POEMS









FINAL


Final Improved Question Set (Most Edexcel-Authentic)

Question 1

In the section ‘Reduce, reduce, reduce’, the writer suggests ways people can consume less.

Identify one suggestion the writer gives.

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(Total for Question 1 = 1 mark)


Question 1 Mark Scheme

Question
 Number

AO1 Read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives.

Mark

1 One mark for any one of the following:

• buy nothing new for a week or a month
 • rent items
 • borrow items
 • buy second hand
 • reuse something already owned
 • upcycle something already owned
 • buy from a local business
 • buy from a sustainable company
 • use sustainable swaps
 • use reusable beeswax wrap
 • use a stainless steel straw

(1)

Question 2

In the section ‘Declutter mindfully’, the writer presents ideas about dealing with unwanted items responsibly.

State one alternative to donating items suggested by the writer.


Question

In the section ‘Declutter mindfully’, the writer presents ideas about dealing with unwanted items responsibly.

State one alternative to donating items suggested by the writer.

All Possible Lifted Answers

Question
 Number

AO1 Read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives.

Mark

2 One mark for any one of the following:

• ‘composted’
 • ‘resold’
 • ‘swapped’
 • ‘posted to a “Buy Nothing” Facebook group’
 • ‘upcycled’
 • ‘repurposed’
 • ‘repaired’
 • ‘regifted’

(1)


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(Total for Question 2 = 1 mark)


Question

In lines 10–18, the writer asks readers several questions before buying something.

State one question the writer suggests readers should ask themselves.

All Possible Lifted Answers

Question
 Number

AO1 Read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives.

Mark

1 One mark for any one of the following:

• ‘Do I really need this?’
 • ‘Is this something I can rent, borrow, or buy second hand?’
 • ‘Can I reuse or upcycle something that I already own?’
 • ‘Can I buy this from a local business or from a sustainable company?’
 • ‘What are the impacts of the life cycle of this product?’

(1)


Question 3

How does the writer present the challenges of becoming an eco-minimalist?

You should support your answer with close reference to the passage, including brief quotations.

(Total for Question 3 = 10 marks)




Improved Question 3 Indicative Content (Edexcel Style)

Question
 Number

Answer

Mark

3 Reward responses that demonstrate how the writer presents the challenges of becoming an eco-minimalist.

Responses may include:

• the repetition in the sub-heading ‘Reduce, reduce, reduce’ emphasises how difficult it may be to reduce consumption habits

• the writer uses rhetorical questions, ‘Do I really need this?’, to encourage readers to reflect on their behaviour and spending habits

• the use of direct address, ‘you’, engages the reader personally and makes the challenges feel relevant to everyday life

• the writer presents modern society negatively through phrases such as ‘hyper-consumerism’ and ‘shopping sprees’, suggesting eco-minimalism requires resisting social pressures

• the contrast between ‘minimalism’ and ‘sustainability’ shows that balancing the two lifestyles may be difficult

• the writer reassures readers through an informal tone, ‘and that’s okay!’, making the lifestyle seem more achievable

• the rhetorical questions in the ‘Declutter mindfully’ section highlight the difficulty of disposing of items responsibly

• the long list, ‘Composted? Resold? Swapped?’, suggests there are many decisions involved in eco-minimalism

• the writer warns readers about ‘comparison’, showing that social pressure may discourage people

• the reference to social media and ‘perfectly curated eco-minimalist lifestyles’ suggests unrealistic online images may overwhelm readers

• the use of examples such as the ‘$30 Hydro Flask’ makes the issue of targeted marketing relatable to modern audiences

• the writer uses a conversational and encouraging tone throughout to make the challenges seem manageable

• the final sentence, ‘live with less and experience life instead!’, ends the passage positively and inspires the reader.

Question 3

(10 marks)

This now sounds very close to an actual Pearson indicative content section.

Question 4

Using lines 30–40, identify one thing the writer says people would lose by going ‘off the grid’.

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(Total for Question 4 = 1 mark)

Possible answers

Question
Number

AO1 Read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives.

Mark

4 One mark for any one of the following:

• human connection
• culture
• the ability to educate others
• the ability to inspire change in others

(1)

Question 4

Using lines 41–55, identify one green practice mentioned by the writer.

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

(Total for Question 4 = 1 mark)

Possible answers

Question
Number

AO1 Read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives.

Mark

4 One mark for any one of the following:

• use cloth diapers
• ride a bike
• compost
• recycling
• not eating meat
• avoiding annual flights
• reducing environmental impact
• trying to change unsustainable behaviour

(1)

Using lines 44–55, identify two criticisms faced by environmentalists.

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

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

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Possible answersQuestion

Number

AO1 Read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives.

Mark

5 One mark each for any two of the following:

• ‘armchair critics’ declaring that environmentalists have ‘failed’
• being mocked as ‘Portlandia characters’
• being described as ‘shrill hippies’
• speaking in acronyms ‘GMO, BPA, SLS, WTF?’
• environmentalists ‘rail against big oil while still availing themselves of heated homes and gas-powered transportation’
• facing ‘harsh criticism’
• being expected ‘to have all the answers’
• ‘Why bother recycling when you still drive?’
• ‘How can you wear leather when you don’t eat meat?’
• ‘Aren’t those annual flights erasing the impact of anything else you do?’
• criticism for ‘not committing to change everything’

(2)

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(Total for Question 5 = 2 marks)

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