GCSE English Language

You complete two qualifications in English – a GCSE in English Language, and a GCSE in English Literature. Each qualification consists of two papers, which are not tiered, meaning that everyone sits the same papers. The exam board is AQA. 

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English Language Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing

Section A: You will be given one extract from a fiction text, which you must read carefully, and then answer the 4 questions (list 4 things, language analysis, structure analysis, evaluation). 

Section B: You will be given a choice between two creative writing tasks, asking you to write a narrative (story) or descriptive piece of writing. 

The exam is 1 hour 45 minutes. You should spend 1 hour on Section A, and 45 minutes on Section B.

English Language Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives 

Section A: You will be given two non-fiction texts about the same theme or topic, which you must read carefully, and then answer the 4 questions that follow  (select the 4 true statements, summarise the differences, language analysis, comparison of perspectives). 

Section B: You will be given a statement and you must complete a piece of non-fiction writing presenting a viewpoint on the statement. 

The exam is 1 hour 45 minutes. You should spend 1 hour on Section A, and 45 minutes on Section B.