English
Stage 9
Paper 1 Non-fiction 2025
Cambridge Lower Secondary Progression Test
Mark Scheme
3140_01_MS_6RP
© UCLES 2025
S9/01 English Stage 9 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2025
Section A: Reading
Question Answer Marks
1(a) Award 1 mark for: 1
• snapshots from the skies
1(b) Award 1 mark for: 1
• as it happens
Question Answer Marks
2(a) Award 1 mark for: 1
• to show that a/the name is not the person’s real name / is a nickname
2(b) Award 1 mark for: 1
• one could travel about, the other stayed fixed in the same place
2(c) Award 1 mark for: 2
• Photography is being compared to a young child / toddler / infant / young
person / young animal.
Award 1 mark for:
• It shows photography was very undeveloped/new (at this time) / has not
been around very long) / is something which is growing.
Question Answer Marks
3 Award 1 mark for: 1
• a mechanism to operate the camera automatically
Question Answer Marks
4 Award 1 mark for: 1
• It is in the passive voice. / (They are) passive verbs
Question Answer Marks
5 Award 1 mark for one of the following: 1
• The phrase ‘bird’s eye view’ normally means any view seen from above.
• In this case, it really is the view as seen by a bird flying overhead.
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S9/01 English Stage 9 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2025
Question Answer Marks
6(a) Award 1 mark for each of the following: 3
Date Event
1858 first aerial photograph taken from a balloon
1888 first aerial photograph taken from a solo kite
1904 first aerial photograph taken using a rocket
1906 kites used to take aerial photograph of a natural disaster
1908 camera invented that could be carried by birds
1914–1918 pigeons used by the military to take aerial photographs
6(b) Award up to 2 marks for a coherent summary that includes 4–5 points. For 2
example:
The first aerial photograph was taken from a balloon in 1858. Later on, other
methods were tried, including kites in 1888 and rockets in 1904. After the
invention of a camera that could be carried by birds, pigeons were used to take
pictures from the air during World War I.
Award 1 mark for a summary that includes some but not all of the main points.
Award 0 marks for a summary made up of facts which are not synthesized.
Do not award more than 1 mark where the summary exceeds 50 words.
Accept words lifted from the text where they contribute to a cohesive summary.
Question Answer Marks
7 Award 3 marks for 3 or more correct matches, 2 marks for 2 correct matches, 3
and 1 mark for 1 correct match.
In the post-war years, Sherman’s cameras are regarded as the
4
best.
Sherman’s cameras take aerial photos used to inform the
3
public about the war.
To take better aerial photographs, Sherman invents a new
1
type of camera.
Sherman’s cameras are used to take photographs in lunar
5
orbit.
Photographs of urban areas are taken using Sherman’s
2
cameras.
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S9/01 English Stage 9 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2025
Question Answer Marks
8 Award 1 mark for: 1
• where a photographer can be to take aerial photos
Question Answer Marks
9(a) Award 1 mark for each of the following, up to a maximum of 2 marks: 2
• under headings/subheadings
• according to the method/vehicle used
• in chronological order / from earliest to latest / oldest to newest
9(b) Award 1 mark for any of the following explanations, up to a maximum of 2 4
marks, plus 1 mark for each appropriate quotation:
Quotation Explanation
If you’re a flying enthusiast… directly addresses the reader /
uses second person
have you ever wondered…? uses rhetorical question
snapshots / planes / the best view uses informal/colloquial
in the world phrases/hyperbole
9(c) Award 1 mark for: 1
• to engage the reader’s interest / to engage the target audience
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S9/01 English Stage 9 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2025
Section B: Writing
Notes to markers
• Use the marking grids on the following pages.
• Marking should always begin from the lowest mark in each column and work upward.
• A ‘best fit’ judgement should be made in judging first in which box to place the response and then,
within that box, which mark is appropriate.
• The lower mark within a box should be given if some criteria have been met but not all.
• Note on extent:
Award 0 marks where the performance fails to meet the lowest criteria.
Award 0 marks for 20 words or fewer.
Award a maximum of 7 marks for responses of between 21 and 60 words.
You need not count the words unless you think there will be fewer than 60. In normal-sized
handwriting 60 words will be approximately 8 lines.
Marks
Creation of texts (Wc) 5
Vocabulary and language (Wv) 3
Grammar and punctuation (Wg) 7
Structure of texts (Ws) 7
Word structure [spelling] (Ww) 3
[Total 25]
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S9/01 English Stage 9 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2025
Creation of texts (Wc) Vocabulary and language Structure of texts (Ws) Grammar and punctuation Word structure (Ww)
(Wv) (Wg) (spelling)
[5 marks] [3 marks] [7 marks] [7 marks] [3 marks]
The writer’s attitude to the The response is well- Grammar is used accurately
subject is well established organised using a wide throughout the text.
and conveyed in a consistent range of organisational For example, there is:
style throughout which features accurately and • a wide range of sentence
effectively sustains the effectively. types manipulated and/or
reader’s interest. adapted for effect.
Ideas are developed with • grammatical features are
chronological or logical links used effectively to
Features and conventions of
throughout the text from an contribute to the overall
the relevant text type, when
effective introduction to a development of the text.
appropriate, are successfully
successful conclusion. • Consistent use of formal
manipulated for effect
throughout. and/or informal register to
Paragraphs are used enhance and emphasise
successfully to structure the meaning according to
Structural, linguistic and content. There is effective context, purpose and
literary features are used in cohesion within and audience.
combination to create between paragraphs.
specific effects. Punctuation is accurate:
An effective range of • Use of a wide range of
A logical viewpoint is carefully chosen sentence punctuation for effect.
established and sustained openings and connectives • Conventions of layout are
throughout. If relevant, are used are used always applied effectively
multiple viewpoints are appropriately to support and consistently e.g.,
expressed clearly. content. bullet points.
[4–5] [6–7] [6–7]
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S9/01 English Stage 9 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2025
Creation of texts (Wc) Vocabulary and language Structure of texts (Ws) Grammar and punctuation Word structure (Ww)
(Wv) (Wg) (spelling)
The writer’s attitude to the Material is wholly relevant The overall response is Grammar is mostly accurate Spelling is usually correct
subject is conveyed in a using a specialised presented clearly and is throughout the text. e.g., throughout. (There may
generally appropriate and vocabulary mostly accurately well-organised using a range • Use a range of sentence occasionally be phonetically
consistent style, which for the purpose / text type. of organisational features types, manipulated and/or plausible attempts at
mostly sustains the reader’s successfully. adapted for effect. complex words.)
interest. Conscious language choices • Use grammatical features
Ideas are developed with to contribute to the overall Correct spelling of most, not
are made, which shape the
chronological or logical links development of the text. all, polysyllabic words, e.g.,
Main features and intended purpose and effect
throughout the text with a • Formal and/or informal appear, information,
conventions of the text type on the reader.
successful opening and register is generally used probably, separate
are occasionally manipulated closing. wondering/wandering,
appropriately according to
for effect. context, purpose and business, essentially,
Paragraphs are used to help audience. accommodation.
Some combinations of structure the text where the
structural, linguistic and main idea is usually Punctuation is mostly
literary features to create a supported by following accurate:
specific effect. sentences. • Use a range of
punctuation for effect.
A range of sentence • Conventions of layout are
A viewpoint is expressed
openings and connectives applied consistently e.g.,
clearly and sustained
are used appropriately to bullet points.
throughout.
support content.
[3] [3] [4–5] [4–5] [3]
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S9/01 English Stage 9 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2025
Creation of texts (Wc) Vocabulary and language Structure of texts (Ws) Grammar and punctuation Word structure (Ww)
(Wv) (Wg) (spelling)
Content is suitable for the Material is mostly relevant The response is generally Grammatical structures are Spelling of common and
intended audience. using a specialised well-organised and attempts generally accurate some less-common words,
vocabulary accurately for the the use of some throughout the text, e.g., including polysyllabic and
purpose / text type. organisational features. • Use of some range of compound words, is
Viewpoints are well-
sentence types to support generally accurate, e.g.,
presented and consistent Some attempt to sequence friend, another, around,
Mostly conscious language the text type.
throughout. relevant ideas logically. because, anything,
choices are made, which • Some complex sentences
shape the intended purpose may be attempted to something.
Uses relevant features and effect on the reader. Paragraphs / sections are create effect, such as
consistently for a chosen evident, though not always using expanded verb Spelling of plurals and some
purpose to clarify meaning. consistently or appropriately, phrases. past and present words is
with related points grouped • Some awareness of generally accurate, e.g.,
together or linked by time formal and/or informal boxes, clothes, told,
Content may use different
sequencers. register according to stopped, wanted.
characters and voices within
the text when relevant. context, purpose and
Movement between audience.
paragraphs or sections, may
May begin to add structural be disjointed with a limited Some range of punctuation:
and literary features in parts range of sentence openings • commas, semi-colons,
of the text. and connectives. dashes and hyphens are
used accurately to clarify
meaning.
• There may be evidence of
comma splicing.
Note: if punctuation is totally
lacking and other descriptors
met then give the lower mark
here.
[2] [2] [2–3] [2–3] [2]
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S9/01 English Stage 9 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2025
Creation of texts (Wc) Vocabulary and language Structure of texts (Ws) Grammar and punctuation (Wg) Word structure (Ww)
(Wv) (spelling)
Some material included Some language choices are Some attempt to organise Basic grammatical structures are Spelling of high frequency
that is relevant to the made, which shape the the overall text. generally correct, e.g., words is generally correct,
task. intended purpose and effect • subject and verb generally e.g., their/there, when,
on the reader. Some basic sequencing of agree. Past and present tense were, what, some, etc.
The writer’s attitude to the ideas in relation to the of verbs generally consistent.
subject inconsistently stimulus. • A mix of simple and some
Creates some effect by using
conveyed, with some compound sentences used
a range of linguistic and
attempt to engage the Paragraphs / sections are accurately. Some complex
literary techniques.
reader. evident with related points sentences may be attempted to
grouped together or linked expand detail but not always
Some elements of the text by time sequence. successfully.
type can be seen; a • Formal and/or informal register
maximum of 1 mark can Movement between may be attempted but not
be awarded if not the paragraphs or sections, consistently according to
correct text type. is disjointed with a very context, purpose and audience.
limited range of sentence
openings and connectives. Punctuation:
• Demarcation of straightforward
sentences is usually correct.
• Commas are used in lists and
occasionally to mark clauses.
Note: learners should gain marks
for good English with punctuation
errors rather than lose marks for
essentially good English.
[1] [1] [1] [1] [1]
Creation of texts (Wc) Vocabulary and language Structure of texts (Ws) Grammar and punctuation (Wg) Word structure (Ww)
(Wv) (spelling)
No creditable response No creditable response No creditable response No creditable response No creditable response
[0] [0] [0] [0] [0]
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S9/01 English Stage 9 Paper 1 Mark Scheme From 2025
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