French writing
Level 1/2 Certificate (IGCSE)
Exemplar student marked work
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Contents
Student 1
Student 1 Script
Student 1 commentary
Student 2
Student 2 Script
Student 2 commentary
Student 3
Student 3 Script
Student 3 commentary
Student 4
Student 4 Script
Student 4 commentary
Student 5
Student 5 Script
Student 5 commentary
Student 6
Student 6 Script
Student 6 commentary
Student 7
Student 7 Script
Student 7 commentary
Student 8
Student 8 Script
Student 8 commentary
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Student 9
Student 9 Script
Student 9 commentary
Student 10
Student 10 Script
Student 10 commentary
Student 11
Student 11 Script
Student 11 commentary
Student 12
Student 12 Script
Student 12 commentary
Student 13
Student 13 Script
Student 13 commentary
Student 14
Student 14 Script
Student 14 commentary
Student 15
Student 15 Script
Student 15 commentary
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Student 1 Foundation Tier Question 1
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Student 1 Foundation Tier Question 1
Commentary on Student’s Script
Question 1a
Communication
Message communicated including an appropriate verb form. 2 marks.
Question 1b
Communication
Message communicated including an appropriate verb form. 2 marks
Question 1c
Communication
Message communicated including an appropriate verb form. 2 marks
Question 1d
Communication
Message communicated including an appropriate verb form. 2 marks.
Question 1e
Communication
Message communicated including an appropriate verb form. 2 marks.
Total: 10 marks
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Student 2 Foundation Tier Question 1
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Student 2 Foundation Tier Question 1
Commentary on Student’s Script
Question 1a
Communication
Message communicated without an appropriate verb form with some ambiguity. 1 mark.
Question 1b
Communication
Message communicated including an appropriate verb form. 2 marks.
Question 1c
Communication
Message communicated including an appropriate verb form. 2 marks.
Question 1d
Communication
Message communicated without an appropriate verb form with some ambiguity. 1 mark.
Question 1e
Communication
Message communicated without an appropriate verb form with some ambiguity. 1 mark.
Total: 7 marks
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Student 3 Foundation Tier Question 1
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Student 3 Foundation Tier Question 1
Commentary on Student’s Script
Question 1a
Communication
Message communicated without an appropriate verb form with some ambiguity. 1 mark.
Question 1b
Communication
Message communicated including an appropriate verb form. 2 marks.
Question 1c
Communication
Message communicated including an appropriate verb form. 2 marks.
Question 1d
Communication
Message not communicated. 0 marks.
Question 1e
Communication
Message communicated without an appropriate verb form with some ambiguity. 1 mark.
Total: 6 marks
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Student 4 – Foundation Tier Question 2a/ Higher Tier Question 1a
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Student 4 Foundation Tier Question 2a/ Higher Tier Question 1a
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 12/12
The response easily fits the criteria for the 10-12 band: ‘Quite a lot of relevant information
conveyed clearly. Some opinions communicated clearly’. This response provides a wealth of
information and numerous opinions.
Range and Accuracy of Language 8/8
The response fits the criteria for the 7-8 band: ‘Generally accurate. Often forms longer sentences,
mainly by means of simple linking words. Some variety of vocabulary and language structure’. A
variety of vocabulary, tenses and constructions show that the response is easily worthy of full
marks.
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Student 5 Foundation Tier Question 2a/ Higher Tier Question 1a
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Student 5 Foundation Tier Question 2a/ Higher Tier Question 1a
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 9/12
The response fits the criteria for the 7-9 band: ‘A reasonable amount of relevant information
conveyed, but may lack clarity occasionally. Some opinions communicated.’
There is evidence of a lack of clarity at times, eg “Il sera sympa si nous avons semblable goût”, “Je
voudrais mon échange partenaire a sympathique personnalité et drôle”. However, a good amount
of correct information and opinions are produced, resulting in a mark of 9.
Range and accuracy of Language 6/8
The response fits the criteria for the 5-6 band: ‘More accurate than inaccurate. Can sometimes
form longer sentences, mainly by means of simple linking words. Limited vocabulary and simple
language structures.’ The introduction to the response consists mainly of simple but accurate
sentences. Errors occur when attempting more complex sentences.
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Student 6 Foundation Tier Question 2a/ Higher Tier Question 1a
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Student 6 Foundation Tier Question 2a/ Higher Tier Question 1a
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 8/12
The response fits the criteria for the 7-9 band: ‘A reasonable amount of relevant information
conveyed, but may lack clarity occasionally. Some opinions communicated’.
There are examples of a lack of clarity: “Je habite dans England specifamment Sidecup. J’aime
joue boccu de sportif...” but some information is clearly conveyed, eg “Nous aimons aller au
cinema et regarder des films d’horreur”. “Je travaille dur a l’école”.
Overall the response fully reflects the 7-9 band, hence the award of a mark of 8.
Range and accuracy of Language 5/8
The response fits the criteria for the 5-6 band: ‘More accurate than inaccurate. Can sometimes
form longer sentences, mainly by means of simple linking words. Limited vocabulary and simple
language structures’.
The second part of the response is more accurate than the beginning. There is evidence of some
longer sentences using simple language structures.
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Student 7 Foundation Tier Question 2b/ Higher Tier Question 1b
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Student 7 Foundation Tier Question 2b/ Higher Tier Question 1b
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 6/12
The response fits the criteria for the 4-6 band: ‘Some relevant information conveyed but overall a
limited response to the task. Can give at least one opinion’.
The issues of sentence structure and inappropriate vocabulary (eg “Je n’aime pas ecouter aux
proffeseur tchater environ nul les meme choses...”, “vous devons dormir maintenant”) delay, or at
times, prohibit communication.
Range and accuracy of Language 4/8
The response fits the criteria for the 3-4 band: ‘Many errors or a lack of evidence due to the limited
response. Can form short simple sentences. Simple, sometimes repetitive vocabulary’.
There is some evidence of short simple sentences, eg “ la journee est très longue”, “Le transport
est assez bonne car d’habitude les conducteurs sont sympa”.
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Student 8 Foundation Tier Question 2b/ Higher Tier Question 1b
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Student 8 Foundation Tier Question 2b/ Higher Tier Question 1b
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 12/12
The response fully fits the criteria for the 10-12 band: ‘Quite a lot of relevant information conveyed
clearly. Some opinions communicated clearly’.
The student responds fully to the stimulus. The quality and accuracy of the response, including a
wide variety of vocabulary and tenses result in an award of 12 marks for Content.
Range and accuracy of Language 8/8
The response fits the criteria for the 7-8 band: ‘Generally accurate. Often forms longer sentence,
mainly by means of simple linking words. Some variety of vocabulary and language structures.’
As with the reasons for the mark given for Content, the quality of language used results in the
award of full marks.
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Student 9 Foundation Tier Question 2b/ Higher Tier Question 1b
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Student 9 Foundation Tier Question 2b/ Higher Tier Question 1b
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 9/12
The response fits the criteria for the 7-9 band: ‘A reasonable amount of relevant information
conveyed, but may lack clarity occasionally. Some opinions communicated’.
There is evidence of a lack of clarity at times (eg, “à mon avais le voyage…”, “Nous avons eu
voyage”, “Quand nous arrivons dans la ville nous avons une grande cola”). However, there is
evidence of opinions and a reasonable amount of information is conveyed, resulting in the award of
9 marks.
Range and accuracy of Language 6/8
The response fits the criteria for the 5-6 band: ‘More accurate than inaccurate. Can sometimes
form longer sentences, mainly by means of simple linking words. Limited vocabulary and simple
language structures’.
There is evidence of longer sentences being used successfully (eg ”Nous sommes allés à Paris
pour notre voyage scolaire”, “L’hôtel était petit mais en revanche c’était beau.”
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Student 10 Higher Tier Question 2a
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Student 10 Higher Tier Question 2a
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 7/15
The decision here is whether the student communicates ‘a lot’ or ‘quite a lot’ of information. Points
of view are expressed and sometimes explained and some ideas are developed. However, there
are areas where communication is delayed. Language such as “J’aime passer mon argent sur les
vêtements...”, “Les inconvenient des achats en ligne sont vous devez attendre pour que vous
acheté pour être livré” are two examples.
Overall the task just fits the criteria for the 7-9 band (‘generally relevant with quite a lot of
information clearly developed’) and a mark of 7 is awarded.
Range of Language 6/10
There is some variety of appropriate vocabulary and there are attempts at longer sentences using
appropriate linking words which are sometimes successful. There are attempts at two tenses –
present and perfect – although these are often incorrectly formed. There are also several incorrect
verb formations (eg ”Je n’ai pas souvent faire du shopping”, “vous devez internet”). There is also
some inappropriate vocabulary (“Les advantages de l’achat en ligne sont vous pouvez
commander...”)
Overall the task fits the criteria in the 5-6 band and a mark of 6 is awarded.
Accuracy 3/5
Verb forms and tense formations are sometimes unsuccessful and there are some omissions. The
task overall tended to be ‘more accurate than inaccurate’ and a mark of 3 is awarded.
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Student 11 Higher Tier Question 2a
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Student 11 Higher Tier Question 2a
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 12/15
The student produces a mostly relevant response to the task, rather than a fully relevant and
detailed response to the task. There is an ability to convey a lot of information clearly and to
express and explain ideas and points of view. There are occasions where there is some delay (eg
”je n’ai pas trouvé que j’ai aimé dans ma taille”, “les inconvénients sont que de livraison peut
prendre un certain temps...”) but overall the task is awarded a mark of 12.
Range of Language 8/10
There is a good variety of appropriate vocabulary and structures and four tenses are used –
present, future, perfect and imperfect. More complex sentences are attempted and are mostly
successful, eg “J’ai offert de payer la facture parce-que je voulais traiter mes amis”. Overall a mark
of 8 is awarded.
Accuracy 4/5
The task overall tended to be ‘generally accurate’, with errors occurring in attempts at more
complex sentences. Verb and tense formations are usually correct and a mark of 4 is awarded.
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Student 12 Higher Tier Question 2b
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Student 12 Higher Tier Question 2b
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 15/15
The piece is clearly fully detailed and relevant. There is a sound ability to convey information
clearly and ideas and points of view are expressed and explained: “Premièrement, je suis
heureuse au collège parce qu’il y a une ambiance chaleureuse”, “De plus ce qui me plaît
beaucoup, c’est qu’il y a beaucoup de clubs” are two examples among many.
All aspects of the title are developed: detail relating to past current and future events, a detailed
description of the various aspects of school life, activities undertaken, etc, is provided. There is a
sound ability to convey information clearly, express and explain ideas and points of view within a
well organised structure. A mark of 15 is appropriate here.
Range of Language 10/10
There are five tenses used: present, perfect, imperfect, future and conditional. There is a good
variety of appropriate vocabulary and structures, including successful use of object and subject
pronouns, infinitive constructions using je pourrai etc, subordinate clauses with a varied use of
connectives such as ce que, parce-que, car etc.
There is a wide variety of appropriate vocabulary and structures. Complex sentences are handled
with confidence and verb tenses are successful. A mark of 10 is appropriate here.
Accuracy 4/5
Very occasionally there is some slight delay: “L’année prochaine si c’était possible...”, “ce que je
me suis bien amusé”. Overall the response fulfils the criteria for an award of 4 marks.
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Student 13 Higher Tier Question 2b
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Student 13 Higher Tier Question 2b
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 15/15
The piece is clearly fully detailed and relevant. There is a sound ability to convey information
clearly and ideas and points of view are expressed and explained: “En general le college me plâit
car j’ai plein de copains et copines ici et je m’entends bien avec la plupart de profs” and ”En
general je suis pour l’uniforme car c’est pratique et chic et je trouve ça facile” are just two
examples among many.
All aspects of the stimulus are developed.There is a sound ability to convey information clearly,
express and explain ideas and points of view within a well organised structure. A mark of 15 is
appropriate
Range of Language 10/10
There are five tenses used – present, perfect, imperfect, future and conditional. There is a good
variety of appropriate vocabulary and structures, including successful use of object and subject
pronouns, infinitive constructions using je voudrais, je rêve etc, subordinate clauses with a varied
use of connectives such as qui, car, puisque, parce que etc.
There is a wide variety of appropriate vocabulary and structures. Complex sentences are handled
with confidence and verb tenses are successful. A mark of 10 is appropriate here.
Accuracy 5/5
The response fits the criteria for the award of 5 marks (‘Largely accurate, although there may still
be some errors especially in attempts at more complex sentences. Verb and tense formations are
secure’).
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Student 14 Higher Tier Question 2b
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Student 14 Higher Tier Question 2b
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 11/15
The student produces a mostly relevant response to the task, shows the ability to convey a lot of
information clearly and to express and explain ideas and points of view. There are occasions
where there is some delay, eg “Je vais mon collage depuis 6 ans”, but overall a lot of information
and points of view are clearly expressed and explained. The task is awarded a mark of 11.
Range of Language 8/10
There is a good variety of appropriate vocabulary and structures. The present and future tenses,
as well as the subjunctive, are used. More complex sentences are attempted and are mostly
successful (eg “Ce que j’aime c’est porter...”, “Mon rêve est de travailler dans l’hôpital...”. Overall a
mark of 8 is awarded.
Accuracy 4/5
The task fits the criteria for the award of 4 marks: ‘Generally accurate with errors occurring in
attempts at more complex sentences. Verb and tense formations are usually accurate’.
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Student 15 Higher Tier Question 2b
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Student 15 Higher Tier Question 2b
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 5/15
Some relevant information is conveyed but this is limited at times and not fully developed; “J’aime
bien mon uniforme” and “Je trouve la cantine très petite” are two examples. Some simple opinions
are expressed but the response lacks detail and is incomplete. It fits the criteria in the 4-6 band
and a mark of 5 is awarded.
Range of Language 4/10
Apart from the few sentences that communicate, clearly there is a great deal that is inappropriate.
The successful structures are mostly simple and the language used is not always secure. “En
genial, je trouve que vraiment bien...” and “J’aime bien mon uniforme parce que notre college nous
recompense pour notre bon travail” are examples. The piece fits the 3-4 band, as it would not be
the case that there is “little understanding of language structure” and a mark of 4 is awarded
Accuracy 3/5
Verb forms and tense formations are sometimes unsuccessful although the intended meaning is
clear (“Je mentends avec mes proffeseurs”). Occasionally there is some confusion but there is also
evidence of some sentences which do communicate, eg “En general mes devoirs sont ennuyeux”,
“Après une journée au collège je suis fatigue”.
Overall the work reflects the criteria for an award of 3 marks.
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