IGCSE Literature (English) 0475 Paper 1-3 Specimen Exams 2025/2026 with Verified Questions and Expert Model Answers
Cambridge IGCSE®
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 0475/01
Paper 1 Poetry and Prose For examination from 2025
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 50
Specimen
This document has 4 pages. Blank pages are indicated.
© UCLES 2017 [Turn over
2025/2026
, 0475/01
IGCSE Cambridge
Literature (English) 0475 Paper 1-3 IGCSE
Specimen Exams – Mark with
2025/2026 Scheme For
Verified Questions and Expert Model Answers
SPECIMEN examination
from 2025
Generic Marking Principles
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors
for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the
question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation
scripts.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when
these features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the
question (however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the
candidate responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
© UCLES 2017 Page 2 of 4
2025/2026
, 0475/01
IGCSE Cambridge
Literature (English) 0475 Paper 1-3 IGCSE
Specimen Exams – Mark with
2025/2026 Scheme For
Verified Questions and Expert Model Answers
SPECIMEN examination
from 2025
All questions are marked out of 25.
The assessment objectives for the paper are:
AO1: show detailed knowledge of the content of literary texts, supported by reference to the text
AO2: understand the meanings of literary texts and their contexts, and explore texts beyond surface
meanings to show deeper awareness of ideas and attitudes
AO3: recognise and appreciate ways in which writers use language, structure and form to create and
shape meanings and effects
AO4: communicate a sensitive and informed personal response to literary texts.
The Level Descriptors cover marks from 0 to 25, and apply to the marking of each question. They
guide examiners to an understanding of the qualities normally expected of, or typical of, work in a
level. They are a means of general guidance. For the purposes of standardisation of marking, they
are to be used in conjunction with examples of candidates’ work and discussed during the examiners’
coordination meeting.
© UCLES 2017 Page 3 of 4
2025/2026
, 0475/01
IGCSE Cambridge
Literature (English) 0475 Paper 1-3 IGCSE
Specimen Exams – Mark with
2025/2026 Scheme For
Verified Questions and Expert Model Answers
SPECIMEN examination
from 2025
LEVEL DESCRIPTOR TABLE
• demonstrates knowledge by incorporating well-selected reference to the text
skilfully and with flair (AO1)
25 • sustains a critical understanding of the text showing individuality and insight
Level 8 24 (AO2)
23 • responds sensitively and in considerable detail to the way the writer uses
language to achieve effects (AO3)
• sustains personal and evaluative engagement with task and text (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by integrating much well-selected reference to the
text (AO1)
22
• shows a clear critical understanding of the text (AO2)
Level 7 21
• responds sensitively and in detail to the way the writer uses language to
20
achieve effects (AO3)
• sustains a perceptive, convincing and relevant personal response (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by supporting with careful and relevant reference to
the text (AO1)
19 • shows a clear understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications
Level 6 18 (AO2)
17 • makes a developed response to the way the writer uses language to achieve
effects (AO3)
• makes a well-developed, detailed and relevant personal response (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by showing some thoroughness in the use of
16 supporting evidence from the text (AO1)
Level 5 15 • shows understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications (AO2)
14 • makes some response to the way the writer uses language (AO3)
• makes a reasonably developed relevant personal response (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by using some supporting textual detail (AO1)
13
• shows some understanding of meaning (AO2)
Level 4 12
• makes a little reference to the language of the text (AO3)
11
• begins to develop a relevant personal response (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by making a little supporting reference to the text
(AO1)
10
• makes some relevant comments (AO2)
Level 3 9
• shows a basic understanding of surface meaning of the text and language
8
(AO3)
• attempts to communicate a basic personal response (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by making a little reference to the text (AO1)
7 • makes a few straightforward comments (AO2)
Level 2 6 • shows a few signs of understanding the surface meaning of the text and
5 language (AO3)
• some evidence of simple personal response (AO4)
4 • demonstrates knowledge by limited textual reference (AO1)
3 • shows some limited understanding of simple/literal meaning (AO2)
Level 1
2 • a little awareness of surface meaning of text and language (AO3)
1 • limited attempt to respond (AO4)
Level 0 0 No answer / Insufficient to meet the criteria for Level 1.
© UCLES 2017 Page 4 of 4
2025/2026
Cambridge IGCSE®
LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 0475/01
Paper 1 Poetry and Prose For examination from 2025
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 50
Specimen
This document has 4 pages. Blank pages are indicated.
© UCLES 2017 [Turn over
2025/2026
, 0475/01
IGCSE Cambridge
Literature (English) 0475 Paper 1-3 IGCSE
Specimen Exams – Mark with
2025/2026 Scheme For
Verified Questions and Expert Model Answers
SPECIMEN examination
from 2025
Generic Marking Principles
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers.
They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors
for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the
question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation
scripts.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit
is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme,
referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when
these features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The
meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed
instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the
question (however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the
candidate responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should
not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
© UCLES 2017 Page 2 of 4
2025/2026
, 0475/01
IGCSE Cambridge
Literature (English) 0475 Paper 1-3 IGCSE
Specimen Exams – Mark with
2025/2026 Scheme For
Verified Questions and Expert Model Answers
SPECIMEN examination
from 2025
All questions are marked out of 25.
The assessment objectives for the paper are:
AO1: show detailed knowledge of the content of literary texts, supported by reference to the text
AO2: understand the meanings of literary texts and their contexts, and explore texts beyond surface
meanings to show deeper awareness of ideas and attitudes
AO3: recognise and appreciate ways in which writers use language, structure and form to create and
shape meanings and effects
AO4: communicate a sensitive and informed personal response to literary texts.
The Level Descriptors cover marks from 0 to 25, and apply to the marking of each question. They
guide examiners to an understanding of the qualities normally expected of, or typical of, work in a
level. They are a means of general guidance. For the purposes of standardisation of marking, they
are to be used in conjunction with examples of candidates’ work and discussed during the examiners’
coordination meeting.
© UCLES 2017 Page 3 of 4
2025/2026
, 0475/01
IGCSE Cambridge
Literature (English) 0475 Paper 1-3 IGCSE
Specimen Exams – Mark with
2025/2026 Scheme For
Verified Questions and Expert Model Answers
SPECIMEN examination
from 2025
LEVEL DESCRIPTOR TABLE
• demonstrates knowledge by incorporating well-selected reference to the text
skilfully and with flair (AO1)
25 • sustains a critical understanding of the text showing individuality and insight
Level 8 24 (AO2)
23 • responds sensitively and in considerable detail to the way the writer uses
language to achieve effects (AO3)
• sustains personal and evaluative engagement with task and text (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by integrating much well-selected reference to the
text (AO1)
22
• shows a clear critical understanding of the text (AO2)
Level 7 21
• responds sensitively and in detail to the way the writer uses language to
20
achieve effects (AO3)
• sustains a perceptive, convincing and relevant personal response (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by supporting with careful and relevant reference to
the text (AO1)
19 • shows a clear understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications
Level 6 18 (AO2)
17 • makes a developed response to the way the writer uses language to achieve
effects (AO3)
• makes a well-developed, detailed and relevant personal response (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by showing some thoroughness in the use of
16 supporting evidence from the text (AO1)
Level 5 15 • shows understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications (AO2)
14 • makes some response to the way the writer uses language (AO3)
• makes a reasonably developed relevant personal response (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by using some supporting textual detail (AO1)
13
• shows some understanding of meaning (AO2)
Level 4 12
• makes a little reference to the language of the text (AO3)
11
• begins to develop a relevant personal response (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by making a little supporting reference to the text
(AO1)
10
• makes some relevant comments (AO2)
Level 3 9
• shows a basic understanding of surface meaning of the text and language
8
(AO3)
• attempts to communicate a basic personal response (AO4)
• demonstrates knowledge by making a little reference to the text (AO1)
7 • makes a few straightforward comments (AO2)
Level 2 6 • shows a few signs of understanding the surface meaning of the text and
5 language (AO3)
• some evidence of simple personal response (AO4)
4 • demonstrates knowledge by limited textual reference (AO1)
3 • shows some limited understanding of simple/literal meaning (AO2)
Level 1
2 • a little awareness of surface meaning of text and language (AO3)
1 • limited attempt to respond (AO4)
Level 0 0 No answer / Insufficient to meet the criteria for Level 1.
© UCLES 2017 Page 4 of 4
2025/2026
