'The noblest Roman of them all.' How far do you agree with this description of Shakespeare's portrayal of Brutus? Support your ideas by close reference to the play.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2012). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [23-25] Answers in this band have all the qualities of Band 2 work, with further insight, sensitivity, individuality and flair. They show complete and sustained engagement with both text and task.
2. [20-22] Sustains a perceptive, convincing and relevant personal response
3. [20-22] shows a clear critical understanding of the text
4. [20-22] responds sensitively and in detail to the way the writer achieves her/his effects (sustaining a convincing voice in an empathic task)
5. [20-22] integrates much well-selected reference to the text
6. [17-19] Makes a well-developed, detailed and relevant personal response
7. [17-19] shows a clear understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications
8. [17-19] makes a developed response to the way the writer achieves her/his effects (sustaining an appropriate voice in an empathic task)
9. [17-19] supports with careful and relevant reference to the text
10. [14-16] Makes a reasonably developed relevant personal response
11. [14-16] shows understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications
12. [14-16] makes some response to the way the writer uses language (using suitable features of expression in an empathic task)
13. [14-16] shows some thoroughness in the use of supporting evidence from the text
14. [11-13] Begins to develop a relevant personal response
15. [11-13] shows some understanding of meaning
16. [11-13] makes a little reference to the language of the text (beginning to assume a voice in an empathic task)
17. [11-13] uses some supporting textual detail
18. [8-10] Attempts to communicate a basic personal response to the task
19. [8-10] makes some relevant comments
20. [8-10] shows a basic understanding of surface meaning of the text (of character in an empathic task)
21. [8-10] makes a little supporting reference to the text
22. [5-7] Some evidence of simple personal response
23. [5-7] makes a few straightforward comments
24. [5-7] shows a few signs of understanding the surface meaning of the text (of character in an empathic task)
25. [5-7] makes a little reference to the text
26. [2-4] Limited attempt to respond
27. [2-4] shows some limited understanding of simple/literal meaning
28. [0-1] No answer/Insufficient to meet the criteria for Band 8.