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English Language
The syllabus for GCSE English Language is AQA 3701 (syllabus B). Click here
to view mark schemes and past papers on the AQA website.
Click here
to go to the AQA past examination papers and mark schemes page
PAPER 1
3 questions, no choice. You must do all 3.
1 hr 40 mins
Question 1
• Only spend 30 minutes.
• Question will refer to pre-release booklet – the media/internet
articles about Mars (you’ll be given an un-annotated copy in the exam).
• Read the question closely, underline the main things you have to do
including which articles you need to refer to.
• Quote from the articles you are asked to write about. Highlight the
key bits in each article eg main focus, use statistics, direct speech, imagery,
descriptive language, technical/subject specific language, use photographs/diagrams/charts,
reference to experts.
• DON’T TRY FOR TOO MUCH DETAIL. MAKE A VARIETY OF POINTS REFERRING
TO ALL ARTICLES YOU’RE ASKED TO, COVERING POINTS GIVEN IN QUESTION.
Question 2
• Only spend 30 minutes.
• UNSEEN NON-FICTION TEXT
• You need to read the text (quickly)
• Read question carefully, highlighting key words. There should be bullet
point directions.
• Highlight key areas of the text that relate to the bullet points eg
powerful vocabulary, imagery, words that sum up the main focus of the text.
• DON’T WASTE TOO MUCH TIME ON ONE BULLET POINT. YOU MUST WRITE
IN RESPONSE TO ALL BULLET POINTS
Question 3
• Spend 40 minutes – this question is worth twice the marks awarded
to the other 2!
• ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE
• Read the question carefully. Highlight the key words. Are you being
asked to focus on PERSUADING, ARGUING or ADVISING? OR A MIX OF THEM?
• BE AWARE OF AUDIENCE- your writing style should be appropriate for who
you’ve been told to write for.
• Think about what you’ve been asked to write eg a speech should
show audience awareness, a letter should be written to someone. Should you write
FORMALLY/INFORMALLY, PERSONALLY/IMPERSONALLY?
• Jot down briefly the key points you want to make – aim for a variety
• Think about techniques you need to use
- PERSUASIVE: assertion, rhetorical questions, slogan/snappy phrase, involve
audience, use YOU, WE, rule of 3, statistics (make them up although keep them
realistic), examples (make them up but you can pretend they’re personal)
repetition, alliteration, emotive language.
- ARGUE: similar techniques to persuade, remember make variety points, use counter
argument eg mention other points of view then stress why yours is better, explaining
why.
-ADVISE: give variety advice, ensure writing is clear and easy to follow. Give
examples.
• MAKE SURE THAT WHAT YOU WRITE IS RELEVANT
• YOU WILL BE MARKED ON HOW WELL YOU WRITE: SPELLING, PARAGRAPHING (use
bullet points to help you with paragraphing), PUNCTUATION.
• MAKE A FEW MINUTES TO CHECK THROUGH WORK.
TIMING IS REALLY IMPORTANT WITH THESE QUESTIONS. YOU MUST FOLLOW THE TIME GUIDELINE.
GO BACK TO A QUESTION IF THERE IS TIME.
READ THE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. TRY TO DO WHAT THE QUESTION TELLS YOU TO DO.
THE EXAM PAPER IS YOURS - HIGHLIGHT IT WHERE IT’S USEFUL. BUT DON’T
DOODLE.
PAPER 2
2 questions – you have to do both questions
45 minutes each
Question 1
• POETRY – you need to compare a poem you haven’t done before
with one from the pre-release booklet. You’ll be given un-annotated poems
in the exam.
• You will be asked to compare what the poems are about, how they’re
written – techniques used.
• Read the question carefully. Highlight key words.
• Read both poems carefully – highlight key words/techniques eg
imagery, alliteration, repetition, rhyme, rhythm, structure.
• Both poems are from different cultures. Highlight CULTURAL references.
• You should focus more on the poem you haven’t seen before.
• Use COMPARATIVE CONNECTIVES eg whereas, however, on the other hand,
similarly.
Question 2
• ANALYSE, REVIEW, COMMENT.
• Read question carefully. Highlight key words.
• Take AUDIENCE into account. Who have you been asked to write for? Teenagers,
parents of friends …audience will tell you how FORMAL/INFORMAL, PERSONAL/IMPERSONAL.
• CHECK what kind of writing you’ve been asked to do eg magazine
article.
• Jot down what you want to write/MAKE A PLAN
• ANALYSE – USUALLY FORMAL – focus normally on both sides
of an argument. Use comparative connectives eg whereas, however, on one hand,
on the other hand, in contrast to. Plan in 2 columns fors and againsts. Balance
one column up against another.
• MAKE SURE THAT WHAT YOU WRITE IS RELEVANT
• YOU WILL BE MARKED ON HOW WELL YOU WRITE: SPELLING, PARAGRAPHING (use
bullet points to help you with paragraphing), PUNCTUATION.
• MAKE A FEW MINUTES TO CHECK THROUGH WORK
English Literature
The syllabus for GCSE English Literature is AQA 3711 (syllabus B). Click here
to view mark schemes and past papers on the AQA website.
Click here
to go to the AQA past examination papers and mark schemes page
The exam is 2 hrs 15 minutes. This includes 15 minutes recommended reading time. It is
a good idea to use this time to read through the questions, make your choice
and start planning your answers. You should then spend an equal amount of time
on each question – about 40 mins as each question is worth the same number
of marks.
You are expected to answer three questions, one on each of three texts: one
drama ‘An Inspector Calls’, one prose (‘Lord of the Flies’
or ‘Of Mice and Men’, depending on your set), one poetry ‘Best
Words’ (pre-1914 section).
Remember – there are two sections of ‘Best Words’. Make sure
you choose the right section, Pre-1914 - only use poems that you have studied
in class in your answer.
You will have a choice of questions on this paper but remember to answer only
one question on each of your set texts.
Do not be tempted to answer a question on a text that you have studied for
coursework.
You will have studied all of your set texts and may have annotated them in
class. You do not need to bring those texts with you to the exam, as you will
be issued with clean copies to refer to on the day.
To help you to prepare for this paper, you should:
• Re-read each text carefully
• Refer to the notes that you have made, the tables you have completed
or the character studies that you have prepared.
• Read through any notes you made in exercise books.
• Make sure that you understand which chapters, scenes or poems the notes
refer to.
• Re-read any timed essays or past papers that you have practised.
If you have seen a video or DVD of any of your set texts, remember that they
are not always strictly accurate and you must write about events as they have
occurred in the text and not what you have watched on screen.
** REMEMBER TO USE QUOTATIONS IN EVERY ANSWER.**
   
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