got top marks/got a top mark

[Winwin2011]

A: How did Cissie's ballet exam go today?
B: Oh it went very well. All her group passed and Cassie got top marks.

Why did they use 'Cassie got top marks' not 'Cassie got a top mark' because I suppose Cassie's mark in ballet exam is 90?


Thank you.

[Rover_KE]

You suppose correctly, Winwin.

Rover

[5jj]

I think that "Cassie got top marks" is ambiguous. It could mean either shat she got a higher mark than anybody else in the class, or that she was awarded the highest mark possible.

I don't think that 'a top mark' is natural English. 'A good mark' and 'good marks' are both possible. They may have very similar meanings, though the singular form could imply 'a good overall mark/grade/' and the plural 'a good mark in each section of the paper'.

[Winwin2011]

I think that "Cassie got top marks" is ambiguous. It could mean either shat she got a higher mark than anybody else in the class, or that she was awarded the highest mark possible.

I don't think that 'a top mark' is natural English. 'A good mark' and 'good marks' are both possible. They may have very similar meanings, though the singular form could imply 'a good overall mark/grade/' and the plural 'a good mark in each section of the paper'.

Thanks a lot, Moderator 5jj.

Can you further explain the meaning of ' the plural 'a good mark in each section of the paper' please?

If Cassie placed 1st in the examination, do we use 'Cassie got a good mark'?

Thanks.

[5jj]

Can you further explain the meaning of ' the plural 'a good mark in each section of the paper' please?
... the singular form could imply 'a good overall mark/grade/' and the plural (could imply) 'a good mark in each section of the paper'.

If Cassie was placed/came 1st in the examination, do we use 'Cassie got a good mark'?
She could have come first with a poor mark, if the others got even worse marks. She got the highest/best mark(s).

5

[Winwin2011]

5

Thanks again Moderator 5jj.

Other than 'If Cassie was placed/came 1st in the examination', can we say ''If Cassie has placed/come 1st in the examination'?