Paper 1: How to Answer Question 2 (AQA GCSE English Language)

Revision Note

Nick Redgrove

Written by: Nick Redgrove

Reviewed by: Kate Lee

Each question in Paper 1 Section A (reading) is worth a different number of marks, and you are being tested on specific skills for each. However, your approach to each question should be the same; the only difference is how you write each answer.

This guide will provide you with the information you need to answer Paper 1 Question 2 to a high standard.

Overview of Paper 1 Question 2

Paper 1 Question 2 is the language question. It can also be referred to as the “how” question. You are being tested on your ability to comment on the language choices the writer has made and their effects. It assesses AO2:

AO2

Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views

In Question 2 you will be set a question that asks you to comment on a short extract taken from the source text in Section A. The text will always be a prose text from either the 20th or 21st century. You will be asked to consider how the writer uses language to capture the interest of the reader in the section of text. It is very important that you only form your answer using the lines you are given in the question.

Overview

  • Question 2 is the language question

  • Question 2 is worth 8 marks

  • You should aim to write 2-3 paragraphs

  • You should spend approximately 10 minutes on this question

How to approach Question 2

  • Question 2 will always ask you

    • How does the writer use language here to describe or convey…

  • The question makes clear the focus is to analyse the language within the given lines only

    • For example, in the above example, it is for lines 9-14 only

  • The bullet points underneath the question are there to give you clues about what you might want to consider

    • Remember, these are only prompts and should not be treated as a checklist

    • This means you can be flexible in how to respond and focus on aspects of language you find interesting and are confident in exploring

  • Your answers should be written in paragraphs, and you must use direct quotations from the text to support your points

  • These quotes need to be directly relevant to the focus of the question

  • Higher responses typically focus on the effects of specific word choices, rather than writing about complex language techniques

  • Having a focused approach will help you to structure your response and focus on quality rather than quantity

Here is an example of Question 2:

english-language-aqa-paper1-question2

Examiner Tips and Tricks

It is important to remember that you will not be credited for any points you make that refer to the text outside the given line references in the question. Therefore, you must only use the section that is specified and refer to this continually throughout your response. 

Understanding the wording of the language question

It is important that you understand the wording of each part of the question so that you know how to respond to it accurately. An explanation of each part of the question is explored below:

Question text

Explanation

“Look in detail at this extract, from lines … to … of the source”

This part of the question reminds you to make reference to a specific section of the source

“How does the writer use language to…”

This part of the question asks you to focus on language only

The word “how” invites you to explore the methods used by the writer and the impact of their choices

“You could include the writer’s choice of: words and phrases language features and techniques sentence forms”

 

 

This part of the question will provide you with three bullet points to consider

The bullet points should help to guide your response

These are only prompts and should not be treated as a checklist

Steps to success for the language question

Following these steps will give you a strategy for answering this question effectively:

  1. Grab your highlighter and read the question first:

    • Read the question carefully and highlight which lines you need to use in the source text for your answers

    • Highlight the focus of the question

      paper-1-question-2--how-to-answer-question-2-sub-heading---steps-to-success
  2. Scan the section of text:

    • Highlight only the information directly relevant to the focus of the question

    • Annotate in the margins. For example, in the question above, write down any adjectives that come to mind that describe Zoe’s feelings as you read

  3. Start your answer using the wording of the question:

    • For example: “The writer uses language to describe Zoe’s feelings firstly by comparing the moment she is experiencing to something clear and pure, such as ice.”

    • This demonstrates to the examiner that you have understood both the question and the text

  4. Go into detail:

    • Now you need to make as many points as possible, ranging throughout the section of text

    • It is a good idea to make your points in chronological order, if possible

    • Use the annotations you have made in the margins to form the basis of each point

    • For example: “Zoe feels free because the writer uses the metaphor of Zoe as an eagle….”

    • For the highest marks, you should zoom in on particular word choices and write about their effects

    • For a full example of this, please see Paper 1 Question 2: Model Answer

  5. Sum up:

    • Finish your answer with a “So overall…” statement

    • Your finishing statement should sum up what you have discovered about the writer’s use of language in this section

Exam tips for the language question

  • To get the highest marks, do not get distracted by technical terms or spotting language features that the writer may have used

    • This is called “feature spotting” and will not get you marks, unless you are able to demonstrate your understanding of why the writer may have used something and what the effect of its use is

  • Make sure that your selection of quotes are precise and directly relevant to the focus of the question

    • Deconstruct the quotations you choose, analysing each one in detail

    • You can include word level analysis, exploring the effect of single words, but you also need to think about how elements combine to create meaning

    • Focus on the effects of the writer’s choices, thinking about what the writer is doing and why

  • If you identify a language feature, always explain its intended effect

    • For example, “The writer portrays the character’s impending sorrow by using pathetic fallacy; as death is another association of winter, it is used to foreshadow the deaths of other characters, which immediately establishes a sense of fear”

  • Avoid just re-writing long quotations from the text. Break them down and embed them into your sentence

  • Only use the section of text given to you in the question and do not refer to anything outside of these lines

  • Avoid speculative and generic comments on how ‘the reader’ might respond

    • Generalised comments such as “This makes the reader want to read on..” are not credit worthy

    • Try to be as precise and specific as you can

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Embedding your quotations means that your quotes form part of your sentence, rather than standing alone. This means, instead of writing “This is shown by the quote…”, the quote is embedded as part of your point. This enables you to include more specific references to the text in your point and avoids overly long quotes which do not focus on the specific words or phrases that are important.

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Nick Redgrove

Author: Nick Redgrove

Expertise: English Senior Content Creator

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

Kate Lee

Author: Kate Lee

Expertise: English and Languages Lead

Kate has over 12 years of teaching experience as a Head of English and as a private tutor. Having also worked at the exam board AQA and in educational publishing, she's been writing educational resources to support learners in their exams throughout her career. She's passionate about helping students achieve their potential by developing their literacy and exam skills.