AQA English Language: Exam Revision
Toolkit
Course Overview:
In order to achieve the best possible mark in your English Language GCSE, it is imperative
that you are fully aware of the course requirements. In summary these are:
Unit 1: Understanding and producing non-fiction texts:
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External examination – 60% of the total GCSE marks.
2 hours 15 minute exam
80 marks available
Unit 3: Understanding spoken and written texts and writing creatively:
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Controlled Assessment – 40% of the total GCSE marks
80 marks available
o Part a: Extended reading (‘Of Mice and Men’ or the ‘Sunlight on the Grass’
anthology) – 30 marks available
o Part b: Creative writing (two separate pieces of creative writing) – 30 marks
available
o Part c: Spoken Language Study – 20 marks available
You must ensure that you liaise with your teacher regarding your controlled assessment
folder and take active and appropriate measures in ensuring that it is as good as it can
possibly be!
Now that you are aware of what you are assessed on as part of your GCSE, it is important
that you plan to develop the necessary skills to do well in the final exam.
The exam paper explained:
The total amount of time given for the exam is the same regardless of the tier (higher or
foundation). Every student will have 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the paper. All
papers have 80 marks available.
Section A: Reading
In this part of the exam you will be given a series of non-fiction media texts and will be asked
to answer a series of questions based on them. Ensure that you are comfortable with the
following terms and analysing a text to comment on:
Higher Tier:
Question
1
2
3
4
Skills
Select and retrieve information
Presentation
Inference
Language analysis and comparison
Examples of the types of questions you will be asked are attached below:
Marks available
8
8
8
16
Foundation Tier:
Question
1a
1b
2
3
4
Skills
Select and retrieve information
Explain
Inference and deduction
Language analysis
Presentational features and comparison
Marks available
4
4
8
12
12
Examples of the types of questions you will be asked are attached in the next section.
Guidance for revision:
Higher Tier
Question 1:
This question tests your ability to read a text and pull out key information in relation to a
subject laid out in the question. You should:
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Aim to comment on 5-6 quotes from the extract and explain what you learn in relation
to the question.
Avoid using PEEL paragraphs as this will causes the use of unnecessary
connectives and words. You must be concise with your answer to ensure that you
comment on a sufficient amount of the text in the time allocated.
Instead, look to embed quotes in to your answer. Examples are given below.
Example 1: E/D grade response
Example 2: C grade response:
Here is the mark scheme for question 1. Whilst this is only the criteria for Band 4 (the top of
the grade descriptors), the strength to which you demonstrate each of the skills determines
which band you fall in. Basically, the examiner will always mark your ability to demonstrate
the same four key skills.
AO2, i English
AO3, i English Language
Band 4
‘perceptive’
‘detailed’
7 - 8 marks
Skills
raised in the text
Question 2:
This question focusses on your ability to comment on presentational features, or the way a
text is laid out. You should:
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Comment on the features specified in the question
Explain how they are used for effect
Link their use to the main ideas from the rest of the article (how it links in with the
main ideas that you have read about)
You may use PEEL paragraphs for this question
Examples of student responses are given below. Decide which is better and explain why:
Example 1: E/D grade response
Example 2: C grade response
Here is the mark scheme for question 2. The same rules apply as question 1 but it focusses
on different skills:
AO2, i English
AO3, i English Language
Band 4
‘perceptive’
‘detailed’
7 - 8 marks
Skills
the headline is effective
and its effect
mments
Question 3: Infer and deduce
This question assesses your ability to infer information from the text. You need to read
between the lines and demonstrate that you understand what is being implied as well as
specifically mentioned. In this question you will need to:
1. Demonstrate that you understand the literal meaning of the text and understand the
obvious key points (basic).
2. Show that you understand various implied meanings (advanced).
3. Make cross references in the text (bring up another part of the text to support your
current point).
4. Explain the affects achieved on the writer.
5. Support your points with quotes from the text.
As with the first two questions, you will be given two example answers. See if you can
explain why the second one is better than the first:
Example 1: E grade response
Example 2: C grade response
Here’s the relevant mark scheme. Notice that there are some descriptors that are common
across all questions so far:
AO2, i English
AO3, i English Language
Band 4
‘perceptive’
‘detailed’
7 - 8 marks
Skills
feelings expressed
references to support ideas
Question 4: Language analysis and comparison
The final, and most challenging question on Section A of the exam paper tests your ability to
analyse language in two different sources, compare their usage (similarities and differences)
and their effects. In order to answer this question you need to remember that analysing
language is like peeling an onion. On the surface you have the literal, or basic meaning.
Behind that lie several figurative meanings; meanings that are not explicitly obvious. The
main things to remember when answering this question are:
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Demonstrate your ability to pick out certain words or phrases that are used for certain
effects on the reader.
Explain these effects. These should always relate to the question.
Make comments on general language use (level of formality, use of vocabulary,
sentence structure etc).
Make comments on language use at word level. You will need to know your language
features to do this!
Explain the effect on the reader. I’ve included this twice as it is so important. Be
specific when evaluating effects.
Exemplar 1: E grade response
Exemplar 2: C grade response
Here’s the skills descriptors for question 4:
AO2, i English
AO3, i English Language
Band 4
‘perceptive’
‘detailed’
13 - 16 marks
Skills
Offers a full and detailed understanding of the texts in relation to language
Analyses how the writers have used language differently to achieve their
effects
Offers appropriate quotations or references in support of ideas with
perceptive comments
-referencing of language features between
the texts
That concludes Section A of the exam paper (the reading part). The second tutorial will walk
you through the requirements of Section B (the writing part).