May 2025 Paper 2: Sample Response 3 (Question 2)
This week, we are adding to our Paper 2 sample responses. It scores really well and is a great model example for you to use in your classroom. Is there room for improvement? Of course! More comparing and/or contrasting is absolutely needed. And we know this is one of the hardest things for students to do at length in this assessment task.
In two weeks, we will be publishing another Paper 2 (sample response 4) which does not score as well. The idea here is that we want to provide you and your students with essays that score at a variety of levels - since we teach students at various levels! We also want to help students see the difference between adequate or satisfactory writing versus very good or excellent writing.
Please remember that the May 2025 Paper 2 has officially been marked using assessment criteria totaling 30 overall points. For May 2026 exams and beyond, the IB has slightly altered the criteria and the total number of points allocated.
As always, use what works for you, in your context, with your particular students and modify anything you need to change.
Best,
Tim and David