Paper 2 Skills: Evaluation (Cambridge International AS English)

Paper 2 summary

Paper 2 of your CIE AS English General Paper exam is the comprehension paper:

• 1 hour 45 minutes

• 50 marks

• 2 sections each worth 25 marks

• 50% of the AS level

• Source materials will be provided in a separate insert booklet:

  • The materials may come from reports, reviews, essays, blogs, scripts, speeches and descriptions, and may include visual data such as diagrams or graphs
  • The materials will be up to 900 words in length

Below we break down the skills required to demonstrate your ability to evaluate in the Paper 2 exam, along with the types of questions that assess these skills.

Evaluation

Evaluation involves making an informed judgement based on careful analysis and consideration of the evidence. You must be aware of bias, whether intentional or unintentional, and objectivity.

In Paper 2, some questions ask you not just to understand or explain the text, but to make a judgement: to decide which source, idea, or argument is better, more reliable or more effective. It is not enough just to describe or summarise: you need to show how and why you reached your conclusion.

To achieve the highest marks, you should:

• Choose the most important and relevant details to support your judgement:

  • Do not include random or minor points

• Don’t just say what is true; explain why it matters:

  • Your points should include interpretation and reasoning

• Show a balanced judgement if required:

  • Sometimes you need to show awareness of both sides before making a final decision

• Present your argument fluently and logically

Exam questions: evaluation

These questions commonly use the command words “evaluate” or “assess”, and demand a judgement based on reasoned arguments and evidence. Evaluation tasks require you to judge the quality, importance, value or significance of something.

Some questions may require you to evaluate the quality or trustworthiness of information by assessing potential bias or objectivity. Other question types may require you to weigh multiple factors (advantages and disadvantages) to make a supported decision. You may also be asked to evaluate consequences.

Examples:

blockquote Whichoneof the two extracts is more reliable as a source of information about the proposal? Explain your reasoning.

(8021/02 specimen paper)

[2 marks]

blockquote With reference to Elisavetta’s leaflet and the Additional Information, explain why she might not be a suitable candidate. Do not refer to Armando. Answer in continuous prose.

(8021/22, May/June 2024)

[10 marks]

blockquote In your opinion, explain why art therapy for prisoners might not be successful.

(8021/22, March 2024)

[2 marks]

You earn marks when you can demonstrate that you know not only what the text says, but can clearly explain what it means, how effective it is and/or why your judgement makes sense.

Worked Example The source material for this question can be found in the 8021/22 May/June 2024 insert.

With reference to Elisavetta’s leaflet and the Additional Information, explain why she might not be a suitable candidate.

Do not refer to Armando.

Answer in continuous prose.

[10 marks]

Model answer

Elisavetta would not be a suitable candidate because her leaflet is overly casual in tone, using hearts and exclamation marks that make her appear unprofessional and unsuited to formal council meetings. She claims never to have let anyone down, yet previously failed to help Brianna with a charity event, showing unreliability. Her promise to listen to classmates is doubtful, as she once ignored a crying student because she was too busy. Her motivation is also self-interested, since she only decided to run after realising she lacked extracurricular activities for her university application. Finally, her recent collision with Mrs Eriksson’s car could make council discussions awkward, reducing her effectiveness as a representative.

Marking comments

This is a Level 4 response because:

• The answer identifies and selects evidence for five strong, relevant points
• For every piece of evidence, the answer interprets its significance and evaluates why it makes her unsuitable
• The answer is written in continuous prose and is clearly, accurately and fluently expressed