Mock exam paper B Higher Level Marking Scheme
PRE-JUNIOR CERTIFICATE, 2012
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MARKING SCHEME
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ENGLISH PAPER 1 AND PAPER 2
HIGHER LEVEL
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Paper 1
Section 1 Reading 40 Marks
The reading passage presents an extract from Frank McCourt’s book Angela’s Ashes which offers the candidate plenty of scope for engagement.
- What impression do you get of the writer’s attitude to his childhood growing up in Limerick? (10)
Candidates can answer on any of the issues the author identifies e.g.
- Poverty
- Alcoholic father
- Holy mother
- Priests
- Miserable Irish childhood
Expect candidates to refer to a number of examples of difficulties the author encounters. Candidates should refer to the text in support of their answer.
Marking: imp ex 10
- Comment on the writer’s use of descriptive writing. Pick out three descriptions that appealed to you and say why you liked them. . (15)
Candidates are expected to outline the key elements of the author’s style of writing and explain why these elements of style impressed the candidate. The candidate might consider:
- The author’s use of humorous language
- The author’s descriptive power
- The author’s narrative style
- The use of allegory and personal experience
- The use of exaggeration to highlight a point
- The author’s self-deprecation etc.
Expect the candidate to identify clearly two aspects of the author’s style and to explain how this style impressed the candidate. Candidates may make a number of points, well expressed, or a global response well supported from the text.
3. Angela’s Ashes became a bestseller. What, on the evidence of this extract, is the appeal of such a novel?
(15)
Candidates are expected to reinforce their opinion by referring and quoting from the extract :
- Extreme circumstances of his story- poverty, loquacious alcoholic father etc
- Story accounts for his survival
- Beginning of the novel
- Outstanding humour and compassion
- Exceptional skill as a storyteller
- Miserable Irish childhood provides a number of great anecdotes.
Expect candidates to giv...