Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it: The Flower-Fed Buffaloes The flower-fed buffaloes of the spring In the days of long ago, Ranged where the locomotives sing And the prairie flowers lie low: – The tossing, blooming, perfumed grass Is swept away by the wheat, Wheels and wheels and wheels spin by In the spring that still is sweet. But the flower-fed buffaloes of the spring Left us, long ago. They gore no more, they bellow no more, They trundle around the hills no more: – With the Blackfeet, lying low, With the Pawnees, lying low, Lying low. 5 10 15 (by Vachel Lindsay)

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.