JUNE 2023

C A R I B B E A N E X A M I N A T I O N S C O U N C I L

ENGLISH A

PAPER 02

MARK SCHEME

JUNE 2023
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SECTION A

(Suggested time: 40 minutes)

You MUST answer this question.

Write your answer on the RULED PAGES provided, pages 6 and 7. There may be more space than
you need. There is a blank space on page 5 for any notes you may want to make. THIS WILL NOT
BE MARKED.

1. Read the following article on food contamination carefully and list FIVE MAIN points
discussed, then write a summary of the article in NOT MORE THAN 120 words in ONE
PARAGRAPH. If this limit is exceeded, only the first 120 words of your answer will be read
and assessed.

As far as possible, use your own words. Your summary must be in continuous prose. You
MUST include in your summary paragraph the five points you listed AND other relevant points.
A minimum of seven points is required in order for you to score full marks. You may use the
space on page 5 to jot down a plan.

In your answer, you will be assessed on how well you

(a) identify the main ideas and opinions in the extract

(b) organize and express these ideas and opinions in your own words
(c) use appropriate grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation.

Contamination of Food

The pros and cons of the use of pesticides in food production is an issue that produces much debate
among farmers, retailers, importers, health and financial interests, and others. These substances can
enhance the production and appearance of food, but they can also be a potential threat to health and
life through contamination of the produce. The issue of pesticide use became front page news in 1989
when small quantities of cyanide were discovered in a few grapes shipped to the United States, resulting
in entire shipments being destroyed.

An article published in Time magazine discussed the issue. It was noted that contamination of food
can begin in the production process. For fruits and vegetables, the major concern is pesticides. At a
time when nutritionists are urging the public to eat more fresh produce, consumer groups are claiming
that pesticide use could result in thousands of cancer cases over the next 50 years. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the use of pesticides — fungicides, herbicides, insecticides
and plant-growth regulators — has more than doubled in the last 20 years, to about 820 million pounds
annually. Farmers say the chemicals are necessary to save crops and keep food prices low; even with
extensive spraying, pests destroy around a third of crops in the USA yearly.

The government insists that pesticides pose little hazard to health. The EPA sets limits for the amount
of residue left on foods that are well below what it considers to be danger levels. Regular checks by
the Food and Drug Administration of both domestic and imported crops uncover few violations. But
troubling facts remain. As much as 50% of fruits and vegetables come from abroad where the restrictions
on pesticides are generally not as stringent as in the USA. Imported produce often carries not only
higher levels of chemicals than domestic supplies but growers also use chemicals banned in the USA.

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

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Obviously, the government will have to strengthen regulations to build up the confidence of the people in
the wholesomeness of fruits and vegetables. Although many people would like to see the total removal
of pesticide use, that is not likely. Organic farming currently meets only 1% of the local demand. It is
more realistic to encourage alternative means of growing crops that rely less heavily on pesticide use.
One such method is integrated pest management, an option where one kind of insect which feeds on
another is released into fields where that ‘other’ is causing a problem.

Adapted from Anastasia Toufexis,

“Dining with Invisible Danger”.
In Interactions: A Thematic Reader
Houghton Mifflin, 1994, pp. 391–393.

Total 25 marks

SECTION A

You may make notes here. This will NOT be marked.

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

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JUNE 2023
ENGLISH A
Paper 02 – General Proficiency
MARK SCHEME

Question 1.

P1 UNDERSTANDING PROFILE: Maximum – 5 marks

Content - 5

P2 EXPRESSION PROFILE: Maximum – 20 marks

Organization of Content - 10

Language Usage/Mechanics - 10

Marks are to be awarded on the basis of information within the first 120 words.

Marks will be awarded as follows:

(1) Content (five points selected by candidates) - 5 marks

(2) Completeness and Organization of Content - 10 marks

(3) Language Usage/Mechanics - 10 marks

1. CONTENT (5 marks)

The candidate’s response will be judged on the following criteria:

- Selection, accuracy and completeness of the candidate’s

5 main points.

- Candidates must show understanding of the intent of the message.

NOTE: In awarding marks for this profile/section, candidates

must not be penalized for weak language skills.

2. ORGANIZATION OF CONTENT

- Arrangement of material with regard to relationship between

ideas, sequencing, coherence, conciseness, sense of audience,
and completeness.

NOTE: A candidate need not start the summary in the way the original
does. The summary must, however, maintain the relationship between
statements and keep the original meaning, attitude and purpose.
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JUNE 2023
ENGLISH A
Paper 02 – General Proficiency
MARK SCHEME

Question 1. (cont’d)

 If the summary paragraph organizes a minimum of 7 points (5 points

from the list and others) to achieve completeness, maintains the
purpose and tone, and makes the correct connections, then the
Organisation mark can go up to Range 6.

 If the summary paragraph organizes a minimum of 6 points, then

the Organization mark can go up to Range 5(as above).

 If the summary paragraph organises only 5 points, then the

Organisation mark should not exceed Range 4.

 If the summary paragraph organises only 3-4 points, then.

the highest Organisation mark is limited to Range 3.

 If the summary paragraph organises 2 or fewer points, then.

the Organisation mark is limited to Range 2.

 The paragraph must be succinct and must demonstrate.

correct relationships and linkages of ideas and sentences.

If the Candidate used more than one paragraph, then deduct 1 mark.
from the Organisation mark.

3. LANGUAGE USAGE
Language must be assessed on its own merit (For example a student scoring
Range 3 in organization could be awarded a mark in Range 4 for quality of
language).
Marks are to be awarded based on the following criteria:

(i) Correct use of structure and language

- Full sentences must be used

- Sentences must be clear and meaningful
- There must be effective and appropriate transition
Between sentences
- Subjects and verbs must agree
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents
- There must be consistency in the use of tense

(ii) Accuracy of mechanics

Correct spelling and punctuation (for example, use of capitals,full

stops, commas)
Candidates who have performed incompetently in areas
(1) Content and (2) Organisation (Ranges 1 and 2) will be limited
to 4 marks in Language.

If the Candidate performed incompetently in one area only then the

language mark may exceed 4 marks.
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JUNE 2023
ENGLISH A
Paper 02 – General Proficiency
MARK SCHEME

The following grid should be used in the assessment of Question 1 (O and L)

RANGE CRITERIA C O L
SUPERIORITY 6 Demonstrates:
(1) Superior level of accuracy in identifying a minimum of 7
points/main ideas. 3-5 10 10
(2) Superior organization of content to reflect meaning, using
his/her own language.
(3) Excellent, efficient and almost error-free use of language to
capture meaning, tone, audience etc.
5 Suggests:
(1) Mostly accurate and efficient capture of a minimum of 6
points/main ideas. 3-5 9 9
(2) Superior reflection of meaning through organization and
personal expression.
(3) Very good use of language though there may be a lapse or
two in accuracy.
COMPETENCE 4 Demonstrates:
(1) Captures only 5 points of the content/meaning.
(2) Conveys the meaning through accurate relationships and 3-5 7-8 7-8
sequencing/organization.
For 8 marks: Captures accurate connections between points; 5
points must be within the 120 words.
Award 7 marks where the connections are not always accurate
or smooth.
(3) Effective and accurate use of language though there may be a
few lapses 7 marks. Where the candidate consistently uses
his/her own words and consistently correct language award 8
marks.
3 Suggests:
(1) Captures only 3-4 points of the content/meaning.
(2) Some correctly structured relationships, and some doubtful
connections. 3-5 5-6 5-6
For 6 marks: 4 points with accurate connections between
points; 4 points must be within the 120 words.
Award 5 marks where the connections are not always accurate
or smooth.
Some ability to use language accurately and effectively but
with noticeable inconsistency award 5 marks. Where the
candidate uses his/her own words and shows consistently correct
language award 6 marks.
INCOMPETENCE 2 Suggests:
(1) Captures 1-2 points accurately. Misrepresents relationships
between ideas.
(2) Ideas and opinions are largely related out of the
correct/appropriate sequence. 1-2 3-4 3-4
For 4 marks: 2 points with mostly accurate connections
between points; 2 points must be within the 120 words;
Award 3 marks where the 2 points are attempted with weak
connection.
(3) Very frequent errors in language and mechanics.
Where the candidate changes only a few words (2 or 3 words in
most sentences) then the marks given should not exceed 3 marks.
Where the candidate attempts his /her own words but misinterprets the
content then the language mark should not exceed 4 marks.
1 Demonstrates:
(1) Incompetence in representing the content. Uses extraneous
content and or experiences.
(2) Incompetence in understanding and organizing information
given in the passage. 0 0-2 0-2
(3) No connection to the passage set for summary. Language
which is entirely lifted from the passage must score 0
marks.
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JUNE 2023
ENGLISH A
Paper 02 – General Proficiency
MARK SCHEME

Question 1. (cont’d)

Points for summary- Contamination of Food.

1) The use of pesticides in food production causes much

debate/controversy/discussion.

2) Pesticides can enhance the production and appearance of food BUT

are also a threat to health and life. (Contrast needed to get 1
mark)

3) People are being urged (by nutritionists) to eat more fruits and
vegetables.

4) It is claimed (by Consumer groups) that pesticide use can cause a

rise in cancer/serious disease.

5) (Farmers claim) Successful farming depends on the use of

pesticides/pests destroy one third of crops yearly.

6) The US government /(EPA) insists that pesticide-covered produce

pose little threat to humans/ is safe for humans.

7) Much of the food (fruits and vegetables) used in the USA is

imported from regions where pesticide use is not generally
controlled /some US-banned chemicals are used.

8) More quality checks by government are needed to encourage the

consumption of fruits and vegetables/produce.

9) Alternative means of growing crops with fewer (less) pesticides

should be encouraged /integrated pest management.
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JUNE 2023
ENGLISH A
Paper 02 – General Proficiency
MARK SCHEME

Sample Summary 1
The use of chemicals, especially pesticides, in food production causes
much debate. Chemicals can improve the production and appearance of food
but can also threaten health and life. Imported produce may carry higher
levels of chemical residue than local crops and may also use USA-banned
chemicals in production. Half of the fruits and vegetables used in the USA
is imported. Nutritionists stress eat more fruits and vegetables, while
consumer groups claim that pesticide use could cause a rise in cancer. The
US Government sets limits on what level of pesticide contamination is safe
for the public. Farmers argue they can only farm successfully if they use
pesticides. The reality is that growing crops without chemicals should be
encouraged.

(118 words)

Sample Summary 2

The positive and negative aspects of pesticide use in food production have
been widely debated. While the use of pesticides has some economic
benefits, it can also pose serious threats to health. Farmers insist that
pesticides help keep production levels high and food costs low. Consumer
groups project a rise in cancer cases if fruit and vegetable consumption
increases, but nutritionists still try to persuade the public to eat more
products. While the EPA claims to provide suitable local control of
pesticide use, half of locally consumed crops are imported from countries
with less stringent restrictions. Overall, it is important to tighten
regulations to encourage people to eat more produce and explore alternative
ways of growing crops with less pesticide.

(120 words)