Exam Knowledge
Which paper contains a fiction extract?
Paper 1
What language technique compares one thing directly to another?
Metaphor
Which question on Paper 1 focuses on structure?
Question 3
What does the word "compare" mean?
To identify similarities and differences between two things.
What does SPaG stand for?
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar.
How many papers are there in the AQA English Language GCSE?
2 papers
What language technique gives human qualities to non-human objects?
Personification
What is a flashback?
A shift back to an earlier event in time.
What should students compare in Paper 2 Question 4?
The writers' viewpoints and perspectives.
Which AQA English Language question asks students to select four true statements or pieces of information?
Paper 1 Question 1
Which Paper 2 question requires students to compare the two sources?
Question 4
In the phrase "the wind whispered through the trees", what techniques are being used?
Personification/ alliteration
Why might a writer suddenly shift focus from a setting to a character?
To draw attention to the character's thoughts, feelings or importance.
Name one comparative connective you could use in a response.
Similarly/ however/ whereas/ in contrast/ likewise.
What is the difference between a writer's viewpoint and a writer's perspective?
A viewpoint is what the writer thinks, while a perspective is the position or experience from which they see the issue.
How many marks is Paper 1 Question 4 worth?
20 marks
Explain the effect of using a rhetorical question.
It makes the reader think about a point and engages them with the writer's ideas.
What effect can a short sentence have after a long descriptive paragraph?
It can create tension, shock, emphasis or dramatic impact.
Why is it important to include quotations from both sources when comparing?
Because comparisons must be supported with evidence from both texts.
Why is analysing the connotations of individual words valuable in Question 2?
It shows a deeper understanding of the writer's choices and helps explain how language creates meaning and effects.
What is the total number of marks available across both papers, including SPaG?
160 marks
Analyse the effect of the metaphor: "The city was a jungle of concrete and chaos."
The metaphor suggests the city is wild, dangerous and difficult to navigate, creating an image of confusion and lack of control.
Explain how a cyclical structure could influence a reader's interpretation of a text.
It creates a sense of completeness and can suggest that events, ideas or problems have come full circle or remain unresolved.
How does comparing writers' perspectives differ from simply comparing what happens in the texts?
It focuses on the writers' attitudes, opinions and feelings, rather than just the events being described.
A student writes: "The writer uses an adjective." Explain why this would be considered a weak analysis and how it could be developed into a Grade 8-9 response.
It only identifies a technique. A Grade 8-9 response would analyse the specific word, explore its connotations, explain its effect on the reader and link it to the writer's purpose. For example: "The adjective 'jagged' suggests danger and unpredictability, creating an unsettling atmosphere that makes the reader feel anxious."