Example Candidate Responses

Paper 1
Cambridge International AS Level
English General Paper 8021
For examination from 2019

Version 1
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Contents
Introduction 4
Paper 11: Question 1 6
Example Candidate Response – high 6
Example Candidate Response – middle 9
Example Candidate Response – low 12

Paper 11: Question 3 15

Example Candidate Response – high 15
Example Candidate Response – middle 19
Example Candidate Response – low 23

Paper 12: Question 5 26

Example Candidate Response – high 26
Example Candidate Response – middle 30
Example Candidate Response – low 32

Paper 13: Question 6 35

Example Candidate Response – high 35
Example Candidate Response – middle 38
Example Candidate Response – low 41

Paper 12: Question 7 44

Example Candidate Response – high 44
Example Candidate Response – middle 48
Example Candidate Response – low 52

Paper 13: Question 8 56

Example Candidate Response – high 56
Example Candidate Response – middle 59
Example Candidate Response – low 62

Paper 11: Question 10 65

Example Candidate Response – high 65
Example Candidate Response – middle 67
Example Candidate Response – low 72
Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

Introduction
The main aim of this booklet is to exemplify standards for those teaching Cambridge AS Level English General Paper
(8021), and to show how different levels of candidates’ performance (high, middle and low) relate to the subject’s
curriculum and assessment objectives.
In this booklet, candidate responses have been chosen from June 2019 scripts to exemplify a range of answers.
For each question, the response is annotated with a clear explanation of where and why marks were awarded or
omitted. This is followed by examiner comments on how the answer could have been improved. In this way, it is
possible for you to understand what candidates have done to gain their marks and what they could do to improve their
answers. There is also a list of common mistakes candidates made in their answers for each question.
This document provides illustrative examples of candidate work with examiner commentary. These help teachers
to assess the standard required to achieve marks beyond the guidance of the mark scheme. Therefore, in some
circumstances, such as where exact answers are required, there will not be much comment.
The questions and mark schemes and pre-release material used here are available to download from the School
Support Hub. These files are:

June 2019 Question Papers 11, 12 and 13

June 2019 Papers 11, 12 and 13 Mark Schemes

Past exam resources and other teacher support materials are available on the School Support Hub:
www.cambridgeinternational.org/support

Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021) 4

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Print Script Page 3 of 14
Question 1
Question 1 Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

Example Candidate Response

Example Candidate – high
Response – high Examiner Comments
Examiner Comments
How to use this booklet
This booklet goes through the paper one question at a time, showing you the high-, middle- and low-level response for
each question. The candidate answers are set in a table. In the left-hand column are the candidate answers, and in
the right-hand column are the examiner comments.

Example Candidate Response – high Examiner comments

1 Defines the scope of the

question with an analysis
1 1 Defines the scope of the
of historical contexts in
1 question withthe
which to place an chosen
analysis
of historical contexts in
politician.
2 which to place
Appropriate the with
register chosen
politician.
a range of vocabulary and
2 language structures.
Appropriate register with
Errors of
a2 range arevocabulary
evident, such
and
as: ‘seize
language of the means’.
structures.
Examiner comments are
alongside the answers.
2 Errors These such
are evident,
Answers are by real candidates in exam conditions. explain where and why marks
These show you the types of answers for each level. as: ‘seize of the means’.
were awarded. This helps you
Discuss and analyse the answers with your learners in to interpret the standard of
the classroom to improve their skills. Cambridge exams so you can
help your
3 3 Alearners to refine but
little descriptive
their exam technique.
places the chosen politician
in a modern economic
context.
3 A using
3Still little adescriptive
wide range but
of
How the candidate could have improved their answer places the chosen politician
vocabulary.
Although it was strongly evaluative and had plenty of scope, the opening, while knowledgeable, was a little
in a modern descriptive
economic
so a stronger personal voice here would have improved this response. The errors in expression were
context. related to
ambition and sophistication; without these, there would have been an improvement.
This section explains how Still using a could
the candidate wide range of
have improved each answer. vocabulary.
This helps you to
interpret the standard of Cambridge exams and
helps your learners to refine their exam technique.

Common mistakes candidates made in this question

https://ca-ai.assessor.rm.com/tools/CandidateEnquiry/PrintDocument.aspx?CSID=783... 27/06/2019
• Overly descriptive at times.
• Too much about ‘negative contributions’.
• Not specifically related to ‘contribution’ to ‘development’.
• Focused on ‘influence’ and ‘behaviour’ rather than ‘contribution’.

Often candidates were not awarded Lists the common mistakes candidates made
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marks because theyInternational
Cambridge misread orAS & A Level – English (8021) in answering
6 each question. This will help your
misinterpreted the questions. learners to avoid these mistakes and give them
the best chance of achieving the available marks.

Cambridge International AS & A Level – English (8021) 6

5 Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021)
 Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

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Paper 11: Question 1 Evaluate the contribution of any politician or political party to the development
of your country.

Example Candidate Response – high Examiner Comments

1 Defines the scope of the

1 question with an analysis of

historical contexts in which to
place the chosen politician.
2 Appropriate register with a range
of vocabulary and language
structures.
2 Errors are evident, such as:
‘seize of the means’.

3 3 A little descriptive but places

the chosen politician in a modern
economic context.
Still using a wide range of
vocabulary.

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Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021) 6

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Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

Example Candidate Response – high, continued Examiner Comments

4 4 Integrates a range of examples

into a strong, evaluative argument.

5 5 Widens the discussion with

some complex arguments and
evaluations. Fully relevant, well-
selected examples appropriately
support the opinions given.

6 6 Evaluates the chosen

politician’s contribution to ‘youth’.
Consistently maintaining an
appropriate register and wide
vocabulary.

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7 Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021)

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Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

Example Candidate Response – high, continued Examiner Comments

7 7 Evaluating improvements
which could be made.

8 8 The conclusion returns to

the historical context of the
introduction with a strong personal
assessment of the achievements
of the chosen politician
and associated ideologies,
as contributing to ‘a mass
conversation to politics’.

Total mark awarded =

27 out of 30

How the candidate could have improved their answer

Although it was strongly evaluative and had plenty of scope, the opening, while knowledgeable, was a little descriptive
so a stronger personal voice here would have improved this response. The errors in expression were related to
ambition and sophistication; without these, there would have been an improvement.

https://ca-ai.assessor.rm.com/tools/CandidateEnquiry/PrintDocument.aspx?CSID=783... 27/06/2019

Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021) 8

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Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

Example Candidate Response – middle Examiner Comments

1 1 Addresses the question but

suggests negative contributions
from political parties.

2 2 Suggests the negative

contribution of ‘corruption’.
Clearly written but with some
noticeable errors: misplaced
full-stop ‘budget. Which’, ‘reflect’,
‘insues the country in a...’.

3 3 Example used to develop the

idea of ‘corruption’.

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9 Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021)

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Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

Example Candidate Response – middle, continued Examiner Comments

4 4 Discusses political parties

not contributing to solving
conflict, with an example of the
consequence.

5 5 Clearly written using an

everyday vocabulary.
A developed point is made,
explaining the problem of
unemployment.

6 6 Linking unemployment to
poverty and comparing standards
of living of ‘citizens’ with ‘rich
politicians’, so continues to
develop.

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Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021) 10

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Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

Example Candidate Response – middle, continued Examiner Comments

7 7 The conclusion draws together

previous points with a hint of
a personal voice in the final
statement.

Total mark awarded =

16 out of 30

How the candidate could have improved their answer

Although this response was developed, and examples were employed, the candidate needed to consider positive
contributions as well as negatives to improve. It hinted at evaluation in the conclusion, but this needed to be stronger
and more developed.

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11 Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021)

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Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

Example Candidate Response – low Examiner Comments

1 1 The focus here is on ‘influence’

rather than ‘contribution’.
Clearly written using an everyday
vocabulary.

2 2 Describes an example showing

an understanding of negative
contribution.
Still clearly written.

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Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021) 12

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Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

Example Candidate Response – low, continued Examiner Comments

3 3 Not relevant to the question as

the example is not a politician.

4 4 Valid example to support points

about ‘equality’.

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13 Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021)

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Example Candidate Responses – Paper 1

Example Candidate Response – low, continued Examiner Comments

5 5 Continues with policies on

equality but not clear as to which
politician this relates to.

6 Very general and more about

6 ‘behaviour’ than ‘contribution’
although there is still some implicit
understanding.

Total mark awarded =

12 out of 30

How the candidate could have improved their answer

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A clearer understanding of ‘politician’ and ‘contribution’ would have improved this answer and avoided any
misunderstanding. The candidate should have used less description and included more discussion to access further
marks. The conclusion needed to relate to the wording of the question. Although the candidate communicated clearly,
more ambition would have improved the response.

Common mistakes candidates made in this question

• Overly descriptive at times.
• Too much about ‘negative contributions’.
• Not specifically related to ‘contribution’ to ‘development’.
• Focused on ‘influence’ and ‘behaviour’ rather than ‘contribution’.

Cambridge International AS Level – English General Paper (8021) 14