O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Meaning1123/11 · Oct/Nov 2024 · Q116 Marks

Read Text A, The World's Oldest Swim, in the insert and answer Question 1 and Question 2.

(a)In what way does the geography of the Strait of the Dardanelles make it 'one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world'? (line 2)[1]
(b)Explain what Calum is feeling when he says 'Whoa!' (line 6)[1]
(c)From paragraph 2, give two ways in which the waters of the strait are different from the waters Calum and Matt are used to swimming in.[2]
(d)Identify two details that show why 'people call this the “World's Oldest Swim”.' (line 13)[2]
(e)Explain what Matt is thinking when he says, 'They weren't really talking to me.' (line 24)[2]
(f)In paragraph 6, how does Matt feel on the morning of the swim? Give two details from the text to support your answer. Matt's feeling details[3]
(g)(i)In paragraph 8, Matt and Calum discover a problem that they will face during the swim. What is the problem?[1]
(g)(ii)What does the guide suggest Matt and Calum should do to solve the problem?[1]
(h)Explain using your own words Ed's different feelings about the swim. Give three details from anywhere in the text to support your answer.[3]

Mark scheme

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

[1] it is / flows between four seas
[1] can be accessed from Europe and Asia // can give access to Europe and Asia
[1] connects four seas / two continents / Europe and Asia
[1] (he is) amazed / shocked / surprised / impressed (by the ships / tankers)
[1] nervous (of the ships / tankers)
[1] (waters of the strait are) noisy / busy / not peaceful / not relaxing (to swim in)
[1] (waters of the strait are) dirty / (possibly) polluted / not clear
[1] (waters of the strait are) industrial
[1] (waters / rivers / lakes at home are) quiet / calm / relaxing / peaceful
[1] (waters / rivers / lakes at home are) are clear / not dirty / not industrial / not polluted
[1] ruins of / ancient castles (on its shores)
[1] (legendary city of) Troy (situated / was there)
[1] (in Greek) legends / myths // Leander swam across / it
[1] Romantic poet swam it / (Lord) Byron swam it (in 1810) // someone swam it in 1810
[1] he is capable / strong / confident / optimistic // he is a good swimmer
[1] the remarks are (intended) for less capable / weaker swimmers // they are underestimating him
[1] he is nervous / worried (about the weather)
[1] he is trying to hide his nerves
[1] (Feeling) anxious / apprehensive / stressed / tense / serious
[1] (Feeling) awkward / (a bit) silly
[1] (Detail for nervous) 'assembled solemnly'
[1] (Detail for nervous) 'The tension was palpable'
[1] (Detail for nervous) 'Conversations were muted'
[1] (Detail for embarrassed) 'passing amused early risers watching'
[1] (Detail for embarrassed) 'It was quite a sight' / "clad in nothing more than swimming suits'
[1] two currents in opposite / different directions
[1] strong undercurrent
[1] aim / swim left
[1] aim / swim for the flagpole
[1] (Feeling: nervous / scared / worried / anxious / cautious) Supporting textual detail: 'particularly animated at the mention of jellyfish'
[1] (Feeling: nervous / scared / worried / anxious / cautious) Supporting textual detail: 'narrowly avoiding choking'
[1] (Feeling: nervous / scared / worried / anxious / cautious) Supporting textual detail: 'interrogated us about the minor details of our own race preparations'
[1] (Feeling: nervous / scared / worried / anxious / cautious) Supporting textual detail: 'a flustered Ed'
[1] (Feeling: nervous / scared / worried / anxious / cautious) Supporting textual detail: he asked us how we had trained for the swim
[1] (Feeling: shocked) Supporting textual detail: 'particularly animated at the mention of jellyfish'
[1] (Feeling: shocked) Supporting textual detail: 'narrowly avoiding choking'
[1] (Feeling: shocked) Supporting textual detail: he was upset by the mention of jellyfish
[1] (Feeling: unprepared / unconfident / self-doubt / unsure) Supporting textual detail: 'interrogated us about the minor details of our own race preparations'
[1] (Feeling: unprepared / unconfident / self-doubt / unsure) Supporting textual detail: 'Keen to get in the water before he could change his mind'
[1] (Feeling: unprepared / unconfident / self-doubt / unsure) Supporting textual detail: he asked us about our training for the swim
[1] (Feeling: determined / eager / impatient / ready) Supporting textual detail: 'Keen to get in the water before he could change his mind'
[1] (Feeling: determined / eager / impatient / ready) Supporting textual detail: 'he'd weaved his way through the chaos to the front'
[1] (Feeling: determined / eager / impatient / ready) Supporting textual detail: he wanted to get into the water quickly before changing his mind
[1] (Feeling: unsettled / confused / panicky / flustered / uneasy / overwhelmed) Supporting textual detail: 'a flustered Ed'
[1] (Feeling: unsettled / confused / panicky / flustered / uneasy / overwhelmed) Supporting textual detail: 'forgot to step on the starter mat, so was sent back'
[1] (Feeling: unsettled / confused / panicky / flustered / uneasy / overwhelmed) Supporting textual detail: he had got sent back as he'd forgotten to step on the starter mat
[1] (Feeling: enjoyment / enthusiastic / excited / happy) Supporting textual detail: "We're only here once,' Ed called"
[1] (Feeling: enjoyment / enthusiastic / excited / happy) Supporting textual detail: 'disappeared recklessly'
[1] (Feeling: enjoyment / enthusiastic / excited / happy) Supporting textual detail: Ed called out that they were only there once
[1] (Feeling: embarrassed) Supporting textual detail: 'a flustered Ed'
[1] (Feeling: embarrassed) Supporting textual detail: 'apologetically'
[1] (Feeling: embarrassed) Supporting textual detail: Ed was agitated as he was sent back from the water
[1] (Feeling: headstrong / carefree / careless / reckless / confident) Supporting textual detail: "We're only here once,' Ed called"
[1] (Feeling: headstrong / carefree / careless / reckless / confident) Supporting textual detail: 'disappeared recklessly'
[1] (Feeling: headstrong / carefree / careless / reckless / confident) Supporting textual detail: he rushed into the mass of swimmers