SONGS OF OURSELVES VOLUME 2: from Part 1 Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 3 Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it: Coming Home My mother's hug is awkward, as if the space between her open arms is reserved for a child, not this body of a man. In the kitchen she kneads the dough, flipping it and patting before laying in again. The flour makes her over, dusting the hairs on her cheek, smoothing out wrinkles. * Dad still goes and soaks himself in the rain. Up to his elbows in hedge, he works on a hole that reappears every Winter, its edges laced with wet wool frozen breaths snagged on the blackthorn. When he comes in again his hair is wild, and his pockets are filled with filings of hay. * All seated, my grandfather pours the wine. His unsteady hand makes the neck of the bottle shiver on the lip of each glass; it is a tune he plays faster each year. (Owen Sheers) How does Sheers vividly convey his feelings in this poem?

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [25] demonstrates knowledge by incorporating well-selected reference to the text skilfully and with flair (AO1)
2. [25] sustains a critical understanding of the text showing individuality and insight (AO2)
3. [25] responds sensitively and in considerable detail to the way the writer achieves her/his effects (AO3)
4. [25] sustains personal and evaluative engagement with task and text (AO4)
5. [22] demonstrates knowledge by integrating much well-selected reference to the text (A01)
6. [22] shows a clear critical understanding of the text (AO2)
7. [22] responds sensitively and in detail to the way the writer achieves her/his effects (AO3)
8. [22] sustains a perceptive, convincing and relevant personal response (AO4)
9. [19] demonstrates knowledge by supporting with careful and relevant reference to the text (AO1)
10. [19] shows a clear understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications (AO2)
11. [19] makes a developed response to the way the writer achieves her/his effects (AO3)
12. [19] makes a well-developed, detailed and relevant personal response (AO4)
13. [16] demonstrates knowledge by showing some thoroughness in the use of supporting evidence from the text (AO1)
14. [16] shows understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications (AO2)
15. [16] makes some response to the way the writer uses language (AO3)
16. [16] makes a reasonably developed relevant personal response (AO4)
17. [13] demonstrates knowledge by using some supporting textual detail (AO1)
18. [13] shows some understanding of meaning (AO2)
19. [13] makes a little reference to the language of the text (AO3)
20. [13] begins to develop a relevant personal response (AO4)
21. [10] demonstrates knowledge by making a little supporting reference to the text (AO1)
22. [10] makes some relevant comments (AO2)
23. [10] shows a basic understanding of surface meaning of the text and language (AO3)
24. [10] attempts to communicate a basic personal response (AO4)
25. [7] demonstrates knowledge by making a little reference to the text (AO1)
26. [7] makes a few straightforward comments (AO2)
27. [7] shows a few signs of understanding the surface meaning of the text and language (AO3)
28. [7] some evidence of simple personal response (AO4)
29. [4] demonstrates knowledge by limited textual reference (AO1)
30. [4] shows some limited understanding of simple/literal meaning (AO2)
31. [4] a little awareness of surface meaning of text and language (AO3)
32. [4] limited attempt to respond (AO4)
33. [0] No answer / Insufficient to meet the criteria for Band 1.