O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Ideas1123/22 · Oct/Nov 2020 · Q122 Marks

Read Passage 1, Major sporting events, in the insert and answer all the questions below.

(a)Notes Identify and write down the benefits and drawbacks of major sporting events, as outlined in the passage. USE MATERIAL FROM THE WHOLE PASSAGE. At this stage, you do not need to use your own words. Use note form. To help you get started, the first point in each section of notes is done for you. You may find it helpful to use bullet points when listing the content points. You will be awarded up to 12 marks for content points. Benefits of major sporting events • sense of national pride is generated Drawbacks of major sporting events • for participants, there is huge pressure to succeed[12]
(b)Summary Now use your notes from 1(a) to write a summary of the benefits and drawbacks of major sporting events, as outlined in the passage. Use your own words as far as possible. You will be awarded marks for producing a piece of writing which is relevant, well organised and easy to follow. Your summary must be in continuous writing (not note form). You are advised to write between 150 and 180 words, including the 10 words given below. Begin your summary as follows: A benefit of major sporting events is that they generate[10]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] sense of national pride (is generated)
[1] (Events such as the Olympic Games or the football World Cup) bring people together from different nations / countries / places
[1] earns income / wealth for the host country / city // hosting earns income for a country / city
[1] participants / athletes gain (immeasurable) satisfaction (of being there) // satisfaction is gained by participants / athletes
[1] (viewing these events) raises the profile of sport // raises the importance of keeping fit // (might) motivate(s) / encourage(s) people to take up / play sport // encourage(s) people to keep fit
[1] (famous) athletes act as role-models
[1] people / we see what endurance / work / perseverance / training / skill can achieve // (thrill of) witness(ing) athletes at the peak of their (physical) fitness
[1] brings (extreme) enjoyment to spectators // unites spectators in common purpose / friendship
[1] spectators / people can view (the event) at home / on television // can be watched at home / on television
[1] for participants, there is huge pressure to succeed (given)
[1] mentality / view / opinion / mindset makes people think that sport is about winning at all costs
[1] cheating (sometimes / even by taking performance enhancing drugs (like steroids))
[1] huge / enormous / sums of money are needed / wasted / it is expensive to build stadiums / stage / host (the) events
[1] budgets / funds / allocated money for (more) useful / other things suffer / are taken // budgets funds / allocated money could be used for (more) useful things // budgets / funds / allocated money for (more) useful things are used for sport / to build stadiums
[1] local people / locals often can't afford to attend // ticket prices are high and local people / locals can't attend
[1] no advantages for the local communities / local people / locals after the event // many of the new stadiums lie empty after the event
[1] (It can be very) expensive to send participants / athletes / competitors (to major events)
Summary - Task Fulfilment 10 marks
Band 5 9–10: Excellent understanding of the task demonstrated in an impressive response: All content included is relevant, with no unnecessary details / repetitions. Fluent and coherent presentation of the points, including possible synthesising where appropriate, and a wide range of appropriate stylish linking devices.
Band 4 7–8: Good understanding of the task demonstrated in a skilful response: Almost all content included is relevant, with only occasional unnecessary details / repetitions. Generally fluent and coherent presentation of the points, with appropriate linking devices.
Band 3 5–6: Acceptable understanding of the task demonstrated in a competent response: Some of the content included is relevant, with unnecessary details / additions. Satisfactory presentation of the points with limited fluency and coherence and occasional misuse of linking devices.
Band 2 3–4: Insecure understanding of the task demonstrated in a rather faltering response: Content included is of limited relevance, with frequent unnecessary details / repetitions. Presentation of the points breaks down, with little coherence and lacking linking devices.
Band 1 1–2: Very little understanding of the task demonstrated in an incoherent response: Content included is of little relevance, with noticeably unnecessary details / repetitions. Little attempt to present the points with no concept of linking devices.
Band 0 0: No understanding of the task demonstrated in: A totally irrelevant response. Insufficient material to reward.