The 'How to Revise for English' Series: 2 - What To Expect in the Exam (AQA)
What can I expect in the exam?
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Paper 1 [1 hour 45] |
Paper 2 [1 hour 45] |
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Section A: Reading You should spend 1 hour on this section of the exam, which allows for 15 minutes to read the question paper and the extract(s). |
This exam requires you to read one extract; it will be a part of a fictional text. Across papers 1 and 2, you will have one text each from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. It is likely - but not definite - that the extract from this paper will be from the 20th century. |
This exam requires you to read two non-fiction texts about the same, or a similar, topic. Across papers 1 and 2, you will have one text each from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. It is likely - but not definite - that the extracts from this paper will be from the19th and 21st centuries. |
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Q1 |
You will need to read a specific part of the extract and list 4 pieces of information from the specified lines. You do not need to use quotations. You do not need to make inferences or analyses. You should write in full sentences. [4 marks] |
You will need to read a specific part of one of the texts. You will be provided with 8 statements: 4 will be true and 4 will be false. You will need to check the specified part of the text to see which are true, and shade the boxes next to them. [4 marks] |
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Q2 |
A section of the text will be specified. You will need to read it and annotate it, looking for interesting language features. It is likely that there will be words, phrases and linguistic devices (simile, metaphor, repetition, triple, rhetorical question) aplenty for you to comment on. Do not just write about the first thing you notice - read the whole extract and choose the very best examples of language. You should aim to write 3 PEEWR paragraphs. Your marks mainly come from your ability to explain why the writer is making the language choices they are (what do they help us to understand about the character/setting/plot; how do they add to our understanding of a relationship or event; do they elicit a specific emotional reaction?). The remainder of your marks come from your use of quotations to support your discussion, and your use of subject terminology (noun, verb, simile, etc). [8 marks] |
You will need to think about both texts for this question. You will be asked to focus on a specific topic, and compare this topic across both texts. This text also requires you to summarise, so it requires less detail than most of the exam questions. Your answer should be structured as: -point -quotation -inference You should aim to write 3 PQI paragraphs. [8 marks] |
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Q3 |
For this question, you will need to consider the whole text. If you have boldly chosen not to read the entire text by this point, despite all advice, then make sure you read it all now! It helps to: - note down the key focus of each paragraph; -separate the text into introduction, development and conclusion by drawing lines across the pages to group similar ideas. You will need to say what we focus on and why, and how the focus changes and why. As with Q2, it is imperative that you analyse the writer’s methods - why have they chosen to put events in this order? What does it help us to understand about character/relationships/setting/tone/plot? How would the impact change if the text was in a different order? [8 marks] |
See Paper 1 Q2. [12 marks] |
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Q4 |
Usually this question refers to the second half of the extract, although you will need to read the question carefully to make sure that you are focusing on the appropriate part of the text. You will be given a statement about this part of the text, and you will be asked to what extent you agree with it. You need to focus on answering the question and addressing every part of the statement. You must use quotations. You need to analyse key words and the effects of the writer’s methods in at least as much detail as you did for questions 2 and 3. Aim to write 4 PEEWR paragraphs. [20 marks] |
Again, this question requires you to compare the two texts. You need to focus on the different writer’s attitudes and perspectives. How do they feel differently and portray their ideas about the topic? As with P1Q4, you must use quotations from both texts, and you must analyse the effects of the writers’ methods. Aim to write 4 PEEWR paragraphs. Use comparative connectives. [16 marks] |
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Section B: Writing Q5 You should spend 45 minutes on this section of the exam:
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You will be given the choice of two creative writing tasks. It is likely, but not definite, that one option will require you to write a narrative (story), whilst the other will require you to write a description. It is again likely that you will be provided with an image, a title, or an opening sentence to inspire you writing. You should only answer one of these options. [40 marks: 24 for content and organisation; 16 for spelling, punctuation and grammar] |
You will be given one writing task - no options. You will be required to write a piece of functional writing, such as: an article, a speech, a letter. This piece of writing will require you to form an argument (a series of points that develop a particular point of view, not a balanced discussion). It is expected that this piece of writing will be opinionated. [40 marks: 24 for content and organisation; 16 for spelling, punctuation and grammar] |