Cambridge IGCSE™: English As A Second Language 0510/21 May/June 2021
Cambridge IGCSE™: English As A Second Language 0510/21 May/June 2021
Cambridge IGCSE™: English As A Second Language 0510/21 May/June 2021
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Cambridge IGCSE™
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 2021 series for most Cambridge
IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level 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.
Exercise 1
1 original idea 1
5 huts 1
6 1992 1
8 spring 1
Exercise 2
10(a) E 1
10(b) A 1
10(c) B 1
10(d) D 1
10(e) B 1
10(f) A 1
10(g) E 1
10(h) C 1
10(i) D 1
10(j) C 1
Exercise 3
1 people throw (good) clothes away / tons (of clothing) buried as waste /
(only) 15% (of clothing) recycled
2 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide every year
3 chemicals pollute the soil
4 plastic (ends up) in the oceans
5 uses vast quantities of water
Exercise 4
Up to 8 marks to be awarded for Language (Writing) See generic marking criteria for Exercise 4.
7–8 • Points are very well organised and coherent. Cohesive devices are used effectively.
• Very good use of own words.
• High level of accuracy of vocabulary and grammatical structures.
5–6 • Points are well organised and coherent. Cohesive devices are used appropriately.
• Good use of own words.
• Good level of accuracy of vocabulary and simple grammatical structures.
3–4 • Points are partly organised and reasonably coherent. Cohesive devices are used
generally appropriately.
• Some attempt to use own words, with some reliance on language from the text.
• Reasonable level of accuracy of vocabulary and simple grammatical structures.
1–2 • Little or no attempt to organise points. Cohesive devices are either not used or are
not used appropriately.
• Heavy reliance on language from the text.
• Limited control of lexis and grammatical structures.
• Content covers the relevance (i.e. whether the piece fulfils the task and the awareness of
purpose/audience/register) and the development of ideas (i.e. the detail/explanation provided).
• Language covers range (i.e. complexity of vocabulary and sentence structure) and accuracy (of
grammar, spelling, punctuation and text organisation).
• When deciding on a mark for Content or Language, first of all decide which band is most
appropriate. There will not necessarily be an exact fit. Then decide between the lower or the
higher mark. Use the lower mark if it fulfils some of the requirements of the band and the higher
mark if it fulfils all the requirements of the band.
• When deciding on a mark for Content, look at both relevance and development of ideas. First
ask yourself whether the writing fulfils the task, in terms of points to be covered and the required
length. If the task is generally fulfilled it will be awarded at least 3–4 marks.
• When deciding on a mark for Language, look at both the range and the accuracy of the
language. A useful starting point would be first to gain an impression of the level, then to focus on
the level descriptors in order to decide on the best fit.
• If the writing is considerably shorter than the stated word length, i.e. below 105 words, it should
be given 1–2 marks or less for Content for only partially fulfilling the task.
• If the writing is only partly relevant and therefore can be awarded only 1–2 Content marks, the
full range of marks for Language is still available.
• If the writing is totally irrelevant and has nothing to do with the question asked, it should be
given 0 marks for Content and Language.
Organisation
• Effectively organised and
sequenced.
• Uses a wide range of linking words
and other cohesive devices,
effectively.
Organisation
• Well organised and sequenced.
• Uses a good range of linking
words and other cohesive devices,
appropriately.