O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Meaning1123/12 · May/June 2025 · Q116 Marks

Read Text A, The elephant and the boy, in the insert and answer Question 1 and Question 2.

(a)In paragraph 1, what was the first physical feature people noticed when they met Jahan?[1]
(b)In paragraph 2, how did Jahan feel about Istanbul when he first saw it? Give two details from the text to support your answer. Jahan's feeling details[3]
(c)Explain why Jahan 'hurried back below deck.' (line 15)[1]
(d)From paragraph 5, identify two details about the elephant's physical health that showed that he was unwell. • •[2]
(e)From paragraph 5, give two reasons why Jahan thought the elephant's life would be better at the palace. • •[2]
(f)(i)In paragraph 6, the sailors found it difficult to get the elephant out of the ship. What was the first problem the sailors had?[1]
(f)(ii)How did the sailors solve this problem?[1]
(g)Using your own words, explain what the text means by 'ultimately managing'. (line 34)[2]
(h)Explain using your own words Jahan's different feelings about the elephant. Give three details from anywhere in the text to support your answer.[3]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (his) hair
[1] (Jahan's feeling): Reward any sense of being fascinated or feeling of intrigue or uncertainty however expressed, such as entranced / mesmerised / spellbound / bewitched / overwhelmed / absorbed / attracted / awe / hypnotised / curious / interested / confused / unsure // amazed / astonished / stunned (suggest sense of wonder)
[1] (Supporting detail 1 for feeling): 'had a strange effect on his imagination'
[1] (Supporting detail 2 for feeling): 'peered (intently)' / ‘stared' // looked closely
[1] (Supporting detail 3 for feeling): 'hazy' (strip of grey)' // unclear
[1] (Supporting detail 4 for feeling): (Istanbul / it / 'the land seemed) an extension of the sea' / 'a molten city' / 'swaying' / 'dizzying' / ‘ever-changing'
[1] (Supporting detail 5 for feeling): 'could fall under its spell' // become spellbound
[1] (Reason for hurrying back below deck 1): to tell the elephant they had made it to Istanbul / had reached the destination / had arrived
[1] (Reason for hurrying back below deck 2): to check on the elephant // he was worried about the elephant // to see if the elephant was OK
[1] (Detail of unwell elephant 1): sitting (so) still // did not move
[1] (Detail of unwell elephant 2): (soft,) ragged / difficulty breathing
[1] (Detail of unwell elephant 3): brightness had gone from his eyes // his eyes were dull
[1] (Detail of unwell elephant 4): swollen trunk
[1] (Reason for better life at palace 1): (he will be washed with) fresh water
[1] (Reason for better life at palace 2): the royals / the palace / they will adore him / love him / be kind / be caring
[1] (First problem sailors had): he refused to move / did not move / would not be moved / was not ready to move // he would not get out (of his crate)
[1] (First problem sailors had): they could not get him to move
[1] (Solution to problem): winched / pulled up / lifted / hoisted the crate (with him inside)
[1] ('ultimately' meaning): in the end / eventually / at last / finally / after many tries / gradually
[1] ('managing' meaning): they were able (to) / they did it / they succeeded / they could / they made it happen
[1] (Feeling: love / loyalty / a bond / friendship / protective / caring) supported by (Detail: 'hurried back below deck' / 'my friend!' / ‘I'll come with you' / 'wishing, with all his being, for this man to make the elephant better' / 'always carried' sweet almonds / 'smiling' as he gives him ‘sweet almonds')
[1] (Feeling: concern / worried / scared / uneasy / fear / anxious / dread) supported by (Detail: 'uttered with a slight quaver' / 'he didn't know what kind of a place here was' / ‘(feared) the elephant's heart had stopped beating' / '(uneasy about) yet again using seawater' / 'watched the men toil' / 'his anxiety growing' / 'scampered back and forth' / ‘(dreading) the animal would love the healer more than he loved him')
[1] (Feeling: pity / sympathy / sad empathy / sorry) supported by (Detail: 'ragged breathing' / 'swollen trunk' / brightness had gone from his eyes' / 'left salty marks all over his skin which must have prickled' / 'dangling in the air' / 'Chota was on the brink of collapse')
[1] (Feeling: helpless / useless / frustrated / confused) supported by (Detail: 'uneasy about yet again using seawater' / 'scampered back and forth' / 'trying to lend a hand but not knowing quite how' / Chota 'dangling in the air')
[1] (Feeling: guilty / ashamed / uncomfortable / small) supported by (Detail: 'uneasy about yet again using seawater' / Taras 'glared at Jahan' / 'clearly blaming him for the elephant's condition' / 'The boy felt small and ashamed' / 'lowered his gaze, (uncomfortably)' / '(uncomfortably) aware that Chota was on the brink of collapse')
[1] (Feeling: threatened / jealous / envy / insecure / possessive) supported by (Detail: 'Jealousy gnawed at the boy's heart' / 'dreading the animal would love the healer more than he loved him')
[1] (Feeling: happy / reassured / proud / relief / hopeful / excited) supported by (Detail: 'hurried back below deck' / 'You've made it' / 'Detecting Chota's (soft, ragged) breathing' / 'Jahan felt a small relief' / 'they will adore you' / ‘look resplendent in his new saddlecloth' / 'smiling, as Chota popped the nuts into his mouth')