Cambridge IGCSE™: First Language English 0500/11
Cambridge IGCSE™: First Language English 0500/11
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 May/June 2024 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level and Cambridge Pre-U components, and some
Cambridge O Level components.
ANNOTATION
^ partially Y Y Y Y Y
effective
DEV development Y
EXP explanation/me Y
aning
O overview or Y Y
organisation (effective (overview)
organisation
/ overview)
LM lifted material Y Y
REP repetition Y Y Y
summative Y Y Y
comment Reading Reading Reading
Writing Writing
SEEN viewed – Y Y Y
including blank
and additional
pages
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 and W3 (5 marks):
1(a) R5 1
1(b)(i) R1 2
1(b)(ii) R1 and R2 2
1(c) R1 2
1(e) R1 and R2 3
Total 30
Identify two features of the Monte Toboggan ride that might particularly
appeal to tourists looking for a traditional transport experience.
clothes worn by men operating them / white cotton clothes / straw hats /
(old-fashioned) costume
been in use since 1850 / still used by locals today
natural materials / wicker sled / wooden runners / simple / rustic
Using your own words, explain why some tourists might prefer to avoid using
unusual modes of transport such as DUKWs while travelling.
Answers which are entirely in the words of the text should not be credited.
1(f) According to Text B, what might supporters of the Hyperloop consider to be its 15
advantages and appeal?
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).
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.
2 3–2 A relevant response that is generally expressed clearly, with some evidence of
concision.
There may be some lapses in organisation.
The response is mainly expressed in the candidate’s own words (where
appropriate) but there may be reliance on the words of the text.
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.
Question 2
This question tests reading assessment objectives R1, R2 and R4 (25 marks):
2(a)(i) R1 1
2(a)(ii) R2 1
2(a)(iii) R1 1
2(a)(iv) R2 1
2(b)(i) R1 1
2(b)(ii) R2 1
2(b)(iii) R1 1
Total 25
2(a)(i) Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as the
words underlined:
2(b)(i) Using your own words, explain what the writer means by each of the words 1
underlined:
As the sky gradually turned indigo in the fading light, the scraping of ice
and frantic unheeded commands to my sled dog-team broke the stillness.
Thundering down the frozen waterway, I snatched anxious glimpses over
my shoulder. Where was Mike, my guide? Would his tracker still pick up my
signal with the gap between us increasing by the minute?
2(b)(ii) Using your own words, explain what the writer means by each of the words 1
underlined:
2(b)(iii) Using your own words, explain what the writer means by each of the words 1
underlined:
2(c) Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer suggests 3
her feelings when she first arrived in Eagle.
Still spellbound from gazing at the enormity of the Alaskan wilderness, I’d
stepped down from the mail-plane into the miniature perfection of Eagle, a
fascinating, history-packed hamlet of timber dwellings, home to just 85
residents. I was immediately wrapped in the customary bear hug by Mike’s
wife, Scarlett, and cocooned in layers of Arctic-grade outerwear.
Paragraph 8 begins ‘In theory lessons, ...’ and is about riding on the
snow and ice.
Paragraph 11 begins ‘The most memorable …’ and is about the writer’s
feelings that 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.
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 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.
2(d) Paragraph 8 begins ‘In theory lessons, ...’ and is about riding on the snow
and ice.
“ice highway”: route across the ice; frozen ‘road’, wide channel; suggests a
main commuter route / fast moving traffic; impressive
(from) porcelain smooth: (areas where there are) no bumps, (expensive) type
of material / pottery / china; perfect finish; as if crafted/shaped; glossy;
delicate/strong
(to) oversized ice-cubes: big regular-shaped blocks; out of proportion;
unexpected / out of place / extreme; as if positioned there deliberately
slam: smash, bump into; dangerous / risk of serious injury; violent, extreme
force
winding through spruce forests: twisting, turning; following a trail between
trees; meandering; enjoying the ride
tracing soft, snow-covered lines: gentle movement, delicate; little impact
on snow, shallow mark only where they have been; as if following / leaving a
slight path / suggestion only; soothing/affectionate
precious delight: extremely enjoyable, special experience; something to
savour / not take for granted; a memory to guard / protect
criss-crossing a small lake's glassy surface: zigzagging (along);
frictionless; transparent, reflective, shiny surface; lattice effect, whimsical
exquisite designs: delicate, beautiful patterns; complex, intricate, finely
detailed; skilfully crafted
crystal bubbles of all shapes and sizes suspended in time: frozen
spheres of air, variety of dimensions, perfectly clear; potentially fragile; captured
mid movement; magical power, fairytale/sci fi transformation
cascading into the dark depths: as though descending, appearing to be
falling away though not moving; intrigue, mystery of the waters below that
can never be reached
Only credit comments on stylistic effect where these are explicitly linked to
choices.
2(d) Paragraph 11 begins ‘The most memorable …’ and is about the writer’s feelings
that night.
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):
3 You are Mike. The Ultimate Experience Travel Company which advertises 25
your expeditions has seen Lyn Marshall’s article reviewing her holiday in
Alaska and has some concerns about the expedition and about using dogs
to pull sleds. The company has asked you for a formal report.
explain exactly what happened during the evening exploration and the
measures you take to ensure the safety and comfort of tourists
remind the company of the different things tourists enjoy about the
holiday you offer and why
reassure the company that its various concerns about using dogs to pull
sleds are unfounded and explain why you think that this form of
transport is important to protect.
Use the Marking Criteria for Question 3 (Table A, Reading and Table B Writing)
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.
Annotate A1 for references to what happened during the evening exploration and
the measures you take to ensure
the safety and comfort of tourists
Annotate A2 for references to the different things tourists enjoy about the holiday
you offer and why.
Annotate A3 for references to why the concerns are unfounded and why you think
that this form of transport is important to protect
3 A1: explain exactly what happened during the evening exploration and the
measures you take to ensure the safety and comfort of tourists
lead dog distracted from job (det. irresistible scent, primal instinct) [dev.
enjoy the chase / suggestion of the odour]
pack suddenly went off the wrong way (det. full speed) [dev. Lyn didn't have
the experience to hold their attention / lost control]
team slowed (det. once they were tired they stopped, Mike caught up with
her) [dev. knew they would stop so wasn't overly concerned]
friendly support / supervision (det. always accompany tourists on drives,
evening chats to talk through essentials, taken out as a passenger) [dev. build
up experience / (make) potential dangers (clear to them)]
provide special clothing (det. arctic grade gear, padded trousers) [dev. protect
against the extreme cold and falls]
carry supplies (det. spare clothes, matches / flints to start fire) [dev.
controlling weight in sleds is difficult so Mike carries the extra weight himself /
Lyn should have been carrying supplies too / keeping wolves away]
technology / equipment (det. tracker / emergency messaging device) [dev.
used to locate anyone in trouble / can’t really get lost]
3 A2: remind the company of the different things tourists enjoy about the
holiday you offer and why
A3: reassure the company that their various concerns about using dogs to
pull sleds are unfounded and explain to them why you think that this form of
transport is important to protect.
traditional form of transport (det. used for years by locals, ice highway) [dev.
attracts tourists / iconic / culturally valuable]
may be needed in emergencies (det. limited other transport options, roads
closed, rivers frozen, escape route) [dev. only practical way to get about over
distances]
environmentally friendly mode of travel (det. leave little impact on the snow)
[dev. not desirable or possible to rely on the mail plane / no need for fossil fuel]
dogs are trained / enjoy it (det. happy, yappy; primal instinct (to run)) [dev.
can't force a dog pack to do what it doesn't want to]
dogs are well cared for (det. health and wellbeing paramount, secured each
night) [dev. their needs get seen to before those of the human riders]
dogs are in their natural environment / suited to the task (det. wolves in
the area) [dev. dogs similar to wolves that exist there in the wild / wildlife are
not disturbed by dog sleds]
Table A, Reading
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.
2 4–6 There is some evidence of general understanding of the main ideas, although
the response may be thin or in places lack focus on the text or the question.
Some brief, straightforward reference to the text is made.
There may be some reliance on lifting from the text.
One of the bullets may not be addressed.
The voice might be inappropriate.
1 1–3 The response is either very general, with little reference to the text, or a
reproduction of sections of the original.
Content is either insubstantial or unselective.
There is little realisation of the need to modify material from the text.