November 2020 Mark Scheme Paper 13
November 2020 Mark Scheme Paper 13
November 2020 Mark Scheme Paper 13
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2020 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level and Cambridge Pre-U components, and some
Cambridge O Level components.
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors
for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles.
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these
features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question
(however, the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate
responses seen).
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
Note: All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated. Nonetheless, the content must be clearly related to and derived from the texts.
Question 1
This question tests reading assessment objectives R1, R2 and R5 (25 marks):
and Question 1(f) only tests writing assessment objectives W2, W3 and W5 (5 marks):
1(a) R5 1
1(b)(i) R1 2
1(b)(ii) R1 2
1(c) R1 and R5 2
1(e) R1 and R2 3
Total 30
1(a) Give two examples of the ways in which the Sun and Moon have been 1
viewed, according to paragraph 2.
1(b)(i) Using your own words, explain what the text means by: 2
• consider / cast light (on) / mirror / think carefully about / looking back
(on) / compare / comment on
• amusingly / jokingly / in a funny way / mocking
1(b)(ii) Using your own words, explain what the text means by: 2
Give two reasons why space travel became more likely in the twentieth
century.
• can go past the planets of the solar system / can travel into deep(est)
space
• no need for (risk to) human(s) / robotic
• exploring where humans might go next
• cheaper (alternative to sending humans)
Using your own words, explain why there is a good chance that
humans will land on Mars in the twenty-first century.
• people want first-hand experience (of life on Mars) / the will is there to
visit Mars
• private and / or public funding (available)
• overcame the moon challenge / went to Moon in twentieth Century /
already been to the Moon
• seen as the challenge of the twenty-first century / sense of history being
created
Answers which are entirely in the words of the text should not be credited.
1(f) According to Text B, what were the challenges that Sacha Dench 15
experienced during her journey?
You must use continuous writing (not note form) and use your own
words as far as possible.
Use the Marking Criteria for Question 1(f) (Table A, Reading and Table B
Writing).
Challenges
1 length of the journey (7000 km)
2 trying to think like a swan
3 really cold / no heating on the paramotor
4 unstable vehicle / flimsy paramotor
5 challenging attitudes towards swans / children taught to shoot birds at a
young age / ignorance about swans
6 had to avoid disturbing other migratory birds / potential collision (with
birds)
7 time in hospital / injury during take-off
8 losing tagged swan / swan died
9 foul weather / bad weather
10 becoming too attached to the swans
11 flying low (over Taiga forest) / (no) safe landing spots (in Taiga)
12 crossing English Channel / missing home
0 0 • No creditable content.
Table B, Writing
3 4–5 • A relevant response that is expressed clearly, fluently and mostly with
concision.
• The response is well organised.
• The response is in the candidate’s own words (where appropriate), using a
range of well-chosen vocabulary which clarifies meaning.
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar are mostly accurate.
0 0 • No creditable content.
Note 1: All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated. Nonetheless, the content must be clearly related to and derived from the texts.
Note 2: Words underlined in the answers to the questions are required for the full mark(s) to be
awarded.
Question 2
This question tests reading assessment objectives R1, R2 and R4 (25 marks):
R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings
R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
R4 demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence readers.
2(a)(i) R1 1
2(a)(ii) R2 1
2(a)(iii) R2 1
2(a)(iv) R1 1
2(b)(i) R1 1
2(b)(ii) R2 1
2(b)(iii) R1 1
2(c) R2 and R4 3
Total 25
2(a)(i) Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as 1
the words underlined:
2(a)(ii) Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as 1
the words underlined:
2(a)(iii) Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as 1
the words underlined:
2(a)(iv) Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as 1
the words underlined:
(We sat there for a long time) brooding (line 29) / (We were both) depressed
(line 30)
2(b)(i) Using your own words, explain what the writer means by each of the 1
words underlined:
Our weight was at the root of our whole problem. ‘We’ll have to
downsize,’ I said. ‘We’ll have to jettison some of our luggage.’
root: at bottom of / source (of) / centre (of) / cause (of) / reason / start
2(b)(ii) Using your own words, explain what the writer means by each of the 1
words underlined:
Our weight was at the root of our whole problem. ‘We’ll have to
downsize,’ I said. ‘We’ll have to jettison some of our luggage.’
2(b)(iii) Using your own words, explain what the writer means by each of the 1
words underlined:
Our weight was at the root of our whole problem. ‘We’ll have to
downsize,’ I said. ‘We’ll have to jettison some of our luggage.’
jettison: discard / offload / leave behind / ditch / give up / lose / throw away /
get rid of
2(c) Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer suggests 3
the feelings of the men about camping out in the open on this particular
night.
Explain how the writer uses language to convey meaning and to create
effect in these paragraphs. Choose three examples of words or phrases
from each paragraph to support your answer. Your choices should
include the use of imagery.
Notes on task
This question is marked for the ability to select powerful or unusual words and
for an understanding of ways in which the language is effective. Expect
responses to provide words / phrases (listed in the mark scheme on page 16)
that carry connotations additional to general meaning.
Mark holistically for the overall quality of the response, not for the number of
words chosen, bearing in mind that for the higher bands there should be a
range of choices to demonstrate an understanding of how language works,
and that this should include the ability to explain images. It is the quality of the
analysis that attracts marks. Do not deduct marks for inaccurate statements;
simply ignore them.
The following notes are a guide to what good responses might say about the
selections. Candidates can make any sensible comment, but only credit those
that are relevant to the correct meanings of the words in the context and that
have some validity. Alternative acceptable explanations should be credited.
Credit comments on effects created by non-vocabulary choices such as
grammar / syntax and punctuation devices. These must be additional to
comments on vocabulary.
• What the men see while driving in the evening in paragraph 14,
beginning ‘Easier in our minds …’
Only credit comments on stylistic effect where these are explicitly linked to
choices.
Note: All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated. Nonetheless, the content must be clearly related to and derived from the texts.
Question 3
This question tests reading assessment objectives R1, R2 and R3 (15 marks):
and writing assessment objectives W1, W2, W3, W4 and W5 (10 marks):
3 Imagine you are Helmuth from Text C. Straight after the evening that 25
you and Max pitch camp, you write a letter to your mother.
Base your letter on what you have read in Text C, but be careful to use
your own words. Address each of the three bullets.
Use the Marking Criteria for Question 3 (Table A, Reading and Table B
Writing)
Notes on task
Candidates should select ideas from the text (see below) and develop them
relevantly, supporting what they write with details from the text. Look for an
appropriate register for the genre, and a clear and balanced response which
covers the three areas of the question, is well sequenced, and is in the
candidate’s own words.
3 A1: the most enjoyable parts of the journey so far for Helmuth and why
they were enjoyable
• driving down past sea level (det. car gliding through gorges of Judaea
/ setting off through desert) [dev. no idea of problems ahead, novel
experience of being below sea level]
• adventure / exotic travel (det. different languages) [dev. contrast with
home]
• first view of Dead Sea (det. leaden expanse) [dev. heard so much
about it / lived up to its name, imposing]
• floating in the Dead Sea (det. like a cork) [dev. Max tried reading a
newspaper]
• Max’s discomfort (det. Helmuth laughs at him asking to go faster)
[dev. thinks serves Max right for showing off, drove more slowly on
purpose]
• (camping) out at night (det. breezes, stars) [dev. refreshing,
exhilarating]
• birds (det. storks) [dev. beautiful / magical, hoped all would go well]
A2: the challenges Helmuth and Max faced and how they overcame
these challenges
• terrain after crossing bridge (det. stony and steep track, 1200m in
mountains, bumpy roads) [dev. contrast with earlier part]
• weather / heat during the day (det. hot asphalt, fierce sun, waited for
evening to drive) [dev. uncomfortable, aware of need to avoid illness]
• car problems (det. engine laboured, radiator overheating, springs
groaning) [dev. not suitable]
• slow progress / long day (det. over 23 000 km to go, did not camp
until 11 o’clock) [dev. kept driving until late]
• not being able to speak their minds (det. brooding, nodding silently)
[dev. would spoil the atmosphere]
• too much luggage (det. packed lovingly by Helmuth’s mother) [dev.
reluctantly agree, Helmuth’s reactions]
A3: the problems Helmuth foresees for the rest of the trip and how
he/they might have been better prepared for them
• do not make it to Baghdad / car breaks down (det. big map of Asia)
[dev. easy to get lost, remote area(s), inevitable]
• storage of luggage / leaving the luggage is problematic (det. boxes
of it) [dev. expensive, difficult]
• argument(s) between them (det. recriminations) [dev. abandoning the
whole trip, anticipate emotional strain]
• camera (det. Max’s camera) [dev. using it too much / needed a better
one]
• communication / people you meet (det. local photographer, road
sign) [dev. translation problems, unknown intentions, bring a dictionary]
• novelty wearing off (det. camping outside, driving, brochure
description) [dev. sharing the driving more equally, hotel instead,
chauffeur, other form of travel, false optimism]
5 13–15 • The response reveals a thorough evaluation and analysis of the text.
• Developed ideas are sustained and well related to the text.
• A wide range of ideas is applied.
• There is supporting detail throughout, which is well integrated into the
response, contributing to a strong sense of purpose and approach.
• All three bullets are well covered.
• A consistent and convincing voice is used.
4 10–12 • The response demonstrates a competent reading of the text with some
evidence of basic evaluation or analysis.
• A good range of ideas is evident.
• Some ideas are developed but the ability to sustain them may not be
consistent.
• There is frequent, helpful supporting detail, contributing to a clear sense
of purpose.
• All three bullets are covered.
• An appropriate voice is used.
3 5–6 • Language is clear but comparatively plain and/or factual, expressing little
opinion.
• Ideas are rarely extended, but explanations are adequate.
• Some sections are quite well sequenced but there may be flaws in
structure.
• Minor, but more frequent, errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar