Cambridge Lower Secondary Sample Test

For use with curriculum published in

September 2020

English Paper 1
Mark Scheme
Stage 8

English_S8_01_MS/5RP
© UCLES 2020
S8/01 English Stage 8 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Section A: Reading

Question Answer Marks

1 Look at the first paragraph (lines 1–3). 1

Give one word that means ‘fascinated’.

Award 1 mark for:

• intrigued

Question Answer Marks

2 Why do you think the boys moved carefully down the hole? 1

Award 1 mark for:

• They did not know what to expect. / The shaft was almost vertical. / There
were many bats.

Question Answer Marks

3 Look at line 10. 1

Why does the writer begin a new paragraph?

Award 1 mark for:

• to introduce direct speech / a quotation / to shift focus from setting the

scene to introducing a person

Question Answer Marks

4 Why does the writer begin a sentence with To their surprise (lines 12–13)? 1

Award 1 mark for the following idea:

• The writer wants to emphasise the boys’ surprise (rather than the
spectacular paintings) by putting this phrase at the beginning of the
sentence.

Question Answer Marks

5 What does mesmerised (line 15) mean? 1

Award 1 mark for:

• captivated

Page 2 of 11
S8/01 English Stage 8 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Question Answer Marks

6 Look at lines 18–20. 1

Give one word which means ‘promise’.

Award 1 mark for:

• oath

Question Answer Marks

7 Why do you think Marsal says this is ‘the first commercial exploitation of 1
the cave’?

Award 1 mark for an answer that expresses the following idea:

• It was the first time that anyone had charged (money) to visit the cave.
• Later the caves were opened to thousands of tourists - friends paying
money was the beginning of this venture.

Question Answer Marks

Look at this phrase: the news spread like wildfire (line 23).
8(a) What literary technique is used in the phrase above? 1

Award 1 mark for:

• simile
8(b) Why is this an appropriate description of the way the news of the 1
discovery travelled?

Award 1 mark for:

• The news travelled very fast / in an uncontrolled way

Question Answer Marks

9 Why is the writer’s use of flocked appropriate in line 27? 1

Award 1 mark for an answer that recognises that flocked is being used
metaphorically, e.g.:

• The tourists gather in large numbers. / The tourist are like flocks of sheep
wanting to visit the caves in their hundreds / thousands.

Page 3 of 11
S8/01 English Stage 8 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Question Answer Marks

10 Give two features of a newspaper report used in Text A. 2

Award 1 mark for each of the following, up to a maximum of 2 marks:

• written in the third person

• uses facts
• dates are organised chronologically
• written in the past tense
• uses real place-names / people’s names
• uses eyewitness accounts
• uses direct speech
• has a headline

Question Answer Marks

Look at the title.

11(a) Why has the writer used inverted commas ( ‘ ’ )? 1

Award 1 mark for:

• The writer is using the phrase figuratively not literally

• It is not really a cinema
11(b) Explain why you think it is appropriate to use the word cinema in the title. 2
Give one quotation from the text to support your answer.

Award 1 mark for the explanation, award 1 mark for an appropriate quotation,
up to a maximum of 2 marks.

Explanation
• The paintings looked as it they were in a film

Quotation
• ‘seemed to be moving’ / ‘spectacular’ / ‘multicoloured’ / ‘larger than life’

Question Answer Marks

12 What is the purpose of Text B? Tick () one box. 1

Award 1 mark for:

• to instruct

Page 4 of 11
S8/01 English Stage 8 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Question Answer Marks

13 Look at the first paragraph (lines 1–7). 2

Give two ways in which the writer engages the reader.

Award 1 mark for any of the following, up to a maximum of two marks:

• personal pronouns: you/we

• directly addressing the reader
• use of exclamation mark
• use of imperative
• short opening sentence

Question Answer Marks

14 Look at the last sentence of the first paragraph (lines 6–7). 1

Give one word which contributes to the idea of sequencing information.

Award 1 mark for:

• then

Question Answer Marks

15 Look at the third paragraph (lines 11–14). 1

Give one phrase that tells the reader that something has been
successfully completed.

Award 1 mark for:

• hey presto

Page 5 of 11
S8/01 English Stage 8 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Question Answer Marks

16(a) Imagine a friend has a bat trapped in their house. 3

List the ways in which the bat could be removed, using at least five
suggestions from Text B.

Award 3 marks for 5–6 suggestions

Award 2 marks for 3–4 suggestions
Award 1 mark for 1–2 suggestions.

• open windows & doors

• catch with a butterfly net
• wait for the bat to land
• trap it with a container
• use a towel to knock the bat to the ground
• drape a blanket over the bat
• call an expert
16(b) Using your list, write a summary to describe ways to remove a bat from 2
the house. Use up to 50 words.

First, you should open all windows and doors. If the bat does not fly out, wait for
it to land. You could trap it in a container or cover it with a blanket. You could
also try to catch it with a net. If all else fails, phone an expert.

Page 6 of 11
S8/01 English Stage 8 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2020

Section B: Writing

Question Answer Marks

17 Imagine a situation where something unusual happens that means you 25

need to take action, for example an injury or extreme weather.

Tell your reader what to do in this situation.

Consider the following:

• the type of situation

• your audience
• what actions need to be taken and why.

Notes to markers

• Use the marking grids on the following pages.

• Marking should always begin from the lowest mark in each column and
work upward.
• A ‘best fit’ judgement should be made in judging first in which box to place
the response and then, within that box, which mark is appropriate.
• The lower mark within a box should be given if some the criteria have been
met but not all.
• Note on extent:
Award 0 marks where the performance fails to meet the lowest criteria.
Award 0 marks for 20 words or fewer.
Award a maximum of 7 marks for responses of between 21 and 60 words.
You need not count the words unless you think there will be fewer than 60.
In normal-sized handwriting 60 words will be approximately 8 lines.

Marks

Creation of texts (Wc) 5

Vocabulary and language (Wv) 3

Grammar and punctuation (Wg) 7

Structure of texts (Ws) 7

Word structure [spelling] (Ww) 3

[Total 25]

Page 7 of 11
Creation of texts (Wc)
[5 marks]
Content is wholly suitable
for the intended audience.
Text is written from a clear
and well-presented
viewpoint. i.e., contains
detail that sustains interest
with writer’s style / personal
response which
emphasises particular
points.
Uses relevant features
consistently for a chosen
purpose to clarify meaning.
Some combinations of
structural, linguistic and
literary features to create a
specific effect.
[4–5]
Vocabulary and language Structure of texts (Ws)
(Wv)
[3 marks] [7 marks]
The response is presented
clearly and is well-organised
using a good range of
organisational features
accurately.
Ideas are developed with
chronological or logical links
throughout the text from an
effective introduction to a
successful conclusion.
Paragraphs are used
successfully to structure the
content. There is effective
cohesion within and between
paragraphs.
A good range of sentence
openings and connectives
are used appropriately to
support content.
[6–7]
Grammar and punctuation (Wg) Word structure (Ww)
(spelling)
[7 marks] [3 marks]
Grammatical structures are almost
always accurate throughout the
text. For example:
• a wide range of sentence
types are used accurately
and effectively to support
the text type.
• detail and shades
meaning conveyed
through the grammatical
structure of sentences,
e.g., controlling the order
of clauses in complex
sentences.
• Consistent use of formal
and/or informal register
according to context,
purpose and audience.
Punctuation is accurate and used
to enhance meaning, for example:
• commas, ellipses, colons, semi-
colons, dashes and hyphens
are used accurately to clarify
and enhance meaning
• conventions of layout are
always applied effectively and
consistently e.g., bullet points.
[6–7]
Stage 8 Paper 1 Writing Mark Scheme for Progression tests
Creation of texts (Wc)
Content is suitable for the
intended audience.
Viewpoints are well-
presented and consistent
throughout.
Uses relevant features
consistently for a chosen
purpose to clarify meaning.
May begin to add structural
and literary features in parts
of the text.
[3]
Vocabulary and language
(Wv)
The response is relevant
using a vocabulary
accurately for the purpose /
text type.
Uses language precisely to
clarify and extend meaning.
[3]
Structure of texts (Ws)
The response is presented
clearly and is well-organised
using a range of
organisational features
accurately.
Ideas are developed with
chronological or logical links
throughout the text though
there may be some
inconsistencies.
Paragraphs are used to help
structure the text where the
main idea is usually
supported by following
sentences.
A range of sentence
openings and connectives
are used appropriately to
support content.
[4–5]
Grammar and punctuation Word structure (Ww)
(Wg) (spelling)
Grammatical structures are Spelling is usually correct
mostly accurate throughout throughout.
the text, e.g.,
• a range of sentence types There may occasional be
are used to support the phonetically plausible
attempts at complex words.
text type.
• Some detail and shades
of meaning through the Correct spelling of most, not
grammatical structure of all, polysyllabic words, e.g.,
sentences, e.g., accommodation, appear,
controlling the order of information, probably,
clauses in complex separate, business,
sentences. essentially,
• Formal and/or informal wondering/wandering.
register is generally used
appropriately according to
context, purpose and
audience.
A range of punctuation e.g.,
• commas, ellipses, colons,
semi-colons, dashes and
hyphens are used mostly
accurately to clarify
meaning.
• Conventions of layout are
applied consistently e.g.,
bullet points.
[4–5] [3]
Creation of texts (Wc)
Content is mostly relevant
using some literary
techniques appropriate to
the text type.
Main features of the text
type, if appropriate, are
evident.
Viewpoints are generally
clear and help engage the
reader’s interest for the
most part.
[2]
Vocabulary and language
(Wv)
Creates and controls
meaning through precise
use of a range and variety
of language.
Creates effects by using a
range of linguistic and
literary techniques.
[2]
Structure of texts (Ws)
The response is generally
well-organised and attempts
the use of some
organisational features.
Some attempt to sequence
relevant ideas logically.
Paragraphs / sections are
evident, though not always
consistently or appropriately.
Related points are grouped
together or linked by time
sequencers.
Movement between
paragraphs or sections, may
be disjointed with a limited
range of sentence openings
and connectives.
[2–3]
Grammar and punctuation
(Wg)
Grammatical structures are
generally accurate throughout
the text, e.g.,
• Use of some range of
sentence types to support the
text type.
• Some complex sentences
attempted to create effect.
• Formal and/or informal
register is attempted if
relevant e.g., depending on
target audience
Some range of punctuation:
• e.g., commas, semi-colons,
dashes and hyphens) is used
accurately to clarify meaning.
• There may be evidence of
comma splicing.
Note: if punctuation is totally
lacking and other descriptors met
then give the lower mark here.
[2–3]
Word structure (Ww)
(spelling)
Spelling of common and
some less-common
words, including
polysyllabic and
compound words, is
generally accurate, e.g.
friend, another, around,
because, anything,
something.
Spelling of plurals and
some past and present
words is generally
accurate, e.g., boxes,
clothes, told, stopped,
wanted.
[2]
Stage 8 Paper 1 Writing Mark Scheme for Progression tests
Creation of texts (Wc)
Some material included
that is relevant to the
task.
The writer’s attitude to the
subject inconsistently
conveyed, with some
attempt to engage the
reader.
Some elements of the text
type can be seen; a
maximum of 1 mark can
be awarded if not the
correct genre.
[1]
Creation of texts (Wc)
No creditable response
[0]
Vocabulary and language
(Wv)
Language is simple, relevant.
and suitable for the text type.
Language and meaning of
words/phrases is mainly
clear, with some errors.
[1]
Vocabulary and language
(Wv)
No creditable response
[0]
Structure of texts (Ws)
Some attempt to organise
the overall text.
Some basic sequencing of
ideas in relation to the
stimulus.
Paragraphs / sections are
evident with related points
grouped together or linked
by time sequence.
Movement between
paragraphs or sections,
is disjointed with a very
limited range of sentence
openings and connectives.
[1]
Structure of texts (Ws)
No creditable response
[0]
Grammar and punctuation (Wg) Word structure (Ww)
(spelling)
Basic grammatical structures are Spelling of high frequency
generally correct, e.g., words is generally correct,
• subject and verb generally e.g., their/there, when,
agree were, what, some, etc.
• past and present tense verbs
are generally consistent.
• simple and some compound
sentences
• some complex sentences may
be attempted to expand detail
but not always successfully.
• Formal and/or informal
register may be attempted but
not consistently according to
context, purpose and
audience.
Punctuation:
• Demarcation of
straightforward sentences is
usually correct.
• Commas are used in lists and
occasionally to mark clauses.
Note: learners should gain marks
for good English with punctuation
errors rather than lose marks for
essentially good English.
[1] [1]
Grammar and punctuation (Wg) Word structure (Ww)
(spelling)
No creditable response No creditable response
[0] [0]