English B: Higher Level
Text types and register (HL) — Paper 1: conceptual understanding
- 1.
Read the short text “Shifting register”. A student’s formal letter to a newspaper: “Dear Editor, I am writing in response to your article on youth unemployment. Your writer claims young people are lazy, which is honestly ridiculous. Like, have they even met a teenager? Many of us work part-time while studying full-time.” (a) Identify two phrases where the register becomes inappropriate. (b) Rewrite one of them in a register suitable for the letter. (c) Explain why this inconsistency would affect criterion C.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 2.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the short text “Shifting register”. A student’s formal letter to a newspaper: “Dear Editor, I am writing in response to your article on youth unemployment. Your writer claims young people are lazy, which is honestly ridiculous. Like, have they even met a teenager? Many of us work part-time while studying full-time.” (a) Identify two phrases where the register becomes inappropriate. (b) Rewrite one of them in a register suitable for the letter. (c) Explain why this inconsistency would affect criterion C.” Their response addresses only this point: “(a) Any two of: “honestly ridiculous”; “Like,”; “have they even met a teenager?”” 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.
For each task, choose the most appropriate text type and give one reason. (1) Persuade the school board to fund a new science lab. (2) Share, for a wide online audience, your experience of learning a new language. (3) Inform residents about changes to rubbish collection. (4) Help a friend who is nervous about starting university.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 4.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “For each task, choose the most appropriate text type and give one reason. (1) Persuade the school board to fund a new science lab. (2) Share, for a wide online audience, your experience of learning a new language. (3) Inform residents about changes to rubbish collection. (4) Help a friend who is nervous about starting university.” Their response addresses only this point: “(1) A proposal or formal letter, because the audience is an official decision-making body.” Evaluate the response against the complete 4-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 5.
A national newspaper has published an article claiming that teenagers no longer read books. Write a text responding to this claim, drawing on your own experience and wider evidence. Choose one of these text types: formal letter to the editor, opinion article, speech at a literature festival. Write 450–600 words.
[6 marks] · no calculator - 6.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A national newspaper has published an article claiming that teenagers no longer read books. Write a text responding to this claim, drawing on your own experience and wider evidence. Choose one of these text types: formal letter to the editor, opinion article, speech at a literature festival. Write 450–600 words.” Their response addresses only this point: “Content (criterion B): responds directly to the claim with a clear position, using personal experience.” 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.
Read the short text “Blog opening”. “Three weeks into my year in Seoul, I still bow at the wrong moments. Yesterday I bowed to a vending machine. (In my defence, it said ‘thank you’ first.) If you are thinking of moving abroad, this blog is for you: the confusion, the small victories, and the very patient vending machines.” (a) Identify two features that mark this as a blog. (b) How does the writer create a personal, engaging voice? Give two examples. (c) Who is the intended audience, and how do you know?
[3 marks] · no calculator - 8.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the short text “Blog opening”. “Three weeks into my year in Seoul, I still bow at the wrong moments. Yesterday I bowed to a vending machine. (In my defence, it said ‘thank you’ first.) If you are thinking of moving abroad, this blog is for you: the confusion, the small victories, and the very patient vending machines.” (a) Identify two features that mark this as a blog. (b) How does the writer create a personal, engaging voice? Give two examples. (c) Who is the intended audience, and how do you know?” Their response addresses only this point: “(a) Any two of: first-person personal account; direct address to readers (“If you are thinking…”); informal, conversational asides (the bracket); an introduction to what the blog will cover.” 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.
You have been asked to give the welcome address to new international students at your school. Write the text, helping them understand the school community and how to make the most of their first term. Choose one of these text types: speech, welcome letter, guide for new students. Write 450–600 words.
[6 marks] · no calculator - 10.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “You have been asked to give the welcome address to new international students at your school. Write the text, helping them understand the school community and how to make the most of their first term. Choose one of these text types: speech, welcome letter, guide for new students. Write 450–600 words.” Their response addresses only this point: “Content (criterion B): explains specific aspects of the school community (values, routines, people to approach).” 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