behaviour in a way that would be impossible in the wild. Often, zoos work together to share knowledge about the animals in their care and to help protect endangered species. The money you pay to visit helps to fund all this. So, why not visit the zoo today? You're sure to have a great day out! [Figure - Social media post layout with 'Like', 'Comment', 'Share' buttons] Text B Raj, 15 years [Figure - Social media post layout with 'Status', 'Photo', 'Log in' buttons, followed by '3 comments' and 'Like', 'Comment', 'Share' buttons] R Raj 1d A trip to the zoo might be a great day out, but have you ever thought about what it is like for the animals that live there? Zoos are often overcrowded, with lots of animals kept close together. They have much less space than in the wild and this can lead to changes in their behaviour. Some animals are taken from the wild to be kept in a zoo. These animals know what it is like to be free and to live in their natural environment, so they will never be happy. They often live much shorter lives than if they stayed in the wild. Staff in zoos often don't have specialist knowledge about the animals they care for – this can mean that animals are treated badly. Zoos are businesses and their main aim is to make money. They put human entertainment first, and their animals often have poor living conditions. While some zoos make a lot of money, others rely on money from the government. Surely there are better ways of spending public money than on zoos? So, while a trip to the zoo might be a great day out for you, it certainly isn’t great for the animals you go to see. [Figure - Social media post layout with 'Like', 'Comment', 'Share' buttons] Question 1 You have read two comments about zoos on an online blog. You have been asked to take part in a classroom debate on whether or not zoos should be banned. Write a speech for your classmates about whether or not you think zoos should be banned. In your speech you should: • evaluate the ideas and opinions in both texts • give your own views about whether or not zoos should be banned, based on what you have read in the texts. Base your speech on what you have read in both texts but be careful to use your own words. Address both of the bullet points. Begin your speech with 'Good morning, everyone'. Write about 250 to 350 words. Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to 15 marks for the quality of your writing.

  1. Content and DevelopmentEvaluate the ideas and opinions in both texts, and give your own views about whether or not zoos should be banned, based on what you have read in the texts. Base your speech on what you have read in both texts but be careful to use your own words. Address both of the bullet points. Write about 250 to 350 words. Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.[10]
  2. Language and StyleBegin your speech with 'Good morning, everyone'. Up to 15 marks are available for the quality of your writing.[15]

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Mark scheme

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

  1. [Notes on task] Responses should be based on some of these general ideas:
  2. [Notes on task - Text A Viewpoint] - in favour of zoos
  3. [Notes on task - Text A] wide range of animals / no need for overseas travel
  4. [Notes on task - Text A] perfect / fun family outing (for all ages)
  5. [Notes on task - Text A] value for money / cheap / affordable
  6. [Notes on task - Text A] educational / school trips
  7. [Notes on task - Text A] raise awareness about endangered species
  8. [Notes on task - Text A] gaining / sharing scientific knowledge
  9. [Notes on task - Text B Viewpoint] - against zoos
  10. [Notes on task - Text B] behavioural changes in animals / overcrowding
  11. [Notes on task - Text B] human entertainment prioritised over animal welfare
  12. [Notes on task - Text B] public money could be better spent elsewhere
  13. [Notes on task - Text B] staff don't always know how best to look after the animals
  14. [Notes on task - Text B] animals' happiness / life expectancy reduced
  15. [Reading Level 5] Selects a wide range of relevant facts, ideas and opinions from the text(s). (R5) (Marks: 9-10)
  16. [Reading Level 5] Analyses, evaluates and develops the chosen content in a way that clearly fulfils all elements of the task. (R3) (Marks: 9-10)
  17. [Writing Level 5] Content is complex, well developed and effective. (W1) (Marks: 13-15)
  18. [Writing Level 5] Well-organised structure that assimilates ideas from the text(s). (W2) (Marks: 13-15)
  19. [Writing Level 5] Uses a wide range of well-constructed sentences accurately, including complex sentences. (W3) (Marks: 13-15)
  20. [Writing Level 5] Precise and effective use of a wide range of vocabulary. (W3) (Marks: 13-15)
  21. [Writing Level 5] Consistently appropriate tone and register for audience and purpose. (W4) (Marks: 13-15)
  22. [Writing Level 5] Highly accurate use of complex spelling, punctuation and grammar. (W5) (Marks: 13-15)

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About this question

Topic
Directed Writing, O-Level English Language (syllabus 1123). Structured question, 25 marks.
Source
O-Level English Language, May/June 2024 Paper 2 Variant 2, question 1.

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