English B: Higher Level
Social organization (HL) — Theme: Social organization
- 1.
Read the text “The four-day week”. An original report summary: [1] Over six months, forty companies trialled a four-day working week with no reduction in pay. Most reported that productivity stayed the same or improved, and staff sickness fell. [2] The results were not uniform. Firms whose work could be measured in tasks completed adapted easily. Those offering round-the-clock services, such as care homes, found it far harder, because a shorter week required hiring additional staff. [3] Employees overwhelmingly wished to continue. However, some managers noted that the compressed week intensified pressure on the remaining days, and a minority of staff described feeling “always behind”. [4] The authors conclude that the four-day week is not a universal solution but a design choice that works best when the work itself is redesigned, not simply squeezed into fewer days. (a) What two positive results were reported? (b) Why did round-the-clock services find the change harder? (c) Find a word in paragraph 3 that means “made stronger or more extreme”. (d) What drawback is described in paragraph 3? (e) Explain the authors’ conclusion in your own words.
[5 marks] · no calculator - 2.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the text “The four-day week”. An original report summary: [1] Over six months, forty companies trialled a four-day working week with no reduction in pay. Most reported that productivity stayed the same or improved, and staff sickness fell. [2] The results were not uniform. Firms whose work could be measured in tasks completed adapted easily. Those offering round-the-clock services, such as care homes, found it far harder, because a shorter week required hiring additional staff. [3] Employees overwhelmingly wished to continue. However, some managers noted that the compressed week intensified pressure on the remaining days, and a minority of staff described feeling “always behind”. [4] The authors conclude that the four-day week is not a universal solution but a design choice that works best when the work itself is redesigned, not simply squeezed into fewer days. (a) What two positive results were reported? (b) Why did round-the-clock services find the change harder? (c) Find a word in paragraph 3 that means “made stronger or more extreme”. (d) What drawback is described in paragraph 3? (e) Explain the authors’ conclusion in your own words.” Their response addresses only this point: “(a) Productivity stayed the same or improved; staff sickness fell.” Evaluate the response against the complete 5-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[5 marks] · no calculator - 3.
Read the text “The rule”. An extract from an original short story: The rule at Hillcrest was simple: no one left the dining hall until the bell. Nobody remembered who had made it. Teachers enforced it because teachers before them had enforced it, and students obeyed because the alternative was detention. Then Priya, who was new and did not yet know which rules were sacred, stood up five minutes early, carried her tray to the hatch and walked out into the sunshine. The hall went silent. Mr Hale, on duty, opened his mouth and closed it again. He realised he could not think of a single reason to call her back. The next day, three students left early. By the end of the week, nobody could remember the bell ever mattering at all. (a) What does the narrator suggest about why the rule was followed? (b) Why is it significant that Priya “did not yet know which rules were sacred”? (c) Explain what Mr Hale’s reaction reveals. (d) What does the story suggest about rules in institutions? (e) Comment on the effect of the word “sacred”.
[5 marks] · no calculator - 4.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the text “The rule”. An extract from an original short story: The rule at Hillcrest was simple: no one left the dining hall until the bell. Nobody remembered who had made it. Teachers enforced it because teachers before them had enforced it, and students obeyed because the alternative was detention. Then Priya, who was new and did not yet know which rules were sacred, stood up five minutes early, carried her tray to the hatch and walked out into the sunshine. The hall went silent. Mr Hale, on duty, opened his mouth and closed it again. He realised he could not think of a single reason to call her back. The next day, three students left early. By the end of the week, nobody could remember the bell ever mattering at all. (a) What does the narrator suggest about why the rule was followed? (b) Why is it significant that Priya “did not yet know which rules were sacred”? (c) Explain what Mr Hale’s reaction reveals. (d) What does the story suggest about rules in institutions? (e) Comment on the effect of the word “sacred”.” Their response addresses only this point: “(a) Out of habit and fear of punishment, not because anyone understood its purpose.” Evaluate the response against the complete 5-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[5 marks] · no calculator - 5.
Your local council plans to replace a public library with a shopping centre. Write a text to persuade the council and the community that the library still plays an essential role in society. Choose one of these text types: formal letter to the council, speech at a public meeting, opinion article for a local newspaper. Write 450–600 words.
[6 marks] · no calculator - 6.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Your local council plans to replace a public library with a shopping centre. Write a text to persuade the council and the community that the library still plays an essential role in society. Choose one of these text types: formal letter to the council, speech at a public meeting, opinion article for a local newspaper. Write 450–600 words.” Their response addresses only this point: “Content (criterion B): presents well-developed arguments for the library’s social role (e.g. access, education, community) with specific examples.” Evaluate the response against the complete 6-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[6 marks] · no calculator - 7.
Report each statement in indirect speech, starting with the words given. (1) The principal said, “The new timetable will start next month.” → The principal said that… (2) “Have you finished the report?” my manager asked me. → My manager asked me… (3) “Don’t leave the building during the fire drill,” the teacher told us. → The teacher told us…
[3 marks] · no calculator - 8.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Report each statement in indirect speech, starting with the words given. (1) The principal said, “The new timetable will start next month.” → The principal said that… (2) “Have you finished the report?” my manager asked me. → My manager asked me… (3) “Don’t leave the building during the fire drill,” the teacher told us. → The teacher told us…” Their response addresses only this point: “(1) “…the new timetable would start the following month.”” 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 - 9.
Read the short text “Interview extract”. “Q: You left a well-paid job in finance to train as a nurse. Why? A: Honestly, I was bored. Not by the work, which was demanding, but by not knowing whether any of it mattered. Q: Any regrets? A: My bank balance has some. I don’t.” (a) Identify the text type and one of its conventions. (b) What reason does the interviewee give for changing career, and how is it qualified? (c) Explain the effect of the final answer.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 10.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the short text “Interview extract”. “Q: You left a well-paid job in finance to train as a nurse. Why? A: Honestly, I was bored. Not by the work, which was demanding, but by not knowing whether any of it mattered. Q: Any regrets? A: My bank balance has some. I don’t.” (a) Identify the text type and one of its conventions. (b) What reason does the interviewee give for changing career, and how is it qualified? (c) Explain the effect of the final answer.” Their response addresses only this point: “(a) An interview (published Q&A); convention: question-and-answer format with labels (Q/A).” 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