2017 KS2 Reading Test Mark Schemes
2017 KS2 Reading Test Mark Schemes
Key stage 2
English reading
test mark schemes
Reading answer booklet
Contents
1. Introduction 3
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1. Introduction
The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) is responsible for the development and delivery of
statutory tests and assessments. STA is an executive agency of the Department for Education.
The 2017 tests assess the 2014 national curriculum. This test has been developed to meet the
specification set out in the test framework for English reading at key stage 2. It assesses the
aspects of comprehension that lend themselves to a paper test. The test frameworks are on
[Link] at [Link]/government/publications/key-stage-2-english-reading-test-framework.
Scaled score conversion tables are not included in this document. Conversion tables will be
produced as part of the standards maintenance process. Scaled score conversion tables for
the 2017 tests will be published at [Link]/guidance/scaled-scores-at-key-stage-2 in July
2017. The standards confirmation meeting will take place in June 2017.
The mark schemes are provided to show markers and teachers how the tests are marked.
The pupil examples are based on responses gathered from the test trialling process.
Table 1: Content domain coverage for the 2017 key stage 2 English reading test
2a 2b 2c 2d 2e 2f 2g 2h
Give / Retrieve Summarise Make Predict Identify / Identify / Make
explain the and record main ideas inferences what might explain how explain how comparisons
meaning information from more from the happen information meaning is within the
of words in / identify key than one text / explain from details / narrative enhanced text.
context. details from paragraph. and justify stated and content is through
fiction and inferences implied. related and choice of
non-fiction. with contributes words and
evidence to meaning phrases.
from the text. as a whole.
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2a 2b 2c 2d 2e 2f 2g 2h
Give / Retrieve Summarise Make Predict Identify / Identify / Make
explain the and record main ideas inferences what might explain how explain how comparisons
meaning information from more from the happen information meaning is within the
of words in / identify key than one text / explain from details / narrative enhanced text.
context. details from paragraph. and justify stated and content is through
fiction and inferences implied. related and choice of
non-fiction. with contributes words and
evidence to meaning phrases.
from the text. as a whole.
25 1
26 1
27 1
28 1
Qu. Section 3: An Encounter at Sea
29 1
30 1
31a 1
31b 1
32 1
33 3
34a 1
34b 1
35 1
36 3
37 2
38 1
39 1
Total 10 14 2 22 0 1 1 0
The mark schemes contain acceptable points, which are indicated either by a numbered list or a square
bullet point (if there is only one possible answer). These must be treated as marking principles, not the
exact response a pupil needs to give.
They also contain examples of some frequently occurring correct answers given by pupils in the
trials (these are shown in italics and are introduced by round bullet points). Many pupils will, however,
have different ways of wording an acceptable answer. In assessing each answer, markers must focus
on the content of what has been written and not on the quality of the writing, expression or
grammatical construction.
For ‘find and copy’ questions, the correct answer is indicated by the word(s) outside the brackets. The
word(s) inside the brackets indicate the maximum quotation that is allowed. Copying must be accurate
but minor copying errors or introductions such as ‘The answer is…’ / ‘It’s…’ will be permitted.
The mark schemes may also indicate commonly occurring but incorrect answers that should not be
accepted.
Criteria for the Award 3 marks for two acceptable points, at least one with evidence, e.g.
award of marks
• He’s careful because instead of screaming or running to the side of the boat,
he went carefully and calmly. He’s also very aware of the things around him.
Examples of responses [AP5 + evidence, AP2]
produced in the trials and • Michael is daring because he tried to touch the whale not knowing what
awarded 3 marks would happen. He is very interested. [AP3 + evidence, AP1].
Award 2 marks for either two acceptable points, or one acceptable point with
Examples of responses evidence, e.g.
produced in the trials and
• It tells you he is quite curious about things as a normal person would stay
awarded 2 marks
away, but he leaned over the boat so he could see it better.
[AP1 + evidence]
• It tells us that he is a gentle kind character and cautious. [AP4 + AP5].
Examples of responses
produced in the trials and Award 1 mark for one acceptable point, e.g.
awarded 1 mark
• He is very inquisitive. [AP1]
• He is very brave and adventurous. [AP3].
Do not accept general responses relating to Michael liking animals.
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1 A Siamese cat crouched on a tree branch, peering down at Gaby with brilliant blue eyes. 1m
Tick one.
balanced
squatted ✓
trembled
pounced
Tick one.
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
3 In the paragraph beginning: Mind made up... Gaby says to the cat, ‘You’re out of luck...’ 1m
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
4 When Gaby pulls herself up on the branch on page 4, the cat meows. 1m
What does Gaby think that the cat is trying to say when it meows?
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
Award 1 mark for references to the cat wanting Gaby to hurry, e.g.
• hurry up
• get me down from here quickly
• it’s being impatient.
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Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
Also accept references to ensuring that she doesn’t fall / is safe (with no reference to
hold / adjustment), e.g.
7 Gaby thinks she makes two mistakes while trying to rescue the cat. 1m
What is the first mistake that Gaby makes while trying to rescue the cat?
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
What does the word universal tell you about the rule?
Also accept references to it being a rule that all climbers should know / agree on, e.g.
Do not accept reference to it being the only rule / the one rule.
9 Look at the paragraph beginning: Well, she’d just have to not fall... 1m
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
Award 1 mark for references to the cat having an owner / being looked after, e.g.
• it wasn’t a stray
• somebody loved it
• it’s well fed.
Do not accept answers which do not sufficiently recognise human care for the cat, e.g.
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10 Look at page 5. Up to
2m
What are three ways the cat shows it does not enjoy Gaby trying to rescue it?
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
Tick one.
12 Look at page 5. 1m
Give one piece of advice that Gaby’s mother gives her for dealing with cats.
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
2. pick them up by the loose skin / by the back of their neck, e.g.
• to take hold of their loose skin
• hold a cat by the scruff of their neck like its mother would have.
Do not accept anything that Gaby’s mother does that is not offered as advice, e.g.
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
• Mum.
14 Number the following events 1–5 to show the order in which they happened. 1m
Content domain: 2c – summarise main ideas from more than one paragraph
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15 Nearly twenty-two hours later, the exhausted man staggered onto French soil at Calais 1m
and became an instant hero.
Find and copy two different words from the sentence above that show how tired
Matthew Webb was.
1. exhausted (man)
2. staggered (onto).
16 What event made Matthew Webb want to swim the English Channel? 1m
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
Find and copy one word from this paragraph that is closest in meaning to ‘motivated’.
18 Using information from the text, put a tick in the correct box to show whether each Up to
statement is true or false. 2m
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
Award 1 mark for three correct or 2 marks for all four correct:
True False
19 Name two of the hardships that Matthew Webb faced in swimming the English Channel Up to
and explain how he dealt with them. 2m
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
Award 1 mark for any of the following combinations of hardship and action up to a
maximum of 2 marks:
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20 Find and copy a group of words that tells you that the drinks of ale, brandy and beef tea 1m
given to Matthew Webb would be considered unusual today.
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
How long did the fastest swim across the Channel take?
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
Award 1 mark for three correct or 2 marks for all four correct:
Fact Opinion
24 In what year did the French authorities make it illegal for people to swim from France 1m
to England?
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
Find and copy one word which shows that swimming the Channel is illegal in France.
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Give one piece of evidence from the text which shows this.
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
27 Which of the following would be the most suitable summary of the whole text? 1m
Tick one.
Content domain: 2c – summarise main idea from more than one paragraph
Content domain: 2f – identify / explain how information / narrative content is related and
contributes to meaning as a whole
Section Content
summarises key
The first Channel
information about
swimmer
swimming the Channel
shows contrasting
Frequently asked
viewpoints about
questions
swimming the Channel
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• it created no ripples.
30 Look at page 8. 1m
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
31 …the ‘putt-putt’ of her engine was lost in the big, quiet stillness of the afternoon. 1m
Choose the best words to match the description above. Circle both of your choices.
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with 1m
evidence from the text
32 Look at page 8. 1m
Find and copy two different words that show Michael enjoyed the feeling of the
cool water.
1. savouring
2. delicious (coolness).
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33 Look at page 9. Up to
3m
How is the whale made to seem mysterious?
Explain two ways, giving evidence from the text to support your answer.
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
Acceptable points:
Award 3 marks for two acceptable points, with at least one supported with
evidence, e.g.
Award 2 marks for either two acceptable points, or one acceptable point supported
with evidence, e.g.
• a black shape much much bigger than the biggest dolphin. It doesn’t tell
you what the shape is but you know it isn’t a dophin which creates mystery.
[evidence + AP7]
• something takes Michael by surprise and he keeps you in suspense by not
saying what it is yet. [AP3, AP5].
(a) According to the text on page 9, why might he have expected it to feel smooth?
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
34b (b) According to the text on page 10, why might he not have expected it to feel smooth? 1m
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
Tick one.
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
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Explain two features of his character, using evidence from the text to support
your answer.
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
Acceptable points:
1. curious / interested
2. observant
3. brave / daring
4. respectful / gentle
5. cautious / calm.
Award 3 marks for two acceptable points, at least one with evidence, e.g.
• He’s careful because instead of screaming or running to the side of the boat,
he went carefully and calmly. He’s also very aware of the things around him.
[AP5 + evidence, AP2]
• Michael is daring because he tried to touch the whale not knowing what
would happen. He is very interested. [AP3 + evidence, AP1].
Award 2 marks for either two acceptable points, or one acceptable point with
evidence, e.g.
• It tells you he is quite curious about things as a normal person would stay
away, but he leaned over the boat so he could see it better.
[AP1 + evidence]
• It tells us that he is a gentle kind character and cautious. [AP4 + AP5].
37 The whale did not seem to be alarmed by meeting Michael. How can you tell this from Up to
its actions? 2m
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
3. the whale looked Michael in the eye / allowed Michael to look it in the eye
4. the whale came close to Michael / close enough to touch the boat, e.g.
• the whale came near the boat.
Do not accept reference to the whale remaining calm without further explanation.
This tells us that at the end of the story Michael felt that…
Tick one.
Content domain: 2d – make inferences from the text / explain and justify inferences with
evidence from the text
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39 Tick one box in each row to show whether each statement is true or false. 1m
Content domain: 2b – retrieve and record information / identify key details from fiction
and non-fiction
True False
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Third-party content
Gaby to the Rescue extract from Gaby, Lost and Found, by Angela Cervantes. Scholastic Press, 2013.
Encounter at Sea extract from Whale Boy, by Nicola Davies. Yearling, 2013.
If you have any queries regarding these test materials contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on
0300 303 3013 or email assessments@[Link].