Exam Preparation 2020

Home , AJ Tracey, Burna Boy, Dave (rapper), Dizzee Rascal, Funky Friday, Headie One

English Language Unit 2

Resource Materials and Question Paper

Mark Scheme and Support

Reading and Writing: Argumentation, Persuasion and Instructional.

RAP MUSIC GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

UNIT 2

Reading and Writing: Narration, Description and Exposition

SPECIMEN PAPER 2 hours

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

Resource Material.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

Use black ink or black ball-point pen.

Answer all questions in Section A.

Select one title to use in your writing in Section B.

Write your answers in this booklet.

You are advised to spend your time as follows:

Section A - about 10 minutes reading - about 50 minutes answering the questions

Section B1 - about 10 minutes B2 - about 10 minutes planning about 40 minutes writing

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES Section A (Reading): 40 marks Section B (Writing): 40 marks

The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question or part-question. Text A is an infographic about the importance of place names in rap music. about Harry Potter’s influence over pet owls. The Most Mentioned Names in Rap

Text B is a video about Eminem’s background and recent comeback.

https://www.youtube.com/watch? Text C is a BBC News article which provides information about a recent concert at the O2 Arena in London.

Text D has been adapted from an article by “Spiked” about how Stormzy has changed from grime artist to mainstream

Sorry, Stormzy, but you’ve become boring

Here’s a tip for grime artists: if you find yourself being cheered by the Guardian – surely the squarest, whitest, most privately educated publication on this island – you’re doing something wrong. Yes, Stormzy, that includes you. That the Guardian has published an actu- al leader piece hailing you as ‘revolutionary’ and ‘inspirational’ should give you pause for thought. It means that you are turning chattering- class. I’m going to take a wild guess and say it’s the latter.

What has happened to Stormzy in recent months has been quite tragic. He’s been made into a mouthpiece for their every dull, victim- politics platitude. Music-press types think artists only sell out when they go to a big record company or give an interview to the Daily Mail, but there are other ways to sell out. If turning from a grime artist known for his ‘diss’ tracks into a media hero whose every utterance wins excitable praise from Labour MPs and Radio blooming One isn’t selling out, I don’t know what is.

Stormzy now says everything young people are expected to say if they want to be accepted as ‘good’ by the cultural elite. Talks openly about his mental-health struggles? Check. Hates the Tories? Check. Thinks the Daily Mail is evil? Check. None of this is radical or deserves the title of ‘protest music’. Talking about your mental health is virtually mandatory now. It’s those who refuse to do it who are treated as losers. Moralising the Grenfell ca- lamity is utterly mainstream. Stormzy, sort your life out. Text E has been adapted from an article from “The Evening Standard” Stormzy made a triumphant return to the Brit Awards on Tuesday night, deliver- ing a rousing medley of his hits and bringing out a number of special guests.

Stormzy performed a medley of Don't Forget to Breathe, Do Better, Wiley Flow, Own It and Rainfall, accompanied on stage by a choir and a squad of high-energy dancers.

Burna Boy, who was nominated for Best International Male Artist, joined and performed some bars of his song Anybody during the medley, while Tiana Major9 joined for Rainfall.

Stormzy's performance won praise on social media, with one user calling it "nothing we've seen before". “You can see in this man’s eyes and body language how happy he is -the purest of smiles. Well done Stormzy,” wrote one user.

Stormzy’s huge performance followed his win for Best Male Artist at the Brits - the second time in three years he has taken home the award.

The grime star dedicated his award to the women in his team. “To be the best male, I have got the most incredible females in my team. You lot are the greatest -the best male is nothing without the best females. I love you guys. To every single person who supported me, I love you. Thank you guys.”

Stormzy’s last album Gang Signs and Prayer won Album of the Year in 2018. He was also nominated tonight for Song of the Year (for Vossi Bop) and Album of the Year. (for Heavy is the Head).

Please turn over for the questions. SECTION A (Reading): 40 marks

In the separate Resource Material there are five texts on the theme of ‘Rap Music’ labelled Text A-E. Read each text carefully and answer all the questions below that relate to each of the texts. Additional answer pages are available at the back of this paper should you require them.

TEXT A

1. State the name of the city mentioned 766 times in rap music. [1] Detroit ......

2. Which city is mentioned the highest number of times in rap music? [1]

New York......

3. List 3 cities whose names are mentioned over 900 times [3]

Los Angeles Atlanta New York

TEXT B –Watch it Public use. 4. What is the purpose of this text? [1] Personal would be for an individu- al e.g. a letter or a diary entry. Occupational means for work. a) Personal use Educational would be to inform b) Public use e.g. for use in schools/universities c) Occupational use etc. d) Educational use

5. Summarise 3 challenges that Eminem has faced in his life [3]

This question tests the ability to summarise information. Don’t quote. Bullet points are acceptable. Award one mark for each of the following, up to a maximum of three marks. Reward valid alternatives * Single parent household * Expelled from and leaving schools * Young mother * Being busy juggling working and music * Moving around schools/housing frequently * Struggling for money * Feeling /being different * People offended by his lyrics

Text C

6. The article refers to J-Hus being ‘celebrated.’ What does this suggest? [1] a) J-Hus was happy.

Cross out the ones it isn’t. b) J-Hus was released from jail.

Answer= J-Hus has fans c) J-Hus was found guilty. who admire him. d) J-Hus has fans who admire him.

7. Identify 3 reasons why J-Hus may not be a positive role model. [3]

1. He’s been found guilty of carrying a knife which may suggest he’s violent and/or intimidating. 2. He performed on stage quickly after being released from prison. This may indi- cate a lack of remorse and encourage others to think that their lives will be unaf- fected by being convicted of a crime. 3. It’s the fourth time he has ‘gone out armed’, implying that he hasn’t lerny from his mistakes.

8. What impressions do you get of J Hus from the text? [5]

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Text D

9. According to the text, explain one way in which Stormzy has changed as an artist? [2]

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10. How does the writer persuade you Stormzy is boring? [5] This question tests the ability to use inference and deduction skills to retrieve and analyse information from written texts and reflect on the ways in which texts may be interpreted. Give 0 marks for responses where there is nothing worthy of credit. Give 1-2 marks to those who identify and begin to comment on some examples of content that are persuasive, but struggle to engage with the text and/or the question. Give 3-4 marks to those who identify and give straightforward comments on some examples of persuasive content. These responses will simply identify some facts and/or evidence. Give 5-6 marks to those who explain how a number of different examples from the text persuade, and begin to analyse how language and techniques are used to achieve effects and influence the reader. Carefully selected examples are used to support comments effectively. Give 7-8 marks to those who make accurate comments about how a range of different examples from the text persuade, and begin to analyse how language and techniques are used achieve effects and influence the reader. Carefully selected examples are used accurately to support comments effectively. Give 9-10 marks to those who make accurate and perceptive comments about how a wide range of different examples from the text persuade, and provide detailed analysis of how language and techniques are used to achieve effects and influence the reader, and begin to analyse how language and techniques are used achieve effects and influence the reader. Subtleties of the writer’s technique are explored in relation to how the reader is influenced. Well-considered, accurate use of linguistic terminology supports comments effectively.

Students may comment on the following:  Use of a sarcastic/apologetic tone -’Sorry Stormzy’ to imply that Stormzy has failed/is inade- quate  Direct address -’Yes Stormzy, that includes you’ to make him sound directly targeted  Calling him ‘chattering class’ implies he has changed and become a less true grime artist  Calling him ‘tragic’ and a ‘sell out’ implies he is unoriginal  The picture looks as if he’s in prayer which suggests he is moral and calm, as opposed to different and cool. Reward valid alternatives.

TEXT D What does ‘mouthpiece’ mean? [1] Go back to the text and find the word. Do not guess as it may be used in a different way in the text. ‘Mouthpiece’ implies someone who expresses another’s views on behalf of them. Reward valid re-phrasing. 11. Texts D and E are written about the positives and negatives of Stormzy. Compare and con- trast their viewpoints of him. You must make it clear which text you are referring to. [10]

Please note the focus of the question -highlight it. It’s asking you to compare their views of Stormzy. YOU MUST MAKE IT CLEAR WHICH TEXT YOU ARE REFERRING TO.

Text D Text E

“Boring” “Nothing we’ve seen before”

“Stormzy now says everything young “Win for best male artist at the Brits” people are expected to say to be considered good” “Sort your life out” “Well done Stormzy”

“Mouthpiece…for every dull victim “The grime star dedicated his award platitude ” to women” “Turning from a grime artist best “I love you guys” known for his diss tracks to a media MAGIC hero” STRUC- TURE “Cheered by the guardian” “Won best male artist at the Brits” Name the first text Embed the quote Link with a connective e.g. however Name the second text Embed the quote Explain the similarity or difference

Text D says that Stormzy is “boring.” On the other hand, Text E states that his music is ‘nothing we’ve seen before,” showing that Text D thinks Stormzy is unoriginal and Text E thinks he’s the first of his kind.

Useful Sentence Starters Text D explains that… while Text E suggests… Text D expresses that… however, Text E says… this is different because… Text D praises the… although Text E complains about… their experience is not the same because…

Both texts imply ….. when Text D states…. and Text E states….This is similar because …

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Editing (5 marks) In this part of the paper you will be assessed for the quality of your grammatical under- standing and editing skills.

1. Read the sentence below and then answer the questions that follow: Future is …(1)… than many rap artists, but he is still …(2)…

(a) Circle the word below that best fits gap (1): A) respected B) loyal C) first D) older [1]

(b) Circle the word below that best fits gap (2): A) rapping B) excited C) respected d) vicious [1]

2. Circle the pair of words that best fit the meaning of the sentence below:

[1]

Dizzee Rascal was one of the ………. grime artists. His album ‘Boy In Da Corner’ is considered a ……….

worst … triumph best… good working … boring first … classic underground… praised

3. Read the text below which consists of sentences in the wrong order and show your un- derstanding by answering the questions that follow:

1. However, some fans are worried that he is following in Stormzy’s footsteps and trying to become a mainstream, media-hero by branding the Prime Minister as ‘racist.’ 2. He recently won the Mercury and a Brit Award for best album for ‘Psychodrama.’ 3. He has also collaborated with AJ Tracey, Burna Boy, Fredo and Headie One. 4. Dave has been active since 2015, but rose to fame in 2017. 5. In 2018, his single, ‘Funky Friday’ reached number 1 in the UK singles chart.

Which sentence should come first in the text? Write the number of the sentence below. ______4______[1]

Which sentence should come fifth in the text? Write the number of the sentence below. ______1_____ [1] UNIT 2 SECTION B: 40 marks

B1. In this task you will be assessed for the quality of your proofreading.

Read the extract below from a biography about Jay-Z.

Identify the five errors and correct them in the letter below. [5]

Life has not been to easy for Jay-Z. When he could not get a record deal, Jay-Z, along with two friends, formed his own record label. He also had run-ins with the law. The timing of Jay- Zs arrest in early December of 1999 for the stabbing of record executive Lance "Un" Rivera at a Times Square nightclub could not have been worse. However, for a man who grew up on the mean streets of brooklyn, this was just another one of the hard knocks that has forms his voice in rap Do not introduce new errors. Select the 5 most basic errors.

1. ______too______

2. ______Jay-Z’s______

3. ______Brooklyn______

4. ______formed______

5. ______rap.______

SECTION B (Writing): 40 Marks

B2. In this section you will be assessed for the quality of your writing skills.

20 marks are awarded for communication and organisation; 15 marks are awarded for writing accurately.

You should aim to write between 350-500 words.

Choose one of the following for your writing: [35]

Either, (a) Write about a memorable musical experience.

Or, (b) ‘The music that young people listen to today all sounds the same and is made by artists who are only interested in money and fame.’ (classical musician, 68)

Write an essay to explain the extent to which you agree with this view, giving clear reasons and examples.

When using information from the texts, you will need to present it using your own words.

The space below can be used to plan your work before starting your writing on the next page.

PLAN: Planning tips are on following pages......

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