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2022
2022 May/June · Paper 12 · Q16 (a)2 marksCorporate house style
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school. “Paper 42” means Paper 4, variant 2.
Practice questions
Original questions written by HomiLabs in the style of the exam, with answers and mark schemes. They are not
Cambridge past paper questions and have not been reviewed by Cambridge. Try each one before opening the answer.
Q1Corporate house style · Core · Paper 1 style · 5 marks
(a)Describe what is meant by a corporate house style.[2]
(b)Give three items that a corporate house style might specify.[3]
Show answer
(a) A set of rules an organisation uses for all its documents and media, fixing items such as the logo, fonts, font sizes, colour scheme and layout, so that everything it produces looks the same.
1 mark each for any two of: a standard/consistent style for all documents | set by the organisation | specifies fonts/sizes/colours/logo/layout/spacing | so all documents look the same / are recognisable.
(b) The company logo and its position; the font type and sizes for headings and body text; the colour scheme.
1 mark each for any three of: logo (size/position) | font/typeface | font sizes | colour scheme | margins | line spacing | paragraph spacing | text alignment | header/footer contents | page orientation/size | slogan/strapline.
Q2Corporate house style · Core · Paper 1 style · 5 marks
(a)Give three reasons why a company uses a corporate house style.[3]
(b)State the difference between a serif font and a sans-serif font.[2]
Show answer
(a) Documents are consistent, so customers instantly recognise the brand; the company looks professional; staff save time because templates already have the styles set up.
1 mark each for any three of: consistency across all documents | brand identity/recognition | professional image | saves time – templates/styles reused | fewer formatting decisions/errors | easy for new staff to follow | builds customer trust.
(b) A serif font has small extra strokes (serifs) at the ends of the letters; a sans-serif font has no such strokes, giving plain, clean letter ends.
1 mark each: serif has small lines/'feet'/tails on the ends of characters | sans-serif has none.
Q3Corporate house style · Core · Paper 1 style · 2 marks
(a)Tick the TWO statements that are true about corporate house style.[2]
Show answer
(a) B and D.
1 mark each for B and D. Deduct for extra ticks (max 2).
Q4Corporate house style · Core · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
You are told to create a new paragraph style called HL-body with these settings: sans-serif font, 11 point, left aligned, single line spacing, 0 pt space before and 6 pt space after.
(a)Describe how to create this style in a word processor.[3]
(b)State how you would apply the style to all the body text in the document.[1]
(c)Explain why the style name must be typed exactly as given, including the capital letters and hyphen.[1]
Show answer
(a) Open the Styles pane and choose New Style; name it HL-body and set the style type to paragraph; choose a sans-serif font and 11 pt; set alignment to left and, in Paragraph settings, line spacing single, spacing before 0 pt and after 6 pt; save the style.
1 mark: create new style and name it exactly HL-body. 1 mark: font sans-serif 11 pt. 1 mark: paragraph settings – left, single, 0 pt before, 6 pt after.
(b) Select all the body text paragraphs and click HL-body in the styles list.
B1.
(c) A style is identified by its name; a name spelt differently (e.g. HL Body or hl-body) is a different style, so the document would not match the house style and others could not find or apply the correct style.
B1: styles identified by exact name / different spelling = different style, so house style not followed (accuracy).
Q5Corporate house style · Core · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
A house style for a school magazine is:- Title: serif font, 28 pt, bold, centre aligned- Subheading: sans-serif font, 16 pt, italic, left aligned- Body: serif font, 12 pt, fully justified, 1.15 line spacing
(a)A student's title is in a serif font, 28 pt, bold and left aligned. Identify the error and how to correct it.[2]
(b)A subheading appears in a serif font, 16 pt, italic, left aligned. Identify the error.[1]
(c)State the alignment and line spacing for the body text.[2]
Show answer
(a) The title is left aligned instead of centre aligned; apply/modify the Title style so the alignment is centre.
1 mark: error is alignment. 1 mark: change to centre (via style).
(b) The font should be sans-serif, not serif.
B1.
(c) Fully justified; 1.15 line spacing.
1 mark each.
Q6Corporate house style · Core · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
A table in a report must follow this house style: header row in a sans-serif font, 12 pt, bold, white text on a dark grey background, centre aligned; all other cells in 11 pt, left aligned; all borders visible.
(a)List four formatting changes needed for the header row.[4]
(b)State one check to make after formatting the table.[1]
Show answer
(a) Set the font to sans-serif 12 pt; make it bold; set the text colour to white and the cell shading to dark grey; centre align the text.
1 mark each: sans-serif 12 pt | bold | white text + dark grey shading | centre aligned.
(b) Check that all borders are visible on every cell (and that no text has wrapped awkwardly or been cut off).
B1: borders visible | text fits / no unwanted wrapping | body cells 11 pt left aligned | table fits within margins.
Q7Corporate house style · Core · Paper 2 style · 3 marks
(a)For each description, state whether it describes a serif or a sans-serif font.(i) Letters have plain ends with no small strokes.(ii) Letters have small tails or feet at the ends of the strokes.(iii) Often chosen for headings on posters to be read from a distance.[3]
Show answer
(a) (i) sans-serif; (ii) serif; (iii) sans-serif.
1 mark each.
Q8Corporate house style · Core · Paper 2 style · 4 marks
A letter template for an engineering firm in Islamabad must use the house style: logo top left; firm name, address and phone number top right; body text 11 pt sans-serif; margins of 2.5 cm on all sides.
(a)Explain why the firm saves the letter as a template.[2]
(b)State two ways to position the logo top left and the address top right on the same line.[2]
Show answer
(a) Each new letter starts with the logo, header details, styles and margins already set, so staff save time and every letter follows the house style; the original template is not overwritten.
1 mark each for any two of: settings already applied | consistency | saves time | original not overwritten / new file created each time.
(b) Use a two-column table without borders in the header (logo in left cell, address in right cell, right aligned); or insert the logo with square wrapping at the left and right-align the address text.
1 mark each for any two of: borderless table | text wrapping on the image + right aligned text | right tab stop | text box positioned at right.
Q9Corporate house style · Core · Paper 2 style · 4 marks
A document contains two styles: Body-text (serif, 11 pt) and Caption (sans-serif, 9 pt, italic). The house style says every image must have a caption directly below it.
(a)Describe how a student should add a caption under an image so it follows the house style.[2]
(b)State two features of the Caption style that make it different from Body-text.[2]
Show answer
(a) Type the caption text in a new paragraph directly below the image and apply the Caption style to it.
(b) It is sans-serif rather than serif, and it is 9 pt italic rather than 11 pt.
1 mark each: font type | size/italic.
Q10Corporate house style · Core · Paper 2 style · 4 marks
In a leaflet for a bakery in Hyderabad, the house style says the phrase 'freshly baked every morning' must be bold and italic wherever it appears in the body text, and the rest of the body text must have no enhancement.
(a)Name the two text enhancements required for the phrase.[2]
(b)A student makes the whole paragraph containing the phrase bold and italic. Explain why this does not follow the house style.[2]
Show answer
(a) Bold; italic.
1 mark each.
(b) Only the phrase itself should be enhanced; the rest of the body text must be plain, so the paragraph is now inconsistent with the other body text.
1 mark: enhancement applied to too much text. 1 mark: rest of body text must have no enhancement / inconsistent.
Q11Corporate house style · Standard · Paper 1 style · 6 marks
A chain of pharmacies in Pakistan has 60 branches. Each branch manager currently designs their own posters and leaflets.
(a)Explain the benefits to the chain of introducing a corporate house style for all branch posters and leaflets.[4]
(b)Describe two drawbacks of introducing the house style.[2]
Show answer
(a) Customers will recognise any branch's material immediately because it looks the same everywhere, which strengthens the brand; it gives a professional, trustworthy image, important for a health business; managers save time by using ready-made templates with the styles built in; and errors such as wrong logos or colours are reduced.
1 mark each for any four expanded points: brand recognition across all branches | consistent/professional image builds trust | templates save managers' time | less training needed | fewer mistakes with logo/colours | material from head office and branches matches | easier to update all documents when style changes.
(b) It takes time and money to design the style and train all managers to use it; it limits managers' creativity and their ability to adapt posters for local customers.
1 mark each for any two of: cost/time to design and set up templates | staff need training | less creative freedom | may not suit every type of document/local language | existing materials must be redone.
Q12Corporate house style · Standard · Paper 1 style · 6 marks
(a)Explain why using paragraph styles is better than formatting each paragraph by hand.[4]
(b)State two settings that can be stored in a paragraph style.[2]
Show answer
(a) Every paragraph with the same style looks identical, so the document is consistent; if the house style changes, modifying the style updates every paragraph that uses it at once; applying a style in one click is faster than setting font, size, spacing and alignment each time; and heading styles can be used to build an automatic table of contents.
1 mark each for any four of: consistency | changing a style updates all text using it | faster to apply | fewer errors/forgotten settings | can be saved in a template and shared | headings styles allow automatic contents/navigation pane | reduces file editing effort for long documents.
(b) Font size and alignment.
1 mark each for any two of: font/typeface | font size | font colour | bold/italic/underline | alignment | line spacing | space before/after | indentation | bullets/numbering.
Q13Corporate house style · Standard · Paper 1 style · 4 marks
(a)Describe what is meant by each of these text alignments: left aligned, centre aligned, fully justified.[3]
(b)Suggest why a newspaper house style uses fully justified text in columns.[1]
Show answer
(a) Left aligned: each line starts at the left margin and the right edge is uneven (ragged). Centre aligned: each line is centred between the margins. Fully justified: spacing between words is adjusted so lines are straight at both the left and right margins.
1 mark for each correct description.
(b) Straight edges on both sides make narrow columns look neat and tidy and fit more text.
B1: neat/straight edges on both sides / tidy columns / professional appearance.
Q14Corporate house style · Standard · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
A document already uses the style Heading 1 for twelve headings. The house style changes: Heading 1 must now be 20 pt, dark blue, with 18 pt space before and 6 pt space after.
(a)Describe the most efficient way to update all twelve headings.[2]
(b)One heading did not change after the style was modified. Suggest a reason and how to fix it.[2]
(c)State why spacing is set in the style rather than by pressing Enter to add blank lines.[2]
Show answer
(a) Modify the Heading 1 style itself (right-click the style → Modify) and change the size, colour and spacing; every heading using Heading 1 updates automatically.
1 mark: modify the style (not each heading). 1 mark: all headings using that style update automatically.
(b) That heading had manual (direct) formatting applied, or a different style, which overrides the style; select it, clear the direct formatting and reapply Heading 1.
1 mark: direct/manual formatting or wrong style applied. 1 mark: clear formatting and reapply Heading 1.
(c) Blank lines are extra empty paragraphs that give inconsistent gaps and can cause blank pages or poor page breaks; style spacing gives exact, consistent gaps that change automatically if the style is changed.
1 mark each for any two of: consistent exact spacing | no empty paragraphs/unwanted blank lines or pages | spacing updates when the style changes | easier to edit.
Q15Corporate house style · Standard · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
A house style states that the heading style Brand-H1 must have 36 pt space before and 18 pt space after. One point (pt) is 1/72 of an inch, and 1 inch = 2.54 cm.
(a)Calculate the space before in centimetres, correct to 2 decimal places.[2]
(b)Calculate the space after in centimetres, correct to 3 decimal places.[1]
(c)Explain why the house style specifies spacing in points rather than as 'one blank line'.[2]
Show answer
(a) 1.27 cm
M1 36 ÷ 72 = 0.5 inch; A1 × 2.54 = 1.27 cm.
(b) 0.635 cm
B1 18 ÷ 72 × 2.54 = 0.635 cm.
(c) A blank line's height depends on the font size used, so it varies; points are an exact measurement, so every document gets exactly the same spacing.
1 mark each: blank line size varies with font/size | points exact/consistent across documents.
Q16Corporate house style · Standard · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
You have been asked to create a style called Note-bullet based on the body text style. It must use the same font and size as the body text, be indented 1 cm from the left margin, and use a square bullet. Each paragraph must be followed by 3 pt space.
(a)Explain what 'based on the body text style' means and one benefit of this.[2]
(b)List the settings that must be changed in Note-bullet.[3]
Show answer
(a) The new style inherits all the settings of the body text style and only the listed differences are changed; if the body text font or size is later modified, Note-bullet changes automatically too, keeping them consistent.
1 mark: inherits settings from the parent style. 1 mark: changes to the parent automatically carry through.
(b) Left indent 1 cm; square bullet; space after 3 pt.
1 mark each.
Q17Corporate house style · Standard · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
A house style requires every document to have: the company name in the header, left aligned; the page number in the footer, right aligned; the file name and path in the footer, left aligned; all in the same font as the body text.
(a)Explain why the page number and file name should be inserted as automated fields rather than typed.[2]
(b)Describe how to place the file name on the left and the page number on the right of the same footer line.[2]
(c)State why the header and footer must align with the page margins.[1]
Show answer
(a) Fields update automatically, so each page shows its correct number and the file name/path changes if the document is renamed or moved; typed text would be the same on every page and become wrong.
1 mark each: page numbers change automatically on each page | file name/path updates when the file is saved/moved/renamed.
(b) Insert the file name field at the left of the footer, then use the right-aligned tab stop (at the right margin) or press Tab to move to the right and insert the page number field.
1 mark: file name field at left. 1 mark: right tab stop aligned with right margin used for page number.
(c) So that they line up with the body text and look consistent and professional, as the house style requires.
B1.
Q18Corporate house style · Standard · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
A presentation for a cricket academy in Karachi must follow the academy's house style: dark blue background, logo in the bottom right corner of every slide, titles in a white sans-serif font, 40 pt, and slide numbers on every slide except the title slide.
(a)Explain why the logo and colours should be set on the master slide.[2]
(b)Describe how to show slide numbers on every slide except the title slide.[2]
(c)State one setting in the house style that would be hard to read if the background were changed to white.[1]
Show answer
(a) Items on the master slide appear on every slide automatically in exactly the same position, so the house style is consistent and the logo does not have to be added and positioned on each slide.
1 mark each: appears on all slides | consistent position/format | saves time | changes in one place update all slides.
(b) In Header and Footer settings, tick slide number and tick 'Don't show on title slide', then apply to all slides.
1 mark: turn on slide numbers for all slides. 1 mark: option to hide on title slide.
(c) The white title text would be invisible against a white background.
B1.
Q19Corporate house style · Standard · Paper 2 style · 4 marks
A charity's house style says all bulleted lists must use: round bullet, bullet at 0.6 cm, text indented to 1.2 cm, 3 pt space after each item, and the last item followed by 12 pt space.
(a)Explain why the last item is treated differently and how this could be achieved.[2]
(b)A student changes a numbered list into a bulleted list. State two ways the student can check that the list now matches the house style.[2]
Show answer
(a) Extra space after the last item separates the list from the next paragraph; it can be done by modifying the spacing after for the final item only, or by setting the next paragraph's space before.
1 mark: separates the list from following text. 1 mark: set 12 pt after on the last item (or space before next paragraph).
(b) Look at the bullet character and indent markers on the ruler; open the paragraph settings for an item to check the indents and spacing values.
1 mark each for any two of: visual check of bullet shape | ruler indent markers at 0.6/1.2 cm | paragraph dialog values | show formatting/reveal formatting pane | compare with a correct example.
Q20Corporate house style · Standard · Paper 2 style · 3 marks
A student must apply this house style to the title 'Annual Science Fair 2026': sans-serif, 24 pt, bold, centre aligned, all text in capital letters.
(a)State the title exactly as it should appear after formatting.[1]
(b)Explain one advantage of using the 'All caps' font effect rather than retyping the title in capitals.[2]
Show answer
(a) ANNUAL SCIENCE FAIR 2026
B1 exact, including the year and spaces.
(b) The original text and spelling are kept, so there is less risk of typing errors, and if the style changes the text can be shown in normal case without retyping.
1 mark: no retyping so no new errors. 1 mark: effect can be removed/changed in the style.
Q21Corporate house style · Challenge · Paper 1 style · 6 marks
A university in Islamabad publishes a prospectus, a website and slide presentations. Its house style says: logo top right; headings in a sans-serif font, dark green; body text in a serif font, 11 pt, black; all pages have the university name in the footer.
(a)Explain how the university can make sure that staff follow the house style in documents, presentations and web pages.[4]
(b)Discuss whether a serif font or a sans-serif font is more suitable for the body text on the university's website.[2]
Show answer
(a) Provide word-processing templates with the paragraph styles and footer already set up; provide a master slide for presentations containing the logo, fonts and colours; use one external stylesheet (CSS) for all web pages so every page uses the same fonts and colours; and train staff and check documents before they are published.
1 mark each for any four of: document templates with styles | locked/predefined styles | master slide for presentations | external CSS stylesheet for all web pages | style guide document | staff training | proofreading/approval before publication | logo provided as a fixed image file in the templates.
(b) Sans-serif fonts are usually clearer on screens because the plain letter shapes display well at low resolution, whereas serif fonts are traditionally easier to read in long printed text; so the website may use sans-serif body text even though the printed prospectus uses serif, but this breaks consistency with the house style unless the house style allows it.
1 mark: sans-serif clearer on screen / serif better for long printed text. 1 mark: conclusion weighing readability against consistency with the house style.
Q22Corporate house style · Challenge · Paper 1 style · 6 marks
(a)A designer says: 'A house style should use no more than two fonts.' Explain why.[2]
(b)Explain why a house style might specify colours as exact codes (such as #1B5E20) rather than names such as 'dark green'.[2]
(c)Give two reasons why a corporate logo is usually supplied as a file rather than recreated by staff.[2]
Show answer
(a) Too many fonts make a document look cluttered and unprofessional and harder to read; limiting fonts keeps documents consistent and recognisable.
1 mark each for: many fonts look messy/unprofessional/distracting | two fonts (e.g. one for headings, one for body) give consistency/readability/brand identity.
(b) 'Dark green' can be interpreted differently by different people and software, giving many slightly different greens; an exact code gives exactly the same colour in every document, slide and web page, protecting brand consistency.
1 mark: names are vague/different shades. 1 mark: code gives an identical colour everywhere / consistency of brand.
(c) Recreated logos would vary in shape, proportion and colour; supplying a fixed file ensures every document shows the identical, correctly proportioned logo and saves staff time.
1 mark each for any two of: consistency | correct colours/proportions | prevents distortion | saves time | protects trademark/brand.
Q23Corporate house style · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
A company's house style for newsletters states: A4 portrait page 21.0 cm wide; left and right margins 2.0 cm each; body text in two equal columns with 1.0 cm spacing between them.
(a)Calculate the width of each column.[2]
(b)The title of the newsletter must stretch across the full page width above the two columns. Describe how this is done.[2]
(c)The left margin is changed to 2.5 cm but the right margin stays at 2.0 cm. Calculate the new column width.[1]
(b) Keep the title in a single column and insert a continuous section break after it; set the section below the break to two columns, so the title section stays one column wide.
1 mark: continuous section break after the title. 1 mark: two columns applied only to the section after the break.
(c) 7.75 cm
B1 (21.0 − 2.5 − 2.0 − 1.0) ÷ 2 = 7.75 cm.
Q24Corporate house style · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
Part of a corporate style sheet for a travel company in Lahore is:TT-Title: sans-serif, 26 pt, bold, centre, 0 pt before, 12 pt afterTT-Sub: sans-serif, 14 pt, bold, italic, left, 12 pt before, 6 pt afterTT-Body: serif, 11 pt, fully justified, 0 pt before, 6 pt after, single spacingA student's document shows:Paragraph 1 (TT-Title): sans-serif, 26 pt, bold, centre, 12 pt before, 12 pt afterParagraph 2 (TT-Sub): sans-serif, 14 pt, bold, left, 12 pt before, 6 pt afterParagraph 3 (TT-Body): serif, 11 pt, left aligned, 0 pt before, 6 pt after, single spacing
(a)Identify the three errors in the student's document.[3]
(b)Explain why the student should correct these errors by modifying the styles rather than the individual paragraphs.[2]
Show answer
(a) TT-Title has 12 pt space before instead of 0 pt; TT-Sub is not italic; TT-Body is left aligned instead of fully justified.
1 mark each.
(b) Every paragraph that uses the style is then corrected at once, and any paragraphs added later automatically have the correct settings, keeping the whole document consistent.
1 mark each: all paragraphs with that style fixed together | future text consistent / no direct formatting overrides.
Q25Corporate house style · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
A student is told: 'Create a style called Quote-box: serif, 12 pt, italic, centre aligned, 1 cm indent from both left and right margins, a 1 pt black border around the paragraph, 6 pt space before and after. Apply this style to the paragraph beginning "Our mission".'
(a)List the settings that are paragraph settings and those that are font (character) settings.[4]
(b)After applying the style, the border appears around two paragraphs. Explain the likely cause.[2]
Show answer
(a) Font settings: serif, 12 pt, italic. Paragraph settings: centre alignment, 1 cm left and right indents, 1 pt black border, 6 pt space before and after.
2 marks for all font settings correctly listed (1 mark if one wrong/missing); 2 marks for all paragraph settings (1 mark if one wrong/missing).
(b) The student selected (or placed the cursor across) two paragraphs when applying the style, or the next paragraph's style is also Quote-box because 'style for following paragraph' was set to Quote-box; borders on adjacent paragraphs with identical settings merge into one box.
1 mark: two paragraphs selected / following paragraph also uses the style. 1 mark: identical adjacent bordered paragraphs are joined in one box.
Q26Corporate house style · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
A long report (60 pages) for a water research institute uses the styles Report-H1, Report-H2 and Report-body. The director asks for a table of contents and wants all Report-H2 headings to start on a new page.
(a)Explain how the heading styles make it possible to create the table of contents automatically.[2]
(b)Describe the most efficient way to make every Report-H2 heading start on a new page.[2]
(c)Give two settings in the heading styles that help avoid a heading being left alone at the bottom of a page.[2]
Show answer
(a) The table of contents tool finds every paragraph using the heading styles (set as outline levels 1 and 2) and lists them with their page numbers; it can be updated if headings or pages change.
1 mark: TOC built from paragraphs with heading styles/outline levels. 1 mark: page numbers added automatically / can be updated.
(b) Modify the Report-H2 style and turn on 'page break before' in its line and page break settings; every Report-H2 heading then moves to the top of a new page.
1 mark: modify the style (not insert breaks manually). 1 mark: page break before option.
(c) 'Keep with next' so the heading stays on the same page as the following paragraph; 'keep lines together' so a multi-line heading is not split.
1 mark each: keep with next | keep lines together (accept widow/orphan control).
Q27Corporate house style · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 4 marks
A company's corporate colours are dark red (red 139, green 0, blue 0) and gold (red 255, green 204, blue 0). Its house style also requires all body text to be dark grey (red 64, green 64, blue 64).
(a)Convert each colour to a six-digit hexadecimal colour code.[3]
(b)Explain why dark grey body text on a white page is still readable.[1]
Show answer
(a) Dark red #8B0000; gold #FFCC00; dark grey #404040.
(b) There is a strong contrast between the dark grey text and the white background.
B1.
Q28Corporate house style · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
A 40-page annual report for a textile company in Faisalabad mentions the company name 'Indus Weave' 85 times. The new house style says the company name must always appear in bold, dark green, small capitals, but the surrounding text must keep its own paragraph style.
(a)Explain why a character style is more suitable than a paragraph style for this requirement.[2]
(b)Describe an efficient way to apply the style to all 85 occurrences.[2]
(c)Explain one risk of using Replace All and how to reduce it.[2]
Show answer
(a) A character style applies only to the selected words, so the paragraph keeps its own style (spacing, alignment, font for other text); a paragraph style would change the whole paragraph.
1 mark: character style affects only selected text. 1 mark: paragraph style would reformat the entire paragraph.
(b) Create a character style (e.g. Company-name) and use Find and Replace: find 'Indus Weave', replace with the same text but with the Company-name style as replacement formatting, then Replace All.
1 mark: Find and Replace (Replace All). 1 mark: replacement formatting set to the character style.
(c) It may change text that should not be changed, for example the name inside a quotation or a web address; review the changes afterwards (or use Find Next and replace one at a time / match case).
1 mark: unintended replacements. 1 mark: proofread / match case / whole words / check each one.
Q29Corporate house style · Challenge · Paper 1 style · 6 marks
An international aid organisation has offices in Pakistan, Jordan and Kenya. Documents are written in English, Urdu and Arabic. Head office wants one corporate house style for all offices.
(a)Discuss the issues the organisation should consider when designing a single house style for all three offices.[6]
Show answer
(a) The chosen fonts must support Urdu and Arabic script as well as English, so a font family with matching scripts is needed; Urdu and Arabic are written right to left, so alignment, page layout and logo position rules must work in mirrored form; font sizes may need adjusting because some scripts appear smaller at the same point size; colours and images must be culturally acceptable in each country; templates and styles must be shared with every office and staff trained. Benefits: a consistent, recognisable brand worldwide. Conclusion: one house style with language-specific variations defined in it.
Up to 5 marks for issues/benefits, 1 mark for reasoned conclusion. Points: fonts must support all scripts | right-to-left text affects alignment/layout/indents | logo placement in mirrored layouts | relative font sizes differ between scripts | cultural meaning of colours/images | templates must be distributed and kept up to date | training and checking in each office | benefit – global brand consistency.
Q30Corporate house style · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
A house style for exam revision booklets states: 'No widows or orphans; no blank pages; each section heading must be on the same page as the paragraph that follows it.'
(a)Explain what is meant by a widow and an orphan in a document.[2]
(b)Describe how paragraph style settings can be used to meet all three parts of this house style rule.[3]
(c)State how a student could check the whole booklet for these errors before printing.[1]
Show answer
(a) A widow is the last line of a paragraph that appears on its own at the top of a new page (or column); an orphan is the first line of a paragraph left on its own at the bottom of a page (or column).
1 mark each.
(b) Turn on widow/orphan control in the body text style so single lines are never left alone; turn on 'keep with next' in the heading styles so each heading moves to the page of the next paragraph; use page breaks only where required (or page break before in a style) and remove empty paragraphs so no blank pages are created.
1 mark: widow/orphan control. 1 mark: keep with next on headings. 1 mark: remove extra blank paragraphs/unneeded page breaks to avoid blank pages.
(c) Use print preview (multi-page view) and look at the top and bottom of every page.
B1: print preview / proofread each page / show formatting marks to find empty paragraphs.
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No subtopic in this topic has appeared in more than one session yet.
Subtopics
Our analysis of how often each subtopic was examined and how many marks it carried, 2022 to May/June 2026.
