Skip to main content
O-LevelEnglish LanguageReading for Meaning1123/21 · May/June 2014 · Q73 Marks

From paragraph 4

  1. (a)What effect is created by the word 'looming' that would not be created by, for example, the word 'appearing'?[1]
  2. (b)'The floor fell away and she was rising towards a low red lantern covered with the writhing green bodies of dragons, which was hanging from the ceiling. Then the floor was coming up to meet her again'. Explain fully what was happening here.[2]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2014). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] (a) The man / shop owner was / seemed to be tall / big // the man / shop owner frightened Alice // Alice felt threatened (Allow: The man / shop owner seemed ominous) (Don't Allow: Mysterious = 0(N); Size (alone) = 0; Alice is small(er) = 0(N))
  2. [1] (b) The man / shop owner was lifting Alice / her up from the carousel / clothes (up) towards the ceiling // Alice / she was being lifted up from the carousel / clothes / (up) towards the ceiling (Don't Allow: Lifted her out = 0(N))
  3. [1] (b) and put back down again (Don't Allow: Put her on a chair / she sat down = 0(W))

Write your answer and get it marked

On Oracle Prep you can write or photograph your own answer and have it marked by AI against this mark scheme, with feedback on what you missed.

Sign up free →

About this question

Topic
Reading for Meaning, O-Level English Language (syllabus 1123). Structured question, 3 marks.
Source
O-Level English Language, May/June 2014 Paper 2 Variant 1, question 7.

Questions and mark schemes are from past examination papers and remain the copyright of the exam board. How Oracle Prep builds its content

Related English Language questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep