From paragraph 4

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] it was puzzled / bewildered / mixed up (by the barking dogs) // it lost its focus / sense of direction // it didn't know / understand (what was happening / what to do)
2. [1] (it felt it was) in danger / at risk / might be hurt / attacked / killed // it was scared for its life // it was trying / needing to save itself / keep itself safe / focused on survival
3. This is an OWN WORDS question. Key ideas are to be found in the words CONFUSED and (sense of) PERIL. Any paraphrases which capture these ideas are acceptable but do not accept mere synonyms of the words without a relevant context.
4. Do not insist on paraphrase of 'the barking dogs chasing it' or 'its sense of'.
5. [1] to make it easier (to lift the otter / it out of the water) // it would be difficult to lift (the otter / it otherwise) // so that he wouldn't hurt the otter / it // to protect himself (from the otter / it) // the otter was slippery / Will didn't want the otter to slip out of his hands / to drop it // to avoid touching it / making physical contact // to carry / so Will / he could carry the otter / it (more) carefully / gently
6. Accept it was the best he could do in a hurry / with the resources he had (to save the otter)