Cambridge A Level Media Studies 9607 — 2019 May/June Paper 4 · Variant 2
9607/42/M/J/19 · 10 questions · 100 marks · ≈113 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper4 pages




Mark scheme10 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.










Questions as text
Q1 · To what extent did your research and planning help you to be more creative?
1 (a) To what extent did your research and planning help you to be more creative? [25] (b) Evaluate one of your productions in relation to the concept of genre. [25]
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 1(a) Candidates need to write 25 Candidates’ work should be judged on each about their work for the of these criteria individually and marks Foundation Portfolio and awarded according to the level attained. It Advanced Portfolio should be noted that it is possible for a components. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. To what extent did your research and planning help you to be more creative? Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 15 marks • use of examples 10 marks Level 5 13–15 • There is a clear sense of progression Explanation / argument / established by the answer. analysis • Offers a full range of articulate reflections on the production process. • Shows an excellent understanding of how research and planning helped to be more creative. Use of examples 9–10 • Offers a broad range of specific, relevant and clear examples from their production work of how research and planning contributed to their creativity. Level 4 10–12 • There is a sense of progression Explanation / argument / established by the answer. analysis • Offers a range of reflections on the production process. • Shows a competent understanding of how research and planning helped to be more creative. Use of examples 7–8 • Offers a range of relevant and clear examples from their production work of how research and planning contributed to their creativity. 1(a) Level 3 7–9 • There is some sense of progression Explanation / argument / established by the answer. analysis • Offers some reflections on the production process. • Shows satisfactory understanding of how research and planning helped to be more creative. Use of examples Level 3 5–6 • Offers some examples from their production work of how research and planning contributed to their creativity. Level 2 4–6 • There is a limited sense of progression Explanation / argument / established by the answer. analysis • Offers limited reflections on the production process. • Shows limited understanding of how of how research and planning helped to be more creative. Use of examples 3–4 • Offers limited examples from their production work of how research and planning contributed to their creativity. Level 1 1–3 • There is a minimal sense of progression Explanation / argument / established by the answer. analysis • Offers minial reflections on the production process. • Shows minimal understanding of how of how research and planning helped to be more creative. Use of examples 1–2 • Offers minimal examples from their production work of how research and planning contributed to their creativity. Level 0 0 No response, or response does not answer Explanation / argument / the question at all analysis Use of examples No response, or no examples at all. 1(b) Evaluate one of your 25 Candidates’ work should be judged on each productions in relation to of these criteria individually and marks the concept of genre. awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a Assessment will take place candidate to achieve a different level for across two criteria: each assessment criterion. • explanation / argument / analysis 15 marks • use of examples 10 marks Level 5 13–15 • Offers a full range of articulate Explanation / argument / reflections on the production. analysis • Shows an excellent understanding of the concept. Use of examples 9–10 • Offers a broad range of specific, relevant and clear examples from their production in relation to the concept. Level 4 10–12 • Offers a range of reflections on the Explanation / argument / production. analysis • Shows a competent understanding of the concept. Use of examples 7–8 • Offers a range of relevant and clear examples from their production in relation to the concept. Level 3 7–9 • Offers some reflections on the Explanation / argument / production. analysis • Shows some understanding of the concept. Use of examples 5–6 • Offers some relevant and clear examples from their production in relation the concept. Level 2 4–6 • There is a limited reflection on the Explanation / argument / production. analysis • Shows limited understanding of the concept. Use of examples 3–4 • Offers limited examples from their production in relation the concept. 1(b) Level 1 1–3 • There is minimal reflection on the Explanation / argument / production. analysis • Shows minimal understanding of the concept. Use of examples 1–2 • Offers minimal examples from their production in relation to the concept. Level 0 0 No response, or response does not answer Explanation / argument / the question at all. analysis Use of examples No response, or no relevant examples at all. End of Section A 2–11 Candidates should refer to at 50 Candidates’ work should be judged on each least two different media and of these criteria individually and marks support their answers with awarded according to the level attained. It reference to contemporary should be noted that it is possible for a examples. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 30 marks • use of examples 20 marks Contemporary media regulation 2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. OR 3 How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation? Global media 4 Critically analyse the ways in which institutions have developed global media. OR 5 What kinds of media audience behaviours are global? Media and collective identity 6 To what extent is human identity ‘mediated’? OR 7 Assess the implications of different media representations. Media in the online age 8 To what extent has convergence transformed the media? OR 9 Evaluate the relationship between online media and democracy. Postmodern media 10 Why might some media be described as ‘postmodern’? OR 11 How far do postmodern media challenge the relationship between text and audience? 2–11 Level 5 25–30 • Shows excellent understanding of the Explanation / argument / task. analysis • Offers a clear, articulate balance of media theories, knowledge of texts and industries and personal engagement with issues and debates. • A coherent and developed argument. • Clearly relevant to set question. Use of examples 17–20 • Offers examples which are clearly relevant to the set question. • Examples of texts, industries and theories are accurate and clearly connected together in the answer. Level 4 19–24 • Shows proficient understanding of the Explanation / argument / task. analysis • Offers clear evidence of understanding media theories, knowledge of texts and industries and personal engagement with issues and debates. • A clear argument. • Relevant to set question. Use of examples 13–16 • Offers a range of evidence which is relevant to the set question. • Examples of texts, industries and theories are mostly accurate, and connected together in the answer. Level 3 13–18 • Shows satisfactory understanding of the Explanation / argument / task. analysis • Offers some evidence of understanding of media theories, knowledge of texts and industries and personal engagement with issues and debates. • Some evidence of an argument, though likely to be lacking in detail. • Some relevance to set question. Use of examples 9–12 • Offers evidence which is of some relevance to the set question. • Examples of texts, industries and theories are referenced some of the time in support of points. 2–11 Level 2 7–12 • Shows limited understanding of the Explanation / argument / task. analysis • Offers limited evidence of understanding of media theories, knowledge of texts and industries and personal engagement with issues and debates. • Limited evidence of an argument, though lacking in detail. • Limited relevance to set question. Use of examples 5–8 • Evidence is of limited relevance to the set question. • Offers a narrow range of examples related to texts, industries or audiences. Level 1 1–6 • Shows minimal understanding of the Explanation / argument / task. analysis • Offers minimal evidence of understanding of media theories, knowledge of texts and industries and personal engagement with issues and debates. • Minimal evidence of an argument, though lacking in detail. • Minimal relevance to set question. Use of examples 1–4 • Evidence is of minimal relevance to the set question. • Offers a minimal range of examples related to texts, industries or audiences. Level 0 0 No response, or response does not answer Explanation / argument / the question. analysis Use of examples 0 No response, or no examples relevant to the question. End of Section B
Q2 · Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media
2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. [50] OR
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 2–11 Candidates should refer to at 50 Candidates’ work should be judged on each least two different media and of these criteria individually and marks support their answers with awarded according to the level attained. It reference to contemporary should be noted that it is possible for a examples. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 30 marks • use of examples 20 marks Contemporary media regulation 2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. OR
Q3 · How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation?
3 How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation? [50] Global media
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 2–11 Candidates should refer to at 50 Candidates’ work should be judged on each least two different media and of these criteria individually and marks support their answers with awarded according to the level attained. It reference to contemporary should be noted that it is possible for a examples. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 30 marks • use of examples 20 marks Contemporary media regulation 2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. OR 3 How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation? Global media
Q4 · Critically analyse the ways in which institutions have developed global media
4 Critically analyse the ways in which institutions have developed global media. [50] OR
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 2–11 Candidates should refer to at 50 Candidates’ work should be judged on each least two different media and of these criteria individually and marks support their answers with awarded according to the level attained. It reference to contemporary should be noted that it is possible for a examples. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 30 marks • use of examples 20 marks Contemporary media regulation 2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. OR 3 How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation? Global media 4 Critically analyse the ways in which institutions have developed global media. OR
Q5 · What kinds of media audience behaviours are global?
5 What kinds of media audience behaviours are global? [50] Media and collective identity
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 2–11 Candidates should refer to at 50 Candidates’ work should be judged on each least two different media and of these criteria individually and marks support their answers with awarded according to the level attained. It reference to contemporary should be noted that it is possible for a examples. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 30 marks • use of examples 20 marks Contemporary media regulation 2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. OR 3 How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation? Global media 4 Critically analyse the ways in which institutions have developed global media. OR 5 What kinds of media audience behaviours are global? Media and collective identity
Q6 · To what extent is human identity ‘mediated’?
6 To what extent is human identity ‘mediated’? [50] OR
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 2–11 Candidates should refer to at 50 Candidates’ work should be judged on each least two different media and of these criteria individually and marks support their answers with awarded according to the level attained. It reference to contemporary should be noted that it is possible for a examples. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 30 marks • use of examples 20 marks Contemporary media regulation 2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. OR 3 How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation? Global media 4 Critically analyse the ways in which institutions have developed global media. OR 5 What kinds of media audience behaviours are global? Media and collective identity 6 To what extent is human identity ‘mediated’? OR
Q7 · Assess the implications of different media representations
7 Assess the implications of different media representations. [50] Media in the online age
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 2–11 Candidates should refer to at 50 Candidates’ work should be judged on each least two different media and of these criteria individually and marks support their answers with awarded according to the level attained. It reference to contemporary should be noted that it is possible for a examples. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 30 marks • use of examples 20 marks Contemporary media regulation 2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. OR 3 How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation? Global media 4 Critically analyse the ways in which institutions have developed global media. OR 5 What kinds of media audience behaviours are global? Media and collective identity 6 To what extent is human identity ‘mediated’? OR 7 Assess the implications of different media representations. Media in the online age
Q8 · To what extent has convergence transformed the media?
8 To what extent has convergence transformed the media? [50] OR
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 2–11 Candidates should refer to at 50 Candidates’ work should be judged on each least two different media and of these criteria individually and marks support their answers with awarded according to the level attained. It reference to contemporary should be noted that it is possible for a examples. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 30 marks • use of examples 20 marks Contemporary media regulation 2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. OR 3 How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation? Global media 4 Critically analyse the ways in which institutions have developed global media. OR 5 What kinds of media audience behaviours are global? Media and collective identity 6 To what extent is human identity ‘mediated’? OR 7 Assess the implications of different media representations. Media in the online age 8 To what extent has convergence transformed the media? OR
Q9 · Evaluate the relationship between online media and democracy
9 Evaluate the relationship between online media and democracy. [50] Postmodern media
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 2–11 Candidates should refer to at 50 Candidates’ work should be judged on each least two different media and of these criteria individually and marks support their answers with awarded according to the level attained. It reference to contemporary should be noted that it is possible for a examples. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 30 marks • use of examples 20 marks Contemporary media regulation 2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. OR 3 How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation? Global media 4 Critically analyse the ways in which institutions have developed global media. OR 5 What kinds of media audience behaviours are global? Media and collective identity 6 To what extent is human identity ‘mediated’? OR 7 Assess the implications of different media representations. Media in the online age 8 To what extent has convergence transformed the media? OR 9 Evaluate the relationship between online media and democracy. Postmodern media
Q10 · Why might some media be described as ‘postmodern’?
10 Why might some media be described as ‘postmodern’? [50] OR
Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Guidance 2–11 Candidates should refer to at 50 Candidates’ work should be judged on each least two different media and of these criteria individually and marks support their answers with awarded according to the level attained. It reference to contemporary should be noted that it is possible for a examples. candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis 30 marks • use of examples 20 marks Contemporary media regulation 2 Critically assess the arguments for and against greater regulation of the media. OR 3 How far do wider social issues impact upon media regulation? Global media 4 Critically analyse the ways in which institutions have developed global media. OR 5 What kinds of media audience behaviours are global? Media and collective identity 6 To what extent is human identity ‘mediated’? OR 7 Assess the implications of different media representations. Media in the online age 8 To what extent has convergence transformed the media? OR 9 Evaluate the relationship between online media and democracy. Postmodern media 10 Why might some media be described as ‘postmodern’? OR
What was in this paper
The subtopics covered by these 10 questions, and how many questions each got. Open one in a new tab to see every Cambridge question on it.
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2019 May/June, Paper 4 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.