Cambridge Assessment International Education

Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education

FRENCH 0520/42
Paper 4 Writing October/November 2017
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 50

Published

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.

Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.

Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.

Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2017 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE®, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level
components.

® IGCSE is a registered trademark.

This syllabus is approved for use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a Cambridge International Level 1/Level 2 Certificate.

This document consists of 38 printed pages.

© UCLES 2017 [Turn over

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
1 General Marking Principles

1.1 Crossing out:

(a) If a candidate changes his/her mind over an answer and crosses out an attempt, award a mark if the final attempt is correct.

(b) If a candidate crosses out an answer to a whole question but makes no second attempt at it, mark the crossed out work.

1.2 For Questions 2 and 3, if the candidate has written an answer in the space provided for that purpose, you should ignore anything
written anywhere else, unless:

(a) there is an indication from the candidate that other material should be considered.

(b) the candidate has continued their answer outside the space provided.

(c) there is no answer in the space provided.

1.3 Annotation used in the Mark Scheme:

(a) tc = ‘tout court’ and means that on its own the material is not sufficient to score the mark.

(b) BOD = benefit of the doubt and is used to indicate that the Examiner has considered the answer/that part of the answer and judged it
to be more correct than incorrect: the benefit of the doubt is given to the candidate and the mark is awarded.

© UCLES 2017 Page 2 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
1.4 No response and ‘0’ marks

There is a NR (No Response) option in RM Assessor.

Award NR (No Response):

If there is nothing written at all in the answer space or

If there is only a comment which does not in any way relate to the question being asked (e.g. ‘can’t do’ or ‘don’t know’) or

If there is only a mark which isn’t an attempt at the question (e.g. a dash, a question mark).

Award 0:

If there is any attempt that earns no credit. This could, for example, include the candidate copying all or some of the question, or any working
that does not earn any marks, whether crossed out or not.

1.5 Optional questions: You must mark all questions attempted by the candidate. Where a question has not been attempted then NR must be
entered. (For Question 3 only, after marking the question(s) the candidate has answered, NR is populated automatically when you click on
‘Complete’.) Where the candidate attempts more than one of the alternatives in Question 3, RM Assessor will automatically only aggregate
the candidate’s best result.

1.6 Spellings recognised by the Académie Française will be accepted.

© UCLES 2017 Page 3 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Question 1

Candidates are required to list 8 items in French. Read all of the items that the candidate has listed and award marks as follows:

(i) Select the most correct items up to a maximum of 5. Award 1 mark for each correct item up to a maximum of 5. Stop ticking once 5 items
have been rewarded.

(ii) On Question 1, award marks for items wherever the candidate has written them.

(iii) If the candidate offers more than one word per line, award a mark for each acceptable item (e.g. where a candidate has linked two
words as in gâteau au chocolat / gâteau chocolat = 1 tick; however gâteau et chocolat / gâteau, chocolat (candidate intends these as two
items) = 2 ticks).

(iv) The pictures provided on the question paper are only suggestions.

(v) Mark for communication. Tolerate inaccuracies, provided the message is clear. Ignore any definite / indefinite article, possessive adjective,
etc. Ignore any verbs.

(vi) If spelling is questionable, start by referring to the detailed mark scheme. Refer to the bullet points below if no decision on the spelling you
have encountered is recorded there.
• ‘If in doubt, sound it out’: if you read what the candidate has written, does it sound like the correct answer?
• Look-alike test: does what the candidate has written look like the correct answer, e.g. one letter missing but no other word created.
• If the first part of the word is correct, small errors in what comes next are less likely to impede communication (unless they suggest
another meaning).
• Where letters are transposed, the word is likely to communicate (unless another word has been created).

(vii) Once marking proper starts, if there are five clearly acceptable items, award marks wherever these are in the list. This approach may allow
questionable versions to be ignored.

(viii) Refuse all nouns which are repeated and which do not have a separate meaning:
• gâteau, gâteau au chocolat: award one mark to each item
• gâteau au chocolat, gâteau à la crème: award one mark to each item
• gâteau, gâteau au chocolat, chocolat: award one mark to each item
• gâteau, grand gâteau: award one mark for the first gâteau

(ix) Reject misspelt words which suggest a word with a quite different meaning. Where nouns are usually plural, accept the singular and vice
versa.

© UCLES 2017 Page 4 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

1 Vous êtes au café. Faites une liste, en français, de 8 choses au menu. 5

Refuse croque-monsieur (example), barbeque, bouffe

ACCEPT ACCEPT REFUSE

café / thé té / tée / the / te tee / tea
crème
crêpe
croissant croissante / croisant croisoin
dessert desert
frites pommes de frites / fritte frit / fris
fromage formage / formaige / fomage froimage
fruits
gâteu / gâteur / gauteu / gauteau /
gâteau / cake gâtaue / gâtaeu / gâtau / gâto
gâteaute / gâtoue
glace / sorbet glass / glasse glas
hot-dog / saucisse saucise sausage
jus de« (juis) d’orange juis / juie / juce / jut
légumes
limonade / soda / coca lemonade / lemenade
pain / tartine pane / pan / pin / plain
poisson poission poison
salade de tomates tommate / tomatte / tomat tomatoe / tomote
sandwitch / sandwhich /
sandwich / baguette bagette / sandwish
sandwiche
soupe / potage portage / soup
steak / bœuf stake / bouef / viand viend

Total for Question 1: 5 marks

© UCLES 2017 Page 5 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Question 2

Candidates are required to answer the question. Read the whole answer and award marks as follows:

• Communication: award a mark out of 10, according to the instructions in 2.1.

• Language: award a mark out of 5, according to the instructions in 2.2.

© UCLES 2017 Page 6 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

2 Mon cousin / Ma cousine 15

2.1: Award a mark out of 10 for Communication

(i) Place the appropriate ‘numbered’ tick as close as possible to each relevant communication point in the body of the
answer.

(ii) Award ticks flexibly across the tasks for each piece of relevant information conveyed, up to a maximum of 10.
HOWEVER, each of the tasks must be covered to get the 10 communication marks:
• If 1 of the tasks is missing, the maximum communication mark is 9.
• If 2 of the tasks are missing, the maximum communication mark is 8 (and so on).

(iii) Add up the ticks to give a mark out of 10 for Communication.

(iv) For COMMUNICATION

• Look for a verb (finite or infinitive) before awarding a mark. Lists without a verb will not score.
• See Appendix II for rules on how to decide whether a verb is accurate enough to convey meaning.
• For language other than verbs, use ‘rules’ in Question 1: look alike, sound alike, etc.
• Misplaced adjectives, negatives and adverbs will not usually compromise communication.

(v) LISTS = a maximum of 3 marks for communication: lists of 1–3 items = 1 mark; lists of 4 items = 2 marks; lists of 5–6
items = 3 marks
• elle a les cheveux noirs avec de beaux yeux et une petite bouche (1 verb, therefore treat as list of 3 items)
• elle a les cheveux noirs, est de taille moyenne, et elle est jolie (3 verbs therefore each piece of information can
score a separate communication mark)

(vi) Only reward each piece of information once, e.g. elle est super cannot score both as description and reason for liking
(elle est super et sa musique est super can both be rewarded as they each contain a different extra detail.

(vii) Do not penalise factual errors.

(viii) What the candidate writes may not follow the order of the tasks on the question paper – this is fine.

© UCLES 2017 Page 7 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

2
Tick Accept
91 Donnez des détails sur votre cousin / cousine : nom ? âge ?

REWARD any statement relating to personal details

il / elle s’appelle...

il / elle a 16 ans
il / elle a le même âge que moi
il / elle est plus âgé(e) que moi
son anniversaire est le 4 novembre
elle a 16 ans, le même âge que moi (91)
elle a 16 ans, (91) mais elle paraît plus jeune (91)

il / elle est belge

il / elle est né(e) à«

il est enfant unique

elle a deux frères
elle a une grande famille

il / elle va à l’école« / à la même école que moi

Refuse il s’apple / saple / m’appelle / est s’appelle / s’appelle est

il a plus âge que moi
il a 6 tc

© UCLES 2017 Page 8 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

2 Tick Accept
92 Où habite-t-il / elle ?

REWARD any statement relating to where the person lives

elle / il habite à... / en...

elle / il habite dans un appartement
elle / il habite près de chez moi
elle / il habite chez / avec sa grand-mère
elle / il habite à Gaberone au Botswana avec sa grand-mère

Refuse elle / il habite à français

© UCLES 2017 Page 9 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

2 Tick Accept
93 Faites une description de votre cousin / cousine.

REWARD any statement relating to any aspect of this person

Physical description:
elle / il est petit(e) etc.
elle / il a les cheveux noirs etc.
elle / il porte / a des lunettes
il est roux

Character:
elle / il est sympa
elle / il est sportive / sportif
elle / il parle beaucoup

Interests:
elle / il aime la musique / la lecture / le sport / le chocolat
elle / il n’aime pas«
elle / il joue au foot

Relationship:
on s’entend bien
elle / il s’entend bien avec moi
elle / il m’aide

Occupation:
elle / il est étudiant(e)
elle / il travaille comme prof

Refuse elle / il mange« elle / il a la teinte« elle / il a les cheaveux noirs

© UCLES 2017 Page 10 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

2 Tick Accept
94 Quelles activités aimez-vous faire ensemble ? Pourquoi ?

REWARD any statement relating to joint activities

nous« / on joue au... / fait du...

nous« / on regarde des films
nous« / on va en ville

je« avec ma cousine

il / elle« avec moi

nous aimons aller à la plage (94) pour nager (94) et manger beaucoup de glace (94)

REWARD any reasons, even if activity is unclear

c’est amusant / intéressant

nous nous amusons
je m’amuse avec«

Refuse on fait des activités ensemble« / je / il joue au foot ensemble

on joue au sport

© UCLES 2017 Page 11 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

2 Tick Accept
95 Où et quand est-ce que vous allez partir en vacances avec votre cousin / cousine ?

je voudrais aller au bord de la mer avec mon cousin

nous allons visiter la France« / partir en Inde« / passer les vacances à Harare

on va«
mon ami et moi«
je vais« avec ma famille

«les vacances prochaines / samedi prochain / la semaine prochaine / le mois prochain / en décembre /
le 15 décembre / à Noël

Refuse je vais partir en Italie

l’anne prochain(e)«
l’année dernière je suis allé(e) en France avec mon cousin (no evidence of future plans)
«pendant les vacances tc

Refuse holiday activities BUT reward joint activities for 94

© UCLES 2017 Page 12 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

2 2.2: Award a mark out of 5 for Language

Award a mark out of 5 for Language*, according to the Grade descriptors in the table below (see Note on using mark
schemes with Grade descriptors (Appendix 1)).

Grade descriptors for Language (Question 2)

Straightforward vocabulary and structure.

The style of writing is basic, but reasonably coherent.
5
Use of a limited range of verbs, generally successful.
More accuracy than inaccuracy.

Basic vocabulary and structure.

4 Some awareness of verb usage, but inconsistent.
The writing is sufficiently accurate for meaning to be conveyed.

Very basic vocabulary and structure.

3 Little awareness of verb usage (e.g. infinitives regularly used instead of finite verbs).
Despite regular errors, the writing often conveys some meaning.

A few phrases or short sentences are accurate enough to be comprehensible. Very simple sentence
2
structure.

1 Disjointed words or short phrases, one or two of them accurate enough to be comprehensible.

0 One or two disjointed words or short phrases may be recognisable.

*Consider the whole answer when awarding mark for language

Total for Communication: 10 marks

Total for Language: 5 marks
Total for Question 2: 15 marks

© UCLES 2017 Page 13 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Question 3

Candidates answer 1 question from a choice of 3. Read the whole answer and award marks as follows:

• Communication: award a mark out of 10, according to the instructions in 3.1.

• Language: award a mark out of 8 for Verbs, according to the instructions in 3.2.
award a mark out of 12 for Other linguistic features, according to the instructions in 3.3.

For question-specific guidance, see later in this mark scheme.

3.1: Award a mark out of 10 for Communication

(i) There are 5 relevant communication points per question, each worth a maximum of 2 marks.

(ii) For each relevant communication point, use the appropriate numbered tick and place up to 2 of these ticks as close as possible to each
relevant communication point (in the body of the answer).

2 ticks Message clearly communicated. Minor errors (adjective endings, use of prepositions etc.) are tolerated.
1 tick Communication of some meaning is achieved, but the message may be ambiguous or incomplete.
0 ticks Nothing of worth communicated.

(iii) Look for a verb (finite or infinitive) before awarding a mark for communication. See Appendix II for rules on how to decide whether a
verb is accurate enough to convey meaning.

(iv) Add up the ticks to give a mark out of 10 for Communication.

© UCLES 2017 Page 14 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

3.2: Award a mark out of 8 for accurate use of Verbs

When awarding ticks for Verbs, please refer back to the question in order to establish which tense is appropriate for the response. For question-
specific guidance, see later in this mark scheme.

(i) Place a tick above the first occurrence of each correct verb, up to a maximum of 18 ticks (details of how to award ticks are provided below).
(ii) Place the tick so that it does not obscure the accent/tilde.
(iii) Convert the total number of ticks to a mark out of 8 using the Conversion table below.
Conversion table for accurate use of Verbs (Question 3)

Number of ticks Mark

18+ 8
16,17 7
14,15 6
12,13 5
10,11 4
8,9 3
6,7 2
4,5 1
0,1,2,3 0

How to award ticks for accurate use of Verbs (Question 3):

(a) Subject (noun or pronoun) + any finite verb

• both subject and verb must be correct for the verb to score a tick
• verb must be in the appropriate tense to score a tick
• inaccuracies in the use of accents are ignored except in the case of –er verbs and être where there must be an accent on the
past participle in a compound tense, and the absence of such an accent in the present tense
• do not tick verbs contained in the ‘letter etiquette’: appropriate beginnings and endings to letters are considered for reward
under Other linguistic features
© UCLES 2017 Page 15 of 38
0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Tick No tick Note

Je suis (3)
J’aime (3) Je aime (no tick) «Je n’aime (3) (pas) le camping»
Je ne aime (3) pas treat as misuse of negative, not misuse of verb: verb is
ticked
Il est allé (3) Il est allée (no tick) insist on correct agreement
Les proffesseurs sont (no tick) incorrect subject
gentils
Le voiture s’est approché (no tick) incorrect subject
Les nouveau professeurs sont (3) «Les professeurs» is the subject and is correctly spelt. The
gentils incorrect adjective does not prevent the tick being awarded
Les invites sont arrivés (3) missing accent on noun does not prevent tick being
awarded
Les invités sont arrives (no tick) past participle must have accent for tick to be awarded;
grave is tolerated
La site que j’ai adoré (3) despite wrong gender of noun the verb is correct
La site que j’ai adorée gender of noun wrong; «site» is not a feminine noun,
therefore verb should not agree and is not ticked
Le site j’ai adoré (3) «que» clauses where the «que» is missing: tick the verb;
take absence of «que» into account when awarding mark
for Other linguistic features
Mon frère a (3) sept ans. Il y a (3) for «il y a/avait», allow the impersonal use to count as an
30 enfants dans sa classe extra

© UCLES 2017 Page 16 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

With direct and indirect object pronouns

Tick No tick Note

Je l’aime (3)
Je le joue (3) Je se joue (no tick) first example – «je joue» is correct despite incorrect object
pronoun; second example – «jouer» is not a reflexive verb
Je lave (3) les voitures Je me lave (no tick) les voitures «laver» should not be used reflexively in this statement
Je t’ai dit (3)
J’ai te dit (3) basic verb formation is correct
Je les ai achetés (3) Je les ai acheté (no tick) past participle must agree in number and gender with
preceding direct object for verb tick to be awarded

With « y » and « en »

Tick No tick Note

J’y vais (3) / Elle en achète (3)
Je vais (3) y en voiture correct «je vais» scores despite incorrect position of «y»
Elle achète (3) en correct «elle achète» scores despite incorrect position of
«en»

Passive

Tick No tick Note

Elle a été attrapée (3)
Les vélos ont été vendus (3)

© UCLES 2017 Page 17 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Reflexive

Tick No tick Note

Elle s’est levée (3) Elle est se levée (no tick)
Je me lave (3) les mains
Je me suis réveillé (3) et j’ai réveillé (3) correct use of a reflexive and non-reflexive verb can both
ma mère be credited

Impersonal

Tick No tick Note

C’est comique (3)
Il y a (3) «Ilya» (3) all right letters and in right order (by same rule
«yatil» also gains a tick)
«Il y a» does not score in expressions meaning ‘ago’
Est-ce que (3)

With negative

Tick No tick Note

Ils ne jouent pas (3) tick is awarded for the correct verb; the negative is
Ils ne pas jouent (3) considered for reward in ‘Other linguistic features’

Je ne aime (3) pas

Sequence of tenses

Tick No tick Note

Si j’avais (3) le choix je voudrais (3)
Si j’ai eu (no tick) le choix je voudrais (3) if sequence is incorrect, both verbs cannot be rewarded
Quand j’ai fini (no tick) de déjeuner (3) in time clauses, the pluperfect must be used for the verb
je suis sorti (3) to be rewarded. In other cases the perfect is acceptable

© UCLES 2017 Page 18 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Quand j’avais fini (3) de déjeuner (3) je

suis sorti (3)

Single auxiliary with multiple past participles

Tick No tick Note

Nous avons chanté (3) et dansé (3) Nous avons chanté = tick; Nous avons dansé = tick

Correct verb within meaningless statement

Tick No tick Note

La journée est (3) longue La journée est (no tick) intelligente do not reward correct verb in a meaningless statement

(b) Imperative

Tick No tick Note

Viens (3)
Ne touche pas (3)

(c) Interrogative

Tick No tick Note

Tu viens? (3) / Tu viens. (3) question mark not required for mark to be awarded
Est-ce que (3) tu viens(?) (3)
Comment ça va(?) (3)

© UCLES 2017 Page 19 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

(d) Infinitive

Tick No tick Note

Je veux (3) sortir (3)
Je veut (no tick) sortir (3) award tick for any correct dependent infinitive, even if main
verb is incorrect / in the wrong tense
Je veux (3) sortier (no tick)
Il a commencé (3) à pleuvoir (3)
Il a commence (no tick) à pleuvoir (3)
Il a commencé (3) de pleuvoir (no tick)
J’ai essayé (3) de travailler (3)
Il m’aide (no tick) à préparer le repas a past tense required by the task: main verb is, therefore, in
(3) the wrong tense, but dependent infinitive is correct and is
ticked
Visiter (3) d’autres pays est (3)
important
Sans hésiter (3) Sans hésité (no tick)
Je veux (3) sortir (3) parce que je veux je veux can only score once, but different infinitives can
(no tick) aller (3) aux magasins each score if correct
Après être arrivé(e) (3) il/(elle) a
mangé (3) un sandwich
Après être sorti il a commencé (3) à the subject of the perfect infinitive is not the subject of the
pleuvoir (3) main verb
Après avoir mangé (3) je suis sorti (3)

© UCLES 2017 Page 20 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Ticking forms of the verb in the future: is the future tense appropriate to the task?

Tick No tick Note

Nous allons (3) jouer (3) au tennis
Je vais (3) regardé (no tick) un film in all these cases the future tense is appropriate to the task
on the question paper so both the finite verb and the
Elle vas (no tick) arriver (3) ce soir infinitive are ticked in the normal way
Je vais (no tick) aller (no tick) en ville task is: what did you do last weekend? Future tense is not
appropriate therefore do not tick either verb

(e) Inversion

Tick No tick Note

««» a-t-il dit (3) « a-t-il dis (no tick) accept both normal word order and inversion after direct
speech
««» il a dit (3)
Viens-tu (3) / Viens tu (3)

(f) Participle (past or present)

Tick No tick Note

En arrivant (3)
Ayant fini (3)
Une fois arrivé (3)

© UCLES 2017 Page 21 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

(g) Reward only the first occurrence of a verb, e.g.

• J'aime (3) la natation. J'aime (no tick) aussi le tennis
• J'aime (3) la natation. Je n’aime (no tick) pas le tennis
• Dans ma région il y a (3) des montagnes et des rivières. Il y a (no tick) aussi des«

However,
• Je préfère (3) la natation et mon frère préfère (3) le tennis – 2 different persons of the verb
• Mon frère préfère (3) la natation et ma sœur préfère (no tick) le tennis – both third person usage
• Elle est (3) fâchée, ce n’est (no tick) pas amusant – both third person usage
• Je me suis réveillé (3) et j’ai réveillé (3) ma mère: correct use of a reflexive and non-reflexive verb can both be credited
• Mon frère a (3) sept ans. Il y a (3) 30 enfants dans sa classe: with «il y a/avait» allow the impersonal use to be credited as an extra (the
same applies to «est-ce que» and «il/elle est»)

3.3: Award a mark out of 12 for Other linguistic features

(i) Award a mark out of 12 for Other linguistic features, according to the Grade descriptors in the table below (please see Note on using mark
schemes with Grade descriptors (Appendix I)).

(ii) Use the highlighter marking tool to highlight the first new use of any correct usage. Use the highlighter marking tool to underline a
creditable attempt at a structure. This annotation is intended to help you arrive at an appropriate mark. Therefore, the kinds of things you
highlight/underline will vary according to the quality of work, e.g. for a mark of 7/8 to be awarded the assumption is that ‘spelling of
common words, genders, adjectival agreements and basic prepositions are almost always correct’ so annotation will focus on the degree
of success with more complex language.

(iii) Consider the extent to which the following are used correctly and appropriately when assessing the candidate’s control of structures:
• Subordinate clauses, including car / parce que, qui and que (relative pronouns), ce qui and ce que. Indirect or reported speech (il a dit
que, je pense que). Time clauses with quand, pendant que etc. and si (= if)
• Object pronouns (il m’a dit) and ‘strong’ pronouns (chez nous etc.)
• Conjunctions other than et and linking words (e.g. cependant, malheureusement, toutefois)
• Prepositions – Time: depuis, pendant, pour, du« au« etc / – Place: en, dans etc.
• Negatives
• Adverbs
• Adjectives, including possessives and demonstratives. Also comparatives and superlatives
• Expressions of quantity
• Partitive articles, especially de after negative, use of du, de la, des
• Appropriate use of politesses in the letter
© UCLES 2017 Page 22 of 38
0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Grade descriptors for Other linguistic features (Question 3)

• Uses a wide range of structures effectively; produces longer, fluent sentences with ease.
11–12 • Highly accurate at this level, though not necessarily faultless.
• Makes effective use of a wide range of vocabulary fully appropriate to the task.

• Attempts a range of structures with a good degree of success.

9–10 • More complex language usually error-free^^.
• Uses a variety of relevant vocabulary at this level.

• In control of simple structures. Varied success with more complex structures.

• Accuracy is fairly consistent throughout*. Errors may occur when more ambitious language is
7–8
attempted.
• Has sufficient vocabulary to add some interest to the writing.

• Attempts more than basic structures.

5–6 • On balance, the work is more accurate than inaccurate.
• Straightforward vocabulary relevant to the task.

• Reliant on basic structures.

3–4 • Some examples of correct language. Meaning usually conveyed.
• Basic vocabulary.
• A few phrases or short sentences are accurate enough to be comprehensible. Very simple
1–2
sentence structure.

0 • One or two disjointed words or short phrases may be recognisable.

^^subordinate clauses, linking words, object pronouns, comparative adjectives/adverbs, strong negatives usually error free.
*spelling of common words, genders, adjectival agreements and basic prepositions are almost always correct.

Total for Communication: 10 marks

Total for Verbs: 8 marks
Total for Other linguistic features: 12 marks
Total for Question 3: 30 marks

© UCLES 2017 Page 23 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

3(a) La visite d’une personne célèbre 30

3.1: Award a mark out of 10 for Communication – see generic guidance above

Tick Accept Mark

91 Qu’est-ce que l’homme / la femme a fait pour devenir célèbre ? (par exemple : sport ? 2
science ? théâtre ?)

REWARD a past tense statement which communicates what the visitor has done: do not expect
international celebrities

elle / il a gagné une médaille aux JO

elle / il a découvert«
elle / il a fait un film«

REWARD structures which imply past tense, e.g. elle / il travaille depuis six ans dans«
92 Dites ce qui s’est passé pendant la visite. 2

elle / il a parlé aux étudiants

elle / il a fait un tour de l’école
nous avons posé des questions à«

REWARD social activities, e.g. eating / going places with the famous person
93 Expliquez pourquoi vous admirez cet homme / cette femme. 2

parce que j’aime sa personnalité

il / elle est sympa / intelligent(e)«
il / elle est un modèle pour les jeunes
je voudrais faire la même chose

il est intéressant = 1

Refuse il / elle est bien

© UCLES 2017 Page 24 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Tick Accept Mark

94 Quelle autre personne aimeriez-vous inviter à votre école ? 2

je voudrais inviter le footballeur Lionel Messi = 2

«Beyoncé qui est chanteuse = 2
«mon frère = 2

j’aimerais / je voudrais inviter Lionel Messi = 1

je voudrais inviter Lionel Messi pour nous parler de sa vie = (94) (95)
95 Expliquez pourquoi. 2

REWARD references to character, reputation, achievements

c’est / il est un athlète magnifique...

elle est très compréhensive«
il a aidé les pauvres
elle a travaillé dans un hôpital

Refuse the exact repetition of reason given in 93

3.2: Award a mark out of 8 for accurate use of Verbs – see generic guidance above

Communication point For Verbs, accept:

1 Past
2 Past
3 Any suitable tense
4 Notion of conditional / future
5 Any suitable tense

3.3: Award a mark out of 12 for Other linguistic features – see generic guidance above

© UCLES 2017 Page 25 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

3(b) Un tour en ville 30

3.1: Award a mark out of 10 for Communication – see generic guidance above

Tick Accept Mark

91 Comment avez-vous passé la matinée ? (monuments ? magasins ?) 2

Accept any activity young people would engage in in town

REWARD references to ‘village’ as well as ‘ville’

on a / nous avons visité le château

«joué dans le parc
«fait des courses (cours = 0)
nous avons vu la cathédrale
nous avons passé la matinée dans les magasins

j’ai acheté un jean = 1 / mon ami(e) a acheté un livre = 1 (Reward either or both)

Refuse nous avons mangé

nous sommes restés dans l’hôtel
nous avons passé la matinée en ville
92 Où avez-vous pris le déjeuner ? 2

There must be an indication of place

on a / nous avons mangé au restaurant

«fait un pique-nique dans le parc
«au MacDo / chez Maxime

nous avons mangé à Waterfall = 1

Refuse nous avons visité un restaurant

© UCLES 2017 Page 26 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Tick Accept Mark

93 Est-ce que votre ami(e) aime votre région ? Pourquoi / Pourquoi pas ? 2

REWARD the reason, positive or negative, irrespective of accuracy of statement of preference.

Accept ideas expressed in a past tense.

il y a beaucoup de choses à faire / voir

les gens sont gentils
c’est historique / beau
la région est plus historique que sa ville
la ville est sale / trop petite
il / elle aime les gens

Refuse votre ami(e)«

c’est intéressant / c’est bien
94 Qu’est-ce que vous voudriez faire pendant votre prochaine visite chez votre ami(e) en 2
France ?

Accept anything which might appeal to a young person visiting France

je voudrais« / j’aimerais«
«visiter la Tour Eiffel
«manger des crêpes

REWARD future/present tense verbs for Communication but do not tick

95 Pourquoi ? 2

j’ai toujours voulu faire ça

ça m’intéresse«
la cuisine est bonne
je voudrais visiter / voir«

© UCLES 2017 Page 27 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

3.2: Award a mark out of 8 for accurate use of Verbs – see generic guidance above

Communication point For Verbs, accept:

1 Past
2 Past
3 Any suitable tense
4 Notion of conditional / future
5 Any relevant tense

3.3: Award a mark out of 12 for Other linguistic features – see generic guidance above

© UCLES 2017 Page 28 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

3(c) La tente était vide 30

3.1: Award a mark out of 10 for Communication – see generic guidance above

Tick Accept Mark

91 Où avez-vous passé la nuit ? 2

j’ai... / nous avons... / on a...

«passé la nuit dehors / à la terrasse du café
«parlé à nos amis dans leur tente

nous sommes allés au café = 0

92 Qu’est-ce que vous avez fait le jour suivant ? 2

j’ai contacté la police

on est rentré à la maison
on a acheté un nouveau sac de couchage
on est allé à la plage quand même

Any suitable action whether or not it was a resolution of problem

93 Further detail for Task 1 or Task 2 2

REWARD any additional detail which meets the demands of either 91 or 92

© UCLES 2017 Page 29 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Question Answer Marks

Tick Accept Mark

94 Décrivez vos réactions à ces événements. 2

REWARD any reaction wherever it occurs

j’étais déçu / fâché / furieux / triste / malheureux

mon ami(e) était«
nous étions« / on était«
j’ai pleuré
mon ami(e) s’est fâché(e)

Accept any response which suggests that they carried on as normal / made the best of the
situation
95 Étiez-vous content(e) de ces vacances ? 2

REWARD positive or negative comments

les vacances étaient excellentes

j’ai passé de bonnes vacances

les vacances étaient horribles

j’ai été très déçu(e)

3.2: Award a mark out of 8 for accurate use of Verbs – see generic guidance above

Communication point For Verbs, accept:

1 Past
2 Past
3 Past
4 Past
5 Past

3.3: Award a mark out of 12 for Other linguistic features – see generic guidance above

© UCLES 2017 Page 30 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Appendix I

Note on using mark schemes with Grade descriptors

It is important that you award marks positively. In order to ensure that you reward achievement rather than penalise failure or omissions, you should
start at the bottom of the mark scheme and work upwards through the descriptors when awarding marks.

You should adopt a ‘best fit’ approach. You must select the set of descriptors provided in the mark scheme that most closely describes the quality
of the work being marked. As you work upwards through the mark scheme, you will eventually arrive at a set of descriptors that fits the candidate’s
performance. When you reach this point, you should always then check the descriptors in the band above to confirm whether or not there is just
enough evidence to award a mark in the higher band.

For example, when marking Question 3 you may find that a candidate uses a variety of relevant vocabulary but has varied success with more
complex structures. In such cases, you will need to award a mark that takes into account both the strengths and weaknesses of the piece of work.

To select the most appropriate mark within each set of descriptors, use the following guidance:

• If most of the descriptors fit the piece (and after you have considered the band above), award the top mark in the band.
• If there is just enough evidence (and you had perhaps been considering the band below), award the lowest mark in the band.

Note on irrelevant material

In the case of a deliberately evasive answer which consists entirely of irrelevant material exploited in defiance of the rubric, a score of 0 is given.
This is extremely rare.

A genuine attempt to answer the question which fails due to a misunderstanding of the rubric will normally lose Communication marks but will score
for Language. You should consult your Team Leader.

© UCLES 2017 Page 31 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Appendix II: Communication

Rules on how to decide whether a verb is accurate enough to convey meaning

Communication
• an attempt at a verb is required for any communication mark to be awarded
• for QUESTION 2, candidates score 1 or 0 marks for each piece of relevant information they communicate. For a sentence/phrase to be
considered for the award of a mark for communication, the verb must meet or go beyond the criteria outlined in B.
• for QUESTION 3, candidates score 2, 1 or 0 marks for communicating each task. For the criteria the verb must fulfil in order for a
sentence/phrase to be considered for the award of 2 marks for communication, see A below. For the criteria the verb must fulfil for a
sentence/phrase to be considered for the award of 1 mark for communication, see B below.
• where a verb fits the criteria for C, the mark for communication is 0
• although some allowances are made for faulty verbs when awarding COMMUNICATION marks (see below), in order for a verb to score a
LANGUAGE tick, it must be correct
• ‘ticks’ for communication are to be placed just above the end of the qualifying sentence/phrase

A QUESTION 3 ONLY: where THE VERB IS APPROPRIATE IN THE MEANING IT CONVEYS AND THE TIME FRAME IS APPROPRIATE,
2 communication marks are awarded in the following cases.

(i) For 2 communication marks: accept a Present where a Future context is apparent
L’an prochain je voyage en France = 2 for communication. (Je voyage receives a tick for verb)
(ii) For 2 communication marks: accept the use of a Future when a Conditional would be correct and vice versa
(iii) For 2 communication marks: accept a ‘phonetic version’ of the correct time frame
J’ai passer/passez les vacances = 2 for communication (Il a commencé à joue = 1 for communication – joue is not
Les gens pense/pensait que = 2 for communication phonetic)
Il a commencé à joué = 2 for communication
(iv) For 2 communication marks: accept the use of any past tense when a past is required, even when a different past tense
would be grammatically correct or appropriate
Allow Perfect, Imperfect, Pluperfect or Past Historic. Ignore
inconsistency of the Perfect and Past Historic if it occurs

© UCLES 2017 Page 32 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
(v) Use of avoir with a past participle when être is correct: award 2 communication marks
J’ai resté en France = 2 marks for communication However the use of être when avoir is correct= 1 communication
mark, e.g. Je suis mangé la pomme (see B (iii))
(vi) Errors of accent: award 2 communication marks (eg il va telephoner = 2; il commencais = 2; j’achete = 2), except in the
following cases
For 2 communication marks, insist on the accent on a past Il a joue = 1 for communication (as an attempted perfect tense)
participle of –er verbs Il joué = 1 for communication (as an attempted present tense)
For 2 communication marks insist on an accent when an Il était fatigue = 1 for communication
adjective is also a past participle Il être fatigue = 1 for communication
Il et fatigue = 1 for communication
For 2 communication marks, tolerate a grave accent for an acute Il a jouè = 2 for communication
accent
(vii) Errors of punctuation: award 2 communication marks in spite of errors of punctuation
Jai fait« = 2 for communication in spite of missing apostrophe In addition jai fait scores a tick for the verb
(viii) Errors of elision: award 2 communication marks in spite of errors of elision
Je aime« / Je habite« = 2 for communication in spite of Je aime / Je habite: no tick for the verb as elision has not been
missing elision made
(ix) Single consonant where there should be double and vice versa: award 2 communication marks
J’appele / J’apelle / J’apele / J’appelle ma mère au téléphone = J’appelle ma mere au telephone = tick for the verb
2 for communication

© UCLES 2017 Page 33 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
(x) In complex sentences, reward communication based on the verb in the subordinate clause and reward according to the
normal rules (it is the information in the subordinate clause which fulfils the task)
Mon ami a dit qu’il avait mal au genou = 2 for communication (in However, Mon ami a dit qu’il a mal au genou = 1 for
addition both verbs can receive a tick) communication (see B (viii)) (in addition first verb can receive a
Mon ami annonce (wrong tense) qu’il avait mal au genou = 2 for tick)
communication (in addition second verb can receive a tick) Mon ami a dit qu’il mal au genou = 0 for communication (no verb
in subordinate clause) (first verb can receive a tick)
Je pensais que j’étais malade = 2 for communication (in addition However:
both verbs receive a tick) Je pensais qu’il pleut = 1 for communication (see B (viii))
Je pensais que j’avais malade = 0 for communication (see B (iv))
(In both cases, first verb can receive a tick)
(xi) Use of a verb in the ‘indicative’ where a subjunctive would be expected: award 2 communication marks
Il faut que j’aille chez ma grand-mère = 2 for communication
(plus both verbs receive a tick)
Il faut que je vais chez ma grand-mère = 2 for communication
(plus both verbs receive a tick)
(xii) Treat the verbs retourner, revenir and rentrer as synonyms: award 2 communication marks
(xiii) «ne» omitted in a negative statement: award 2 communication marks
J’aime pas la biologie = 2 for communication (in addition, the However Je n’aime la biologie = 1 for communication (see B (ix))
verb receives a tick) (verb receives a tick)

© UCLES 2017 Page 34 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
B QUESTIONS 2 AND 3: where THE VERB IS APPROPRIATE IN THE MEANING IT CONVEYS but is flawed in the following ways, the
message is partially conveyed, and 1 communication mark will be awarded:

(i) The candidate has produced a correct spelling of an inappropriate form/part/tense of an appropriate verb: award 1
communication mark
Task: where did you go on holiday. Candidate writes: In all these cases, passer is an appropriate choice of verb in
Je passe les vacances en France terms of meaning.
Je passons les vacances en France The task (‘where did you go on holiday’) requires a past tense (or
Je passé les vacances en France phonetic version of a past tense) for 2 communication marks to
Je vais passer les vacances en France be awarded: these versions do not meet this requirement.
Je suis passer les vacances en France However, in all these cases the candidate has produced an
J’irons en France existing part/tense/form of what is an appropriate verb and
Je allez en France therefore 1 communication mark is awarded
J’aille en France
Je vas en France
Ticks are not scored for these verbs
All score 1 mark for communication
Task: how did you and your friends react? Candidate
writes:
Mes amis est contents
J’été triste
Ils avons pleure
All score 1 mark for communication
Task: what do you want to eat for lunch. Candidate writes.
Je veux mange un sandwich = 1 for communication
Je veux = tick for verb

© UCLES 2017 Page 35 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
Task: what will you do next year. Candidate writes:
L’an dernier je voyage en France = 1 for communication
L’an dernier je vais voyager en France = 1 for communication «je voyage« verb is not rewarded as there is no future context
L’année prochaine j’allait en ville = 1 for communication (if the (e.g L’an prochain«)
task required a past tense, J’allait en ville tout court could «je vais voyager« scores 2 ticks for verbs (je vais, voyager) as
score 2 for communication as a phonetic rendering of J’allais the task requires a future
en ville) «j’allait« verb does not receive a tick
L’année prochaine j’aille en ville = 1 for communication (aller is L’année prochaine j’aillait en ville = 0 for communication (aillait is
an appropriate verb, aille is a form of the verb aller not any part of the verb aller)
(subjunctive))
(ii) The candidate has produced a phonetic spelling of an inappropriate form/part/tense of an appropriate verb: award 1
communication mark
Task is to say what s/he enjoyed doing on holiday. Candidate J’amie (le tennis) = 0 for communication (amie is not any
writes: J’aim le tennis = 1 for communication (phonetic version form/part/tense of the verb aimer)
of the incorrect tense (j’aime) of an appropriate verb)
Task is to say how s/he got home. Candidate writes: Je prennez Je prendais le bus = 0 for communication (prendais is not any
le bus = 1 for communication (phonetic version of an incorrect form/part/tense (nor a phonetic version thereof) of the verb
part/tense (Je prenez) of an appropriate verb) prendre)
(iii) Use of être as the auxiliary when avoir would be correct: award 1 communication mark (see also A (v))
Je suis mangé la pomme = 1
(iv) Use of être instead of avoir in some clearly defined idiomatic phrases: award 1 communication mark
J’étais peur = 1 (no tick for the verb)
J’étais soif = 1 (no tick for the verb)
J’étais faim = 1 (no tick for the verb)
Elle était cinq ans = 1 (no tick for the verb)
However
Elle est les cheveux gris = 0
J’avais fatigué = 0
J’avais malade = 0

© UCLES 2017 Page 36 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
(v) Manger, nager, ranger etc – ‘e’ missing from nous form and imperfect: award 1 communication mark
Je mangais des pommes = 1 (no tick for the verb) Je mang des pommes = 0
Nous nagons après l’école = 1 (no tick for the verb)
(vi) The following commonly seen inappropriate usages: award 1 communication mark
Accept for 1 mark Refuse
il est beau for il fait beau
j’ai écouté un bruit for j’ai entendu un bruit
c’est chaud for il fait chaud
j’ai fait une promenade à l’école for je suis allé à l’école à pied
j’ai regardé un accident for j’ai vu un accident
j’ai regardé pour mon sac for j’ai cherché mon sac
(vii) The following commonly seen mis-usages: award 1 communication mark
il et (venu me voir)
je return(e) etc (accept returner for retourner)
je s’appelle (Carole) However, Il m’appelle (Carole) when the candidate is trying to
give his/her own name = 0 as nothing of worth is communicated
(viii) In complex sentences, consider the verb in the subordinate clause when awarding the mark for communication and reward
according to the normal rules (see also A(x))
Mon ami a dit qu’il a mal au genou = 1 for communication il a mal au genou, contains an appropriate verb in the wrong time
frame which is awarded 1 mark for communication (in addition,
first verb receives a tick)
Je pensais qu’il pleut = 1 for communication The subordinate clause, qu’il pleut, contains an appropriate verb
in the wrong time frame which is awarded 1 communication
mark according to the usual rules) (in addition, first verb
receives a tick)
(ix) «pas», or equivalent, is omitted in a negative statement = 1 for communication
Je n’aime la biologie = 1 for communication However J’aime pas la biologie = 2 for communication (in
(verb receives a tick) addition, the verb receives a tick)

© UCLES 2017 Page 37 of 38

0520/42 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme October/November
PUBLISHED 2017
C QUESTIONS 2 AND 3: award 0 communication marks in the following cases:

(i) No attempt at a verb = 0 for communication

je pied à l’ecole = 0 for communication However, je travail à l’école (in response to Qu’est-ce que vous
je promenade mon chien = 0 for communication faites à l’école?) = 2 for communication because travail works
il pluie = 0 for communication phonetically
(ii) The verb attempted delivers a message different from the desired one = 0 for communication
mon père a un prof for mon père est prof = 0 for communication
j’ai travaillé en Australie for j’ai voyagé en Australie = 0 for
communication
il pleure for il pleut = 0 for communication
(iii) The attempt at the verb is not a part/form of an appropriate verb or a phonetic rendition thereof = 0 for communication
L’année prochaine j’aillait en ville = 0 for communication (aillait
is not any part of the verb aller)
Je prendais le bus = 0 for communication (prendais is not any
part of the verb prendre)
J’amie (le tennis)
J’alle au cinema
Je m’apple Carole
(iv) There are two subjects = 0 for communication
il j’aime = 0 for communication

© UCLES 2017 Page 38 of 38