Missing ones

AO1 Edexcel-Style Questions (Based on Article Two)

Question 1 (1 mark)

  • Using lines 1–7, identify one reason the writer gives for why her view may surprise readers.

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    ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    (Total for Question 1 = 1 mark)

Question 2 (2 marks)

  • In lines 16–25, the writer gives reasons why people value pets.
    Identify two of these reasons.

    1. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
      ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    2. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
      ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    (Total for Question 2 = 2 marks)

Question 3 (1 mark)

  • Using lines 42–49, state one point the writer makes about the difficulties of owning a dog.

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    ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    (Total for Question 3 = 1 mark)

Question 4 (1 mark)

  • Using lines 66–74, identify one reason the writer gives for why many people struggle to manage their pets’ needs.

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    ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    (Total for Question 4 = 1 mark)

Question 5 (1 mark)

  • Using lines 110–122, state one question the writer believes people should ask themselves before getting a pet.

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    ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    (Total for Question 5 = 1 mark)

⭐ BEST Two Questions (Strongest AO1 Coverage)

  • These two achieve the AO1 objective most effectively (selecting and interpreting ideas):

✔ Question 2 — because it requires identifying two ideas across a wider section

✔ Question 5 — because it requires careful reading and selecting the key ideas from a reflective list


How does the writer present her ideas about the responsibilities and challenges of owning a pet?
You should support your answer with close reference to the passage, including brief quotations.

ANSWERS

AO1 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Simple Mark Scheme Format)

Question 1 (AO1)

Using lines 1–10, identify one concern the writer has about people getting pets.
One mark for any one of the following:

  • people might “ruin” their life

  • they might take part in animal “cruelty” without knowing

  • people don’t understand how much “commitment” a pet needs

  • people choose pets for the wrong reasons

  • people think only about the “benefits” and not the hard work

(1)

Question 2 (AO1)

In lines 15–28, identify two benefits of having pets that the writer mentions.

One mark each for any two of the following:

  • pets bring “comfort”

  • pets provide “companionship”

  • pets help with “mindfulness”/keeping calm

  • pets support mental health

  • animals help children who need “TLC”

  • pets are used in “Therapy Pets” programmes

  • stroking animals helps people feel relaxed

  • pets help children learn how to “care” for others

(2)

Question 3 (AO1)

Using lines 70–82, identify one problem the writer gives about leaving pets alone.

One mark for any one of the following:

  • pets are left alone for “8–10 hours”

  • many animals “mind it” / feel unhappy

  • being alone so long is now treated as “normal”

  • animals can feel bored/lonely

  • it causes stress for the pets

  • it is unfair on intelligent animals

(1)

Question 4 (AO1)

In lines 105–129, identify two difficulties the writer mentions about caring for her dog.

One mark each for any two of the following:

  • her dog is her “biggest stressor”

  • he has “major” issues

  • he needs “constant attention”

  • they spent “tears, money, time, energy”

  • his anxieties “will always be there”

  • he has changed their social life

  • he needs “specialist training” and daily training

  • he is not a “unicorn dog” (not perfectly behaved)

(2)

✅ AO2 LONG QUESTION WITH MARK SCHEME-STYLE POINTS

Question

How does the writer present her ideas about the responsibilities and challenges of owning a pet?
You should support your answer with close reference to the passage, including brief quotations.

AO2 Mark Scheme-Style Notes (Simple and Clear)

Reward responses that analyse how the writer uses language and structure to show the difficulties of pet ownership.

Responses may include:

Opening and personal voice

  • The writer begins with surprise (“suggest you don’t get a pet”), which immediately grabs the reader’s attention.

  • She uses a personal anecdote about her childhood self “HATING” her adult opinion, showing emotional conflict.

  • The informal tone (“hah”) makes the writing honest and relatable.

Contrast between benefits and challenges

  • Positive descriptions of pets (“little chirps make me smile”) make the later warnings stronger.

  • This contrast shows that the writer loves animals, making her warnings more believable.

Use of rhetorical devices

  • Rhetorical questions such as “what’s not to like?” and later “Am I prepared…?” make the reader reflect on their own ability to care for a pet.

  • This encourages readers to think deeply about responsibility.

Negative emotional language

  • Words like “ruin your life”, “animal cruelty”, and “stress” create a serious and worrying tone.

  • This highlights the real challenges that most people ignore.

Use of statistics to strengthen her points

  • Statistics such as “56% live in cities” and “13,700 call-outs” make her argument sound factual and credible.

  • Numbers show the scale of the problem, not just personal opinion.

Anecdotes to show guilt and responsibility

  • She describes feeling “sick” about leaving her bird for six months.

  • This creates empathy and shows how pets can suffer silently.

Listing to show how overwhelming pet care is

  • The list “tears, money, time, energy” shows how draining it can be.

  • A long list emphasises the heavy workload.

Metaphors and labels

  • The term “unicorn dogs” is a metaphor for perfect dogs that are “rare”.

  • This shows that most pets will have difficult behaviours and need training.

Repetition for effect

  • Repetition of “don’t do it” stresses the seriousness of her warning.

  • Repetition of questions (“Do I…? Am I…?”) builds a checklist of responsibility.

Structural shift to advice

  • Towards the end she gives practical questions readers must ask themselves.

  • This changes the tone from warning to guidance.

Ending with a balanced tone

  • She ends with conditional hope: if you are “prepared to commit”, then get a pet.

  • This makes her message fair and realistic, not anti-pet.


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