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ECR Literature 0475 Paper1 Prose v2
ECR Literature 0475 Paper1 Prose v2
Paper 1 Prose
Cambridge IGCSE™
Literature in English 0475
Introduction
The main aim of this booklet is to exemplify standards for those teaching Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English 0475, and to show how high level
candidates performance relates to the subject’s assessment objectives.
In this booklet candidate responses are derived from the real scripts of candidates from the June 2017 series of Cambridge IGCSE Literature
(English) 0486, which runs in parallel with Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English 0475.
For each question, the response is annotated with numbers, which correspond to the examiner comments.
The full question papers and mark schemes used in this resource are Paper 1 from the June 2017 exam series for Cambridge IGCSE Literature
(English) 0486 and can be downloaded in full from the School Support Hub: www.cambridgeinternational.org/support.
The relevant files are: June 2017 Question Paper 11
June 2017 Question Paper 12
June 2017 Paper 11 Mark Scheme
June 2017 Paper 12 Mark Scheme
Contents
Question 13: George Eliot: Silas Marner
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It is disturbing as he reinforces this 8 demonic power of Silas that EXAMINER COMMENTS
we know is not true. There are no emotions which is saddening for
readers as Silas held William in high regard, But he has betrayed
9 him and left the decision to others. It only makes William look 8 This could have been expressed more accurately. Silas does not have
cowardly as he didn’t get involved in the decision of the exile of Silas, demonic power, William is merely asserting that he is influenced by
Satan. The candidate does understand William’s deception.
however we know it was because he wanted Silas’ fiancee. 10
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shouting at William. In addition to this, the betrayal is so disturbing EXAMINER COMMENTS
as not only doesn’t it ruin Williams relationship with Silas, but also
Silas’ relationship with God. 19 Silas ends the passage believing
there is no ‘righteous’ ‘God’. this makes William’s betrayal even more 19 A very significant point which could be developed.
sickening as it has led to Silas losing the very ‘being’ that he has
built his life around all these years. 20 It shows how Silas’ life has 20 The point is expanded here.
been completely ruined, which is saddening for a reader as all events
leading up to this have shown Silas as kind and trusting. To see him 21 Silas has lost his trust, but we do not see his kindness destroyed so
being stripped of this makes William’s betrayal so much worse. 21 this is quite a loose comment. The candidate is still focused on the
question, however.
The final device used to make Dane’s betrayal so disturbing is the 22 Apt choice of support. A central point which might have been
narration of the church drawing lots. This event itself makes Dane’s developed further as it casts light on the nature of the religious
22 betrayal sickening because he has left Silas to depend on pure community to which Silas belongs.
chance of the lots as to whether or not he is guilty, even though he
knows he is innocent. Moreover, Silas is described to be ‘relying on 23 A slightly abrupt ending but another attempt to analyse language.
his own innocence’. This conveys Silas as hopeful and trusting in God’s
power to clear his name. It also shows that William has left him on The candidate knows the text and responds in detail to the question,
retaining focus on the word ‘disturbing’ throughout. The argument is
his own in his struggle to prove this innocence. Eliot then describes
supported by reference to the extract and there is some exploration of
how Silas’ ‘trust in men had been cruelly bruised’. ‘Cruel’ implies the effects of language. The answer is clear, relevant and well developed.
a horrible, tortuous act and ‘bruised’, again implies physical pain There is a strong personal response to Silas and some understanding of the
caused by Williams betrayal. 23 implications for his future that the incident reveals, though perhaps his
loss of faith in God is understated.
Ways in which the answer could have been improved:
There might have been more consideration of the character of William
Dane and his manipulativeness. The community of Lantern Yard might
also have been looked at in more detail, for example , the drawing of
lots, as an example of superstition and irrationality, is mentioned but not
explored. There are also one or two quite loose assertions and the selected
quotations, though relevant, might have been analysed in more detail.
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Question 15
15.Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it:
Spies by Michael Frayn
How does Frayn’s writing convey Stephen’s fear so vividly at this EXAMINER COMMENTS
moment in the novel?
5 The candidate recognises the viewpoint and supports it but does not
Throughout the whole extract, its obvious Stephen is not only literally
show the relevance of the older Stefan’s view here.
alone, he is also alone in his own mind and in life. 3 He is the only
one who knows about the scarf; not even his best friend Keith knows
6 The candidate uses quotation effectively.
this secret. ‘Keith will find it there.’ 4 The novel is written from
two narrators, older Stefan and younger Stephen but in this extract 7 A well developed point.
there is great emphasis on Stephen 5 trying to figure out what
to do in his mind. ‘Where am I going to find a hiding place?’ ‘Is this
what woke me?’ ‘Yes, where is it?’ 6 The reader knows he is alone
because he is asking and answering these questions himself but They
also understand he is confused and in panic. He keeps questioning
everything to figure out whats going on. The whole extract is him
figuring out how to solve a problem; however, he is alone. This adds
to the creepiness of the situation as it seems he is lost 7 with no
one to guide him but himself.
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Moreover, to add to the eeriness and sadness created by Stephen’s EXAMINER COMMENTS
loneliness, Frayn provides repetitive and detailed descriptions of The
night. Night has connotations of crime and pain and fear, which
are all aspects of this part of the novel. ‘breathing darkness’ Frayn 8 A well developed point exploring the language used to create the
atmosphere.
brings the darkness to life by personifying it. 8 The image of
lonely Stephen encountering this living thing which surrounds him
9 A perceptive point which goes beyond surface explanation.
emphasises the fear he must feel. Even more breathing should be a
sign of life and good things, but in this case the night is alive and
10 The candidate contextualises the situation and shows knowledge of
is 9 there to scare Stephen. Frayn describes the tunnel as being the whole novel.
in ‘pitch darkness’. This concept of darkness is repeated because its
partly what is freaking Stephen out. However, as the reader we 11 A good choice of quotation and a developed comment though
know that the darkness is just to add to the fear Stephen already more might have been said about ‘dislocated’. There is a good
understanding of the effect of the sentence.
has of being discovered and the push he feels of not having helped
Uncle peter. 10 Darkness also disorientates someone and it becomes
12 Another reference to context, though a little explanation of the game
clear Stephen feels different so he states ‘The whole sound and shape might have enhanced the point.
of the world has become in some way dislocated.’ 11 He doesn’t just
state ‘This town’ he states ‘the world’ showing the reader this event 13 A good point with relevant supporting quotation.
had an huge impact on Stephen’s life. He saw things not really just
because of the darkness but because of Keith and Stephen’s game 14 There is some repetition here. The candidate chooses the same image
which just went too far. 12 The intensifier ‘whole’ also emphasizes to explore as in the previous paragraph.
the size of the change. The darkness emphasizes Stephens fear but it
15 Economical and effective use of quotation.
also plays on the deeper feelings of Stephen; The other reasons he is
frightened.
Firstly. Frayn highlights the fact that Stephen is alone and how this
4 This shows understanding of the context and of the implications.
has created a different atmosphere in the journey that he has done
before. The fact that there is ‘uncertainty at the end’, makes the 5 There is good focus on the Question here and passage here.
passage strikingly tense 3 because it highlights how there are gaps
in Stephen’s knowledge of the mysterious game that he is playing. 6 A perceptive comment on language.
4 Furthermore, he is unaware as to what the outcome will be
which provides a sense of accumulating fear and anticipation for
what will happen. Additionally, Frayn once 5 again mentions the
nightmarish dream that Stephen experienced and suggests that the
end is ‘darkened by the lingering shadow of his dream’, this is an
unsettling image as it suggests that the outcome will be far more
horrifying that Stephen can imagine. 6 The ‘lingering shadow’ is
coming but it helps to emphasised the strong impact of Stephen’s
dream.
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Stephen responds to his surroundings. 7 The fact that Stephen is EXAMINER COMMENTS
‘reeking of fear’ emphasises how unnerved Stephen, (who is later
known as Stefan Weitzler), but the ‘reeking’ is significant because
7 The answer focuses on the Question.
8 the fact that it is going on highlights the immediacy and his
feelings at this moment. 9 Moreover, Frayn vividly conveys the
8 It is not clear what this comment in parenthesis contributes.
children who ‘watch Stephen as expressionlessly before’, this helps
to create a terrifying mass of children who silently watch Stephen.
Furthermore, the silence 10 intensifies the tense atmosphere. The 9 The candidate comments on the effect of language but does not go
into the way in which the word ‘reeks’ appeals to the senses.
adverb ‘expressionlessly’ suggests that the children are unable to
exhibit emotion and almost become a miniature army, whose main
10 A close reading but the atmosphere of hostility might be made more
goal is to terrorize Stephen. 11 of.
In addition, Frayn’s writing memorably creates a sense of unease 11 This comment shows understanding and some insight.
by using intense sensory language to highlight Stephen’s peculiar
surrounding. The fact that there is ‘the sour, defeated smell of the
12 A more detailed comment on the effect of language which is very
pertinent to the Question.
elders’, is rather unnerving and suggests that Stephen’s outcome
will be similar to that of the ‘defeated elders’. This provides a stench
13 The significance of it being human excrement could be explored here.
of failure, whilst 12 insinuating that there will no good outcome
to Stephen’s imagery. In addition, by utilising olfactory imagery,
14 An interesting cross-reference, but it is not clear yet what this
Frayn is attempting to engage all the sense of the reader and create contributes to the creation of tension.
the tension. This technique is consolidated further by the smell of ‘
human excretement on freshly turned soil’. This is rather disgusting
but is important because it is a clue and an indicator to Stephen
that he should keep going. 13
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to be Uncle Peter, means that she is going ‘further down, into the EXAMINER COMMENTS
underworld’. Mrs Hayward’s descent is vividly described and the
‘underworld’ provides a stark contrast to the idealistic family setting
that she is originally described in. 15 Furthermore the ‘underworld’ 15 Relevant but not clearly related to the tension.
is the region of the dead in Greek and Roman literature where only
16 Also not clearly related to the tension.
the nastiest beings and monstrous creatures reside helps to highlight
the tense moment. 16
17 The candidate refocuses on the question but the assertion that
Stephen uses darkness as a disguise needs further explanation and
Moreover, Frayn powerfully uses the darkness as an enveloping support.
entity that Stephen uses as a disguise. 17 The fact that Stephen
18 A good point.
knows ‘his eyes’ are ‘watching’ him creates an unnerving image of
the young boy being closely watched as he makes his journey through
19 There is understanding of the situation here.
the dark highlights how unsettled 18 and frightened Stephen
feels thus creating tension. Furthermore, Frayn refers to ‘his eyes’
20 A key point, though the comment on it could be developed. The
instead of announcing that it is Uncle Peter. This creates tension candidate might perhaps have made more of the drama of the
because it leads the 19 reader to anticipate who Mrs Hayward has situation.
been visiting even though we have formed an idea. Finally, the man
whispers a ‘single quiet word’, the one word is immensely powerful 21 The candidate recognises that the passage ends on a cliff-hanger.
20 and conveys its importance and as it is ‘Stephen’, it highlights
Stephen’s role in the novel thus making t a tense moment.
The candidate gives a fluent and detailed response to the whole passage
and though there are occasional lapses in focus on the Question, there is
To conclude, Frayn’s writing memorably creates tension because he very obvious knowledge of and engagement with the whole novel. There is
provides detailed descriptions that appealed to a variety of senses. also an effort to dig beneath the surface and to explore wider significances
and implications and the candidate was clearly trying to explore deeper
Furthermore, he highlights the immense difference between the
themes of the novel in the references to Mrs Hayward. There are some
world of the Close, where the other characters live, and the Barns, perceptive comments, for example about Stephen’s dream and about
where Uncle Peter resides. Finally, the mention of Stephen’s name the atmosphere of the Lanes. The candidate also shows understanding
makes this point a climax and marks the tip of the mounting of the structure of the passage and though there might have been more
reference to the drama of its ending there is a personal response to the
tension. 21
climactic nature of it. This is a well shaped and confident piece of writing
which shows awareness of the writer at work throughout.
Ways in which the answer could have been improved:
Though the answer is not perfect, for example there is a lack of a clear
connection between the references to Mrs Hayward and the Underworld,
it is very thorough and covers most of what a candidate might beSelect
expected
page
to produce in the time available.
Question 19
19. Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it:
The English Teacher by R K Narayan
How does Narayan movingly reveal Krishna’s state of mind at this EXAMINER COMMENTS
moment in the novel?
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Moreover, Narayan pictures Krishna’s obsession as his only objective EXAMINER COMMENTS
in Susila’s nursing. Krishna is devotes all of his time to taking care of
Susila, illustrating an obsessed 7 state of mind. Narayan iterates
7 The candidate makes a personal judgement about Krishna’s
the words ‘lost’ to give an idea of Krishna losing the track of time
behaviour.
as he can no longer ‘count days’ neither is he in ‘touch with the
calendar’. 8 Narayan may even hint at Susila’s upcoming transition 8 The quotations clearly show Krishna’s state of mind.
into another plane of existence which will be an important loss
for Krishna and will ironically make him be at a loss as well. 9 9 The implicatins for Krishna are clearly seen.
Furthermore, Narayan enhances Krishna’s obsession by capturing
his mechanical and monotonous routine which only consisted in 10 The candidate quotes relevantly and makes a little comment on
language.
taking care of Susila. In the phrase ‘the same set of things in the
same place’, the iteration of the word ‘same’ 10 stresses the lack of
11 The candidate develops the exploration of Krishna’s state of mind.
variety and monotony That prevailed in Krishna’s life as the latter
was always nursing Susila in the same room. the writer also suggests
12 The passage is being closely examined here and Krishna’s feelings are
that Susila’s room has turned into a sickroom and Krishna has explored further.
become a nurse, as if his house were a hospital. The writer further
heightens the meaninglessness of time in Krishna’s obsessed mindset 13 This point would have been more successful if there had been a
11 as ‘hours passed with such rapidity’, capturing the way in which response to the word ‘movingly’ in the Question.
time went by fast, without Krishna noticing so a he is obsessed in
nursing.
Last, but not least, the author introduces the motif of letters to
paint a light of hope in Krishna’s mind. In the phrase ‘it was my
duty to drop them a card every day’, the author pictures Krishna as
a man who feels proud of his work as a nurse who takes care of his
sick wife. This conveys 12 Krishna’s pride, suggesting that he felt
like a hero as he nursed Susila to hint at Krishna’s hopeful mind he
believed that his work would result in Susila’s wellbeing. Moreover,
the fact that Krishna received ‘encouraging letters’ and was
constantly told that typhoid is ‘only a question of nursing’ adds up
to this idea of hope and pride 13 Krishna positively looks onto this
illness; denoting a sense of hope which encouraged him to continue
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with his careful nursing schedule. EXAMINER COMMENTS
Though there is some indirect response to Krishna and his predicament the
candidate needs to focus the answer more tightly on the key word in the
question, ‘movingly’, to show how Krishna’s viewpoint and the language he
uses adds to the emotional impact of the situation. The Question begins
with ‘how’ and this is a clear indication that the language and imagery
needs to be explored in more detail.
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Question 21
21. Read this extract from Tyres (by Adam Thorpe), and then answer
the question that follows it:
In what ways does Thorpe make this extract such a shocking
EXAMINER COMMENTS
depiction of life in war time?
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was ‘looming over my shoulder like a bat’. The use of the word EXAMINER COMMENTS
‘looming’ creates an ominous depiction of the German whilst the
simile ‘like a bat’ gives the impression of him being evasive because of
the connetations of a bat being difficult to see due to its dark colour. 16 The idea of the threat represented by the German is captured though
the notion of a bat showing ‘evasiveness’ is a little tenuous. Other
16 This ominous description is echoed later when ‘His black gloves did
sinister associations such as bats and vampires might have been
a little dance’. Thorpe repeats the idea of a ‘black’ colour attributed tot mentioned and ‘looming’ might have been commented on in more
he Germans which canotes evil and darkness, presenting the Germans detail.
as antagonistic. 17 Moreover the use of personification of the gloves
doing ‘a little dance’ gives the impression of the Germans again 17 The Germans are in control. ‘Antagonistic’ does not seem quite the
being evasive and fast moving because a dance canotes pace. 18 This right word.
cruel portrayal of the 19 Germans is what shockingly forces Raoul
to abandon his moral compass that we glean from the beginning of 18 ‘Evasive’ does not seem to be quite the right word here, either.
the story when his father taught him to always ensure the tyre is
safely attached to the car. Therefore when he ‘shaved its rubber’ (in 19 A relevant point but what follows does not really get to the heart of
why Raoul feels impelled to sabotage the German’s tyre.
reference to the tyre) the reader is shocked by his abandoning 20 of
his father’s teachings so that when he confesses ‘I could hardly stop my
20 A relevant response.
hands from trembling’ the reader is unsurprised by his intense fear.
This fear is shown by the verb ‘trembling’ which canotes a shaking of
21 There is some loss of focus on the terms of the Question here.
his hand, showing the reader that he is scared by his action 21 as it
goes against his morals taught to him by his Protestant father when 22 This comment re-focuses the answer on the Question.
he was a boy. Thus the reader is shocked by Raouls actions which go
against his morals and glean that the conflict and antagonism of the 23 A brief but relevant conclusion.
Germans forced him to take such drastic action, shockingly depicting
the consequences of war in rural life. 22
The candidate knows and understands the story and focuses on the terms
of the question ‘a shocking depiction of life in war-time’ throughout,
though towards the end of the answer there is a little loss of control of
the material. Nevertheless, the answer maintains relevance throughout,
it shows understanding of some of the implications of the story and it
makes some response to language, though perhaps it concentrates more
than necessary of the gruesomeness of the image of the three bodies. It
is a well developed response to the question.
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Question 22
22. Explore the ending of one story which the writer makes particularly
surprising for you.
From Stories of Ourselves
EXAMINER COMMENTS
To begin with, the narrator in the story has always been a replica 3 The point is developed with a relevant quotation.
of his father, which this ends up affecting him later on in his life,
showed at the ending of the short story. He admits he ‘wouldn’t have 4 The relevance of this idea is not entirely clear so far but the candidate
is attempting to see below the surface of the story in commenting on
traded him for another father’ and also that he liked working the
themes.
land, since he knew it was important for him (the father), though,
he respected that. So, in these ways, we understand that he likes
being a mirror of his father, and the father was proud of him. As
he respected him, 2 he had a lot of self control in the things he
said and do, and this is shown when he says ‘If I could have done so
without upsetting my father’. 3
However, Jim for the father was a ‘losing battle’ that ‘he had
accepted his defeat’. 4 The theme of relationship between fathers
and sons is illustrated in looking at the relationship Jim and him
had. Jim was a more sensitive person, in comparison with his
brother and while the father and the brother were working the land
he could connect with it, but in a spiritual way. This is ironic since
we would think that the more time you spent with the land
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EXAMINER COMMENTS
5 the more you connect, but is not that way. There is also a huge
comparison between the father and Jim that shows that the father
‘was characteristic of him not to look back’ as where Jim was very 5 The relationship between the father and the land and how the sons
interested and involved with the maori culture and it’s symbols. This relate to it is a theme of the story but this is not clearly explained
shows that little by little this culture kept on Jim’s heart, even he here. At this point the direction of the answer is not clear.
manages to think about them when facing death in the world war
two, where his brother was there as well. 6 6 The relevance of this point is not clear. It would be helped by some
reference to the visit from the Maoris and the effect that it had on the
sons over a long period.
Furthermore, in this story Jim gets to find his own identity and
see himself identified with the Maoris. The final lines of this short 7 This shows understanding of the narrator and knowledge of the story
story are very moving, 7 surprising and shocking. This situation is but the link with the Maoris is still not made clear. The candidate
triggered when the brother asked Jim if he thinked about anything misses the opportunity co comment on the significance of that visit.
in the war, while Jim responded to these by the mention of the
Maoris’ that had come to the land when they were little, and that 8 The point needs clarification but the candidate shows knowledge of
the story and of the effect of the visit on the narrator.
is what keep him alive when facing death. 8 A comparison is
showned here since the brother couldn’t think about anything, as
9 This is a useful comment and supporting quotation but its relevance
opposed to Jim. There is a moment of realisation , an epiphany of
to the Question needs to be made clearer. Why is it surprising?
the narrator shown when it says ‘I had a sharp pain’. 9 In the
quote ‘I felt the dismay of a long distance runner’. The choice of
10 The candidate uses relevant material here but again needs to relate it
diction of the word ‘dismay’ adds a very negative connotation to to the Question.
the narrator’s feelings. Also, another important quote is when it
mentions that ‘I have been robbed of something that was rightfully 11 A direct response to the Question.
mine’. this ‘something’ may stand for goals in life, identity, 10
and that it’s have been robbed, we can infer that maybe by Jim 12 The candidate begins to develop the point.
who don’t even work hard with his father in the land as he did.
Finally, the last phrase ‘I don’t 11 think I’ll ever forgive him’ is very
shocking and surprising at the same time. He could be talking about
the father because of not realising all this time by trying to please
his father he missed the chance of develop his own identity, as Jim
did 12 or this phrase could also be addressed to Jim since in his
epiphany he feels infinite anger, and jealousy towards him because of
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the lost undeveloped identity he’ll now never get. EXAMINER COMMENTS
The candidate has valid ideas but needs to develop them thoroughly
and consistently. There is an attempt at personal interpretation and
exploration of the effects on the narrator, however. The contrast between
the attitudes of the two brothers and that of the father might have been
explored more fully and also the implications for their futures. Though the
candidate focuses on the search for identity s/he needs to make clearer
how this is tied to the attitudes to ownership of the land and what the
relevance of the Maoris - and the title of the story - has to this.
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