Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 9093/11
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 9093/11
Paper 1 Reading May/June 2026
Paper 1 Reading May/June 2026
MARK SCHEME
2 hours 15 minutes
Maximum Mark: 50
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
*
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
candidate responses for this component.
● Dictionaries are not allowed.
*
Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
INFORMATION Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
● The total mark for this paper is 50. scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
the standardisation process.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 8 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (WW) 356823/1 This document consists of 17 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9093/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
General marking principles
Section A: Directed response
All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
Question 1
1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
Read the following text, which is the opening of an article from an online travel magazine.
• the specific content defined in the mark scheme
(a) You have recently been on a trip to Japan, organised by a travel company. Write a review of • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
the trip, which you will publish on an international travel website. Use 150–200 words. [10]
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
(b) Compare your review with the article, analysing form, structure and language. [15]
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
Reasons to visit Japan – officially the best country in the world • marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for other valid answers which go beyond the
Japan was voted the best country in the world in the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. scope of the syllabus and mark scheme referring to your team leader as appropriate
• the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme indicates that these features are specifically
assessed in the question. However, the meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for what to do when candidates have not followed
instructions correctly.
5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by the quality of the candidate responses seen.
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with grade thresholds or grade descriptions in
mind.
Content removed due to restrictions.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 17
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9093/11/M/J/26
, 9093/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
English & Media-Specific Marking Principles
(To be read in conjunction with the General Marking Principles (and requiring further guidance on how to place marks within levels))
Components using level descriptions:
• We use level descriptions as a guide to broad understanding of the qualities normally expected of, or typical of, work in a level.
• Level descriptions are a means of general guidance and should not be interpreted as hurdle statements.
• Where indicative content notes are supplied for a question, these are not a prescription of required content and must not be treated as such.
Alternative correct points and unexpected answers in candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the knowledge and skills
demonstrated.
• While we may have legitimate expectations as to the ground most answers may occupy, we must at all times be prepared to meet
candidates on their chosen ground, provided it is relevant ground (e.g. clearly related to and derived from a relevant passage/text and
meeting the mark scheme requirements for the question).
Content removed due to restrictions.
From the magnificent Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 17
Kinkakuji Temple (also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion’) to the incredible Kiyomizu‑dera
Temple, there is an abundance of extraordinary monuments.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9093/11/M/J/26 [Turn over
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 9093/11
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 9093/11
Paper 1 Reading May/June 2026
Paper 1 Reading May/June 2026
MARK SCHEME
2 hours 15 minutes
Maximum Mark: 50
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
*
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
candidate responses for this component.
● Dictionaries are not allowed.
*
Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
INFORMATION Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
● The total mark for this paper is 50. scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
the standardisation process.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 8 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (WW) 356823/1 This document consists of 17 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9093/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
General marking principles
Section A: Directed response
All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
Question 1
1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
Read the following text, which is the opening of an article from an online travel magazine.
• the specific content defined in the mark scheme
(a) You have recently been on a trip to Japan, organised by a travel company. Write a review of • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
the trip, which you will publish on an international travel website. Use 150–200 words. [10]
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
(b) Compare your review with the article, analysing form, structure and language. [15]
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
Reasons to visit Japan – officially the best country in the world • marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for other valid answers which go beyond the
Japan was voted the best country in the world in the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. scope of the syllabus and mark scheme referring to your team leader as appropriate
• the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme indicates that these features are specifically
assessed in the question. However, the meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for what to do when candidates have not followed
instructions correctly.
5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by the quality of the candidate responses seen.
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with grade thresholds or grade descriptions in
mind.
Content removed due to restrictions.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 17
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9093/11/M/J/26
, 9093/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
English & Media-Specific Marking Principles
(To be read in conjunction with the General Marking Principles (and requiring further guidance on how to place marks within levels))
Components using level descriptions:
• We use level descriptions as a guide to broad understanding of the qualities normally expected of, or typical of, work in a level.
• Level descriptions are a means of general guidance and should not be interpreted as hurdle statements.
• Where indicative content notes are supplied for a question, these are not a prescription of required content and must not be treated as such.
Alternative correct points and unexpected answers in candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the knowledge and skills
demonstrated.
• While we may have legitimate expectations as to the ground most answers may occupy, we must at all times be prepared to meet
candidates on their chosen ground, provided it is relevant ground (e.g. clearly related to and derived from a relevant passage/text and
meeting the mark scheme requirements for the question).
Content removed due to restrictions.
From the magnificent Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 17
Kinkakuji Temple (also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion’) to the incredible Kiyomizu‑dera
Temple, there is an abundance of extraordinary monuments.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9093/11/M/J/26 [Turn over
