O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Meaning1123/11 · May/June 2025 · Q29 Marks

Question 2

(a)Read this extract from the text: 'In went an over-size stone fountain. Over the centre of the dining room, Father hung a huge glitter-ball made of mirrors, which revolved over a tiny dance floor.' (lines 30–32) What does the writer want to suggest to us about the changes to the restaurant?[1]
(b)Explain why the writer uses the word 'smothering' rather than the word 'covering' in the expression 'before smothering them with multitudes of signed photographs of film stars'. (line 33)[1]
(c)Read this sentence from the text: 'Fruiterers delicately built pomegranate towers, a bed of purple tissue fanning out below them in the shape of lotus flowers; baskets filled with coconuts and mangoes rose vertically, creating sweet-smelling sculptures of expensive fruit hand-polished to a waxy gloss.' (lines 44–46) What two impressions does the writer want to convey to the reader in this sentence?[2]
(d)Read this sentence from the text: 'Bappu sat opposite them in a stiff-backed chair, like in a court of law, nervously stroking his moustache.' (lines 48–49) What effect does the writer suggest about the situation by using the phrase 'like in a court of law'?[2]
(e)Identify one example from the text below of how the writer uses language effectively to convey his opinion of the chicken dish. 'The offending item stood between them – a copper bowl of chicken masala. Drawn by its fiery fumes, I reached over, dipping my fingers into the rich rustic sauce and sucked them greedily. The gloopy masala trickled slowly down my throat, a heavy, oily paste of red chilli. "Only three orders last week. We fix it now or I drop it from the menu,” Father yelled. He spooned a slop of the sauce onto a plate. "Could be better. You agree?"' (lines 52–56) 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 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a) (the fountain / glitter-ball / changes) were showy / fancy / inappropriate / ridiculous / too big / too many / extreme / drastic / excessive / extravagant / have spoilt the restaurant // (the restaurant has) lost its cosy feel
[1] (b) absolutely / totally filled / covered // no space between them // overcrowded
[1] (b) to exaggerate the amount // to show an excessive / extreme number (of photos) // too many (photos)
[1] (c) abundance / lots / variety (of fruit)
[1] (c) artistic / elaborate shapes / skill / care taken / attention to detail / designed / fancy
[1] (c) fragrance / perfume / scent / aroma // nice smell
[1] (c) exotic / sophisticated / elegant / decadent / costly / luxurious
[1] (c) beautiful / wonderful / amazing / impressive / inviting / look delicious
[1] (c) shiny / gleaming
[1] (d) it is serious / formal / important
[1] (d) it is a worrying / uncomfortable / (in)tense (situation) // Bappu is worried / uncomfortable / anxious / vulnerable / powerless
[1] (d) Bappu / he is being judged / blamed / accused // he is on trial // as if he has committed a crime // as if they are discussing a case
[1] (d) something important will be decided // it could have consequences (for Bappu) // Bappu / he could be punished / reprimanded
[1] (e) Example: 'the offending item'
[2] (e) Explanation for 'the offending item': the less popular dish, people do not like it // causing upset, anger, harm // not good enough // Bappu, the dish has committed a crime // like evidence, an exhibit in court // exaggeration
[1] (e) Example: 'drawn by its fiery fumes'
[2] (e) Explanation for 'drawn by its fiery fumes': is (first) attracted by it, tempting // strong smell // spicy, heat, incredibly hot // is overpowering // a sense of danger, risk
[1] (e) Example: 'rich rustic sauce'
[2] (e) Explanation for 'rich rustic sauce': strong flavour // thick // unsophisticated // (looks) tasty, appetising, delicious
[1] (e) Example: 'sucked them greedily'
[2] (e) Explanation for 'sucked them greedily': enthusiasm, eats with pleasure, eats without wanting to stop // expecting something nice // eats noisily // tasty
[1] (e) Example: 'gloopy masala trickled slowly down my throat'
[2] (e) Explanation for 'gloopy masala trickled slowly down my throat': less pleasant // consistency is thick, sticky // hard to swallow // dislikes // not as nice as it looked, smelled (in bowl)
[1] (e) Example: 'heavy, oily paste of red chilli'
[2] (e) Explanation for 'heavy, oily paste of red chilli': not pleasant, awful to eat, dislikes // horrible texture // greasy // overpowering // unhealthy // spicy
[1] (e) Example: 'spooned a slop of the sauce'
[2] (e) Explanation for 'spooned a slop of the sauce': unappetising, unattractive // wet, liquid // unsophisticated // looks horrible, a mess // disgust, disapproval