Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 9695/12
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 9695/12
Paper 1 Drama and Poetry May/June 2026
Paper 1 Drama and Poetry May/June 2026
MARK SCHEME
2 hours
Maximum Mark: 50
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
*
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer two questions in total:
Section A: answer one question.
Section B: answer one question. This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
candidate responses for this component.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
*
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
● Dictionaries are not allowed. responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
INFORMATION component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
● The total mark for this paper is 50. the standardisation process.
● All questions are worth equal marks.
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 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (CJ) 368808 This document consists of 13 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9695/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
Section A: Drama General marking principles
Answer one question from this section. All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
EDWARD ALBEE: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
1 Either (a) Discuss some of the ways in which Albee makes families significant in Who’s Afraid • the specific content defined in the mark scheme
of Virginia Woolf? • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
Or (b) Discuss Albee’s presentation of George in the following extract from the play. In 2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
your answer, you should pay close attention to dramatic methods and their effects.
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
NICK: [Looks at GEORGE a minute, his expression a little sick.] You • marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
know, I almost think you’re serious. • marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for
GEORGE: [Toasting him] No, baby … you almost think you’re serious, other valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme
and it scares the hell out of you. referring to your team leader as appropriate
NICK: [Exploding in disbelief ] ME! 5 • 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
GEORGE: [Quietly] Yes … you. meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
NICK: You’re kidding!
4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for
GEORGE: [Like a father] I wish I were … I’ll give you some good advice if
what to do when candidates have not followed instructions correctly.
you want me to …
NICK: Good advice! From you? Oh boy! [Starts to laugh.] 10 5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by
GEORGE: You haven’t learned yet … Take it wherever you can get the quality of the candidate responses seen.
it … Listen to me, now.
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with
NICK: Come off it! grade thresholds or grade descriptions in mind.
GEORGE: I’m giving you good advice, now.
NICK: Good God … ! 15
GEORGE: There’s quicksand here, and you’ll be dragged down, just
as …
NICK: Oh boy … !
GEORGE: … before you know it … sucked down …
[NICK laughs derisively.] 20
You disgust me on principle, and you’re a smug son of a bitch
personally, but I’m trying to give you a survival kit. DO YOU
HEAR ME?
NICK: [Still laughing] I hear you. You come in loud.
GEORGE: ALL RIGHT! 25
NICK: Hey, Honey.
GEORGE: [Silence. Then quietly] All right … OK. You want to play it by
ear, right? Everything’s going to work out anyway, because
the time-table’s history, right?
NICK: Right … right. You just tend to your knitting, grandma … . I’ll 30
be OK.
GEORGE: [After a silence] I’ve tried to … tried to reach you … to …
NICK: [Contemptuously ] … make contact?
GEORGE: Yes.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9695/12/M/J/26
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 13
, 9695/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
NICK: [Still ] … communicate? 35 English & Media-Specific Marking Principles
GEORGE: Yes. Exactly. (To be read in conjunction with the General Marking Principles (and requiring further guidance
on how to place marks within levels))
NICK: Aw … that is touching … that is … downright moving … that’s
what it is. [With sudden vehemence] UP YOURS!
Components using level descriptions:
GEORGE: [Brief pause] Hm?
• We use level descriptions as a guide to broad understanding of the qualities normally expected
NICK: [Threatening] You heard me! 40 of, or typical of, work in a level.
GEORGE: [At NICK, not to him] You take the trouble to construct a • Level descriptions are a means of general guidance and should not be interpreted as hurdle
civilization … to … to build a society, based on the principles statements.
of … of principle … you endeavour to make communicable • Where indicative content notes are supplied for a question, these are not a prescription of
sense out of natural order, morality out of the unnatural required content and must not be treated as such. Alternative correct points and unexpected
disorder of man’s mind … you make government and art, and 45 answers in candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the knowledge and skills
realize that they are, must be, both the same … you bring demonstrated.
things to the saddest of all points … to the point where there • While we may have legitimate expectations as to the ground most answers may occupy, we
is something to lose … then all at once, through all the music, must at all times be prepared to meet candidates on their chosen ground, provided it is relevant
through all the sensible sounds of men building, attempting, ground (e.g. clearly related to and derived from a relevant passage/text and meeting the mark
comes the Dies Irae. And what is it? What does the trumpet 50 scheme requirements for the question).
sound? Up yours. I suppose there’s justice to it, after all the
years … Up yours.
NICK: [Brief pause … then applauding] Ha, ha! Bravo! Ha, ha!
[Laughs on.]
(from Act 2 – Walpurgisnacht)
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9695/12/M/J/26 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 13
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 9695/12
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 9695/12
Paper 1 Drama and Poetry May/June 2026
Paper 1 Drama and Poetry May/June 2026
MARK SCHEME
2 hours
Maximum Mark: 50
You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.
*
You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)
Published
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer two questions in total:
Section A: answer one question.
Section B: answer one question. This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
candidate responses for this component.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
*
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
● Dictionaries are not allowed. responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
INFORMATION component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
● The total mark for this paper is 50. the standardisation process.
● All questions are worth equal marks.
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 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (CJ) 368808 This document consists of 13 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9695/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
Section A: Drama General marking principles
Answer one question from this section. All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
EDWARD ALBEE: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
1 Either (a) Discuss some of the ways in which Albee makes families significant in Who’s Afraid • the specific content defined in the mark scheme
of Virginia Woolf? • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
Or (b) Discuss Albee’s presentation of George in the following extract from the play. In 2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
your answer, you should pay close attention to dramatic methods and their effects.
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
NICK: [Looks at GEORGE a minute, his expression a little sick.] You • marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
know, I almost think you’re serious. • marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for
GEORGE: [Toasting him] No, baby … you almost think you’re serious, other valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme
and it scares the hell out of you. referring to your team leader as appropriate
NICK: [Exploding in disbelief ] ME! 5 • 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
GEORGE: [Quietly] Yes … you. meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
NICK: You’re kidding!
4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for
GEORGE: [Like a father] I wish I were … I’ll give you some good advice if
what to do when candidates have not followed instructions correctly.
you want me to …
NICK: Good advice! From you? Oh boy! [Starts to laugh.] 10 5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by
GEORGE: You haven’t learned yet … Take it wherever you can get the quality of the candidate responses seen.
it … Listen to me, now.
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with
NICK: Come off it! grade thresholds or grade descriptions in mind.
GEORGE: I’m giving you good advice, now.
NICK: Good God … ! 15
GEORGE: There’s quicksand here, and you’ll be dragged down, just
as …
NICK: Oh boy … !
GEORGE: … before you know it … sucked down …
[NICK laughs derisively.] 20
You disgust me on principle, and you’re a smug son of a bitch
personally, but I’m trying to give you a survival kit. DO YOU
HEAR ME?
NICK: [Still laughing] I hear you. You come in loud.
GEORGE: ALL RIGHT! 25
NICK: Hey, Honey.
GEORGE: [Silence. Then quietly] All right … OK. You want to play it by
ear, right? Everything’s going to work out anyway, because
the time-table’s history, right?
NICK: Right … right. You just tend to your knitting, grandma … . I’ll 30
be OK.
GEORGE: [After a silence] I’ve tried to … tried to reach you … to …
NICK: [Contemptuously ] … make contact?
GEORGE: Yes.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9695/12/M/J/26
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 13
, 9695/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
NICK: [Still ] … communicate? 35 English & Media-Specific Marking Principles
GEORGE: Yes. Exactly. (To be read in conjunction with the General Marking Principles (and requiring further guidance
on how to place marks within levels))
NICK: Aw … that is touching … that is … downright moving … that’s
what it is. [With sudden vehemence] UP YOURS!
Components using level descriptions:
GEORGE: [Brief pause] Hm?
• We use level descriptions as a guide to broad understanding of the qualities normally expected
NICK: [Threatening] You heard me! 40 of, or typical of, work in a level.
GEORGE: [At NICK, not to him] You take the trouble to construct a • Level descriptions are a means of general guidance and should not be interpreted as hurdle
civilization … to … to build a society, based on the principles statements.
of … of principle … you endeavour to make communicable • Where indicative content notes are supplied for a question, these are not a prescription of
sense out of natural order, morality out of the unnatural required content and must not be treated as such. Alternative correct points and unexpected
disorder of man’s mind … you make government and art, and 45 answers in candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the knowledge and skills
realize that they are, must be, both the same … you bring demonstrated.
things to the saddest of all points … to the point where there • While we may have legitimate expectations as to the ground most answers may occupy, we
is something to lose … then all at once, through all the music, must at all times be prepared to meet candidates on their chosen ground, provided it is relevant
through all the sensible sounds of men building, attempting, ground (e.g. clearly related to and derived from a relevant passage/text and meeting the mark
comes the Dies Irae. And what is it? What does the trumpet 50 scheme requirements for the question).
sound? Up yours. I suppose there’s justice to it, after all the
years … Up yours.
NICK: [Brief pause … then applauding] Ha, ha! Bravo! Ha, ha!
[Laughs on.]
(from Act 2 – Walpurgisnacht)
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9695/12/M/J/26 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 13
