Examiner's Verdict: A Fair, Highly Structured Paper
The Summer 2024 cohort faced a beautifully structured pair of papers. Paper 1 successfully combined the high-adrenaline, slightly self-deprecating unseen narrative of Ben Fogle's Tin Bath Tournament with Emma Levine's fast-paced, chaotic donkey race in Karachi. Paper 2 tested Moniza Alvi's An Unknown Girl, a favorite amongst candidates due to its rich sensory imagery and clear cultural dichotomy. Overall, the papers rewarded candidates who avoided superficial feature-spotting and instead engaged with the writers' structural shifts and underlying attitudes.
Where the Marks Are Won (and Lost)
In Section A, candidates often lose straightforward marks on Q1 and Q2 of Paper 1 by quoting outside the designated line numbers (e.g., lines 4–6 and 41–51). Precision is key here. For the high-value comparative question (Paper 1, Q5), the mark scheme enforces a strict penalty: candidates who write about only one text cannot progress beyond Level 2 (8 marks). The highest marks were awarded to those who constructed a balanced, integrated analysis highlighting the similarities in high-stakes, hazardous environments and contrasting Fogle's introspective humiliation with Levine's observation of external social chaos.
The Battle of Transactional and Imaginative Writing
Section B across both papers demanded strict adherence to form. In Paper 1, the speech on 'winning vs. participating' (Q7) was a popular choice, but many fell into the trap of writing a standard essay rather than a speech. The best responses utilized rhetorical devices, direct address, and a convincing peer-focused register. For Paper 2's imaginative writing, the narrative starter 'Our eyes suddenly met' generated highly engaging thrillers and psychological pieces, though candidates who over-plotted often sacrificed SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar) accuracy under time pressure.
Strategic Revision & Predictions
Given the recurrence patterns of Part 2 anthology texts, candidates should now turn their focus to narrative prose and poetry that have not appeared in recent series. Highly visual poems with themes of conflict or isolation, such as Wilfred Owen's Disabled, are prime candidates for upcoming assessments. When revising, prioritize mastering comparative transitions (e.g., 'Conversely', 'In parallel fashion') to seamlessly connect texts under the intense time constraints of Section A.