GCSE

ENGLISH
LANGUAGE PAPERS
1&2
~

REVISION
GUIDE
 You will have two English Language exams.
Here’s a summary of what you have to do in each paper.

Language Paper 1
Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

Section A: Reading
Q1: List four things (5 mins)
 These ‘things’ may be explicit (obvious) or implicit (hidden, hinted at)

Q2: How does the writer’s use of language… (10 mins)

 Focus on a given section within the extract.
 Comment on the writer’s methods, explaining how they want to make
the reader Feel, Imagine or Think (F.I.T.)

Q3: How does the writer use structure (15 mins)

 Focus the whole source.
 Look at character, setting and atmosphere. How do they change from
the beginning, to the middle, to the end?
 What is the writer trying to achieve through these changes?

Q4:To what extent do you agree? (20 mins)

 Focus on given section of the extract.
 Prove / explain / demonstrate why someone would say this about the
extract (Remember! The question begins with a comment by someone
who has read the extract).
 You could think about how the writer has used language / structure /
tone / implicit and explicit meaning.

Section B: Writing
Q5: Descriptive / narrative writing (50 mins: 5 mins planning + 40
mins writing + 5 mins checking)
 Write a description / narrative using the picture as your stimulus.
 Language Paper 2
Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives

Section A: Reading

Q1: True / False statements (5 mins)

 Shade in the four correct statements

Q2: Write a summary... (10 mins)

 Compare the sources, summarising the explicit and implicit ideas

Q3: How does the writer use language (15 mins)

 Focus on one source.
 Comment on the writer’s methods, explaining how they want to make
the reader Feel, Imagine or Think (F.I.T.)

Q4: Compare different perspectives / viewpoints (20 mins)

 How do their viewpoints / perspectives compare / contrast? Why?
 What methods do the writers use to convey their viewpoint /
perspective?
 What implicit viewpoints / perspectives are there?

Section B: Writing
Q5: Write about your own views (50 mins: 5 mins planning + 40mins
writing + 5 mins checking)
 You will be asked to write your own views on a given subject.
 You will have to express your views in the form of a newspaper
article, a speech, a letter, or another genre.

Be sure that you...

 know the difference between the two papers
 know the timings for each question
 Language Paper 1:
Explorations in Creative
Reading and Writing
~
1 Hour 45 Minutes
80 Marks
 Language Paper 1

Q1: List four things (5 mins)

How to respond
 You are given a section from the text. Read it.
 The ‘thing’s you are looking for may be explicit (obvious) or implicit
(hidden, hinted at)
 You have to list four things you learn about it based on a given subject.
 You should write your response in very short sentences.

It was cold and grey

It was windy

The weather had changed overnight

The air was clammy and cold

Top Tips

 No need to look at writers’ methods

 No need for complicated answers
 Keep your answers short and to the point
 Do not spend more than five minutes on this question
 Language Paper 1

Q2: How does the writer’s use of language… (10 mins)

How to respond
 Focus on the question and the given section of text
 Identify words and phrases relevant to the question then ask:
 what techniques has the writer used?
 what is the writer trying to get the reader to Feel, Imagine or
Think (F.I.T.) and why?

Top Tips

 Follow the question

guidance. Do as it
says.
 Begin all paragraphs
with ‘The writer...
 You must use
quotes from the
extract
 Identify the specific
literary tech-
niques, where pos-
sible
 Write a lot about
One way in which the writer uses language to describe the
a little. Focus on
effects of the weather is through the simile
four good uses of
language / tech-
“the coach trembled and swayed...like a drunken
niques and write
man.” The simile suggests to the weather is
about them in-depth
making the coach difficult to control. Indeed,
 In your analysis,
the simile also hints at a level of unpredictability talk about ‘the
which could imply that the weather is dangerous. reader’
 Language Paper 1

Q3: How does the writer structure the text... (15 mins)

How to respond
 Read the whole source
 Look for key moments of change in the text
 Look at character, setting and atmosphere. How do they change from
the beginning, to the middle, to the end?
 What impact is the writer trying to achieve through these changes?

The writer begins by focusing the reader’s attention on the ‘cold grey...

granite sky’ and ‘mizzling rain’. The writer is creating a gloomy

atmosphere from the start of the novel. This could create tension

as poor weather in novels often suggests that bad things are going to

happen. The bad weather continues throughout the extract and

Is used to explore the characters’ reactions to it. However, it reinforces

the sense of foreboding for the reader so as to gain their interest.

Top Tips
 You do not need to study language - instead you look at how the text is organised.
 At the very least, look at the sequence of events, changes in narrative perspective
and shifts in focus.
 You may also look for patterns, contrasts, repetition and motifs.
 Language Paper 1

Q4: To what extent do you agree? (20 mins)

How to respond
 Focus on given section of the extract.
 Read the quote given in the question—prove / explain / demonstrate
why someone would say this about the extract.
 You could think about how the writer has used language / structure /
tone / implicit and explicit meaning.

I agree with the quotation. The writer brings the different

characters to life by showing how they contrast. The ‘old

man’s reactions to the journey are sharply at odds with

the ‘jovial red-faced woman’ and her ‘sympathy’. Containing

these opposing characters in a confined space heightens

tension , but convincingly portrays how varied people are

in their attitudes, which adds a sense of realism. Perhaps this

is method used to make the reader feel like they are there.

Top Tips
 Agree with the quote in the question—do not disagree.
 Use the question guidance to help you.
 You use the same skills in this question as you did in questions 1 to 3. So consider
how the writer uses explicit/implicit meaning, language and structure .
 Think about the writer’s intention—what are they try to get the writer to Feel, Imag-
ine or Think (F.I.T.) and how? Are they effective?
 Language Paper 1

Q5: Write a description / narrative

50 mins: 5 mins planning + 40 mins writing + 5 mins checking

How to respond
 Choose which question you wish respond to. Do not do both.
 Read the instructions carefully for your chosen question.
 Spend 5 minutes planning how you will respond. Write this in your an-
swer booklet as a list, spider diagram or whatever you choose.
 Spend 40 minutes writing carefully in paragraphs
 Spend 5 minutes checking spelling, punctuation and grammar and that
your work makes sense.

Top Tips
 You are rewarded
for engaging and
careful work. So
write in an exciting
manner and with
accurate SPaG.
 Use a range of liter-
ary techniques for
effect.
 Planning will ensure
your work makes
sense; checking will
ensure you don’t
make mistakes. So
use your time well.
 Language Paper 2:
Writers’ Viewpoints and
Perspectives
~
1 Hour 45 Minutes
80 Marks
 Language Paper 2

Q1: True / False statements (5 mins)

These statements may be explicit (obvious) or implicit (hidden, hinted at)

How to respond
 You are given a section from an extract of text. Read it.
 Shade in the four boxes which you think give correct statements

Top Tips

 Focus on the lines given in the instructions.

 Spend no more than 5 minutes on this question as it is worth the fewest
marks.
 If you shade in the wrong box, draw a circle around it and cross it with an
‘X’
 Language Paper 2

Q2: Write a summary... (10 mins)

Compare the sources, summarising the explicit and implicit ideas
The question could ask you to compare difference or similarities

How to respond
 Skim read all of both sources for information in response to the ques-
tion
 Find points of similarity / difference, depending upon the question’s
demands.
 Using quotations to support you, explain what you think can be inferred
from the similarities / differences.

In source A, the writer suggests that one thing to see are acts such as

“Coldplay, Elvis Costello and the American rock band The Killers”.

which suggests Glastonbury is a popular and well funded festival.

However, in lines 1 to 13 of Source B, Dickens presents a comprehensive list

of things to see, with the intention of giving an overwhelming sense of

the occasion, suggesting that quality may be compromised by quantity.

Top Tips
 Remember this exam looks at writers’ viewpoints and perspectives. So,
think about what you can infer (work out) about the writers’ opinions on
a subject.
 Use quotes to back up your findings.
 You do not need to look at writer’s methods or techniques.
 Language Paper 2

Q3: How does the writer use language (15 mins)

How to respond
 Refer to the given section of one source.
 Comment on the writer’s methods, explaining how they want to
make the reader Feel, Imagine or Think (F.I.T.)
 Aim to write about 4 methods in detail

One way in which Dickens make the reader feel part of the fair is

by using language that appeals to the sense of sound. Words such as

‘screams’, ‘shouts’, ‘clanging’, ‘firing’ , ‘bellowing’ all convey

the impression of the intense level of noise. Furthermore, this

Listing of sounds has the cumulative effect of suggesting

that it is quite overwhelming. Perhaps Dickens may be indicating

that the experience is a mixture of pleasure and discomfort. In

either case, this aids the reader in feeling a part of the fair.

Top Tips
 Begin all paragraphs with ‘The writer...
 You must use quotes from the extract
 Identify the specific literary techniques, where possible
 Write a lot about a little. Focus on four good uses of language / tech-
niques and write about them in-depth
 In your analysis, talk about ‘the reader’
 Language Paper 2

Q4: Compare different perspectives / viewpoints (20 mins)

How to respond
 Ask ‘How do the writers get you to see their points of view?’
 What mood / impression are they trying to convey? How do you know?
 How do the writers use techniques to show their point of view?
 Aim to write about 4 to 5 well analysed points.

The writer of source A has a negative impression of Glastonbury, at least

at the start of his article. Dickens, however, seems to be enthusiastic about

Greenwich Fair throughout. The title of source A ‘Are we having fun yet?’

is a rhetorical question suggesting irony, an idea reinforced by the

the picture of a person standing in a large muddy pool of water,

which is not an image of fun. Source B, however is called

‘Dickens lets his hair down’ which indicates a carefree

attitude at odds with that in Source A.

Top Tips
 Remember that viewpoints and perspectives are sometimes implicit (hidden, hinted
at) or explicit (obvious).
 Use words of comparison / contrast such as ‘However’, ‘By contrast’, ‘Similarly’ etc
 Use sentence stems like ‘The writer is trying to convey…’ or ‘The writer presents..’.’
 Remember! How do they use literary techniques to make you see their view?
 Language Paper 2

Q5: Write about your own views

(50 mins: 5 mins planning + 40 mins writing + 5 mins checking)

How to respond
 You will be asked to write your own views on a given subject.
 You will have to express your views in the form of a newspaper article,
a speech, a letter, or another genre.

108 High Street

Anytown

AB1 23C

Dear Editor

The idea that ‘festivals should be banned’ and that ‘they

‘encourage bad behaviour’ is quite absurd. Far from being

‘disruptive’, they are occasions which members of the community

look forward to. I believe that it is possible to obtain a balance between….

Top Tips
 Focus on what the question asks you to do
 Be sure that you are writing in the correct form (letter, article, speech, blog)
 Plan your answer so you know what you are going to write
 Check your answer to avoid errors in SPaG
 Make your writing formal, but lively and interesting. Use literary techniques.
 Be sure that you express your point of view clearly and back it up with good reasons.
 You do not have to believe what you say. Just be interesting.
 Language Paper 1
Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

Section A: Reading
Q1: List four things (5 mins)
 These ‘things’ may be explicit (obvious) or implicit (hidden, hinted at)

Q2: Analyse language (10 mins)

 Write about words, phrases and literary techniques

Q3: How does the writer use structure (15 mins)

 Write about how things change from the beginning, to the middle, to the end and why.

Q4: To what extent do you agree? (20 mins)

 Prove / explain / demonstrate the given statement with evidence from the source, examining lan-
guage / structure / tone / implicit and explicit meaning.

Section B: Writing
Q5: Descriptive / narrative writing (50 mins: 5 mins planning + 40 mins writing + 5 mins checking)
 Write a description / narrative using the picture as your stimulus.

Language Paper 2
Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives

Section A: Reading
Q1: True / False statements (5 mins)
 Shade in the four correct statements

Q2: Write a summary... (10 mins)

 Compare the sources, summarising the explicit and implicit ideas

Q3: How does the writer use language (15 mins)

 Comment on the writer’s language and methods, explaining how they want to make the reader Feel,
Imagine or Think (F.I.T.)

Q4: Compare different perspectives / viewpoints (20 mins)

 How do their viewpoints / perspectives compare / contrast? Why?What methods do the writers use
to convey their viewpoint / perspective?

Section B: Writing
Q5: Write about your own views (50 mins: 5 mins planning + 40 mins writing + 5 mins checking)
 You will be asked to write your own views on a given subject.
 You will have to express your views in the form of a newspaper article, a speech, a letter, or another
genre.