PAPER 2
Classic Paper 2 Mistakes
Writing Too Much
■ When the IB asks for a phrase, you can be sure they’re only looking for the exact info (2-5 words
they say for this type of question). When they say a “word,” they mean ONE word.
■ Example 1:
■ “Hartley hated telling people he was an actor” (line 30). Which phrase between lines 30 and 35
emphasizes this dislike?
■ Student answer: He had long tired of reactions ranging from “what have I seen you in” to “how do
you learn all those lines?”
– What phrase is correct?
Writing too much
■ Example 2: If they ask for a word, only give one word
■ Which word between lines 1 to 5 is closest in meaning to “well-expressed”?
– Student answer: extraordinarily eloquent
■ The examiner will not try to determine which word you mean. You will lose the mark
even if the right answer is in there.
Writing too much
■ Sometimes, IB will accept two or more answers if they essentially mean the same
thing.
■ Example: “Name on thing Keiron wanted to learn about art in order to develop his
artistic abilities.
– Student answer: Kieron wanted to know the technicalities of art and how to put
a painting together.
■ It can be argued that those two elements are actually “one thing” so the IB will
accept either just one of the phrases or both.
Writing too little
■ Being vague/not precise enough
■ Incomplete answers
Writing too little
■ Not making sense
■ The answer is “(it is) doubtful that many artists could paint or draw while answering
questions (and being photographed)”
■ What do the parentheses mean?
English B HL Markscheme
Practice
■ Kognity Section 2.1.4:
– Experiences: Leisure Activities
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