| Question type | Typical top mark | What the mark scheme says for top marks | Common error that loses top mark | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2-mark inference | 2/2 | Refers to text + explains character’s feeling/motivation | Gives feeling only, no evidence | | Punctuation: brackets/dashes | 1/1 | Both brackets or dashes placed correctly around embedded clause | Missing one bracket | | Verb tenses (consistency) | 1/1 | All verbs in same tense throughout a paragraph | Shifts from past to present | | Paragraph purpose | 1/1 | Correctly identifies shift in time, place or topic | Says “new paragraph because it looks nice” |
When you look at an official mark scheme (e.g., CAMBRIDGE PRIMARY ENGLISH STAGE 5 0058/01 MS), you will see strange codes. Understanding these is the "secret" to top marks. | Question type | Typical top mark |
Critical Insight: The top mark scheme for Stage 5 says: Do not penalize spelling in reading or writing composition unless it affects meaning. However, in the Spelling paper, every letter counts. "Recieve" (for Receive) is a hard zero. When you look at an official mark scheme (e
The top mark scheme explicitly notes: “Look for shift in tense.” Critical Insight: The top mark scheme for Stage