December mock exam: Learner Response blog tasks

 1) Type up any feedback on your paper (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential). If you only have marks and a grade on the paper, write a WWW/EBI yourself based on your scores.

  Total= 50

  Grade= 6

  WWW= A strong exam throughout with clear knowledge of CSPs and media debates. Well done!

  EBI= Exam techniques is the key: slightly more explicit focus on the question and more examples from CSPs can push you into the top level. 

2) Use the mark scheme for this Paper 2 mock to read the answers AQA were looking for. First, write down a definition and example of non-diegetic sound (Q1.1 and 1.2). 

Q1) All sounds generated within the world of the drama.

Q1.2)

any example of dialogue from the extract such as ‘When Lyra says, “So you’re a

kitchen boy then?”

• any example of other sounds that are created by or heard by the characters, such as

the sound of Will putting the plate on the table.

3) Next, identify three points you could have made in Q1.3 - camerawork and the extract. Look for the indicative content in the mark scheme - these are the suggested answers from AQA.

• Excellent analysis of the extract that is detailed and critically

engages with the nuanced aspects of what is communicated by

the camerawork.

• Consistently appropriate and effective use of the theoretical

framework throughout.

• Consistently appropriate and effective use of subject specific

terminology throughout.

4) Now look at Q1.4 in the mark scheme - pick out two points from the mark scheme that you could have included in your answer.

• The wide shot and slow dolly/tracking through the open doors shows both characters

together sitting at the table. This deliberately places both characters in the same

frame as the conversation becomes more friendly and less guarded. The

camerawork is communicating the growing friendship between Lyra and Will and

helps to foreshadow the suggestion (in the very next shot) from Will that they team

up and work together. The slow dolly/track at this point signals to the audience that

something important is happening; their relationship is changing. It works in a similar way to a zoom.

• Camera angle is used in an interesting way in the extract. Will is often shown from a

low angle which should suggest power or dominance. However, his expression and

body language is very timid so in fact seems to further emphasise Lyra’s confidence.

When Lyra is sitting at the table, the camera is deliberately placed at Lyra’s level so

she is not presented as weak or vulnerable.

5) Focus on Q2 - the 20-mark essay on representations of age and social and cultural contexts. Pick out three points from the mark scheme that you didn't include in your answer.

• There are also positive representations of teens in which attributes such as freedom,

independence, creativity and social awareness are likely to be emphasised. Some

frequently represented characteristics of teenagers may be seen as positive by

younger audiences but as negative by older audiences. These include

rebelliousness, openness to change, liberal values on matters such as sexuality and

a much stronger commitment to friendship groups than to family or country.

• A notable difference between the two CSPs can be found in the approaches to

diversity. There is no evidence of diversity at all in DW (unless you count the

presence of aliens). The teens and younger characters in HDM are drawn from a

more diverse background with Will being mixed race.

• The Doctor is tetchy and patronising. Unlike Susan, he is dismissive and

disrespectful towards the teachers because of their intellectual inferiority. His

clothing signals that he is eccentric; it is more suggestive of the 1890s than the

1960s. Although a non-human, he appears to have very traditional and patriarchal

values. He refers to the ‘savage minds’ of American Indians (native Americans).

6) Turning your attention to Section B, write a definition and example of user-generated content - use the mark scheme to check it.

User- Generated content- • material contributed to media or posted on websites by non-professionals

7) Look at Q4 - the 20-mark essay on the power of influencers. Pick out three points from the mark scheme that you didn't include in your own answer. 

• By the end of 2019, the influencer marketing industry was worth some $8bn a year. One

recent report by Insider Intelligence predicted that it would grow to $15bn globally by the

end of 2022.

• Much of Rashford’s power comes from his skilful use of social media to promote good

causes such as food poverty and childhood literacy. His work with Fareshare and his

campaign for free school meals during holidays during the pandemic meant that he was

directly opposing Prime Minister Boris Johnson. That Rashford won the battle demonstrates

the power he now has.

• Even Marcus Rashford is not immune to criticism however. He has been accused of being

too political and fans and critics have told him to ‘stick to football’. His recent website

rebrand put a much bigger emphasis on his football career with a homepage dominated by

animated GIFs of his notable goals and football achievements. The reduction in content that

focused on his fashion shoots, celebrity lifestyle or volunteering suggests that celebrities are

not all-powerful and are still subject to public opinion and criticism.

8) Now look at Q5 - the 20-mark essay on regulation and the internet. Again, pick out three points from the mark scheme that you didn't include in your own answer.

• how representations convey particular viewpoints, messages, values and beliefs, which may be

reinforced across a wide range of media products

• the nature of media production, including by large organisations, who own the products they

produce, and by individuals and groups

• loss of self-esteem or confidence resulting from competitive use of social media

9) On a scale of 1-10 (1 = low, 10 = high), how much revision and preparation did you do for your Media mock exam? Be honest here - it's a good chance to think about how to approach the next set of mock exams.

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10) List three key things you want to revise before the next mock exams in February (e.g. particular CSPs, terminology, exam technique etc.)

Key terminology, Marcus Rashford CSP, exam technique