Max Davidson has positive thoughts and feelings about Old Trafford and Manchester United. He thinks Old Trafford is the best thing about visiting Manchester and is in awe of the stadium which he describes as the "Theatre of Dreams". He has great memories and feels pure pleasure visiting the Manchester United museum. Overall, he feels Manchester United is part of his life and he has a warm welcome from the city.

1. Past paper practice: June 2011
L.O: To analyse the skills needed to produce a
top level response for the final questions of
Unit 1 (the reading paper)
GCSE WJEC – Unit 1: Revision

2. Question 3 - Higher
 3. What are Max Davidson’s thoughts and
feelings about Old Trafford and Manchester
United? [10]
 This question tests knowledge and use of text
and inference / interpretation. It also tests
appreciation of language.

3.  0 marks: nothing attempted or fails to engage with the
question and/or the text.
 Give 1 mark to those who make unsupported assertions
or simple comments with occasional reference to the
text.
 Give 2-4 marks, according to quality, to those who make
simple comments with reference to surface features of
the text.
 Give 5-7 marks, according to quality, to those who
select appropriate material from the text to reach a
valid response.
 Give 8-10 marks, according to quality, to those who
select appropriate material from the text to reach a
well-considered response. These answers should be
thorough as well as perceptive.

4. Some points the candidates may explore:
• He thinks it is ‘the best’ thing about his visit to Manchester / he is a fan /
'sports mad'
• He thinks Old Trafford is ‘the Theatre of Dreams’
• He thinks about his ‘great memories’
• He admires the statue of the ‘Holy Trinity’ (a religious experience!)
• He does not like the ‘tacky merchandise’ in the shop / not for the
squeamish
• Mentions the Rooney romper suit
• He thinks anyone would like the museum (because it is a ‘celebration’ of
the role of football in the life of Manchester)
• He thinks the success of Manchester United has inspired Mancunians and
made them proud
• He feels ‘pure pleasure’ in the museum
• The interactive exhibits are ‘great’
• It restores his faith in the ‘beautiful game’
• He feels thrilled by his ‘warm welcome’ from Alex Ferguson, no less!
• He feels MUFC is part of his life (overview)

5. Question 3 and 4 foundation
 Now look at the extract from Simon Cowell’s
autobiography on the oppositepage. Look at the
first two paragraphs of the passage.
 3. Simon Cowell admits he’s rude. What
explanations does he give for his behaviour? [5]
 Now look at the last paragraph of the passage.
 4. List five reasons, according to Simon Cowell,
why anyone who wants to be a star should keep
reading his book. [5]

6. Simon Cowell admits he’s rude.
What explanations does he give for
his behaviour? [5]
Some points that candidates may
explore and comment on:
• he’s rude, partly because people now
expect him to be rude / he’s become
famous for it;
• he says he’s just being honest / he
only says what he’s thinking / he is
'being himself';
• his views give contestants 'a reality
check';
• he says his rudeness/honesty is fun
for the viewers – and for him;
• he wants contestants to realise it’s
hard to break into the music business;
• his `rudeness` reflects the music
business.
Now look at the last paragraph of
the passage.
4. List five reasons, according to
Simon Cowell, why anyone who wants
to be a star should keep reading his
book. [5]
Some points that candidates may
explore:
• he’s turned 'hopefuls into global pop
stars' / he has the experience;
• he will 'take you behind the scenes' /
'share secrets';
• he can 'show you what it takes to
make it to the top' / make you famous;
• you’ll learn 'how to develop your
skills';
• you’ll learn how to handle an audition;
• you can learn how to stand out from
the crowd;
• the book offers the right guidance /
my guidance;
• he is 'the only man on earth' who can
tell readers all this.

7. Question 4 - Higher
Compare and contrast what Max Davidson and
Bill Bryson think about Manchester.
Organise your answer into three paragraphs,
using the following headings:
• the weather
• the restaurants
• the people

8.  This question tests the ability to select material
appropriate to purpose, to collate material
 from different sources and make cross-references.
 0 marks: nothing attempted or fails to engage with the
texts and/or the question.
 Give 1 mark to those who make simple comments with
occasional reference to the text, or copy unselectively.
 Give 2-4 marks, according to quality, to those who make
simple comments based on surface features of the text.
Weaker answers could be a jumble of detail. Better
answers should make some clear, if obvious, comparisons
and contrasts.
 Give 5-7 marks, according to quality, to those who make
valid comments based on appropriate detail from the texts.
Better answers will show the ability to cross-reference in
an organised way.
 Give 8-10 marks, according to quality, to those who make
valid comments based on a thorough and organised selection
of appropriate detail from the texts. The best answers
should be coherent and insightful, ranging confidently
across both texts.

9. Some points that candidates may explore:
The weather:
• Both say it is rainy (contrast in how they
react);
• Davidson also suggests it is cold (pack your
thermals);
• Davidson suggests it is 'unpredictable'.
The restaurants:
Bryson:
• Critical and disappointed (general
response);
• Little choice of variety;
• National chains (dismal food and plastic
menus);
• Pompous, disappointing hotel dining rooms;
• The restaurant in Chinatown was tatty and
the food was just OK.
Davidson:
• Excited and enthusiastic (general
response);
• Plenty of choice;
• Vegan cafes;
• restaurants are as ‘super-stylish’ or ‘funky’;
• packed and lively with music;
• cosy.
The people:
Bryson:
• He was not impressed (general response);
• The waitress was ‘surly’;
• The young men were threatening and
disgusting (no 'respectable chaps');
• Hurrying pedestrians.
Davidson:
• He admires and likes them (general
response);
• The people are willing to laugh at
themselves;
• They are down to earth;
• They are proud (of their city and their
team);
• They are warm and welcoming (even Sir
Alex!).

10. Question 5 – Foundation
To answer this question you will need to
consider both texts.
5. These two texts give very different
impressions of Simon Cowell. What impressions
does each
text give of him?
You should organise your answer under two
headings:
(a) the magazine article;
(b) Simon Cowell’s autobiography.

11.  0-1mark - Question not attempted or candidates
struggle to engage with the text and/or question.
 Give 2-4 marks, according to quality, to those who copy
unselectively, make unsupported assertions or make
simple comments with occasional references to the
texts.
 Give 5-7 marks, according to quality, to those who use
both texts to make some simple comments/inferences
and some appropriate selection from the texts.
 Give 8-10 marks, according to quality, to those who
make valid comments based on a range of appropriate
detail from the texts. Better responses will make links
across the two texts.

12. (a) the magazine article
• positive impression – pleasant / kind /
caring / helpful / decent etc.;
• he cares a lot for Sian and has a
special relationship with her – ‘tease
each other’ etc.;
• he has a good relationship with Sian’s
family;
• he’s quickly at ease with people;
• he gets on very well with children;
• he never lets Sian down;
• he behaves well – not above himself
(photographs and autographs);
• he is generous – will pay for Sian’s
treatment if necessary;
• his friendship has a positive influence
on how people feel (Sian’s
spirit/godparents etc).
(b) Simon Cowell’s autobiography
• Negative impression – he’s rude /
nasty / unpleasant;
• he thinks he’s being honest;
• we get the impression he enjoys
giving his opinion / behaving the
way he does;
• he wants people to have a
realistic view of the music
business / he tells it
'like it really is';
• he has made a lot of money;
• he successfully turns 'hopefuls
into global pop stars';
• he is bigheaded – he is confident
about what he does;
• he holds strong views about the
stars – the best and the worst;
• he is the best person to develop
and nurture people with talent.
Reward valid alternatives. This is not a checklist and
the question should be
marked in levels of response