TK 2021 EL P2

Amended (after marking) 1 2021 SEC 4 ENGLISH PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION PAPER 2 SECTIONS A & B ANSWER KEY/MARKER’S REPORT General Comments: • Write legibly and clearly – it is not the marker’s responsibility to decipher your words or to give you the benefit of the doubt. • Answers lack specificity and precision – either they are too vague (there is no need to even read the passage for some answers) or are too imprecise (key details have been left out) • Candidates must read the questions carefully and pick out the key words which help them to figure out what the answers must be – it is obvious that some candidates did not understand the questions or what they were required to do (make use of Task - Key word-Focus [TKF] to prepare the questions before answering) SECTION A 1. The section Adopt begins with the words, “All the dogs and cats in our shelter deserve a second chance at happiness.” What effect is this intended to have on the reader? [1m] The reader will: • feel empowered/convicted as he can bring much joy to these animals/these animals have been through a lot and should be treated better so that he will be keen to adopt them. OR • feel pity/sympathy for these animals so that he will choose to adopt them. • Common errors included ‘empathise’, which is not possible from human to animal or vice versa, or vague responses like ‘feel bad’, ‘evoke emotions’ or ‘deeply touched’ (what emotions are triggered exactly?) • Negative emotions should be avoided, e.g. readers will feel guilty/guilt-tripped/emotionally blackmailed so that they will adopt … [These are very cynical and inappropriate responses.] • Many incorrect answers also stopped short of indicating what the readers should be moved to do, i.e. so that they would be moved to adopt these animals • Students also mixed up ‘pity’ and ‘pitiful’, not knowing the distinction

Amended (after marking) 2 2. Refer to the section headed Adopt. Which phrase tells us that the pet owner grows as a person from the experience of owning a pet? [1m] It is ‘change us for the better’. • The question asks for a phrase, which is an incomplete sentence. If the student includes the word ‘pet’ at the start of the sentence, it would make it a sentence. Read the question carefully and know the difference between a sentence and a phrase. 3. From the section Adoption Procedure, state how the measures written about are helpful to potential pet owners. [2m] (i) The bonding sessions help the pet owner the chance to find a suitable pet for his family. [‘bonding sessions’ must be included in the answer] (ii) The home visit gives pet owners the chance to share any concerns and be fully prepared for the new pet. [BOTH parts must be present for the mark.] … ensures that the home has been pet-proofed and the family is ready for the new pet … - EXCESS DENIED [Focus on how the pet owner benefits and NOT the pet] • This is a LITERAL question – students can simply copy and paste