Sample Exam Response: The Explorer's Daughter (Grades 5-9)
"How does the writer present her experiences of living with the Inughuit people in Thule? You should refer closely to the passage to support your answer. You may include brief quotations." (10 marks)
Top Marker Sample Answer:
The writer presents her experience of living with the Inughuit people as deeply reflective and emotionally complex. Her tone blends awe, respect, and inner conflict as she witnesses the narwhal hunt - a central event in the Inughuit way of life.
She begins by describing the Arctic landscape in poetic, vivid terms, calling it a "glittering kingdom" with “butter-gold” light. This sensory language evokes beauty and wonder, showing her appreciation for the environment the Inughuit inhabit. She also captures the almost magical appearance of the narwhal, whose “plumes of spray” are lit in a “spectral play of colour,” making them seem otherworldly and rare.
Despite this awe, the writer does not romanticise the harshness of life. She gives practical information about the narwhal’s vital role in survival - its “blubber rich in necessary minerals,” and its ability to “feed a team of dogs for an entire month.” These factual details ground the piece in reality and show her understanding of why hunting remains essential.
Her emotional conflict emerges when she watches a hunter raise his harpoon: “my heart leapt for both hunter and narwhal.” This shows her empathy for both sides, portraying the tension between respect for tradition and concern for the animals. She admires the hunter’s bravery, describing his act as one that “could only inspire respect,” yet she also wants the narwhal to “dive, to leave, to survive.” This moment captures the dilemma at the heart of her experience.
Finally, her explanation of the Inughuit’s respectful and sustainable use of hunted animals (“they use every part… they do not kill for sport”) shows her informed, balanced view. She makes clear that survival, not cruelty, drives the hunt, ending with a strong statement that hunting remains an “absolute necessity in Thule.”
Through a mix of poetic imagery, factual detail, and emotional honesty, the writer conveys her respect for the Inughuit way of life and the inner conflict she feels as an outsider looking in.
Top Marker Answer: Why It Scores Highly (9–10 marks)
1. Clear focus on the question:
This answer directly addresses how the writer presents her experiences - this includes emotions, setting, and cultural understanding.
2. Detailed and perceptive analysis:
Quotes like “butter-gold” and “spectral play of colour” are not just included - they’re analysed to show how the writer conveys wonder and appreciation.
The emotional conflict (“my heart leapt…”) is unpacked to show tension between respect for tradition and care for animals.
The phrase “does not romanticise the harshness of life” shows a mature understanding of the balance between beauty and survival.
3. Range of ideas and evidence:
This answer discusses setting, survival, the emotional response to the hunt, and the respectful nature of Inughuit culture.
There is a good blend of language analysis (imagery, tone) and content/contextual understanding.
4. Sophisticated expression and vocabulary:
Phrases like “poetic imagery,” “grounded in reality,” and “emotional honesty” show a confident and academic tone.
5. Structure and coherence:
The answer is well-organised, progressing from setting to culture to emotional conflict, ending with a reflective summary.
Mid Marker Sample Answer:
The writer presents her experience of living with the Inughuit people as interesting and emotional. She describes the setting in a beautiful way, saying the light was “butter-gold” and the narwhal spray was a “spectral play of colour.” This shows that she found the landscape very beautiful.
She also talks about the hunt and how important it is. The blubber of the narwhal has “necessary minerals and vitamins,” and it can feed dogs for a long time. This shows that the hunt is not just a tradition but something they need to survive.
When she sees a hunter about to throw a harpoon, she feels nervous for both him and the narwhal. She says her “heart leapt for both hunter and narwhal,” showing she doesn’t know who to support. She says the hunter was “brave” and “could only inspire respect,” but she also wants the narwhal to escape.
At the end, she says the people do not kill animals for sport, and that hunting is a “necessity” in such a remote place. This shows she understands and respects their way of life, even if she has mixed feelings about it.
Overall, the writer uses descriptive language and emotional feelings to present her experience with the Inughuit people in a thoughtful way.
Mid Marker Answer: Why It Scores Around 5–6 Marks:
1. Clear but basic focus on the question:
This answer stays on-topic and mentions the writer’s experiences, but their points are simpler and less developed.
2. Some use of quotations with explanation:
This answer includes quotes like “butter-gold” and “my heart leapt,” and explains what they show.
However, the analysis tends to be literal or surface-level, e.g., “shows she found it beautiful” or “she feels nervous.”
3. Limited depth or precision in analysis:
The answer mentions that the writer “understands and respects their way of life,” but doesn’t explore how that is shown through language.
There’s little discussion of tone or techniques (e.g. metaphor, contrast, narrative voice).
4. Some structure and clarity:
The response is clear and follows a logical order but lacks the fluency or cohesion of a top-level answer.
5. Style and vocabulary are straightforward:
This answer is written clearly but does not use varied or advanced vocabulary, which limits the impact.
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