Cambridge A Level English General Paper 8021 — 2025 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 3

1 (a) According to the Background, identify the two main reasons for the increase in the volume of traffic. reason 1 .................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... reason 2 .................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... [2] (b) With reference to Option A: (i) explain the problem for the taxi drivers. Do not refer to Option B. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................... [2] (ii) explain the advantages for the tourists. Do not refer to Option B. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................... [2] (c) Explain the advantages and one disadvantage for students if Option B were chosen. Do not refer to Option A. Answer in continuous prose. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... [10] (d) Explain why Option B may create a problem for the residents of Battax. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] (e) Explain why the engineering department’s accreditation application may not be successful. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] (f) Identify three reasons why the student questionnaire feedback may not provide accurate data. reason 1 .................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... reason 2 .................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... reason 3 .................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... [3] (g) In your opinion, explain one way a busy town could reduce the amount of traffic. Do not repeat any material from Section A. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2]

Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks 1(a) According to the Background, identify the two main reasons for the 2 increase in the volume of traffic. Designated a cultural heritage site / A sharp increase in tourism / it is attracting more visitors. (1) The university is expanding / more students. (1) 2  1 1(b)(i) With reference to Option A, explain the problem for the taxi drivers. 2 Do not refer to Option B. Battax Council will introduce a free shuttle bus service for tourists to the drop off zone/taxis will no longer be permitted to transport tourists to the drop off zone. (1) Taxi drivers will lose a lot of earnings / lose a lot of customers (1) 1  2 1(b)(ii) With reference to Option A, explain the advantages for the tourists. 2 Do not refer to Option B. Tourists will not have to pay for the shuttle service into town / will save on potentially high taxi fares. (1) With 60 per cent of tourists taking a taxi, the majority of tourists will benefit. (1) Double-decker buses will be able to accommodate more tourists / carry a lot of tourists in only one vehicle (1) and wait times are likely to reduce. (1) Tourists will have a more relaxing journey when travelling to the centre of Battax. (1) as there are likely to be fewer traffic jams / overpowering fumes (1) 2  1 or 1  2 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(c) Explain the advantages and one disadvantage for students if Option B 10 were chosen. Do not refer to Option A. Answer in continuous prose. 70 per cent / most / the majority / a great many of the students (who answered the questionnaire) live within a 5-minute walk of the train station, so the new bus stop location will be handy and easily accessible from their accommodation. The majority of students use the university bus service, so many will benefit from an increased number of buses. Doubling the number of buses will mean that students will have a more comfortable journey to university as there will be fewer passengers on any one bus For those students who appreciate the beautiful surroundings of Battax, they will get to see the town’s tranquil surroundings on the way to lectures. The 75 per cent of students who are concerned about being late for lectures will be relieved to have shorter bus journeys. The alternative bus route will save students $0.50 per journey, which will alleviate some of the financial concerns. The original bus route is 8 km long but the new route is only 4 km long. A shorter distance will mean less time travelling on the bus. The alternative bus route means that the congested area around Battax Old Town can be avoided leading to fewer traffic jams. The engineering conferences at the university will have less of an impact on bus wait times if the university is able to double the number of buses in service. Many students enjoy visiting the town’s bakeries and as the best bakery in Battax is situated across from the train station, they can call in on their way to/from the bus stop. However, Battax is a very wet town and the lack of bus shelters in the first few months may leave students soaking wet before lectures have even begun. However, 30 per cent of students (who responded to the questionnaire) live between a 6–30-minute walk of the train station so may have to get up early to walk to the bus stop, catch the bus and be on time for lectures 1(d) Explain why Option B may create a problem for the residents of Battax. 2 Moving the university bus stop to the train station will increase the number of students in the area (1) and may result in more noise and litter. (1) The new bus route will travel through a quiet area where members of the Peace4Communities live. (1) They are committed to reducing noise and traffic pollution in their area and will not be in favour of this new bus route. (1) 1  2, 2  1 1(e) Explain why the engineering department’s accreditation application may 2 not be successful. The reputation of the engineering department may have suffered following the chaotic events at the bus stop (1) which were shared widely on social media / which the engineer posted about (1) The university bus issue this year meant that the visiting engineer wasn’t able to introduce the keynote speakers properly (1) which could become a recurring problem/could prevent these conferences being so highly regarded in the future (1) 1  2 or 2  1 1(f) Identify three reasons why the student questionnaire feedback may not 3 provide accurate data. Only 30 per cent of students completed the questionnaire.(1) The questionnaire was handed out during the first lecture of the day (1) A large proportion of students might not have received a copy of the questionnaire because they were late / experienced transport delays. (1) 1(g) In your opinion, explain one way a busy town could reduce the amount 2 of traffic. Do not repeat any material from Section A. A cycle to work scheme (1) could offer incentives for people to use their bike rather than a car. (1) Car sharing (1) would mean fewer cars on the road. (1) Stagger work start times (1) to reduce congestion at rush hour. (1) Allow people to work from home (1), so they do not need to use their car at all / every day. (1) Build a metro system (1) so trams can travel over or underground (1) Build a bridge / tunnel / bypass (1) to take traffic over / under / around busy roads (1) Modify / limit the times cars can travel into towns or cities (1) to reduce traffic during peak times (1) Toll charges for cars (1) to encourage use of public transport (1) Limit tourism / discourage over tourism (1) by imposing a tourist tax (1) 1  2

2 (a) Identify the exact word in the material which means the following: (i) shared (lines 3–7) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (ii) acknowledged (lines 9–14) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (iii) (to) control (lines 15–20). ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (b) Identify one of the benefits for the volunteers who ate a large breakfast. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (c) According to Brady Holmer, state one of the problems caused by missing breakfast. ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [1] (d) Explain why going for a walk ‘might be good advice’ (lines 26–29). Answer using your own words as far as possible. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [5] (e) (i) Explain the benefit for a person who achieved seven to eight hours of sleep. ........................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (ii) Identify the three disadvantages for people who lacked sleep (lines 38–41). Answer in about 30 words using continuous prose. ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................... [3] (iii) According to Steve Magness, identify three different ways we can improve the way we sleep. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 3 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... [3] (f) Explain why Brady Holmer says, ‘The five servings recommendation is sound advice, but also somewhat arbitrary’ (lines 50–53). Answer in about 20 words using continuous prose. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] (g) Identify the two different reasons why ‘the recommendation to drink two litres of water a day … is not based on hard science’ (lines 58–64). Answer in about 20 words using continuous prose. ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. [2] (h) State the exact meaning of the following four phrases as they are used in the material: (i) (to) sift fact from fiction (lines 1–2) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (ii) (the) bottom line (line 21) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (iii) stepping up the pace (line 29) ..................................................................................................................................... [1] (iv) cognitive decline (line 54). ..................................................................................................................................... [1]

Mark scheme: 2(a)(i) Identify the exact word in the material that means the following: 1 shared (lines 3–7) collective (1) 2(a)(ii) Identify the exact word in the material that means the following: 1 acknowledged (line 9–14) recognised (1) 2(a)(iii) Identify the exact word in the material that means the following: 1 (to) control (lines 15–20). (to) regulate (1) 2(b) Identify one of the benefits for the volunteers who ate a large breakfast. 1 They saw greater weight loss / waist circumference reduction. (1) 2(c) According to Brady Holmer, state one of the problems caused by 1 missing breakfast. Increased hunger levels (later in the day) / which results in overeating. (1) 2(d) Explain why going for a walk ‘might be good advice’ (lines 26–29) 5 Answer using your own words as far as possible. Research suggested (1) taking a stroll (1) could lessen (1) the chance of early death (1) caused by heart disease and cancer, (1) with clear benefits/improvements being achieved up to 10 000 steps (1) Further research highlighted comparable findings regarding dementia (1) as just 3800 steps every 24 hours can make a difference. (1) especially if you walk at a higher speed (1) 2(e)(i) Explain the benefit for a person who achieved seven to eight hours of 1 sleep. They performed better cognitively (than those who slept more or less). (1) 2(e)(ii) Identify the three disadvantages for people who lacked sleep (lines 38– 3 41). Answer in about 30 words using continuous prose. They performed as if they were 9 years older. (1) It can affect testosterone production. (1) It can raise the risk of mortality. (1) Examiners should draw a vertical red line after 30 words but consider the remainder of any incomplete point within 35 words. 2(e)(iii) According to Steve Magness, identify three different ways we can 3 improve the way we sleep. (We could) establish a routine. (1) (We would benefit from) getting outside early/in the day to see some sunlight. (1) (We could try to) cut down on device use at night. (1) 2(f) Explain why Brady Holmer says, ‘The five servings recommendation is 2 sound advice, but also somewhat arbitrary’ (lines 50–53). Answer in about 20 words using continuous prose. Studies conclude that five servings are likely to boost health. (1) Evidence also suggests that up to 10 servings have benefits. (1) Examiners should draw a vertical red line after 20 words but consider the remainder of any incomplete point within 23 words. 2(g) Identify the two different reasons why ‘the recommendation to drink two 2 litres of water a day is not based on hard science’ (lines 58–64). Answer in about 20 words using continuous prose. Most of the 2 litres’ intake comes from eating food. (1) It doesn’t need to be water because other liquids count (1) / it can be in the form of coffee / tea / hot drinks / milk or soft drinks (1) MAX 1 Examiners should draw a vertical red line after 20 words but consider the remainder of any incomplete point within 23 words. 2(h)(i) Using your own words as far as possible, state the exact meaning of the 1 following four phrases as they are used in the material: (to) sift fact from fiction (lines 1–2) (to) separate what is true and false / truth from make believe (1) 2(h)(ii) Using your own words as far as possible, state the exact meaning of the 1 following four phrases as they are used in the material: (the) bottom line (line 21) (the) most important fact / (the) whole point / (the) conclusion. (1) 2(h)(iii) Using your own words as far as possible, state the exact meaning of the 1 following four phrases as they are used in the material: stepping up the pace (line 29) getting quicker / increasing the speed. (1) 2(h)(iv) Using your own words as far as possible, state the exact meaning of the 1 following four phrases as they are used in the material: cognitive decline (line 54) a reduction in brain function / performance. (1)