A Level English Literature

Summer 2018 Exemplars

Paper 1: Drama (9ET0/01)

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Introduction 3

Section A: Exemplar Scripts 1–5 4–30

Section A: Exemplar Script Commentaries 31–33

Section B: Exemplar Scripts 6–10 34–61

Section B: Exemplar Script Commentaries 62–65

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Introduction

The purpose of this pack is to provide teachers and students with some examples of responses to A Level English Literature Paper 1: Drama (9ET0/01).

The responses in this pack were taken from the Summer 2018 summer examination series. The questions papers and mark schemes can be found on the Pearson website here.

In this pack, you will find a sample of responses; examiner commentaries and marks.

If you have any enquiries regarding these materials or have any other questions about the course, please contact the English subject advisor team on teachingenglish@pearson.com

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Exemplar Scripts – Section A

Script 1: Othello

Script 2: Othello

Script 3: Twelfth Night

Script 4: Hamlet

Script 5: Hamlet

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Section A

Script 1: Question 7 – Othello

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Script 2: Question 8 – Othello

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Script 3: Question 16 – Twelfth Night

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Script 4: Question 3 – Hamlet

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Script 5: Question 4 – Hamlet

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Exemplar Script Commentaries – Section A

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Script number

Examiner commentary and mark

Section A

Script 1 Othello – Q7

The response is clear and relevant and the ideas are organised and illustrated with relevant reference to the text, but none are developed with the discrimination required for a Level 4. For example, the point about Cassio being a ‘perfect gentleman’ is repeated but not explored.

There is some understanding of context (for example, around the context of the genre of tragedy) but there is not much details and this brings the response down in Level 3 on AO3.

There is a clear sense of the writer at work (for example, the methods Shakespeare uses to enhance tragic effects). There’s a good sense of audience response and some engagement with Coleridge’s ideas: enough to show clear understanding but it is not ‘developed exploration’ and therefore gains a mid-Level 3 on grid 2.

AO1, AO2 and AO3 – Level 3: 11 marks

AO5 – Level 3: 7 marks

Script 2 Othello –Q8

This script is a sound Level 4 with a nuanced response to the question. The candidate has really thought about how identity is constructed and the expression is sophisticated with a wide range of references across the text.

There is some analysis of context, although perhaps not evaluation. However, there is a limited sense of the text as a piece of drama or of Shakespeare’s craft. Therefore, the response is a best fit at Level 4 for grid 1.

In terms of AO5, there is developed engagement with Bradley’s ideas. In order to move into Level 5, there should be more sustained engagement with a wider range of alternative readings for Level 5.

AO1, AO2 and AO3 – Level 4: 16 marks

AO5 – Level 4: 10 marks

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Script number

Examiner commentary and mark

Script 3 Twelfth Night – Q16

This is a strong response with convincing arguments and sustained focus throughout. There is a clear sense of the dramatist at work (for example, the use of Feste’s background song) and sustained consideration of Shakespeare’s overall intent. There could have been more explicit evaluation of dramatic features and therefore it does not move up the level.

There is strong engagement throughout with context and comments are sophisticated. However, the strength of this response is the confident engagement with other critical views: all of which are fully-integrated.

AO1, AO2 and AO3 – Level 5: 18 marks

AO5 – Level 5: 13 marks

Script 4 Hamlet– Q3

This is a high Level 2 response. It does have features of Level 3 in the understanding of the writer’s craft (for example, ‘Shakespeare uses dark imagery to present uncertainty’; makes relevant textual references) but references to context are fairly general and not always integrated clearly (‘The uncertainty of Gertrude contextually relates to queen Elizabeth ...’).

The overall expression of the response is Level 2 and engagement with alternative interpretations is straightforward (‘As a reader... we believe...’).

AO1, AO2 and AO3 - Level 2: 8 marks

AO5 – Level 2: 5 marks

Script 5 Hamlet– Q4

This is an excellent response which nearly gains full marks for Grid 1. The candidate doesn’t quite sustain the tone of critical distance that would access the very top of Level 5 for AO2 (for example, ‘There is a possibility that Gertrude is trying to be kind...’; ‘Perhaps she is not as passive as she seems.’). However, this is still an outstanding response, particularly in the way it engages with, and takes on, the critics (‘Like Laertes... Johnson casually sexualizes Ophelia’).

AO1, AO2 and AO3 – Level 5: 20 marks

AO5 – Level 5: 14 marks

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Exemplar Scripts– Section B

Script 6: A Streetcar Named Desire

Script 7: A Streetcar Named Desire

Script 8: The Importance of Being Earnest

Script 9: A Streetcar Named Desire

Script 10: A Streetcar Named Desire

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Section B

Script 6: Question 23 – A Streetcar Named Desire:

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Script 7: Question 23 – A Streetcar Named Desire

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Script 8: Question 25 – The Importance of Being Earnest

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Script 9: Question 24 – A Streetcar Named Desire

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Script 10: Question 23 – A Streetcar Named Desire

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Exemplar Scripts Commentaries– Section B

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Script number

Examiner commentary and mark

Section B

Script 6 A Streetcar Named Desire Q23

This is a clear and relevant response but is quite simple and straightforward, lacking the development and detail of a Level 4 response.

It is a little bit repetitive and drifting in places. However, there is a sense of audience and a writer at work is evident (for example, Williams’ use of the epigraph).

The contextual comments are very generalised (for example, ‘Stanley supports the patriarchy’) which places the response low in Level 3.

Level 3: 12 marks

Script 7 A Streetcar Named Desire Q23

This script is typical of many responses to this question that will simply write character studies rather than explore Williams craft in making their inner lives manifest to an audience (see Script 10 for an excellent example of how this question can be answered well).

Although the response is general, it does cover most of the criteria of Level 2. There are some lapses in written expression and some ideas are often not relevant or clear e.g. the ‘Napoleonic Code’ passage.

The reference to critic does not add anything to argument.

Some understanding is evident with some sense of writer and a surface reading of the play.

Level 2: 9 marks

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Script number

Examiner commentary and mark

Script 8 The Importance of Being Earnest Q25

This clear and relevant response goes beyond the straightforward character description.

Although it is well-organised, it is not discriminating - for example, the comments on Wilde’s life are rather glib and references to context are under-developed

There is little sense of a driving argument in the response and the transitions are not cohesive enough for a Level 4.

This response is strong on focus but a bit short on detail and support. Some points are not fully supported (for example, the mentions of Algernon being like Wilde as he’s an outsider – there’s no textual back-up here).

However, there is evidence of clarity of understanding, and a controlled argument with fairly fluent embedded examples.

Level 3: 15 marks

Script 9 A Streetcar Named Desire Q2

This response has a clear focus on the question and uses the precise language of a Level 4 answer. A nuanced response with occasional evaluative comments (for example, ‘This confrontation is especially dramatic...’) and some good ideas with a sense of the dramatist at work.

However, it is bit narrow in scope, mainly focused on Blanche and men. There would need to be a broader range of reference at Level 5.

References to context are also quite limited as they show understanding but lack a detailed or discriminating analysis.

Level 4: 16 marks

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Script number

Examiner commentary and mark

Script 10 A Streetcar Named Desire Q23

This is a strong response to the question.

There are thoughtful ideas that go far beyond character description and there are references to both the sense of the drama and how Williams uses the set. This is also supported by a constant awareness of what Williams is doing as a dramatist.

The response also combines a sense of detail and overview for AO2 with some really thoughtful examples – for example, personification of New Orleans.

However, the introduction could be more polished and the references to context are mostly implicit but show strong understanding especially in the conclusion.

Using the best fit approach, this is still a Level 5 overall.

Level 5: 23 marks