O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Ideas1123/12 · Oct/Nov 2025 · Q29 Marks

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

(a)Read this sentence from the text: 'Later that month, I was nearly proved wrong.' (line 41) What does the writer want to suggest to us about what is going to happen next?[1]
(b)Read this sentence from the text: 'We'd expected the worst, but the scene at dawn was a picture of carnage, like an army of giants had wreaked havoc outside: most of the trees in the area had been blown over, the whole world seemed torn apart, unfriendly and unfamiliar.' (lines 44–46) What two impressions does the writer want to convey to the reader about the storm in this sentence?[2]
(c)Explain why the writer uses the word 'lifted' rather than 'moved' in the expression 'it had been lifted from its concrete blocks and tossed onto its side'. (line 47)[1]
(d)Read this sentence from the text: 'Julie and I had already made a brave start on rebuilding the sheds, mournfully avoiding the remains of the cage.' (lines 50–51) What effect does the writer suggest by using the word 'brave' to describe Julie and Rex's start on rebuilding the sheds?[2]
(e)Identify one example from the text below of how the writer uses language effectively to describe Odin. 'Weak cheeping revealed the smallest shadow of a bedraggled Odin perched precariously at the top of the tallest tree and shivering violently. Seriously shaken by his experience, he wasn't in a trusting mood. At the risk of appearing a complete idiot, I called up in a hopefully endearing voice, “Odin, come to Daddy.” The bird's response was immediate. With a croak of relief he dropped from the tree like a bundle of black rags, landing at my feet. Normally he hated being picked up, but on this occasion our indestructible raven was more than willing to be scooped into my arms and taken home.' (lines 58–64) Explain the impression the writer creates in the example you have identified.[3]

Mark scheme

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

[1] (a) Odin leaves / flies away / disappears / escapes / is lost // something will make Odin leave
[1] (b) devastation / ruin / destruction / chaos / catastrophe / great damage / huge mess
[1] (b) like a battlefield / war
[1] (b) (army of giants part of) folklore / mythology / fiction
[1] (b) trees are toppled / knocked over / vulnerable / defenceless
[1] (b) alien / unnatural / unrecognisable / strange / landscape / scene
[1] (b) (it was) hostile / violent / dangerous / monstrous / massive / very strong // he / (they were) frightened / shocked
[1] (c) (to show) upwards movement // it was pulled up / raised / uprooted / elevated / flew up / carried
[1] (c) (to show) the strength / power / force (of the wind) // the wind was strong / powerful / forceful
[1] (c) (to show) how easy it was (for the wind) to move it
[1] (d) they were courageous / strong
[1] (d) it was a huge task // it was difficult / not easy / a challenge // needed a lot of effort // had a lot to do
[1] (d) they were showing optimism / being positive / confident / moving on / overcoming sadness / not giving up / determined / resilient / facing what lay ahead // a fresh / new start / a restart
[1] (e) Example: 'Weak cheeping revealed the smallest shadow'
[2] (e) Explanation: frail, loss of energy, spirit, strength, vulnerable // faint noise // contrasts with his noisy 'squawks' // shrunk, not big // hard to see // barely alive // pitiful
[1] (e) Example: 'a bedraggled Odin perched precariously at the top of the tallest tree'
[2] (e) Explanation: dishevelled, scruffy, messy, dirty, wet // has been through a lot // pitiful // clinging on // sense of danger, he might fall // vulnerable // solitary
[1] (e) Example: 'shivering violently'
[2] (e) Explanation: shaking, trembling, involuntary movements // (shaking) excessively, non-stop, uncontrollably // cold // ill // suffering, in shock, scared, traumatised // pitiful
[1] (e) Example: 'Seriously shaken'
[2] (e) Explanation: extremely, very, terribly // stressed, in shock, scared, traumatised, upset
[1] (e) Example: 'With a croak of relief he dropped from the tree'
[2] (e) Explanation: (gives) a throaty, deep sound // responds to, recognises Rex's voice // return of energy, recovery // pleasure, happiness // (drops) quickly, straight away // eager // feels safe enough to fall // shows faith, confidence (in Rex)
[1] (e) Example: 'like a bundle of black rags'
[2] (e) Explanation: a pile, heap // (feathers/wings are) torn, damaged // lifeless // worthless // ugly, dirty, messy // has gone through a lot, suffered // unrecognisable // pitiful
[1] (e) Example: 'indestructible raven was more than willing to be scooped into my arms'
[2] (e) Explanation: a survivor // resilient, tough, strong // incredible, amazing, miraculous // allows Rex to lift him // happy, ready to be looked after, welcomes security, comfort // tired, no energy, passive // has to be lifted, carried // bond, affection