Cambridge A Level English General Paper 8021 — 2023 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 2

1 (a) Considering only the disadvantages, explain why Xan would be less likely to choose Laurent as the presenter. Do not refer to Anny. Answer in continuous prose. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [10] (b) Identify two different examples of Anny’s people skills. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... [2] (c) Explain four disadvantages if Xan were to choose Anny as the presenter. Do not refer to Laurent. disadvantage 1 ................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... disadvantage 2 ................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... disadvantage 3 ................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... disadvantage 4 ................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [8] (d) Explain why the results of Xan’s questionnaire might not be as informative about the hospital listeners as he would have hoped. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [2] (e) According to the material, explain why every hospital should have its own radio station. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [1] (f) In your opinion, explain one disadvantage of an organisation in which everyone is a volunteer. Do not repeat any information from the material for Section A. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [2] [Total: 25]

Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks 1(a) Considering only the disadvantages, explain why Xan would be less 10 likely to choose Laurent as the presenter. Do not refer to Anny. Answer in continuous prose. Credit any of the following points or any other valid point. During his demo his communication skills were somewhat lacking as he spoke in a monotonous voice which listeners might find boring/a turn-off and such things as tone of voice are very difficult to change without extensive training that Xan might not have the time/skill to do. He used formal language throughout his demo which might alienate listeners/is not usual on a music request show. He made it very clear that he assumed that all the listeners had the same taste in music as he did by only playing classical music. The questionnaire results showed that he would be pleasing only 43% of the hospital listeners, so the audience figures might be too low for Xan to achieve his goal of appealing to the widest audience possible. He might come over as big-headed/boastful/patronising to the listeners as he said he would be amazed if the music he was playing hadn’t completely soothed them/the music he intended to play would please all of them. He seemed rather self-obsessed for a request show as he talked more about himself and the music than the patients whose requests he was playing. He seemed to lack people skills as his only references to the patients were their names and ward numbers and in his private life he does not socialise so he does not get that many chances to improve these skills. He is likely to have little loyalty/long-term commitment to the station as he wants his own show on national radio and is using the station to gain experience and exposure on the internet. 1(a) He has a history of not doing as his producer asks/changing content without permission, so he might turn out to be a loose cannon/too difficult to work with. In assessing the answer award marks for a coherent appraisal, clearly expressed, of four or more relevant considerations that make use of analytical skills. Levels Mark(s) Descriptors 4 9–10 • Capacity to interpret evidence and sustained ability to present relevant arguments, analysis and exemplification maintaining a strong focus on the main issues in the question. • Comprehensive approach demonstrating ability to identify and select relevant information, data, concepts and opinions and maintain a strong focus on the key issues. • Shows the ability to communicate clearly and accurately in a fluent and organised manner. 3 6–8 • Moderate range of arguments, analysis and exemplification covering some of the main issues in the question. • Demonstrating some grasp of the nature of key issues but with a restricted range or a loss of focus leading to the inclusion of some irrelevant material. • Shows the ability to communicate clearly and accurately in a fluent and organised manner. 2 3–5 • Limited analysis shown in a response consisting of mainly undeveloped material. • A modest range of selected points, perhaps some of which are irrelevant or incorrect. • Ability to convey meaning but with limited powers of expression with some errors in spelling, punctuation or grammar which impede the flow and hinder communication. 1 1–2 • Some simple, mainly unexplained or undeveloped points or perhaps a very narrow range – with little interpretation or analysis and little development or exemplification. • Limited range, dubious choice showing restricted appreciation of key issues. • Ability to convey meaning but with limited powers of expression with some errors in spelling, punctuation or grammar which impede the flow and hinder communication. 0 0 • A mark of zero should be awarded for no creditable content. 1(b) Identify two different examples of Anny’s people skills. 2 Credit two of the following points or any other valid point. She made lots of positive comments about meeting patients (and staff) on the ward. (1) She had volunteered/happily spent a lot of time at the old hospital, helping patients (choose books from the hospital’s mobile library). (1) 1(c) Explain four disadvantages if Xan were to choose Anny as the presenter. 8 Do not refer to Laurent. Credit any four of the following points or any other valid point. She had ‘dead air’ issues during her demo (1), which is one of the worst mistakes to make in broadcasting/showed her skills were not up to a professional standard. (1) It might mean that potential listeners might not have tuned in/stayed tuned in (1), so that would have negatively affected audience figures (1). 1(c) She did not reference the station name (1), so people coming across her 8 programme on the internet would not know which station they were listening to (1). After making a mistake she was flustered (1), which would not have made good listening for the audience if this were to continue/be repeated (1) so it needs to sound professional in order to compete with other stations. (1) When she did not modulate the sound levels/the music suddenly came on loudly (1), it might have particularly shocked the elderly patients and the new- born babies. (1) She made mistakes cueing up the music/had timing problems with her music (1), so that sometimes her voice was drowned out. (1) She forgot to name check tracks (which would annoy the station) (1) because there would be broadcasting rights issues/the musicians would be rightly angry with the station (as potential purchases of their music would be lost). (1) She told the listeners that they could guess the name of the track (1), which was a ridiculous assumption to make. (1). She might have trouble getting into the station on time/with an hour to spare to talk to patients/as she works across the city centre from the hospital/there are evening rush hour traffic jams./She will not be able to do every weekday programme (1) as she occasionally has to work late into the evening. (Any combination = max. 6) During her demo, her language was a bit repetitive/she kept using ‘great’ and ‘lovely’ (1), which could start to irritate listeners over the course of two hours. (1) 1(d) Explain why the results of Xan’s questionnaire might not be as 2 informative about the hospital listeners as he would have hoped. Credit any two of the following points or any other valid point. He is dependent on busy ward staff having the time/inclination to hand out his questionnaires (1) so some wards/departments may be over-represented (1). He has only received back some of the questionnaires, (1) so the results will not be comprehensive/represent a true cross-section of the hospital audience. (1) 1(e) According to the material, explain why every hospital should have its 1 own radio station. Credit either of the following points. Hospital radio has been found to be beneficial to patients/Hospital radio improves their mood and helps their recovery (1) 1(f) In your opinion, explain one disadvantage of an organisation in which 2 everyone is a volunteer. Do not repeat material in Section A. Credit any two of the following points or any other valid point. There is likely to be no legally binding contract (1), so a volunteer can just walk out on a whim (1), leaving the organisation in the lurch/with little time to organise a replacement (1) and making it hard for the organisation to work to professional standards (1). – max. 2 A volunteer might not take the job as seriously as paid employment (1), so they might not care about upholding professional standards/may damage the organisation’s reputation (1).

2 (a) With reference to lines 1 to 12, (i) identify three activities that distract Jocelyn de Kwant from work. 1 ............................................................................................................................ 2 ............................................................................................................................ 3 ............................................................................................................................ [3] (ii) identify the sound that distracts Jocelyn de Kwant, even when she is not working. ................................................................................................................................ [1] (b) In your opinion, explain why the ‘be’ in line 10 is written in italics. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [1] (c) According to Mark Tigchelaar (lines 13 to 20), (i) state the reason why ‘concentration levels have dropped’. ................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................ [1] (ii) state the two disadvantages of this drop in levels of concentration. disadvantage 1 ...................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................ disadvantage 2 ...................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................ [2] (d) With reference to lines 21 to 30, explain how our brains also distract us. Answer in about 60 words. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [6] (e) According to Cal Newport (lines 31 to 32), explain what ‘shallow work’ means. Answer using your own words as far as possible. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [1] (f) According to lines 33 to 40, explain why ‘constantly switching between tasks makes us dumber.’ Answer using your own words as far as possible. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [4] (g) Identify the three different ways mentioned which can improve your levels of attention. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 3 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... [3] (h) According to lines 47 to 55, explain why ‘many people are so irritable’ in the digital era. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [3] [Total: 25]

Mark scheme: 2(a)(i) With reference to lines 1 to 12, identify three activities that distract 3 Jocelyn de Kwant from work. Credit any three of the following points. a colleague with a quick question (1) (a bit of) administration or invoicing (1) (every now and then doing) a round of social media (1) 2(a)(ii) With reference to lines 1 to 12, identify the sound that distracts Jocelyn 1 de Kwant, even when she is not working. a beep from her phone (1) 2(b) In your opinion, explain why the ‘be’ in line 10 is written in italics. 1 Credit one of the following points or any other valid point. It emphasises de Kwant felt fully present with her friends at that event/really experienced the time she was there/was fully focused on the event and her friends/she was fully connected to what was happening. (1) It highlights the difference between just attending an event and really experiencing the full effects of being there. (1) 2(c)(i) According to Mark Tigchelaar (lines 13 to 20), state the reason why 1 ‘concentration levels have dropped’. Credit one of the following points. The number of stimuli every day has increased five times over since the 1980s/now equals 174 newspapers a day. (1) 2(c)(ii) According to Mark Tigchelaar (lines 13 to 20), state the two 2 disadvantages of this drop in levels of concentration. (We are busier every day), but we are much less productive. (1) Our stress levels are rising. (1) 2(d) With reference to lines 21 to 30, explain how our brains also distract us. 6 Answer in about 60 words. Credit any six of the following points. The brain loves stimuli and constantly looks for danger. (1) Though we are doing one thing, our brain processes everything. (1) We even notice our name being mentioned (at a busy party). (1) A (distant) phone beep (immediately) grabs our attention. (1) We wonder if it is something important (for us). (1) If things happen slowly, our brain searches for stimuli. (1) It is therefore addictive (to do short/quick things). (1) You are busy with small things but are not productive. (1) Any relevant content above 60 words should not be considered as part of the answer. 2(e) According to Cal Newport (lines 31 to 32), explain what ‘shallow work’ 1 means. Answer using your own words as far as possible. Credit one of the following points. You do not have to think hard (about the tasks) (1) and they do not give you a sense of fulfilment when completed. (1) 2(f) According to lines 33 to 40, explain why ‘constantly switching between 4 tasks makes us dumber.’ Answer using your own words as far as possible. Credit any four of the following points. When you change your activity (1), some of your focus stays (1) on the original piece of work (1) You need to remember (that activity) (1) Just by the act of quickly checking your emails (1) or replying to a co-worker’s basic query (1) your brain divides. (1) (Neuropsychologists) refer to the process as ‘attention-residue’ (1). [Second limb = same as BPs 2 and 3; credit each once only] (Changing focus like this) undermines you (1) (as the changes) drain your stamina, (1) impacting negatively on/raising the amount of stress you feel, (1) so it is harder (still) for you to focus. (1) 2(g) Identify the three different ways mentioned which can improve your 3 levels of attention. Credit any three of the following points. Switch between tasks as little as possible. (1) Go and sit on your own occasionally (as an open-plan office can be disastrous for productivity). (1) Do a second task that requires little brainpower (to occupy your overactive brain). (1) 2(h) According to the material, explain why ‘many people are so irritable’ in 3 the digital era. Credit any three of the following points. Everything is digital and always on the go. (1) You get information 24/7 and you manage your whole life through one device. (1) People fill up every free moment/have a constant feeling of being switched on and in a hurry. (1) People are constantly looking for new information to get a hit of dopamine. (1) However, it is unnatural always to be ‘switched on’ (and this is stressful for people). (1)