Section B Answer all questions in this section. Dhia is investigating when children learn to understand differences between shapes. She is comparing children aged 4 years and 8 years. Dhia will test their ability by asking them to sort wooden shapes into triangles, squares or circles.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] How quickly they sort (all) the shapes;
2. [1] How many shapes they sort correctly / How many errors they make in sorting;
3. [1] Number of each type of shape: triangles, squares or circles;
4. [1] She should ask using easy words/language;
5. [1] asking if they want to play a game;
6. [1] e.g. say 'Please can you sort these shapes out for me' 'you don't have to if you don't want to.'
7. [1] e.g. say 'Will you play a shape sorting game with me' 'or would you rather play on your own?'
8. [1] The child might get up / walk away from the study / walk out of the room; (brief suggestion)
9. [1] Stop participating / refuse to continue; (brief suggestion)
10. [1] because they are afraid/bored (detail)
11. [1] and child might look distressed/cry/scream/shout; (detail)
12. [1] as they want to find someone familiar; (detail)
13. [1] It will make her conclusion less valid; (identification)
14. [1] Because the 4-year olds will have learned to tell the shapes apart; (link) 'They would be able to sort' = 1
15. [1] Because the DV would be affected by a variable other than the IV; (generic detail)
16. [1] Because the trip was only for the 4-year old children and not the 8-year old children; (linked detail)
17. [1] Learning about shapes could improve scores so they'd look better at shapes for their age; (linked detail)