There are essentially 5 reading questions as Q1 has two parts. You are being tested on your reading, not your writing skills. However, it’s a good idea to write clearly and accurately.
•Use PEE for questions 1b and 2
•Use keywords from the question in your answers
•Use connectives to structure your answers: firstly, secondly, in addition, moreover.
•Use connectives to compare and contrast
Contrast (different)
…unlike…
…whereas…
…in other words…
…on the other hand…
…alternatively…
…instead…
Compare (similar)
…equally…
…in the same way…
…similarly…
…likewise…
…as with…

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This question offers the easiest 4 marks in the entire paper!
Make sure you get all of them.
4 marks (6 mins)

• Use PEE
• Use inference (explain what you think)
• Repeat key word in the question in your answer.
Recent exam papers have been: feelings, what you learn, interesting or surprising
• Use three examples only
Say a lot about a little!
4 marks (6 mins)

(same skills as 1b but longer)
• Use PEE
• Develop inference (explain what you think)
• Repeat key word in the question in your answer.
Recent exam papers have been: problems, what do you learn?
• Use 4 - 5 examples only
Say a lot about a little!
8 marks (12 mins)

• Focus on language, not content
• Comment on the effect of the language
• Use correct terms if you know them (imperative, declarative, rhetorical, pronoun, etc)
• Relate examples to key words in the question.
If the question asks for two particular uses of language, say inform and advise, use examples of both.
• Use 4 - 5 examples
Say a lot about a little!
12 marks (18 mins)

• Choose 3 presentational features used in both texts and compare them.
• Describe the feature clearly, using correct terms.
• Analyse and describe what’s happening in the pictures.
• Make a developed comment on the feature’s effect in that particular text.
• Go for the obvious: images, graphics, titles, colour, font, logo.
Say a lot about a little!
12 marks (18 mins)

There are two writing questions. You will be marked on the composition, structure, sentence variation, punctuation and spelling.
Past papers:
Jun 2011: travel website text, magazine article
Jun 2012: radio script, letter
Jan 2012: letter, magazine article
Nov 2012: article, speech

(Inform, Describe, Explain)
• Be clear about purpose and audience
• Write at least a page of your answer book
• Include features of the correct type of writing
• Use clearly structured paragraphs with topic sentences
• Vary sentences for effect
• Use interesting, appropriate vocabulary
• Spell and punctuate accurately
16 marks (24 mins)

(argue, persuade)
• Be clear about purpose and audience
• Write at least a page of your answer book
• Include features of the correct type of writing
• Use clearly structured paragraphs with topic sentences
• Vary sentences for effect
• Use interesting, appropriate vocabulary
• Spell and punctuate accurately
24 marks (36 mins)

Finally… your chance to squeeze in a few more marks!
Section B - Writing
• Check punctuation (particularly capital letters!) throughout.
• Check you have used topic sentences and varied sentences.
• Check spelling.
Section A - Reading
• Check you have answered 1a correctly. Don’t miss out on these easy marks!
• Check you have used quotations.
• Check inferences.