English A: Language & Literature SL
Non-literary text types and conventions — Paper 1
- 1.
Read the following original opening of a graduation speech: 'Parents, teachers, and most of all, you — the class who somehow survived my attempts at teaching calculus.' (a) Identify the intended audience(s) of this opening line. (b) Explain the effect of the self-deprecating humour in 'somehow survived my attempts'.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 2.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the following original opening of a graduation speech: 'Parents, teachers, and most of all, you — the class who somehow survived my attempts at teaching calculus.' (a) Identify the intended audience(s) of this opening line. (b) Explain the effect of the self-deprecating humour in 'somehow survived my attempts'.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies multiple audiences: parents, teachers, and graduating students, with the direct address ('you') signalling students as the primary audience.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 3.
Read the following original excerpt from a newspaper opinion column: 'Let us be honest: the city council did not simply make a mistake. It made a choice, and that choice tells us exactly who it considers worth protecting — and who it does not.' Explain how the writer uses the contrast between 'mistake' and 'choice' to persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 4.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the following original excerpt from a newspaper opinion column: 'Let us be honest: the city council did not simply make a mistake. It made a choice, and that choice tells us exactly who it considers worth protecting — and who it does not.' Explain how the writer uses the contrast between 'mistake' and 'choice' to persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint.” Their response addresses only this point: “Explains that 'mistake' implies an unintentional, forgivable error, while 'choice' implies deliberate intention and therefore moral responsibility.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 5.
Read the following original excerpt from an infographic caption accompanying a bar chart: 'One in three. That's how many of your neighbours go without this basic service.' (a) Identify the genre convention being used by pairing a statistic with direct address ('your neighbours'). (b) Explain why this combination is more persuasive to a general audience than presenting the statistic alone.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 6.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the following original excerpt from an infographic caption accompanying a bar chart: 'One in three. That's how many of your neighbours go without this basic service.' (a) Identify the genre convention being used by pairing a statistic with direct address ('your neighbours'). (b) Explain why this combination is more persuasive to a general audience than presenting the statistic alone.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies the convention as combining statistical/factual evidence (ethos/logos) with direct, personalized address (pathos) — a common technique in infographics and public awareness campaigns.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 7.
Read the following original excerpt from a formal letter of complaint: 'I am writing to formally request a full refund, as the product failed to meet the standard described in your advertising.' Identify two features of formal register in this sentence, with supporting evidence from the text.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 8.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the following original excerpt from a formal letter of complaint: 'I am writing to formally request a full refund, as the product failed to meet the standard described in your advertising.' Identify two features of formal register in this sentence, with supporting evidence from the text.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies the formal opening formula 'I am writing to...' as a conventional, impersonal way to state the letter's purpose, typical of formal correspondence.” Evaluate the response against the complete 2-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 9.
Read the following original excerpt from a product review blog post: 'Look, I wanted to love this blender. I really did. But after three smoothies and one very concerning smell, I have questions.' (a) Identify the register used in this excerpt. (b) Explain how this register choice is suited to the blog's likely audience and purpose.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 10.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the following original excerpt from a product review blog post: 'Look, I wanted to love this blender. I really did. But after three smoothies and one very concerning smell, I have questions.' (a) Identify the register used in this excerpt. (b) Explain how this register choice is suited to the blog's likely audience and purpose.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies the register as informal/conversational, evidenced by features such as the direct address 'Look', short emphatic sentences ('I really did'), and casual understatement ('I have questions').” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 11.
Read the following original excerpt from a charity's fundraising letter: 'You could close this letter now. Many will. But if you read just one more paragraph, you will meet Amara, and you will understand why we cannot stop.' Explain how the writer uses the technique of directly addressing the reader's likely behaviour ('You could close this letter now') to increase the persuasive power of the appeal.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 12.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the following original excerpt from a charity's fundraising letter: 'You could close this letter now. Many will. But if you read just one more paragraph, you will meet Amara, and you will understand why we cannot stop.' Explain how the writer uses the technique of directly addressing the reader's likely behaviour ('You could close this letter now') to increase the persuasive power of the appeal.” Their response addresses only this point: “Explains that naming the reader's likely dismissive action directly and honestly ('You could close this letter now') disarms resistance by acknowledging it openly, rather than pretending the reader is fully engaged.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 13.
Read the original advertisement line: 'Why settle for ordinary?' (a) Identify the device. (b) Explain its persuasive effect.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 14.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the original advertisement line: 'Why settle for ordinary?' (a) Identify the device. (b) Explain its persuasive effect.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies a rhetorical question.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 15.
Read the original charity appeal: 'Every night, innocent children shiver in unheated shelters. Your gift could end this heartbreak.' Explain how emotive language is used to persuade.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 16.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the original charity appeal: 'Every night, innocent children shiver in unheated shelters. Your gift could end this heartbreak.' Explain how emotive language is used to persuade.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies emotive words such as 'innocent', 'shiver' and 'heartbreak' that evoke sympathy.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 17.
Read the original speech line: 'We will rebuild, we will recover, and we will remember.' Explain the effect of the rule of three and the repeated structure.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 18.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the original speech line: 'We will rebuild, we will recover, and we will remember.' Explain the effect of the rule of three and the repeated structure.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies the rule of three (a list of three) and the parallel structure 'we will...'.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 19.
Read the original newspaper headline for an article about a bakery's record sales: 'Flour Power: Local Bakery Rises to the Occasion'. Explain how wordplay is used and why headlines favour it.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 20.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the original newspaper headline for an article about a bakery's record sales: 'Flour Power: Local Bakery Rises to the Occasion'. Explain how wordplay is used and why headlines favour it.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies the puns: 'Flour Power' echoing 'flower power' and 'rises' playing on both bread rising and succeeding.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 21.
A health leaflet states: 'Nine out of ten doctors agree: daily exercise protects your heart.' Explain how this sentence tries to persuade, and one reason a reader might still question it.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 22.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A health leaflet states: 'Nine out of ten doctors agree: daily exercise protects your heart.' Explain how this sentence tries to persuade, and one reason a reader might still question it.” Their response addresses only this point: “Explains that the statistic and the appeal to expert authority create credibility and consensus.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 23.
A safety poster shows the single word 'DANGER' in huge bold white capitals on a red background, with small black instructions below. Explain how visual choices communicate the message.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 24.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A safety poster shows the single word 'DANGER' in huge bold white capitals on a red background, with small black instructions below. Explain how visual choices communicate the message.” Their response addresses only this point: “Explains that red is conventionally associated with warning and urgency, and the high contrast with white makes the word stand out.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 25.
A newspaper column opens: 'Last Tuesday, my daughter asked why the bus no longer comes to our village. I had no answer.' Explain why a writer might begin an opinion piece with a personal anecdote.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 26.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A newspaper column opens: 'Last Tuesday, my daughter asked why the bus no longer comes to our village. I had no answer.' Explain why a writer might begin an opinion piece with a personal anecdote.” Their response addresses only this point: “Explains that a personal story humanizes the issue and creates empathy and a sense of authenticity.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 27.
Compare the register of 'Dear Dr Hassan, I would be grateful if you could extend the deadline' with 'Hey Sam, can you give me more time?' Identify two language features that create the difference.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 28.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Compare the register of 'Dear Dr Hassan, I would be grateful if you could extend the deadline' with 'Hey Sam, can you give me more time?' Identify two language features that create the difference.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies formal features in the first text such as the title and surname, the conditional polite phrasing and longer, complex syntax.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 29.
A travel brochure claims: 'The most breathtaking beach on Earth awaits you.' Identify the device and explain its effect on the reader.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 30.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A travel brochure claims: 'The most breathtaking beach on Earth awaits you.' Identify the device and explain its effect on the reader.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies hyperbole (and a superlative) that makes an unprovable claim.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator