Cambridge A Level Media Studies 9607 — 2020 May/June Paper 4 · Variant 2

1 (a) To what extent did your understanding of the conventions of real media texts determine your decision-making? [25] (b) Analyse one of your productions in relation to ideas about audience. [25]

Mark scheme: Question Answer Marks Section A 1(a) To what extent did your understanding of the conventions of real media 25 texts determine your decision making? Candidates need to write about their work for the Foundation Portfolio and Advanced Portfolio components Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [15 marks] • use of examples [10 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Marking criteria for Section A Question 1(a) Level 5 Explanation / argument / analysis 13–15 • There is a clear sense of progression established by the answer. • Shows an excellent understanding of the extent the conventions of real media texts influenced the production. Use of examples 9–10 • Offers a broad range of specific, relevant and clear examples from their production work of how the conventions of real media texts influenced the production. Level 4 Explanation / argument / analysis 10–12 • There is a sense of progression established by the answer. • Shows a competent understanding of the extent the conventions of real media texts influenced the production. Use of examples 7–8 • Offers a range of relevant and clear examples from their production work of how the conventions of real media texts influenced the production. Level 3 Explanation / argument / analysis 7–9 • There is some sense of progression established by the answer. • Shows satisfactory understanding of the extent the conventions of real media texts influenced the production. Use of examples 5–6 • Offers some examples from their production work of how the conventions of real media texts influenced the production. Level 2 Explanation / argument / analysis 4–6 • There is a limited sense of progression established by the answer. • Shows limited understanding of how the extent the conventions of real media texts the production. Use of examples 3–4 • Offers limited examples from their production work of how the conventions of real media texts influenced the production. Level 1 Explanation / argument / analysis 1–3 • There is a minimal sense of progression established by the answer. • Shows minimal understanding of the extent the conventions of real media texts influenced the production. Use of examples 1–2 • Offers minimal examples from their production work of how the conventions of real media texts influenced the production. Level 0 Explanation / argument / analysis 0 • No response or response does not answer the question at all. Use of examples 0 • No response or no examples at all. 1(b) Analyse one of your productions in relation to the concept of audience. 25 Candidates need to analyse one of their productions in relation to one of the key concepts. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [15 marks] • use of examples [10 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Marking criteria for Section A Question 1(b) Level 5 Explanation / argument / analysis 13–15 • Offers a full range of articulate reflections on the production. • Shows an excellent understanding of the concept of audience. Use of examples 9–10 • Offers a broad range of specific, relevant and clear examples from their production in relation to audience. Level 4 Explanation / argument / analysis 10–12 • Offers a range of reflections on the production. • Shows a competent understanding of the concept of audience. Use of examples 7–8 • Offers a range of relevant and clear examples from their production in relation to audience. Level 3 Explanation / argument / analysis 7–9 • Offers some reflections on the production. • Shows some understanding of the concept of audience. Use of examples 5–6 • Offers some relevant and clear examples from their production in relation to audience. Level 2 Explanation / argument / analysis 4–6 • There is a limited reflection on the production. • Shows limited understanding of the concept of audience. Use of examples 3–4 • Offers limited examples from their production in relation to audience. Level 1 Explanation / argument / analysis 1–3 • There is minimal reflection on the production. • Shows minimal understanding of the concept of audience. Use of examples 1–2 • Offers minimal examples from their production in relation to audience. Level 0 Explanation / argument / analysis 0 • No response or response does not answer the question at all. Use of examples 0 • No response or no examples at all.

2 ‘Media regulation is becoming less restrictive.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [50] OR

Mark scheme: 2 ‘Media regulation is becoming less restrictive.’ How far do you agree 50 with this statement? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

3 To what extent can the media be effectively regulated? [50] Global media

Mark scheme: 3 OR 50 To what extent can the media be effectively regulated? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

4 To what extent have global media transformed local culture? [50] OR

Mark scheme: 4 To what extent have global media transformed local culture? 50 Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

5 Evaluate the arguments for and against global media in relation to production. [50] Media and collective identity

Mark scheme: 5 OR 50 Evaluate the arguments for and against global media in relation to production. Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

6 Analyse the representation of a particular social group in the media. [50] OR

Mark scheme: 6 Analyse the representation of a particular social group in the media. 50 Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

7 ‘Collective identity is always stereotyped in the media.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [50] Media in the online age

Mark scheme: 7 OR 50 ‘Collective identity is always stereotyped in the media.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

8 ‘In the online age, anyone can be a media producer.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? [50] OR

Mark scheme: 8 ‘In the online age, anyone can be a media producer.’ To what extent do 50 you agree with this statement? Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

9 Evaluate the impact of online media on distribution. [50] Postmodern media

Mark scheme: 9 OR 50 Evaluate the impact of online media on distribution. Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

10 Explain the ways in which studying postmodernism has changed your understanding of the media. [50] OR

Mark scheme: 10 Explain the ways in which studying postmodernism has changed your 50 understanding of the media. Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion.

11 Evaluate the arguments for and against understanding particular media forms as postmodern. [50]

Mark scheme: 11 OR 50 Evaluate the arguments for and against understanding particular media forms as postmodern. Candidates should refer to at least two different media and support their answers with reference to contemporary examples. Assessment will take place across two criteria: • explanation / argument / analysis [30 marks] • use of examples [20 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. Marking criteria for Section B Questions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 Level 5 Explanation / argument / analysis 25–30 • Shows excellent understanding of the task. • 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 Explanation / argument / analysis 19–24 • Shows proficient understanding of the task. • 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 Explanation / argument / analysis 13–18 • Shows satisfactory understanding of the task. • 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. Level 2 Explanation / argument / analysis 7–12 • Shows limited understanding of the task. • 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 Explanation / argument / analysis 1–6 • Shows minimal understanding of the task. • 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 Explanation / argument / analysis & 0 • No response or response does not answer the question at all. Use of examples 0 No response or no examples relevant to the question.