presentation title runs here l 00/00/002 gcse english literature unit 1 feedback from june 2011...

Presentation Title runs here l 00/00/002

GCSE English Literature Unit 1

Feedback from June 2011

Online eventNovember 2011


Aims and Outcomes

The purpose of this event is to:• provide an overview of the unit from the summer 2011 series

• Talk through the standardisation scripts from the website to understand how the mark scheme is applied for each tier

• Collate delegate questions and concerns to create a document for the unit for all teachers to use as a guide for the forthcoming examination series


General comments from the examiner report – June 2011• The paper is split into two sections – a 4 part question based on an

extract and an essay question.

• Timing is key to this paper with some students spending too much time on the structured question and not leaving enough time for the essay.

• Students also need to read the questions and be careful to use the extract and, for the Foundation tier, follow the scaffolding bullet points.


Foundation Tier


Question 1 (a) – ‘Animal Farm’

1(a) Outline the key events that lead up to the extract

Summary of 1 (a) from examiner report:

• Generally well answered with the differentiator being the interpretation of the word ‘key’.

• Weaker students simply wrote down everything they could remember about the plot

• Some wrote too much and wasted time retelling the story when bullet pointed sentences outlining the key events would have sufficed

Script A – ‘Animal Farm’

• Read script A question 1 (a) on the screen• This response scored 7 out of 10

• The examiner comments that ‘the candidate includes several appropriate events which are generally accurate and are mostly in the correct chronological order.’

Band 4AO1: respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate

relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations.

• Selection of appropriate key events is generally sound• Chronology of key events is mostly accurate



Question 1 (b) – ‘Animal Farm’

1(b) Explain how the writer presents the importance of THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS in the extract. Use examples of the writer’s language from the extract

Summary of 1 (b) from examiner report:

• This was often the weakest answer with many answers only referring to layout, font and spacing issues

• Students needed to the language of the Commandments themselves


• Read script A question 1 (b) on the screen• This response scored 5 out of 10

• The examiner comments that ‘the candidate validly refers to The Commandments being a way of life that the animals should obey. The response was not developed and the language aspects showed only occasional understanding’

Band 3AO2: Explain how language, structure and form contribute to a writers’ presentation

of ideas, themes and settings.• Some reference to how the writer achieves effects• Occasional understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and

presentational features of language• Examples from the extract are occasionally relevant



Question 1 (c) – ‘Animal Farm’

1(c) From the extract, what do you learn about the character of Snowball. Use evidence from the extract to support your answer.

Summary of 1 (c) from examiner report:

• Most students obtained some marks here by talking about Snowball’s cleverness, his skill at writing and his relationship with Napoleon and Squealer.


• Read script A question 1 (c) on the screen• This response scored 4 out of 8

• The examiner comments that ‘there are two valid aspects of Snowball’s character mentioned here with some textual reference which shows occasional understanding’


relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations.• Occasional understanding of the character will be evident.• Used mostly relevant evidence from the extract to

demonstrate knowledge about the character.



Question 1 (d) – ‘Animal Farm’

1(d) Explain the importance of THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS in one other part of the novel. Uses examples of the writer’s language to support your answer.

Summary of 1 (d) from examiner report:

• Few candidates were able to answer this question with a single incident (the purges, the beds, Napoleon’s hangover) which hinged on THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS.

Script A – ‘Animal Farm’• Read script A question 1 (d) on the screen• This response scored 11 out of 12

• The examiner comments that ‘this is a sound response making a range of relevant points supported by valid textual references putting it in Band 5’

AO1: respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations.

AO2: Explain how language, structure and form contribute to a writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings.

• Consistently uses relevant examples from the text to demonstrate knowledge about theme/character

• Clear understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language

• Sound selection of textual detail to support interpretation



Question 13 – ‘Of Mice and Men’

13. Explain the importance of Crooks in the novel. In your answer, you must consider: the incident involving Crooks, Lenny, Candy and Curley’s wife. How the men on the ranch treat Crooks. The differences between Crooks and other characters.

Summary of question 13 from examiner report:• Many students showed a sound awareness of the importance of

Crooks in the context of the novel• Many students used the bullet points to structure their responses• Many students scored highly in responding to the second and third

bullets; the most successful answers commented on how his exclusion on the ranch was a reflection on the times in which the novel was set


• Read script R on the screen• This response scored 9 out of 16 for AO1 and 11 out of 24 for

AO4

• The examiner comments that ‘this response begins with a clear statement on the importance of Crooks being isolated supported by appropriate textual evidence’

• AO1 is in band 3 with the selection of detail showing some understanding of the importance of Crooks

• AO4 is also in band 3 with the explanation of Crooks’ isolation and supporting textual evidence showing some understanding.


Question 13 – ‘Of Mice and Men’ – Band 3AO1: Respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate

relevant textual detail to illustrate and support textual interpretations• Some responses to text supported by textual reference which is occasionally

appropriate• Selection and evaluation of textual detail show some understanding of

theme/ideasAO4: relate texts to their social, cultural and historical contexts; explain

how texts have been influential and significant to self and other readers in different contexts and at different times

• Some reference to context occasionally supported by relevant textual reference.• Explanation of importance of theme/idea in the extract shows occasional

explanation* Sentences show some attempt to structure and control expression and meaning

with some control of a range of punctuation devices. Spelling sometime accurate with meaning hindered on occasion



Higher Tier


Question 1 (a) – ‘Animal Farm’

1(a) From the extract, what do you discover about the character of Snowball. Use evidence from the extract to support your answer.

Summary of 1 (a) from examiner report:

• Candidates scored highly on part a) when discussing Snowball’s character.

• Candidates also used evidence well and incorporated textual evidence into their responses.


• Read script A question 1 (a) on the screen• This response scored 5 out of 8

• The examiner comments that ‘the candidate makes several points about Snowball’s character. The response uses a good range of evidence to show a thorough understanding’


relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations.• Thorough understanding of the character.• Uses a good range of evidence from the extract to demonstrate

knowledge about the character.



Question 1 (b) – ‘Animal Farm’

1(b) Comment on how language is used to show that the pigs are in control in the extract. Use examples of the writer’s language from the extract.

Summary of 1 (b) from examiner report:

• Again, candidates used evidence well and incorporated textual evidence into their responses.

• Many students gave detailed responses engaging well with the extract


• Read script A question 1 (b) on the screen• This response scored 4 out of 10

• The examiner comments that ‘the candidate makes several valid points with one quotation in support. The response offers some clear explanation of how the pigs are in control’

Band 2AO2: Explain how language, structure and form contribute to a writers’

presentation of ideas, themes and settings.• Sound reference to how the writer achieves effects.• Clear understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and

presentational features of language• Examples from the extract are sound and mostly relevant



Question 1 (c) – ‘Animal Farm’

1(c) Explore the significance of THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS in the extract. Use evidence from the extract to support your answer.

Summary of 1 (c) from examiner report:

• Again, candidates used evidence well and incorporated textual evidence into their responses.

• Many students gave detailed responses engaging well with the extract.


• Read script A question 1 (c) on the screen• This response scored 3 out of 10

• The examiner comments that ‘there is sound reference to the significance of the seven commandments with one example of text quotation’.


relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations.• Candidate makes sound reference to extract• Explanation of importance of theme in extract shows sound

understanding



Question 1 (d) – ‘Animal Farm’

1(d) Explore the significance of THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS in one other part of the novel. Uses examples of the writer’s language to support your answer.

Summary of 1 (d) from examiner report:

• A good range of responses were seen in part d), often referring to the end of the novel once the Commandments had been changed.

Script A – ‘Animal Farm’• Read script A question 1 (d) on the screen• This response scored 7 out of 12

• The examiner comments that ‘this is a sustained response with several relevant points. These comments are supported by appropriate textual detail.’

AO1: respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations.

AO2: Explain how language, structure and form contribute to a writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings.

• Consistently uses relevant examples from the text to demonstrate knowledge about theme/character

• Clear understanding of linguistic, grammatical, structural and presentational features of language

• Sound selection of textual detail to support interpretation




13. Why is the treatment that Crooks receives from other characters important in the novel? You must consider the context of the novel in your answer. Use evidence to support your answer.

Summary of question 13 from examiner report:• Most candidates were successful in demonstrating a sound

understanding of the character of Crooks and the treatment he receives from others.

• Some responses only dealt with section 4 of the text but more successful responses referred to section 2

• Many candidates explored the themes of loneliness and prejudice, scoring highly in AO4.


• Read script Q on the screen• This response scored 9 out of 16 for AO1 and 13 out of 24 for

AO4

• The examiner comments that ‘the candidate makes some sustained reference to AO4 context, although the opening paragraph is more of a generalised context comment with no clear focus on the question. In the main body of the answer, there is some repetition and the occasional unclear reference. Generally, however, this is a sustained response demonstrating a thorough understanding of the importance of the treatment Crooks receives in the novel.’


Question 13 – ‘Of Mice and Men’AO1: Respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate

relevant textual detail to illustrate and support textual interpretations• Sustained responses to text supported by relevant textual reference• Selection and evaluation of textual detail show thorough understanding of

theme/idea • AO4: relate texts to their social, cultural and historical contexts;

explain how texts have been influential and significant to self and other readers in different contexts and at different times

• Sustained reference to context supported by relevant textual reference• Explanation of importance of theme/idea shows thorough understanding

* Sentences are appropriately structured, with sustained control of expression and meaning with thorough control of the full range of punctuation devices. Spelling is almost always accurate, with occasional errors.



Question 20 – ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’

20. What does the reader learn from Scout’s account of life in Maycomb County. You must consider the context of the novel in your answer. Use evidence to support your answer.

Summary of question 13 from examiner report:• Q20 was more popular than Q19

• This question was answered extremely well and almost always supported with relevant textual support.

• Candidates not only discussed the setting of Maycomb County but the different characters within it.

Question 20 – ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’

• Read script AA on the screen• This response scored 16 out of 16 for AO1 and 24 out of 24 for

AO4

• The examiner comments that ‘this is a succinct and focused answer that earns full marks on both AOs. The response to Scout’s account of life in Maycomb county demonstrates a convincing and perceptive understanding using selective textual reference in an integrated and sustained way. There is more that could be said in response to this question – but there always is! It deserves full marks.’


Question 20 – ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ – Band 5AO1: Respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate

relevant textual detail to illustrate and support textual interpretations• Convincing responses to text supported by sustained relevant textual reference• Selection and evaluation of textual detail shows perceptive understanding of

theme/idea AO4: relate texts to their social, cultural and historical contexts; explain

how texts have been influential and significant to self and other readers in different contexts and at different times

• Convincing reference to context supported by sustained relevant textual reference

• Explanation of importance of theme/idea shows perceptive understanding

* Sentences are convincingly structured, with sophisticated control of expression and meaning with precise control of the full range of punctuation devices. Spelling is consistently accurate.



Any Questions?

presentation title runs here l 00/00/002 gcse english literature unit 1 feedback from june 2011...

Documents

relevant presentation

accurate presentation

essay question

examiner report

examiner comments

b animal farm

c animal farm

d animal farm