O-LevelEnglish LanguageSummary Writing1123/12 · Oct/Nov 2025 · Q325 Marks

Read Text B, Sneakers, in the insert and answer Question 3. Question 3

(a)Summarise the reasons why so many people buy sneakers made by the big brands, according to Text B. You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible. Avoid copying long sections of the text. Your summary should be no more than 150 words. Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 10 marks for the quality of your writing.[20]
(b)Imagine you are Matthew Chang, director of the footwear brand Vida. You are interviewed by a fashion journalist who is writing an article about sneakers. Give your answer to the journalist's question, using information from the text. The journalist's question: Many people think that Vida sneakers are boring. What is your opinion and why? Matthew Chang's answer:[5]

Mark scheme

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

[1] (a) everyday / essential / regular footwear // people from all walks of life / different people wear them // everyone / anyone wears them
[1] (a) sporting endorsements // contracts signed with (top) athletes // sporting hero / (top) athletes promote / advertise them // to wear / buy the same (footwear) as a sporting hero / (top) athlete / basketball idol
[1] (a) a (must have) fashion item / a trend // want to be up-to-date / fashionable / to show off // status symbol / prestigious / luxurious
[1] (a) for comfort
[1] (a) technology / innovation (in manufacture) // technical wizardry
[1] (a) enhance / improve / help sporting performance // can play sport / / run / better / fast(er) // good for athletes
[1] (a) people collect / pursue / hunt them // a hobby
[1] (a) different / new models / designs // can wear a different pair every day
[1] (a) can trade / sell / exchange them // an investment
[1] (a) can bond with others // (be in) a community / a club (of sneakerheads)
[1] (a) their history / story
[1] (a) (big brands produce) limited editions / rare sneakers // sneakers produced in small quantity / on sale for a short time
[1] (b) Supporting detail: smaller, more sustainable brand // environmentally friendly, care about the environment // think about what they put on their feet
[1] (b) Development: nothing boring about sustainability, protecting the future // not made to be a collector's item // do not need celebrities, endorsements to sell them
[1] (b) Supporting detail: famous, big brands are slow producing sustainable sneakers
[1] (b) Development: Vida sneakers are filling a gap in the market // compare big brands' half-hearted attempts despite their finances // big brands more concerned with profit
[1] (b) Supporting detail: gaining popularity
[1] (b) Development: consumers are turning away from the big, predictable global brands // proof that they are excited by individuality rather than mass produced sneakers
[1] (b) Supporting detail: large price tag // quality // durability // cheap, unbranded sneakers are thrown away and replaced
[1] (b) Development: price reflects skill in manufacture // economical since they will last a long time, no need to replace, value for money // price means they will not be thrown away // reduces overconsumption
[1] (b) Supporting detail: simple, classic designs
[1] (b) Development: deliberate // stylish // timeless // avoidance of fashions trends // stream of new designs is unnecessary // no need to upgrade // message to buy less // consumers consciously rejecting fast fashion // simplicity and fewer parts make it easy to recycle
[1] (b) Supporting detail: 100% recycled material // return Vida sneakers to the company for recycling // other sneakers made of plastic, nylon, toxic glue // other sneakers end up in landfill, have a heavy carbon footprint
[1] (b) Development: keep sneakers out of landfill // educating consumers to be 'green' // nothing boring about company and customers having a social, eco conscience