Cambridge A Level English General Paper 8021 — 2025 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 1

1 (a) With reference to the Background and the Additional Information only, identify two pieces of evidence showing that Ereeka might not have the necessary experience to organise a ‘memorable’ press launch. 1 ................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... 2 ................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... [2] (b) Identify the disadvantage with The Beeches. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (c) Identify the likely date for the press launch. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (d) Explain why Ereeka will have to ask Caradoc Schmidt for an increased budget for the press launch. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [3] (e) Apart from the cost, explain the disadvantages of The Tuila Hotel and Conference Centre as a venue for the press launch. Answer in continuous prose. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [8] (f) Explain why working with Orlando Teeme has been a particularly stressful time for Klaus, the Director of Manufacturing. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [3] (g) With reference to the Additional Information, identify the reason why Caradoc Schmidt might soon regret linking his company’s reputation with that of Orlando Teeme. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (h) In your opinion, explain why, as Schmidt + Daughters Tableware has its own design team, Caradoc Schmidt asked Orlando Teeme to design a product range for them. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [4] (i) In your opinion, suggest why celebrities feel the need to be chauffeured in limousines. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] [Total: 25]

Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks 1(a) With reference to the Background and the Additional Information 2 only, identify two pieces of evidence showing that Ereeka might not have the necessary experience to organise a ‘memorable’ press launch. Credit the following two points. Ereeka had only started as Director of Publicity three weeks ago. (1) One month ago, Ereeka graduated from university with a degree in archaeology. (1) (1 + 1) 1(b) Identify the disadvantage with The Beeches. 1 Credit the following point. It is (only) a two-star hotel. (1) 1(c) Identify the likely date for the press launch. 1 Credit the following point. 10 March. (1) 1(d) Explain why Ereeka will have to ask Caradoc Schmidt for an 3 increased budget for the press launch. Credit any three of the following points. The current budget of $30 000 will not cover all the costs. (1) 120 delegates could cost up to $30 000 alone, if they all requested an overnight stay. (1) The gourmet buffet lunch (that Caradoc would probably want) costs $2400. (1) Orlando Teeme’s personal expenses would come to $3500. (1) There is the potential for up to 30 more delegates to indicate that they will attend. (1) Overtime may be necessary to speed up production to meet the preferred launch date (increasing costs further). (1) (3  1) 1(e) Apart from the cost, explain the disadvantages of The Tuila Hotel 8 and Conference Centre as a venue for the press launch. Answer in continuous prose. Caradoc Schmidt specified a venue within 5 km of the office, but The Tuila Hotel and Conference Centre is 8 km away. The Tuila Hotel and Conference Centre’s head chef has just broken both wrists, so the food might not be up to gourmet standard / and one of CS’ specifications in his email was for a lunch of an excellent standard / so a less qualified chef might have to take over / so the venue might not find a replacement chef in time. The Tuila Hotel and Conference Centre has only been open since 15 January, so Ereeka will not have been able to check many online reviews to ensure that it is of five-star standard / to see how it had coped previously with events as large as their press launch. The engineer hoping to repair The Tuila Hotel and Conference Centre’s audio-visual equipment cannot come before 9 March / the day before the likely date of the press conference, so it allows no room for manoeuvre if the engineer cannot repair the equipment/ needs to order a part. In assessing the answer award marks for a coherent appraisal, clearly expressed, of three or more relevant considerations that make use of analytical skills. Levels Mark(s) Descriptors 4 7–8 • 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 5–6 • 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 3–4 • 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(f) Explain why working with Orlando Teeme has been a particularly 3 stressful time for Klaus, the Director of Manufacturing. Credit three of the following points or any other valid point. There has been an issue at every stage of production, (1) as Orlando Teeme changed his design (from a simple one) to a more complicated one (1) and the gold edging would have increased the level of technicality required. (1) Now they are two months behind schedule. (1) Orlando’s demanding and diva-like character has clearly worn him out. (1) (3  1) 1(g) With reference to the Additional Information, identify the reason why 1 Caradoc Schmidt might soon regret linking his company’s reputation with that of Orlando Teeme. Credit the following point. Orlando Teeme is going to be accused in a national newspaper of stealing recipe ideas from his junior chefs. (1) 1(h) In your opinion, explain why, as Schmidt + Daughters Tableware has its 4 own design team, Caradoc Schmidt asked Orlando Teeme to design a product range for them. Credit four of the following points or any other valid points. Orlando Teeme is a celebrity TV chef, (1) so he is likely to have hundreds of thousands of fans, (1) many of whom would happily buy tableware designed by Orlando, (1) which might help their meals look as good as his culinary creations. (1) Schmidt + Daughters Tableware can charge a premium on products endorsed by famous people, (1) whereas in-house tableware design teams are not normally known by anyone outside their industry. (1) 2  2 or 1  4 1(i) In your opinion, suggest why celebrities feel the need to be chauffeured 2 in limousines. Credit two of the following points or any other valid point. They might feel vulnerable travelling in public transport, (1) worrying about being bothered by over-zealous fans or people with bad intentions. (1) They might worry about getting lost trying to find the venue. (1) They might think that it underlines their status as a celebrity. (1) They might revel in being regarded as high-wealth individuals. (1) They can post pictures on social media to impress their followers. (1) 2  1 or 1 + 1

2 (a) Identify when Iulia Bochis started to become interested in illustrations, specifically. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (b) Using your own words as far as possible, explain the meaning of the following five phrases as used in the material: (i) ‘something changed in me’ (lines 9–10) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (ii) ‘felt a strong desire to travel’ (line 10) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (iii) ‘obstacles that got in the way’ (line 12) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (iv) ‘after much deliberation’ (line 12) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (v) ‘there wasn’t a better moment than “now”’ (lines 12–13). ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (c) Identify the exact word or phrase in the material which means the following: (i) life-changing (lines 9–18) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (ii) imagination (lines 20–25) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (iii) affect emotionally (lines 20–25) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (iv) remedy (lines 29–34) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (v) encouraging (lines 44–56). ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (d) Regarding Iulia’s site: (i) describe what makes her feel humble ........................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (ii) identify the comparison she makes to describe her site. ........................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (e) According to Iulia, identify one advantage and one disadvantage of an easily accessible virtual world. advantage ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................... disadvantage ............................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... [2] (f) Explain the structure of Iulia’s book (lines 44–52). Answer in about 50 words using continuous prose. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [5] (g) State the exact meaning of the following five words as they are used in the material: (i) thought-provoking (line 7) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (ii) perspective (line 20) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (iii) resilient (line 26) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (iv) solace (line 31) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (v) superficial (line 35). ..................................................................................................................................... [1] [Total: 25]

Mark scheme: 2(a) Identify when Iulia Bochis started to become interested in illustrations, 1 specifically. Credit the following point. (She started to become interested in them) when she started using social media. (1) 2(b)(i) Using your own words as far as possible, explain the meaning of the 1 following five phrases as used in the material: ‘something changed in me’ (lines 9–10) she altered her attitude 2(b)(ii) Using your own words as far as possible, explain the meaning of the 1 following five phrases as used in the material: ‘felt a strong desire to travel’ (line 10) experienced a great need to explore 2(b)(iii) Using your own words as far as possible, explain the meaning of the 1 following five phrases as used in the material: ‘obstacles that got in the way’ (line 12) barriers that prevented her 2(b)(iv) Using your own words as far as possible, explain the meaning of the 1 following five phrases as used in the material: ‘after much deliberation’ (line 12) having thought a great deal 2(b)(v) Using your own words as far as possible, explain the meaning of the 1 following five phrases as used in the material: ‘there wasn’t a better moment than “now”’ (lines 12–13) the present was the perfect opportunity 2(c)(i) Identify the exact word or phrase in the material which means the 1 following: life-changing (lines 9–18) Credit the following point. transformative (1) 2(c)(ii) Identify the exact word or phrase in the material which means the 1 following: imagination (lines 20–25) Credit the following point. mind’s eye (1) 2(c)(iii) Identify the exact word or phrase in the material which means the 1 following: affect emotionally (lines 20–25) Credit the following point. touch (1) 2(c)(iv) Identify the exact word or phrase in the material which means the 1 following: remedy (lines 29–34) Credit the following point. antidote (1) 2(c)(v) Identify the exact word or phrase in the material which means the 1 following: encouraging (lines 44–56). Credit the following point. uplifting (1) 2(d)(i) Regarding Iulia’s site, describe what makes her feel humble 1 Credit one of the following points. (She feels humble) when she receives messages from around the world/ people let her know that her work brings them a sense of lightness and comfort. (1) 2(d)(ii) Regarding Iulia’s site, identify the comparison she makes to describe 1 her site. Credit the following point. (She considers it as a corner of the internet that’s like) a sunny garden for people to sit and relax in (at any time). (1) 2(e) According to Iulia, identify one advantage and one disadvantage of an 2 easily accessible virtual world. Credit the following two points. Advantage: (It allows many) individuals and communities to have a far- reaching voice (for the first time). (1) Disadvantage: It has become more difficult to build real and lasting relationships/ Everything changes so quickly. (1) 1 + 1 2(f) Explain the structure of Iulia’s book (lines 44–52). 5 Answer in about 50 words using continuous prose. Credit any three of the following points. It is built around the four seasons. (1) It draws parallels between life stages and the changing seasons. (1) Autumn invites us to reflect on the nature of change. (1) Dark winter days are for self-reflection and focusing on ourselves. (1) Spring marks rebirth, allowing us reflection both backwards and forwards. (1) Summer liberates, letting us glide along, surrendering to life’s flow. (1) Examiners should place a vertical red line after 30 words but consider the remainder of any incomplete point which concludes within 35 words. 1  5 2(g)(i) State the exact meaning of the following five words as they are used in 1 the material: thought-provoking (line 7) stimulating, intriguing, riveting, striking, inspirational, absorbing, engaging (1) 2(g)(ii) State the exact meaning of the following five words as they are used in 1 the material: perspective (line 20) angle, viewpoint/ point of view, mindset, standpoint, way of looking, outlook, position, situation, slant (1) 2(g)(iii) State the exact meaning of the following five words as they are used in 1 the material: resilient (line 26) strong, tough, hardy, flexible (1) 2(g)(iv) State the exact meaning of the following five words as they are used in 1 the material: solace (line 31) consolation, comfort, relief, easing (1) 2(g)(v) State the exact meaning of the following five words as they are used in 1 the material: superficial (line 35) shallow, trivial, glib, fatuous, facile, flippant, empty, meaningless,