IGCSE English Language marking help

Hi all,

I am an independent English tutor and have taken on a student doing the IGCSE English Language Paper (Pearson). The mark scheme can be quite vague on the big writing questions and I wanted to share two examples of them to get an idea of what they would score (out of 30 on each) as I will then have more of a basis to give better marks.

Please see below:

Q7: Write a letter encouraging your friend to listen to music.
You should include:
• advice about different types of music
• reasons for listening to music
• the effects of listening to music.
Think carefully about the purpose of your letter and the audience for whom it
is intended.

Ali Akram
254 Walton Road
FE45 3AX

Dear Sam,

It’s been a long time since I last heard from you, I hope this letter finds you in good health. I wanted to talk to you about the wonderful world of music and why I think it’s an essential part of life. I encourage you to explore and embrace different types of music as I believe it has the power to uplift, inspire and heal others.

Everyone has their own different preferences when it comes to music, whether it be Jazz, Rap, Pop or even Opera! Radios, Restaurants, Adverts and Movies all contain music, for example the Harry Potter theme – listening to this masterpiece immediately takes you to the magical world of Harry Potter, taking you to the enchanting castle of Hogwarts or the unusual hut of Hagrid.

There are a lot of reasons to listen to music, the main causes being that it helps with stress and anxiety, when you’ve had a bad day at school or when one of your relatives are no longer with you. It can help stop boredom, when you’re in a plane or car going somewhere or even when you’re studying; this improves focus, concentration and productivity.

According to researchers Dennis, Florence and Jack, “listening to music lets us work through our emotions in a safe environment and walk away if the feelings get too intense”. Listening to music brings about an indescribable feeling that has me sitting in awe and makes me forget all my worries and problems.

So, my dear friend, I encourage you to create a playlist. Download Spotify! Explore new genres, listen to your favorite artists, whether it be Michael Jackson or Justin Bieber and allow yourself to be transported into the marvelous world of music.

Take a moment today to put on your favorite song. Close your eyes. Let the vibrations of the melody wash over your soul and I promise you won’t regret it.

Look forward to hearing from you. Send my regards to your family.

Yours sincerely,
Ali

Q9: Write a story (approx 400 words) called 'The Turning Point'

The Turning Point

It was at this moment that Greg faced a harsh truth: he was never going to be an astronaut. He was never going to go to space, and he was never going to fulfil his biggest dream in life. As he looked at the night sky, he gazed at the magnificent moon, longing to visit it.

…

Greg arrived at work the next day, wearing his special janitor gloves before holding his mop and scrubbing the floor. It was an exhausting job to do. Suddenly, he saw a figure approaching from the distance. It looked like an astronaut and as they moved closer, he realized that it was one. And not just any ordinary one, this astronaut was one of many that had been sent on a special mission to recover rocks and dusts from the moon and they were due to go today. Greg froze in place.

“Good morning.” The astronaut whispered with a hoarse voice, staring at Greg with bloodshot eyes. He looked sick, as though he were about to throw up.
“G-good Morning!” Greg replied, bowing down. What was I doing?
“I won’t be able to go on this mission,” The astronaut said, taking off his mask. “Could you go instead?”

Greg immediately looked up surprised. This had to be a joke, right? Why him? This didn’t make sense.
“Me?!” he exclaimed, his mind still processing what the astronaut said.
“Yes,” he answered. “We couldn’t find anyone else to do the job.”
The astronaut handed over his helmet and costume to Greg.

Greg couldn’t believe it. He was going to go to space, to the moon; this truly was a turning point in his life. Realising this wasn’t a prank, he took the helmet and costume, wearing it for the first time. It felt uncomfortable and weird, but that didn’t matter to him. As he was about to enter the rocket, he glanced at the tall and massive rocket that towered over him. Taking a deep breath, he entered it. The journey had begun…

Your help and feedback will be great for marking these papers going forward.

Thank you!