Spanish 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
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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
Communication
This student was awarded full marks on this question. Although in 1(a) there is an error in the verb
ending on encanta, it does not impede communication. In the same way, there are minor spelling
errors in 1(a), 1(d) and 1(e) but none of these errors is serious enough to cause any ambiguity.
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
Communication
This student scored full marks on this question. Although in 1(a) there is an error in the verb ending
on gusta, and in the singular article la patatas fritas, these errors do not impede communication;
therefore the student was awarded full marks.
Total: 10 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
Communication
Although in 1(a) there is an error in the verb ending on gusta, it does not impede communication
and was given 2 marks. However, in 1(c), the absence of a verb means that the student can only
score 1 mark. Therefore the total mark for Question 1 was 9.
Total: 9 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 11/12
This student answers the question with quite a lot of relevant information. She gives a number of
opinions and most of the language is accurate and clear. Although there does not need to be an
equal balance between the two parts of the question for the student to be able to access the top
band, it was felt that the small amount of information about the Spanish partner and the lack of
clarity in the language about the Spanish partner meant that she was awarded 11 rather than 12
for Content.
Range and Accuracy of Language 8/8
This student writes with clarity and uses a variety of vocabulary and structures, including highlights
such as es un rollo/ paso una hora al día tocando el piano. She links sentences well, using sin
embargo/a no ser que/normalmente. She was therefore awarded full marks for Range and
Accuracy.
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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 7/12
This student answers both parts of the question with a reasonable amount of relevant information,
although there is a lot of repetition about playing football and rugby. There are many errors in the
language but the overall message is understood. Therefore, this student was only just placed in the
7-9 band for Content.
Range and accuracy of Language 5/8
There are many minor errors such as spellings and agreements of adjectives, and there is some
influence of French with sympatica and actif, but there are also more serious errors in the use of
verbs such as se gusta/me gusta juego and es deber ser. The piece was considered to be just
about more accurate than inaccurate and was therefore awarded 5 for Range and Accuracy.
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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 12/12
This student answers the question with a fully relevant answer, giving lots of information about
herself in very clear and flowing, accurate language. There does not need to be an equal balance
between the two parts of the question for the student to access the top band for Content and it was
felt that the last two sentences added enough information for the student to be awarded full marks.
Range and accuracy of Language 8/8
This student includes a variety of structures and conjugates verbs well. There are some particularly
effective structures used such as Tengo una amiga que tiene quince años a quien le encanta el
deporte/estoy cursando / me gusta mantenerme en forma. The language is generally accurate.
This student therefore was awarded full marks for Range and Accuracy.
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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 9/12
This student conveyed a reasonable amount of information about what he liked about the trip but
mentioned nothing he disliked. Therefore, as one half of the question was omitted, he could only
be awarded a maximum of 9 marks for Content.
The first sentence was incoherent due to the confusion between viaje and vieja but he went on to
describe the trip to Spain in detail and communicated a number of opinions.
Range and accuracy of Language 7/8
The student used a variety of structures (perfect, imperfect, preterite and conditional tenses)
although not all verb forms were successful. There were some errors in spelling which are typical
of a Portuguese native speaker who is writing phonetically. Although some verbs are not correctly
conjugated, the answer was generally accurate and the student was able to write longer sentences
and include some good phrases such as por lo menos una vez por día and en mi tiempo libre lo
paso con mis amigos. The variety of vocabulary and structures compensated for the unsuccessful
attempts at the perfect tense and the student was awarded 7.
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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 5/12
Some relevant information is conveyed but overall this is a very limited response, due to the word
count and to the fact that the student only answers the first part of the question. There are some
attempts at giving opinions although these are not always successful.
Range and accuracy of Language 5/8
The language in this response is more accurate than inaccurate and the student can link short,
simple sentences to form longer sentences. He can use the preterite tense of ir and ser to give
simple opinions. However, the language does not show variety in the vocabulary and there are a
number of minor errors.
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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 8/12
Although this response is slightly short of the minimum word count, some relevant information and
a number of opinions are conveyed about what the student liked about the trip. However, there is
no reference to what he disliked about the trip and therefore the maximum mark for content would
be 9.
Range and accuracy of Language 6/8
The language structures used are simple and quite repetitive, although they are mostly accurate.
The student attempts longer sentences by means of simple linking words such as y, porque and
sin embargo.
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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 3/15
The student only responds to two of the four parts of the task. The response is very limited in
content, with very little information conveyed. The first sentence is irrelevant and the remainder of
the response is very short, with very little development of ideas.
Range of Language 3/10
The vocabulary and structures used are very simple and present tense verb forms are not always
accurate, for example, podo and preferio. There is a delay in comprehension with the phrase
videojuegos a menudo más barato que las compras.
Accuracy 2/5
The maximum mark for accuracy is 2 in a response of this length and simplicity.
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Student 11 Higher Tier Question 2b
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Student 11 Higher Tier Question 2b
Commentary on Student’s Script
Content 14/15
The student’s response is fully relevant and well organised. The response addresses all parts of
the task in detail. The student is able to express and explain opinions and ideas well. This is a very
pleasant piece to read and although there are some errors, the student communicates effectively.
Range of Language 9/10
There is a range of complex sentences, most of which are handled confidently and linked together
well; for example, en mi escuela lo bueno es que veo a mis amigas todos los días. The vocabulary
is varied and appropriate to the task. There is a variety of expression from por lo tanto, to estoy en
contra de. The student uses a number of verb tenses which are mostly successful and clear.
Accuracy 4/5
This is a generally accurate response with some minor errors. Verb tenses are usually accurate,
although verb formation errors do arise in places.
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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 10/15
The student’s response exceeds the minimum word count and is all relevant to the task. However,
the student has not answered the final part of the task about future ambitions. This means that the
maximum mark available would be 12. Although many ideas and opinions are explained, the
language used is not clear enough to be awarded the maximum mark of 12.
Range of Language 7/10
The student attempts longer sentences and a range of structures is used, but the verb forms are
not always successful. Occasionally, the vocabulary used is inaccurate (entendable) and delays
immediate comprehension.
Accuracy 3/5
The response is more accurate than inaccurate, but there are many minor errors of gender,
agreements and spellings and not all verb forms are accurate.
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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 13/15
This student’s response is fully relevant and answers all parts of the task clearly. There are
detailed descriptions and opinions are expressed and explained well. This makes for very pleasant
reading and communicates ideas well.
Range of Language 9/10
There is a range of verb tenses and structures and the vocabulary is varied and appropriate to the
task. There are some longer sentences which are very effective, for example Además de esto, no
tenemos muchas reglas en mi instituto pero las normas que tenemos son muy importantes. Most
verb tenses are successful. However, the confusion with lleguemos demasiada tarea and me pasó
dieciseis horas prevent the student from scoring 10 for range of language.
Accuracy 4/5
This is a generally accurate piece of writing with some minor errors, such as agreements (mi
escuela es femenino) but also some errors in verb formation, for example, los alumnos corre and
los profesores no entiendan.
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