Cambridge A Level Spanish (A Level only) 9719 — 2018 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 2
9719/22/O/N/18 · 70 marks · ≈79 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 paper8 pages








Mark scheme18 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.


















Paper as text
Question paper, page 1
* 5 6 2 2 5 2 9 1 6 9 * This document consists of 8 printed pages and 1 Insert. DC (NF) 151291/2 © UCLES 2018 [Turn over Cambridge International Examinations Cambridge International Advanced Level SPANISH 9719/22 Paper 2 Reading and Writing October/November 2018 1 hour 45 minutes Candidates answer on the Question Paper. No Additional Materials are required. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your Centre number, candidate number and name in the spaces at the top of this page. Write in dark blue or black pen. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES. Answer all questions in Spanish in the spaces provided. Dictionaries are not permitted. You should keep to any word limits given in the questions. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. EN PRIMER LUGAR, LEE ESTAS INSTRUCCIONES Escribe tu nombre, el número del Centro y el número de estudiante que se te ha adjudicado en los espacios designados en la parte superior de esta página. Usa tinta negra o azul oscuro. No uses ni grapadora, ni clips, ni goma de pegar, ni corrector líquido. NO ESCRIBAS EN NINGÚN CÓDIGO DE BARRAS. Contesta todas las preguntas en español en los espacios designados. No se permite el uso de diccionario. Debes ceñirte al límite de palabras indicado en cada pregunta. La puntuación se da entre corchetes [ ] al final de cada pregunta o parte de la misma.
Question paper, page 2
2 9719/22/O/N/18 © UCLES 2018 Sección 1 Lee el Texto 1 en el Cuadernillo de Lectura y después contesta en este Cuadernillo de Examen las Preguntas 1, 2 y 3. 1 Busca expresiones en el Texto 1 que sean equivalentes a las que aparecen abajo: Ejemplo: el pico de los contagios Respuesta: lo peor de la epidemia (a) tener miedo de equivocarse gravemente …[1] (b) pasa igual …[1] (c) que la gente aprecia …[1] (d) no se reconozca un ataque cardíaco …[1] (e) es posible anticipar el incremento …[1] [Total: 5]
Question paper, page 3
3 9719/22/O/N/18 © UCLES 2018 [Turn over 2 Las siguientes frases aparecen en el Texto 1. Cambia cada una de las siguientes frases, expresando el mismo significado, pero usando la forma exacta de la palabra o las palabras que aparecen entre paréntesis ( ). Ejemplo: aún está por llegar [línea 1] (llegado) Respuesta: aún no ha llegado (a) llevan varias semanas saturados [línea 2] (desde hace) … …[1] (b) está pendiente de que le llamen [línea 11] (llamado) … …[1] (c) el servicio es bastante rápido en general [línea 14] (suele) … …[1] (d) que podría ser atendido [línea 20] (a quien) … …[1] (e) el personal de urgencias no debería verlo [línea 21] (es importante que) … …[1] [Total: 5]
Question paper, page 4
4 9719/22/O/N/18 © UCLES 2018 3 Contesta en español las siguientes preguntas basadas en el Texto 1, sin copiar frases completas (más de 4 palabras consecutivas) del texto. (El número de puntos está indicado al final de cada pregunta. Hay 5 puntos adicionales por la calidad del lenguaje usado. Puntuación total: 15 + 5 = 20.) (a) ¿Con qué problemas se enfrentan los hospitales españoles en esta temporada de la gripe? (párrafo 1) … … … … …[3] (b) Según Luis Barrios, ¿por qué acude la gente a la red de seguridad ofrecida por urgencias? (párrafo 2) … … … … …[3] (c) ¿Qué concluye Laura Torres sobre las visitas a urgencias? (párrafo 3) … … … … … …[4]
Question paper, page 5
5 9719/22/O/N/18 © UCLES 2018 [Turn over (d) Según Torres, ¿qué consideraciones debe tener en cuenta el personal de urgencias? (párrafo 4) … … … … …[3] (e) Explica el asombro de Barrios. (párrafo 5) … … … …[2] [Total: 20]
Question paper, page 6
6 9719/22/O/N/18 © UCLES 2018 Sección 2 Ahora lee el Texto 2 en el Cuadernillo de Lectura y después contesta en este Cuadernillo de Examen las Preguntas 4 y 5. 4 Contesta en español las siguientes preguntas basadas en el Texto 2, sin copiar frases completas (más de 4 palabras consecutivas) del texto. (El número de puntos está indicado al final de cada pregunta. Hay 5 puntos adicionales por la calidad del lenguaje usado. Puntuación total: 15 + 5 = 20.) (a) ¿Cómo garantiza Telesalud el cuidado sanitario a toda Bolivia? (párrafo 1) … … … … …[3] (b) Antes del programa Telesalud, ¿cómo afectaba la diversidad geográfica a los servicios médicos y la salud de los bolivianos? (párrafo 2) … … … … …[3] (c) ¿Cómo reciben ahora la atención médica especializada las comunidades rurales? (párrafo 3) … … … … …[3]
Question paper, page 7
7 9719/22/O/N/18 © UCLES 2018 [Turn over (d) ¿De qué manera beneficiará Telesalud a un médico rural? (párrafo 4) … … … … …[3] (e) ¿De qué manera beneficia Telesalud al gobierno boliviano? (párrafo 5) … … … … …[3] [Total: 20] 5 Escribe en español un máximo de 140 palabras para completar las dos tareas siguientes: (El número de puntos está indicado al final de cada pregunta. Hay 5 puntos adicionales por la calidad del lenguaje usado. Puntuación total: 15 + 5 = 20.) (a) Escribe un resumen de lo que se dice en el Texto 1 y el Texto 2 sobre las dificultades encaradas por los servicios de salud. [10] (b) ¿Es fácil recibir atención médica en tu país? Da tus opiniones. [5] … … … … … … … … … …
Question paper, page 8
8 9719/22/O/N/18 © UCLES 2018 Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge International Examinations Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at www.cie.org.uk after the live examination series. Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [Total: 20]
Mark scheme, page 1
This document consists of 18 printed pages. © UCLES 2018 [Turn over Cambridge Assessment International Education Cambridge International Advanced Level SPANISH 9719/22 Paper 2 Reading and Writing October/November 2018 MARK SCHEME Maximum Mark: 70 Published This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have considered the acceptability of alternative answers. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes. Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2018 series for most Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level components.
Mark scheme, page 2
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 2 of 18 Generic Marking Principles These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1: Marks must be awarded in line with: • the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question • the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2: Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3: Marks must be awarded positively: • marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate • marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do • marks are not deducted for errors • marks are not deducted for omissions • answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4: Rules must be applied consistently e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
Mark scheme, page 3
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 3 of 18 GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5: Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6: Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
Mark scheme, page 4
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 4 of 18 2 General Marking Principles 2.1 Please note that it is not possible to list all acceptable alternatives in the Detailed Mark Scheme provided on the following pages. You will need to consider all alternative answers and unexpected approaches in candidates' scripts, make a decision on whether they communicate the required elements, in consultation with the Principal Examiner if necessary, and award marks accordingly. 2.2 Crossing out: (a) If a candidate changes his/her mind over an answer and crosses out an attempt, award a mark if the final attempt is correct. (b) If a candidate crosses out an answer to a whole question but makes no second attempt at it, mark the crossed out work. 2.3 Annotation used in marking: (a) BOD = Benefit of the Doubt and is used to indicate material considered by the Examiner and judged to be more correct than incorrect: the benefit of the doubt is given to the candidate and the mark is awarded. (b) NBOD = No Benefit of the Doubt and is used to indicate material considered by the Examiner and judged to be more incorrect than correct: the benefit of the doubt is not given to the candidate and the mark is not awarded. (c) caret = to indicate where something which is key to the response is missing. 2.4 No response and '0' marks There is a NR (No Response) option in scoris. Award NR (No Response): • If there is nothing written at all in the answer space or • If there is only a comment which does not in any way relate to the question being asked (e.g. 'can’t do' or 'don’t know') or • If there is only a mark which isn’t an attempt at the question (e.g. a dash, a question mark). Award 0: • If there is any attempt that earns no credit. This could, for example, include the candidate copying all or some of the question, or any working that does not earn any marks, whether crossed out or not.
Mark scheme, page 5
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 5 of 18 Detailed Mark Scheme Section 1 Question Answer Marks Not Allowed Responses Question 1 Accept spelling errors in transcription. Accept minor omissions in the body of the phrase. Disallow additional words or omissions at start or finish of phrase. 1(a) estar asustados de cometer un error importante 1 1(b) lo mismo sucede 1 1(c) (mejor) valorados por los ciudadanos / (lo) que gusta al público 1 1(d) pase inadvertido un infarto 1 que« 1(e) se puede prever el aumento 1
Mark scheme, page 6
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 6 of 18 Question Answer Marks Not Allowed Responses Question 2 The following are examples of the way in which the answers could be expressed. Answers should fit into the original text, retain the same meaning and contain all the elements of the phrase to be re-worked. 2(a) están saturados desde hace varias semanas / desde hace varias semanas están saturados / tienen una gran saturación desde hace varias semanas allow omission of varias 1 llevan saturados« son 2(b) está pendiente de que sea llamado / está pendiente de ser llamado / aún no le han llamado está esperando a ser llamado está pendiente por si es llamado está pendiente del llamado 1 «de si le han llamado / «de si está llamado «de que le hayan / han llamado 2(c) el servicio suele ser bastante rápido (en general) allow omission of bastante 1 2(d) a quien (le) podrían / pueden se (le) podría / puede atender / haber atendido 1 a quien podría / puede ser atendido 2(e) es importante que el personal de urgencias no lo vea / no deba verlo / es importante que no sea visto por el personal de urgencias 1
Mark scheme, page 7
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 7 of 18 Question Answer Marks Not Allowed Responses Question 3 Note: Lifting = more than 4 consecutive words taken from the text and will usually invalidate answer unless further original explanation is offered. 3(a) ¿Con qué problemas se enfrentan los hospitales españoles en esta temporada de la gripe? (párrafo 1) 3 servicios de urgencias están saturados 1 el colapso de los servicios de urgencias los hospitales están satuardos pacientes duermen en pasillos / en camillas esperan mucho tiempo antes de ser asignados una habitación etc 1 personal médico agotado / con miedo de hacer un error grave 1 3(b) Según Luis Barrios, ¿por qué acude la gente a la red de seguridad ofrecida por urgencias? (párrafo 2) 3 van donde estén seguros de ver un médico 1 no quieren esperar la cita con el médico de cabecera / recibirán atención más rápida 1 si empeoran antes de su operación 1
Mark scheme, page 8
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 8 of 18 Question Answer Marks Not Allowed Responses 3(c) ¿Qué concluye Laura Torres sobre las visitas a urgencias? (párrafo 3) 4 los ciudadanos valoran mucho los servicios de urgencias 1 van porque les ven bastante rápidamente 1 award 1 mark only for this and the next point for answers such as el servicio de urgencias es muy rápido se hace muchas pruebas if not made clear that this is why people go to emergencies les gusta el número de pruebas que les hacen 1 solo un 10% son casos graves / un número muy bajo « etc 1 la mayoría / más de la mitad tiene problemas poco graves 3(d) Según Torres, ¿qué consideraciones debe tener en cuenta el personal de urgencias? (párrafo 4) 3 no subestimar la posibilidad de cometer errores 1 la necesidad de reconocer los casos graves / entre tantos casos leves, puede ocultarse un infarto 1 no ver como problema los casos poco graves 1 3(e) Explica el asombro de Barrios. (párrafo 5) 2 las Administraciones no hacen planes antes 1 se puede anticipar los casos de gripe cada invierno 1
Mark scheme, page 9
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 9 of 18 Quality of Language – Accuracy [5] 5 Very good Consistently accurate. Only very few errors of minor significance. Accurate use of more complex structures (verb forms, tenses, prepositions, word order). 4 Good Higher incidence of error than above, but clearly has a sound grasp of the grammatical elements in spite of lapses. Some capacity to use accurately more complex structures. 3 Sound Fair level of accuracy. Common tenses and regular verbs mostly correctly formed. Some problems in forming correct agreement of adjectives. Difficulty with irregular verbs, use of prepositions. 2 Below average Persistent errors in tense and verb forms. Prepositions frequently incorrect. Recurrent errors in agreement of adjectives. 0–1 Poor Little or no evidence of grammatical awareness. Most constructions incomplete or incorrect. Consistent and repeated error.
Mark scheme, page 10
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 10 of 18 Additional marking guidance for Quality of Language The five marks available for Quality of Language are awarded globally for the whole performance on each set of answers. A concise answer, containing all mark-bearing components for Content is scored on the full range of marks for language, i.e. length does not determine the Quality of Language mark. Answers scoring 0 for Content cannot contribute to the overall Quality of Language mark. Identify the answer(s) scoring 0 for Content in the whole set of answers. Then add together the number of Content marks available for each of these questions and reduce the Quality of Language mark according to the following table: Total Content marks available on questions where a candidate scores 0 Reduce Quality of Language mark by: 2–3 1 4–5 2 6–7 3 8–14 4 15 5 Note: A minimum of one mark for Quality of Language should be awarded if there are any Content marks at all (i.e. 0 Quality of Language marks only if 0 Content marks).
Mark scheme, page 11
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 11 of 18 Question Answer Marks Not Allowed Responses Question 4 Note: Lifting = more than 4 consecutive words taken from the text and will usually invalidate answer unless further original explanation is offered. 4(a) ¿Cómo garantiza Telesalud el cuidado sanitario a toda Bolivia? (párrafo 1) 3 utiliza telecomunicaciones / tecnología avanzada 1 intercambia / comunica / comparte etc información médica 1 provee atención médica a distancia 1 4(b) Antes del programa Telesalud, ¿cómo afectaba la diversidad geográfica a los servicios médicos y la salud de los bolivianos? (párrafo 2) 3 un 20% de la población no recibía una revisión médica / «no tenía acceso a un médico 1 mucha gente no tenía acceso« resultaba en la propagación de enfermedades contagiosas 1 la salud era un lujo 1 4(c) ¿Cómo reciben ahora la atención médica especializada las comunidades rurales? (párrafo 3) 3 los centros médicos tienen equipos de tecnología (avanzada) / cámaras digitales 1 estos se conectan con los servicios de urgencias en la capital / de la zona / región etc. 1 especialistas allí hacen el diagnóstico 1
Mark scheme, page 12
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 12 of 18 Question Answer Marks Not Allowed Responses 4(d) ¿De qué manera beneficiará la Telesalud a un médico rural? (párrafo 4) 3 podrá colaborar con especialistas (de hospitales) 1 «otros médicos sabrá cuántos fármacos le quedan en el centro (de salud) / tiene un fácil control de sus provisiones de fármacos 1 recibirá formación profesional sin tener que viajar 1 4(e) ¿De qué manera beneficia Telesalud al gobierno boliviano? (párrafo 5) 3 incrementa su prestigio internacional en cuanto a la salud 1 el estado gasta menos en salud 1 combate la exclusión social en comunidades rurales 1
Mark scheme, page 13
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 13 of 18 Quality of Language – Accuracy [5] 5 Very good Consistently accurate. Only very few errors of minor significance. Accurate use of more complex structures (verb forms, tenses, prepositions, word order). 4 Good Higher incidence of error than above, but clearly has a sound grasp of the grammatical elements in spite of lapses. Some capacity to use accurately more complex structures. 3 Sound Fair level of accuracy. Common tenses and regular verbs mostly correctly formed. Some problems in forming correct agreement of adjectives. Difficulty with irregular verbs, use of prepositions. 2 Below average Persistent errors in tense and verb forms. Prepositions frequently incorrect. Recurrent errors in agreement of adjectives. 0–1 Poor Little or no evidence of grammatical awareness. Most constructions incomplete or incorrect. Consistent and repeated error.
Mark scheme, page 14
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 14 of 18 Additional marking guidance for Quality of Language The five marks available for Quality of Language are awarded globally for the whole performance on each set of answers. A concise answer, containing all mark-bearing components for Content is scored on the full range of marks for language, i.e. length does not determine the Quality of Language mark. Answers scoring 0 for Content cannot contribute to the overall Quality of Language mark. Identify the answer(s) scoring 0 for Content in the whole set of answers. Then add together the number of Content marks available for each of these questions and reduce the Quality of Language mark according to the following table: Total Content marks available on questions where a candidate scores 0 Reduce Quality of Language mark by: 2–3 1 4–5 2 6–7 3 8–14 4 15 5 Note: A minimum of one mark for Quality of Language should be awarded if there are any Content marks at all (i.e. 0 Quality of Language marks only if 0 Content marks).
Mark scheme, page 15
971 © U Que Que Len • • • Con Indic on t The 19/22 CLES 2018 estion estion 5 ngth of 5(a) + 5( Examiners mak If the piece is c Insert the vertic ntent marks – S cate with a tick i he text will redu e summary could (b) (Summary a ke a rough estim clearly too long, c cal wavy line afte Summary in the body of th ce the language d include the foll C Answer and Personal Re mate of the length calculate the len er the 160th wor he text the point e mark. owing points (aw Cambridge Inter esponse) h by a quick calc ngth more precis rd to show the e being rewarded ward 1 mark for rnational A Leve PUBLISHED Page 15 of 18 Mar culation of the n sely. nd of the respon . Do not penalis each point cove l – Mark Schem rks umber of words nse to be marke e ‘lifting’ for con ered up to a max me Not Allo on a line. d. tent marks in th ximum of 10 poin Octob owed Response is exercise, but nts): ber/November 2 es excessive relian 018 nce
Mark scheme, page 16
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 16 of 18 Question Answer Marks Not Allowed Responses 5(a) Escribe un resumen de lo que se dice en Texto 1 y Texto 2 sobre las dificultades encaradas por los servicios de salud. Text 1 • epidemia de gripe • servicios de urgencias / allow hospitales here saturados / pacientes duermen en pasillos / colas • personal médico agotado • y con posibilidad de cometer errores • pacientes no esperan para ver al médico de familia / para ser llamados para su operación • solo un10% verdaderas urgencias • dificultad de distinguir gravedad / infartos entre pacientes • falta de planificación por adelantado Text 2 • servicio de salud no cubre todo el país / es un lujo • compleja geografía boliviana • difícil acceso a la atención médica especializada • largas distancias entre comunidades • un 20% / allow muchos etc here no recibe revisión médica • proliferación de enfermedades • gobierno gastaba mucho en salud 10 servicios de urgencias ocupados
Mark scheme, page 17
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 17 of 18 Question Answer Marks Not Allowed Responses Content marks – Response to the Text Mark like a mini-essay according to the variety and interest of the opinions and views expressed, the response to the original text stimulus and the ability to express a personal point of view. Further, more detailed guidance for particular questions will be given to examiners. 5(b) ¿Es fácil recibir atención médica en tu país? Da tus opiniones. [5] 5 Very good Varied and interesting ideas, showing an element of flair and imagination, a capacity to express a personal point of view. 4 Good Not the flair and imagination of the best candidates, but work still shows an ability to express a range of ideas, maintain interest and respond to the issues raised. 3 Sound A fair level of interest and ideas. May concentrate on a single issue, but there is still a response to ideas in the text. 2 Below average Limited range of ideas; rather humdrum. May disregard the element of response to the text, and write a largely unrelated free-composition. 0–1 Poor Few ideas to offer on the theme. Banal and pedestrian. No element of personal response to the text. Repeated error. 5
Mark scheme, page 18
9719/22 Cambridge International A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED October/November 2018 © UCLES 2018 Page 18 of 18 Quality of Language – Accuracy [5] 5 Very good Consistently accurate. Only very few errors of minor significance. Accurate use of more complex structures (verb forms, tenses, prepositions, word order). 4 Good Higher incidence of error than above, but clearly has a sound grasp of the grammatical elements in spite of lapses. Some capacity to use accurately more complex structures. 3 Sound Fair level of accuracy. Common tenses and regular verbs mostly correctly formed. Some problems in forming correct agreement of adjectives. Difficulty with irregular verbs, use of prepositions. 2 Below average Persistent errors in tense and verb forms. Prepositions frequently incorrect. Recurrent errors in agreement of adjectives. 0–1 Poor Little or no evidence of grammatical awareness. Most constructions incomplete or incorrect. Consistent and repeated error.
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2018 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.