Cambridge Assessment International Education

Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (9–1)

FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH IGCSE 9–1 0990/22

Paper 2 Reading Passages (Extended) May/June 2019
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 50

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 2019 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level and Cambridge Pre-U components, and
some Cambridge O Level components.

This document consists of 15 printed pages.

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Generic Marking Principles

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.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:

• 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.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:

• 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.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

Rules must be applied consistently e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:

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).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

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.

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Question Answer Marks

1 This question tests Reading Objectives R1 to R3 (15 marks): 20

R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings

R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
R3 analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions

and writing assessment objectives W1 to W4 (5 marks):

W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined

W2 organise facts, ideas and opinions W3 use a range of appropriate
vocabulary
W4 use register appropriate to audience and context.

Imagine you are the zookeeper. Later that day you write in your
journal reflecting on your feelings about life now and how things
have changed.

Write your journal.

In your journal, you should:

• describe what you do each day, why you do it and how that makes
you feel
• explain what you have noticed about the boy and his father and
your feelings about each of them
• consider how things have changed for you and the world around
you since you first started working at the zoo and suggest what
you think the future may hold for you.

Base your journal on what you have read in Passage A, but be careful
to use your own words. Address each of the three bullet points.

Begin your journal, ‘Today was «’

Write about 250 to 350 words.

Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to

5 marks for the quality of your writing.

Use the Marking Criteria for Question 1 (Table A, Reading and Table B
Writing)

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Question Answer Marks

1 Notes on task

Candidates should identify key ideas from the passage (see below) and
develop them relevantly, supporting what they write with details from the
passage and judging the appropriate register for the genre, which is a talk to
a group of new trainee guides. Look for 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 the zookeeper does each day, why he
does it and how that makes him feel.

Annotate A2 for references to what the zookeeper has noticed about the
boy and his father and his feelings about each of them.

Annotate A3 for references to how things have changed for the zookeeper
and the world around him since he first started working at the zoo and
suggest what he thinks the future may hold for him.

Responses might use the following ideas:

A1: What the zookeeper does each day, why he does it, and how that
makes him feel.

• (removes) ‘meat’ (det. lab-grown, synthetic, pale, kept in sterile bath,

decays quickly) [dev. no longer any real meat from animals]
• ‘feed’ animals (det. dented bucket) [dev. have been doing this for
years as part of the show for any visitors]
• try to coax Jumbe out to eat (det. rattle keys, open lock) [dev. door
harder to open, Jumbe’s condition deteriorating, despair / regret /
refusal to accept]
• worn out / feel hot / tired (det. hobbling, pained grunt, beads of sweat,
humid, stumbles) [dev. hard work, exhausting, more difficult as he gets
older]
• habit / the way it has always been / set routine (det. old habits are
hard to break) [dev. nostalgic, remembers how it used to be]

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Question Answer Marks

1 A2: What the zookeeper has noticed about the boy and his father and
his feelings about each of them.

• frequency of their visits (det. daily) [dev. programmed to do so, old

habit which they (or father) is holding on to]
• father visited before (det. used to come to the zoo as a child when it
first opened) [dev. must be mid to late 60s at least now but few signs of
having aged (no age spots)]
• physical appearance / look almost the same as each other / robots
(det. boy a smaller replica) [dev. this pair are unnaturally similar –
clone-like, look perfect; humans no longer eat but are nourished by
serum, marked contrast to zookeeper; do not seem to feel the heat]
• mental functions / emotionless (det. siliconized brain) inhuman,
artificial] [dev. education now a process of transferring knowledge
electronically]
• boy is observant / curious (det. reads plaque, seems to want to ask
question(s)) [dev. wishes he would ask, wants him to communicate,
wishes he could explain to him, boy thinks he looks strange; zookeeper
felt uncomfortable]
• relationship / communication between father and son (det.
squeezed hand) [dev. father will not let him speak; unable/unwilling to
answer questions]

A3: How things have changed for the zookeeper and the world around
him since he first started working at the zoo and suggest what he
thinks the future may hold for him.

• advanced technology of new world / world he knew when younger

has disappeared (det. long-since dead, ancient man) [dev. he was not
able to be programmed, one of those who did not fit in]
• few(er) visitors to the zoo (det. busier fifty years ago) [dev. people
were interested or concerned to see animals and learn about them, zoo
was more popular when it first opened, eventually there may be no
visitors at all once habits are broken]
• animals were real / not real now (det. now cybernetised, artefacts,
need to repair Jumbe) [dev. creatures are no longer wholly biological –
part robot, now all the real animals are extinct and artefacts
disintegrating]
• weather / climate has become hotter (det. humid) [dev. programmed
humans to cope with it / physical changes to humans such as serum to
cope with it]
• no longer required / no job (det. Jumbe’s tattered pelt, repairs) [dev.
only a matter of time, replaced, repairs getting more difficult]
• physical deterioration so cannot continue (det. gnarled knuckles,
ropy tendons) [dev. die of wasting disease, become cybernetised / an
exhibit himself]
• carry on for as long as he can (det.one zookeeper) [dev. all he
knows; loyalty]

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Marking Criteria for Question 1 Table A, Reading:

Use the following table to give a mark out of 15 for Reading.

Band 6 13–15 • The response reveals a thorough reading of the passage.

• Developed ideas are sustained and well related to the passage.
• 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.

Band 5 10–15 • The response demonstrates a competent reading of the passage.

• 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.

Band 4 7–9 • The passage has been read reasonably well.

• A range of straightforward ideas is offered.
• Opportunities for development are rarely taken.
• Supporting detail is present but there may be some mechanical use of
the passage.
• There is uneven focus on the bullets.
• The voice is plain.

Band 3 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
passage or the question.
• Some brief, straightforward reference to the passage 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.

Band 2 1–3 • The response is either very general, with little reference to the passage,
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
passage.

Band 1 0 • There is very little or no relevance to the question or to the passage.

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Table B, Writing: Structure and order, style of language:

Use the following table to give a mark out of 5 for Writing.

Band 6 5 • The language of the response sounds convincing and consistently

appropriate.
• Ideas are firmly expressed in a wide range of effective and/or interesting
language.
• Structure and sequence are sound throughout.

Band 5 4 • Language is mostly fluent and there is clarity of expression.

• There is a sufficient range of vocabulary to express ideas with subtlety
and precision.
• The response is mainly well structured and well sequenced.

Band 4 3 • 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.

Band 3 2 • There may be some awkwardness of expression and some

inconsistency of style.
• Language is too limited to express shades of meaning.
• There is structural weakness and there may be some copying from the
passage.

Band 2 1 • Expression and structure lack clarity.

• Language is weak and undeveloped.
• There is very little attempt to explain ideas.
• There may be frequent copying from the original.

Band 1 0 • The response cannot be understood.

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Question Answer Marks

2 This question tests Reading Objective R4 (10 marks): 10

R4 demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects

Re-read the descriptions of:

(a) the zookeeper in paragraph 1, beginning ‘The boy stared «’

(b) the animal in paragraph 14, beginning ‘The ancient «’

Select four powerful words or phrases from each paragraph. Your

choices should include imagery. Explain how each word or phrase is
used effectively in the context.

Write about 200 to 300 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.

Notes on task

This question is marked for understanding of ways in which the language

used is effective.

The notes are a guide to what good responses might say about the
selections, along with possible overviews which may be offered for each
paragraph. Alternative acceptable explanations should be credited.

Candidates can make any sensible comment, but only credit those that are
relevant to the correct meanings of the words in the context.

Credit comments on effects created by non-vocabulary choices such as

grammar/syntax and punctuation devices. These must be additional to
comments on vocabulary.

Mark holistically for the overall quality of the response, not for the number of
words chosen for discussion, bearing in mind that there should be a range of
choices to demonstrate an understanding of how language works for the
higher bands, and that this should include the ability to explain images.

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Question Answer Marks

2(a) The zookeeper in paragraph 1

The general effect is of the physical signs of extreme aging and the biological
maturity/deterioration of the zookeeper – a curiosity for the boy as if
observing another species.

hobbling (along): limping painfully, restricted movements due to age,

struggling, sign of physical deterioration, weakened
aged man: very old human, has matured, grown older naturally, wisdom
emit a pained grunt: involuntary sound suggests the work is difficult and
painful for him, noise more typical of an animal
gnarled knuckles: (image) roughened as from old age or work, knotty like
an old tree trunk
ropy tendons and veins (stood out): (image) connecting fibres and blood
vessels are no longer supple but thickened with age, evidence of exertion
tissue-thin skin: almost transparent, delicate, gauze-like, natural cells of a
biological organism, easily torn
mottled (with age): spotted, blotched, evidence of older skin, effects of time
inhabited by ghosts of forgotten injuries: (image) haunting memories
only fleeting now, possibly evidence of encounters with real animals,
troubled by memories
secret stories of wounds: (image) injuries have healed leaving scars –
process of healing naturally, mysteries of natural processes are not known
to boy
baggy covering: (image) too big to fit, outer layer, concealing what is
beneath, as if can be taken off
(feel it slide over the) brittle bones: fragile, easily broken, frailty
time-withered muscle: dry, shrivelled with extreme age, dying

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Question Answer Marks

2(b) The animal in paragraph 14

The general effect is of a museum specimen / curiosity from a bygone age –

describes the effects of time and technology on an animal long since dead.
The identity of the animal is not yet revealed; condition invites comparison to
zookeeper.

ancient beast’s pelt: skin or hide of an animal only, as if trophy or exhibit of

part of prehistoric or mythological creature
bleached bone-white by unrelenting sun: colour has been removed over
time by unforgiving sun, vitality and life has been lost, unnatural
badly tattered: torn to shreds, ragged and worn, over-used
bare spots betrayed: truth revealed by damage, let down as not a (wholly)
real lion
fur rubbed painfully against metal: contrast of natural substance and
unyielding material, raw suffering of beast, empathy of zookeeper
exposing old tears: revelation of damage previously sustained since
exhibited, has worn out a long time ago
raggedly-sutured gaps: repeated attempts to patch, stitches obvious now
as so threadbare that there are holes between stitches, amateurish, attempt
to care
underlying musculature: system of muscles beneath the skin of a body,
reminiscent of medical specimen
atrophied meat: wasted, withered, shrivelled – contrast to lab grown meat
churning gears: disks and wheels turn over mechanically, routinely,
mechanism evident, suggests tired of same movement (churns out)

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Marking Criteria for Question 2

Table A, Reading: Language analysis:

Use the following table to give a mark out of 10 for Reading.

Band 6 9–10 • Wide ranging discussion of judiciously selected language with some
high quality comments that add meaning and associations to
words/phrases in both parts of the question, and demonstrate the
writer's reasons for using them.
• Tackles imagery with some precision and imagination.
• There is clear evidence that the candidate understands how language
works.

Band 5 7–8 • Explanations are given of carefully selected words and phrases.
• Explanations of meanings within the context of the passage are secure
and effects are identified in both parts of the question.
• Images are recognised as such and the response goes some way to
explaining them.
• There is some evidence that the candidate understands how language
works.

Band 4 5–6 • A satisfactory attempt is made to select appropriate words and phrases.
• The response mostly gives meanings of words and any attempt to
suggest and explain effects is basic or very general.
• One half of the question may be better answered than the other.

Band 3 3–4 • The response provides a mixture of appropriate choices and words that
communicate less well.
• The response may correctly identify linguistic devices but not explain
why they are used.
• Explanations may be few, general, slight or only partially effective.
• They may repeat the language of the original or do not refer to specific
words.

Band 2 1–2 • The choice of words is sparse or rarely relevant.

• Any comments are inappropriate and the response is very thin.

Band 1 0 • The response does not relate to the question.

• Inappropriate words and phrases are chosen or none are selected.

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Question Answer Marks

3 This question tests reading assessment objectives R1, R2 and R5 and

writing assessment objectives W2, W3 and W5:

R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings

R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
R5 select for specific purposes

W2 organise facts, ideas and opinions

W3 use a range of appropriate vocabulary
W5 accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar

Use the Marking Criteria for Question 3 (Table A, Reading and Table B
Writing)

Notes on task

Candidates should select relevant ideas from the passage (see below) to
include in a prose response to the summary task. Look for evidence that
ideas relevant to the focus of the task have been understood and
communicated clearly and concisely in the candidate’s own words.

Annotate A1 for references to ideas relevant to the challenges of buying,

saving and running the zoo.

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Question Answer Marks

3 What were the challenges for Benjamin Mee in buying, saving and 20
running the zoo, according to Passage B?

You must use continuous writing (not note form) and use your own
words as far as possible.

Your summary should not be more than 250 words.

Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to 5

marks for the quality of your writing.

INDICATIVE READING CONTENT

Candidates may refer to any of the points below:

Buying the zoo:

1 rundown – struggling financially when he bought it / failing / deteriorated
by time of purchase / physically poor state of zoo
2 first offer rejected
3 time pressure ahead of the final purchase – or the animals would be put
down
4 licence revoked

Saving the zoo:

5 cash flow issues – needed money for repairs before revenue could be
generated (public could be admitted), had to beg bank manager for loan
6 exhausting / sheer effort involved
7 wife’s illness / wife’s death – not able to grieve
8 zoo inspection for new licence

Running the zoo:

9 large number of animals in his care (200)
10 some fierce / dangerous animals to care for – bear’s claws to trim
11 security – lives at stake / public safety / jaguar escaping
12 no privacy – no escape / live at work
13 no experience of running a zoo – was a journalist, faced difficult
decisions
14 family responsibilities – young children
15 staff issues – pay, number of staff, finding right ones, training them, firing
them
16 running costs exorbitant at the start

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Marking criteria for Question 3 Table A, Reading:

Use the following table to give a mark out of 15 for Reading.

Band 5 13–15 • A very effective response that demonstrates a thorough understanding

of the requirements of the task.
• Demonstrates understanding of a wide range of relevant ideas and is
consistently well-focused.
• Points are skilfully selected to demonstrate an overview.

Band 4 10–12 • An effective response that demonstrates a competent understanding of

the requirements of the task.
• Demonstrates understanding of a good range of relevant ideas with a
clear focus.
• Points are carefully selected, and there is some evidence of an
overview.

Band 3 7–9 • A partially effective response that demonstrates a reasonable

understanding of the requirements of the task.
• Demonstrates understanding of ideas and is mostly focused.
• Some evidence of selection of relevant ideas, but may include excess
material.

Band 2 4–6 • A basic response that demonstrates some understanding of the

requirements of the task.
• Demonstrates general understanding of some relevant ideas.
• There may be some indiscriminate selection of ideas.

Band 1 1–3 • A response that demonstrates a limited understanding of the task.

• The response may be a simple list of unconnected ideas.
• There is limited evidence of selection.

Band 0 0 • No creditable content.

Notes

• Overview demonstrates a candidate’s ability to summarise carefully selected key points in relation
to the focus of the question rather than to paraphrase the passage. Candidates should give a
focused response, drawing ideas from the passage provided; they should demonstrate clear
understanding of both explicit and implicit meanings.

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Table B, Writing:

Use the following table to give a mark out of 5 for Writing.

Band 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 almost always accurate.

Band 2 2–3 • 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 passage.
• There may be errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar but they do
not impede communication.

Band 1 1 • A relevant response that lacks clarity and concision.

• There may be excessively long explanations or the response may be
very brief.
• The response may include lifted sections.
• Frequent errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar, which may
occasionally impede communication.

Band 0 0 • No creditable content.

Notes

Mark holistically for writing using the mark grid above, using a ‘best fit’ approach.

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