WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: The Merchant of Venice

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [23-25] Band 1: Answers in this band have all the qualities of Band 2 work, with further insight, sensitivity, individuality and flair. They show sustained engagement with both text and task.
2. [20-22] Band 2: Sustains a perceptive, convincing and relevant personal response. Shows a clear critical understanding of the text. Responds sensitively and in detail to the way the writer achieves her/his effects. Integrates much well-selected reference to the text.
3. [17-19] Band 3: Makes a well-developed, detailed and relevant personal response. Shows a clear understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications. Makes a developed response to the way the writer achieves her/his effects. Supports with careful and relevant reference to the text.
4. [14-16] Band 4: Makes a reasonably developed relevant personal response. Shows understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications. Makes some response to the way the writer uses language. Shows some thoroughness in the use of supporting evidence from the text.
5. [11-13] Band 5: Begins to develop a relevant personal response. Shows some understanding of meaning. Makes a little reference to the language of the text. Uses some supporting textual detail.
6. [8-10] Band 6: Attempts to communicate a basic personal response to the task. Makes some relevant comments. Shows a basic understanding of surface meaning of the text. Makes a little supporting reference to the text.
7. [5-7] Band 7: Some evidence of simple personal response. Makes a few straightforward comments. Shows a few signs of understanding the surface meaning of the text. Makes a little reference to the text.
8. [2-4] Band 8: Limited attempt to respond. Shows some limited understanding of simple/literal meaning.
9. [0-1] Below Band 8: No answer / Insufficient to meet the criteria for Band 8.