English B: Standard Level
Sharing the planet — Theme: Sharing the planet
- 1.
Read the text “The street that turned green”. [1] Five years ago, Marlow Street was a grey row of parked cars. Today it has trees, flower beds and a small vegetable garden run by the primary school. [2] The change started with one resident, Joyce Park, who placed a single planter outside her door. Neighbours copied her, and within a year they had persuaded the council to close half the street to traffic. [3] Summer temperatures on the street are now noticeably lower, and residents say they talk to each other far more than before. [4] Not every street can follow the same model. Shops in busier areas need delivery access, and some drivers complain about losing parking spaces. (a) What was Marlow Street like five years ago? (b) What did Joyce Park do first? (c) What did the neighbours persuade the council to do? (d) Give two benefits mentioned in paragraph 3. (e) Give one reason why other streets may not copy the model.
[5 marks] · no calculator - 2.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the text “The street that turned green”. [1] Five years ago, Marlow Street was a grey row of parked cars. Today it has trees, flower beds and a small vegetable garden run by the primary school. [2] The change started with one resident, Joyce Park, who placed a single planter outside her door. Neighbours copied her, and within a year they had persuaded the council to close half the street to traffic. [3] Summer temperatures on the street are now noticeably lower, and residents say they talk to each other far more than before. [4] Not every street can follow the same model. Shops in busier areas need delivery access, and some drivers complain about losing parking spaces. (a) What was Marlow Street like five years ago? (b) What did Joyce Park do first? (c) What did the neighbours persuade the council to do? (d) Give two benefits mentioned in paragraph 3. (e) Give one reason why other streets may not copy the model.” Their response addresses only this point: “(a) A grey row of parked cars.” 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 “Fast fashion: three questions to ask”. A leaflet from a student environment group: The average item of clothing is now worn far fewer times than it was twenty years ago, and much of it ends up in landfill. Before you buy, ask three questions. First: will I wear this at least thirty times? Second: do I know anything about who made it and how? Third: could I borrow, swap or buy it second-hand instead? Our swap shop runs on the first Friday of every month in the school hall. Bring up to five clean items and take home the same number. Anything left over is donated to a local charity, so nothing goes to waste. (a) What problem does the first sentence describe? (b) What is the first question the leaflet suggests? (c) Give one alternative to buying new clothes mentioned in the leaflet. (d) When and where does the swap shop take place? (e) What happens to clothes nobody takes?
[5 marks] · no calculator - 4.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the text “Fast fashion: three questions to ask”. A leaflet from a student environment group: The average item of clothing is now worn far fewer times than it was twenty years ago, and much of it ends up in landfill. Before you buy, ask three questions. First: will I wear this at least thirty times? Second: do I know anything about who made it and how? Third: could I borrow, swap or buy it second-hand instead? Our swap shop runs on the first Friday of every month in the school hall. Bring up to five clean items and take home the same number. Anything left over is donated to a local charity, so nothing goes to waste. (a) What problem does the first sentence describe? (b) What is the first question the leaflet suggests? (c) Give one alternative to buying new clothes mentioned in the leaflet. (d) When and where does the swap shop take place? (e) What happens to clothes nobody takes?” Their response addresses only this point: “(a) Clothes are worn far fewer times than before and much ends up in landfill.” 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 town council is asking young people how to reduce waste. Write a text that presents two practical ideas and explains how young people could help put them into action. Choose one of these text types: formal letter to the council, article for a local newspaper, speech at a youth forum. Write 250–400 words.
[6 marks] · no calculator - 6.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Your town council is asking young people how to reduce waste. Write a text that presents two practical ideas and explains how young people could help put them into action. Choose one of these text types: formal letter to the council, article for a local newspaper, speech at a youth forum. Write 250–400 words.” Their response addresses only this point: “Content (criterion B): presents two distinct, practical ideas for reducing waste.” 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.
Rewrite each sentence in the passive voice, keeping the meaning. (1) “Volunteers planted two hundred trees.” (2) “The council will close the road next week.” (3) “Factories are polluting the river.”
[3 marks] · no calculator - 8.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Rewrite each sentence in the passive voice, keeping the meaning. (1) “Volunteers planted two hundred trees.” (2) “The council will close the road next week.” (3) “Factories are polluting the river.”” Their response addresses only this point: “(1) “Two hundred trees were planted (by volunteers).”” 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 “Water notice”. “IMPORTANT – WATER SUPPLY. Due to essential repairs, water will be switched off on Tuesday 14 May from 9:00 to 15:00. Residents are advised to store drinking water in advance. We apologise for any inconvenience. For updates, visit our website or call 0800 123 456.” (a) Identify the text type. (b) Give two features that make the register formal. (c) Give two pieces of practical information readers are given.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 10.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the short text “Water notice”. “IMPORTANT – WATER SUPPLY. Due to essential repairs, water will be switched off on Tuesday 14 May from 9:00 to 15:00. Residents are advised to store drinking water in advance. We apologise for any inconvenience. For updates, visit our website or call 0800 123 456.” (a) Identify the text type. (b) Give two features that make the register formal. (c) Give two pieces of practical information readers are given.” Their response addresses only this point: “(a) An official notice / public announcement.” 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