Exam Questions ... Language paper 1

Question 1

How many sections are there in paper 1?

Answer 1

Two

Question 2

What are the sections in paper 1?

Answer 2

Sections A and B

Question 3

What is section A about in paper 1?

Answer 3

Reading texts and answering questions on specific parts of it.

Question 4

How many marks I section A worth in paper 1?

Answer 4

40 marks

Question 5

How long should you spend on section A paper 1?

Answer 5

1 hour

Question 6

How many questions are there in section A paper 1?

Answer 6

4

Question 7

What is question 1 about in section A paper 1?

Answer 7

Identifying 4 things from the text’s opening lines.

Question 8

How many marks is question 1 section A paper 1 worth?

Answer 8

4 marks

Question 9

How long should you spend on question 1 section A paper 1?

Answer 9

As little time as possible. A maximum of 5 minutes.

Question 10

How do you answer question 1 section A paper 1?

Answer 10

• Only read the lines identified in the question - DO NOT READ THE ENTIRE EXTRACT.
• Use your own words in your answer - no quotations needed.
• Write in bullet points - don’t waste time writing in full sentences
• NO ANALYSIS.

Question 11

What is question 2 section A paper 1 about?

Answer 11

How the writer uses language to… (different in each question).

Question 12

How many marks is question 2 section A paper 1 worth?

Answer 12

8 marks

Question 13

How long should you spend on question 2 section A paper 1?

Answer 13

15 minutes

Question 14

How do you answer question 2 section A paper 1?

Answer 14

• Only read the lines identified in the question - DO NOT READ THE ENTIRE EXTRACT.
• Do two detailed paragraphs of language analysis (language techniques and word classes).
• Zoom in on the key word and then give an explanation of the effect of the language.
• Embed quotations
• Keep referring back to the question
• Don’t be intimidated by the amount of paper they give you to write on - it is a trick to get you to waste time

Question 15

What is question 3 section A paper 1 about?

Answer 15

How the writer has structured the text to… (different with each question)

Question 16

How many marks is question 3 section A paper 1 worth?

Answer 16

8 marks

Question 17

How long should you spend on question 3 section A paper 1?

Answer 17

15 minutes

Question 18

How do you answer question 3 section A paper 1?

Answer 18

• Ideally write three paragraphs (beginning, middle and end) or two very detailed ones
• Key words: focus, perspective, tone
• Explanation should include how the reader will feel/think
• DO NOT WRITE ABOUT WORDS OR LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
• Move on as soon as the time is up - finish your sentence and turn the page no matter how near to finishing you are
• Do not stress - you can always add more sentences at the end of the test.

Question 19

What is a template answer for question 3 section A paper 1 / important and key points to get high marks?

Answer 19

• At the beginning/middle/end of the extract the focus / tone is … (describe in detail the focus or tone) as “ quotation “.
• Talk about why this may have been/was chosen by the writer - what is its purpose? Then talk about how this effects the reader - how does it provoke them to feel?
• In addition, the perspective / pace / focus / tone is… (describe how it is and why this was chosen by the writer and how it effects the reader.)
• Sentence length and how this makes the reader perceive the events taking place.

Question 20

What are some phrases which could be used to talk about the reader’s response in question 3 section A paper 1?

Answer 20

The reader would:

• Sympathise
• Empathise
• Be intrigued
• Be curious
• Be worried
• Be fascinated
• Be amused
• Be shocked
• Feel angry
• Feel excited
• Feel helpless
• Feel cheated
• Side with the protagonist
• Resent the antagonist
• Sense the danger
• Anticipate the trouble
• Worry about the outcome
• Recognise the dilemma
• Appreciate the twist

Question 21

What are some phrases which could be used to talk about the writer’s intention in question 3 section A paper 1?

Answer 21

The writer is looking to engage the reader so the writer might:

• Provoke fear
• Deliberately mislead
• Withhold information
• Appeal to our compassion
• Manipulate
• Create an impression of
• Construct a scenario
• Paint a picture
• Intimidate
• Stretch the truth
• Speed things up
• Slow things down
• Maintain tension
• Generate suspense
• Frustrate
• Introduce bias
• Lighten the tone
• Darken the mood
• Recap or review

Question 22

What are some structural features you could talk about in question 3 section A paper 1?

Answer 22

• Sentence lengths (varying pace)
• Focus shifts
• Tonal shifts
• Wide / narrow views
• Personal perspectives
• Cyclical structure
• Unresolved endings
• Unexpected surprises
• Interruptions in action
• Flashbacks
• The tense the extract is written in

Question 23

What is question 4 about in section A paper 1?

Answer 23

To what extent do you agree…?

Question 24

How many marks is question 4 section A paper 1 worth?

Answer 24

20 marks

Question 25

How long should you spend on question 4 section A paper 1?

Answer 25

25 minutes

Question 26

How do you answer question 4 section A paper 1?

Answer 26

* Always agree * Include what the bullet points in the question suggest to in your answer. * Write around 3 or 4 detailed paragraphs but let the time dictate how many paragraphs you do - move on even if you have only done 2 or 3 paragraphs at the end of your allocated time. * Every paragraph mention the reader's response * Include a short introduction "I totally agree that I am made to feel ... (what the question says the reader will feel)." * Prove that the statement is right by looking for and discussing language techniques and structural features in the extract. Emotive language and sensory description are key things to talk about if you can. * It is basically question 2 and 3 combined if you agree (proving the statement)

Question 27

What is section B about in paper 1?

Answer 27

Creative writing -> showing off your use of language and structural techniques

Question 28

How many marks is section B paper 1 worth?

Answer 28

40 marks (24 + 16 SPaG)

Question 29

How long should you spend on section B paper 1?

Answer 29

45 minutes (or until the time runs out if you are happy with everything else and are going to skip the last question)

Question 30

How do you get high marks on section B paper 1?

Answer 30

* Do description and don't go into story unless you are doing the story question - you may get 0 marks if they mark harshly. * Use interesting verbs and adjectives * Include language techniques but don't overdo it! * Use a variety of sentence lengths * Use the 5 senses (but don't do one per para or it will get too formulaic) * paragraphs are essential * Check spellings, capital letters and punctuation - don't lose silly marks

Question 31

What should YOU focus on to improve your writing (based on actions)?

Answer 31

* Be more adventurous with paragraphing - one sentence paragraphs would be impactful * Add more sentence variations - don't just do lots of description then add a few short sentences - vary sentences throughout your writing * Be more adventurous with punctuation * Check grammar