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Level 4 exemplars and comments Paper 1 Sample 1: Part I, Section B, Question 5

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Sample 1: Part I, Section B, Question 5

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Sample 1: Part I, Section B, Question 5

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Sample 1: Part I, Section B, Question 5

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Sample 1: Part I, Section B, Question 5

Comments The candidate has demonstrated a good understanding of The Taming of the Shrew through distinguishing the two forms of disguise evident in the play: physical disguise, as adopted by characters such as Sly, Lucentio and Tranio, and psychological disguise, by Bianca and Katherina. In evaluating the significance of these disguises, the essay explores with sound reasoning and relevant evidence their comical functions as well as themes central to the play, such as appearance and reality, and clothing and identity. However, the theme of marriage could have been examined with greater clarity and depth, as it remains unclear why the candidate was so sure that Bianca’s disguise would lead to a bad marriage, whereas Petruchio’s disguise as a means to tame Katherina would enable them to become ‘a good couple’.

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Sample 2: Part II, Question 19

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Sample 2: Part II, Question 19

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Sample 2: Part II, Question 19

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Sample 2: Part II, Question 19

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Sample 2: Part II, Question 19

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Sample 2: Part II, Question 19

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Sample 2: Part II, Question 19

Comments The answer discusses major incidents which cause shifts in the moods of stories, notably Kitty’s adultery with Charlie, and Walter’s death in The Painted Veil, as well as Dee’s reunion with Mama, and her final departure, in ‘Everyday Use’. The causes of these changes and the ways they occur are illustrated with examples and evidence from the texts. There is also an attempt at demonstrating how changes in mood are developed, e.g. the background music and the manner in which the adultery scene in The Painted Veil is shot are briefly commented upon. However, more could have been done. Further comments on the methods used to effect these outcomes (e.g. diction, imagery and mise-en-scène) would have made the response even more comprehensive and forceful.

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Paper 2 Sample 1: Section A, Question 4

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Sample 1: Section A, Question 4

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Sample 1: Section A, Question 4

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Sample 1: Section A, Question 4

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Sample 1: Section A, Question 4

Comments (i) Shows an understanding of how Golding uses sound, but this answer could have been

developed in a lot more depth by exploring the language. Unnecessarily long quotations are used. Mentions the use of specific diction and verbs but does not support this enough.

(ii) Starts off by explaining how Ralph’s thoughts lead to his actions, but the later section is mostly limited to merely describing or quoting each thought and action. Unnecessary reference to lengthy quotations.

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Sample 2: Section A, Question 1

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Sample 2: Section A, Question 1

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Sample 2: Section A, Question 1

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Sample 2: Section A, Question 1

Comments (i) Shows clear understanding of the context and Petruchio’s motivations, noting his use of

flattery and sexual innuendo. Refers to ‘his determination to win her over’ but this is not entirely clear here. Also discusses a ‘later scene’, which is beyond the scope of this question.

(ii) Imagery is identified easily enough but the purpose could have been explained more convincingly (e.g. the donkey image ‘is used to compare Petruchio to a donkey’).

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Paper 3 Sample 1: Extended Essay: How the narrative style builds suspense – an analysis on The Girl on the Train (2015)

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Sample 1: Extended Essay: How the narrative style builds suspense – an analysis on The Girl on the Train (2015)

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Sample 1: Extended Essay: How the narrative style builds suspense – an analysis on The Girl on the Train (2015)

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Sample 1: Extended Essay: How the narrative style builds suspense – an analysis on The Girl on the Train (2015)

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Sample 1: Extended Essay: How the narrative style builds suspense – an analysis on The Girl on the Train (2015)

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Sample 1: Extended Essay: How the narrative style builds suspense – an analysis on The Girl on the Train (2015)

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Sample 1: Extended Essay: How the narrative style builds suspense – an analysis on The Girl on the Train (2015)

Comments

The candidate has formulated a thesis at the beginning of the essay and has tried to substantiate it with details and examples from the novel. However, there is a shift from the discussion of the ‘narrative style’ to the description of events in the novel. Some pages of the essay cover the events in a factual and descriptive style. The relation of suspense to the three narrators has not been adequately tackled. The inter-relations of the three narrators could have been dealt with more thoroughly.

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Sample 2: Extended Essay: How does Lasse Hallstrom show the dog’s emotions in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

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Sample 2: Extended Essay: How does Lasse Hallstrom show the dog’s emotions in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

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Sample 2: Extended Essay: How does Lasse Hallstrom show the dog’s emotions in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

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Sample 2: Extended Essay: How does Lasse Hallstrom show the dog’s emotions in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

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Sample 2: Extended Essay: How does Lasse Hallstrom show the dog’s emotions in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

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Sample 2: Extended Essay: How does Lasse Hallstrom show the dog’s emotions in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

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Sample 2: Extended Essay: How does Lasse Hallstrom show the dog’s emotions in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

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Sample 2: Extended Essay: How does Lasse Hallstrom show the dog’s emotions in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

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Sample 2: Extended Essay: How does Lasse Hallstrom show the dog’s emotions in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

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Sample 2: Extended Essay: How does Lasse Hallstrom show the dog’s emotions in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

Comments

The candidate has focused the discussion with reference to the title and has demonstrated a good understanding of some cinematic techniques. The discussion is rather thin, however, focusing on some isolated individual shots rather than discussing the emotional complexities of the dog, and the relationship between Hachi and its owner could have been analysed more critically.