Paper 1 Question 4: Model Answer (AQA GCSE English Language): Revision Note
Exam code: 8700
Question 4: model answer
On this page we’ve included a fully annotated sample answer to a real past paper Question 4 from Paper 1 of the AQA English Language GCSE. Underneath the model answer, we show you how to structure a full-mark answer, and include some expert tips on how to get to that top grade.
Paper 1 Question 4 Grade 9 model answer
Worked Example
04
Focus this part of your answer on the second part of the source (opens in a new tab), from line 28 to the end.
A student said, ‘In this part of the story, where Zoe and Jake are caught in the avalanche, I can’t believe Zoe is so slow to react to the warning signs because, in the end, the situation sounds really dangerous.’
To what extent do you agree?
In your response, you could:
consider Zoe’s reactions in this part of the story
evaluate how the writer makes the situation sound dangerous
support your response with references to the text.
[20 marks]
Answer
I agree that Zoe’s initial reaction to the avalanche could be perceived as being slow and I believe her initial awe-inspired feelings towards the mountain's beauty and tranquility may have clouded her judgement when the avalanche occurs. I think this emotional attachment to her beautiful surroundings may have momentarily stopped her from reacting quickly to Jake's warnings, resulting in her delayed response to the impending danger. The writer begins this part of the extract with the word “but” which indicates a change of some kind. However, Zoe is still lost in her previous trance-like state, revelling in the exquisite “beauty” of the surrounding stillness. This makes the forthcoming danger even more jarring by contrast. Additionally, the mention of “silky banners” unfurling at the head of the slope, resembling “the heraldry of armies” juxtaposes the beauty of nature with this imminent threat.
Moreover, the structural devices employed by the writer contribute to the narrative’s terrifying tone and depict Zoe’s disorientated state. The “rumble” gradually increases in volume, building suspense as the avalanche draws nearer, which further explains Zoe’s delayed response. The inclusion of dialogue when Jake warns Zoe, “‘Get to the side! To the side!’”, heightens the tension and sense of danger and immerses the reader in the immediacy of the situation. When the avalanche occurs, the description of Zoe being tossed around “like a washing machine” further conveys her sense of chaos and disorientation during this life-threatening event. The use of the triplet “twisting, spinning, turning” illustrates Zoe's loss of control during the avalanche and the repetition of these verbs intensifies her sense of confusion and panic and also her desperation and vulnerability.
While it could be argued that Zoe's initial reaction to the warning signs appear slow, I think that the writer does so to portray a very realistic human response to a crisis. As a crisis can be disorienting and unpredictable, I think the writer effectively captures human behaviour in such terrible situations which makes Zoe's reactions both authentic and relatable to the reader.
Why would this answer get 20/20 marks?
This response provides a perceptive and detailed evaluation of the effects on the reader
It develops a convincing and critical focus of the statement:
It doesn’t just agree, but provides a nuanced judgement
It demonstrates a perceptive understanding of the writer’s methods
Evaluative points are supported and strengthened by quotes from the text
How do I choose what to evaluate in Question 4?
Paper 1 Question 4 assesses your ability to evaluate the effectiveness of a text. This means you must come to an informed, evidence-based personal judgement about a text and the choices made by the writer.
When evaluating the extract, it is crucial to employ a thoughtful and analytical approach:
Ensure you fully understand the text, paying attention to its:
Purpose
Tone
Style
Try to work out the writer’s intentions
Make well-reasoned judgements about the text's strengths and weaknesses
Express your personal opinions based on the evidence you've gathered
Step-by-step guide to approaching the question
Highlight the focus of the question before you re-read the extract:
Separate the different elements of the statement
What exactly are you being asked to evaluate?
Scan the extract thoroughly several times:
Pay close attention to how the writer is creating the effects mentioned in the statement
Consider your own impressions in relation to the statement before you begin to write:
Forming an opinion during the course of your writing will lead to an unstructured response
Start with a sense of your own evaluation and then construct an argument with a focus on the what and the how
Select evidence from the text that supports your judgement:
Prioritise elements that are most relevant to the question
Choose aspects that best support your evaluation and which provide the most substantial insights
Take note of whether these quotes are predominantly found at the beginning, middle or end of the specified lines of the extract
Evaluate the extent to which you agree with the statement in terms of the effects the writer creates:
Use “I think”, “I agree” and “I feel” in your answer, making sure you use textual evidence proving your point
Note any literary devices employed by the writer within your chosen quotes and other sections of the source text:
Elaborate on how these devices influence the reader's perception and emotional response
Form your evaluation around the following aspects of the text: | |
|---|---|
Language features | Structural features |
Narrative perspectives | Mood and atmosphere |
Character thoughts and feelings | Actions |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The examiners have created the statement included in the question to help students. As a result, there will always be more to agree with than to disagree with.
Therefore, try to base your evaluation on agreeing with at least one part of the statement, as there will be more evidence in the text to support this.
How do I structure my Question 4 answer?
You should aim to structure your answer in the following way:
Develop a thesis statement:
A thesis statement is a sentence that captures your overall judgement of the text clearly
It should relate to at least one part of the statement
This will serve as the guiding focus for your evaluation
Provide evidence and evaluation:
Support your evaluation with specific evidence from the text
Explain how these quotes support your thesis and contribute to your overall judgement of the writer’s effects
Consider alternative viewpoints:
Acknowledge and address alternative possible viewpoints or interpretations of the text
You should aim to write around 3–4 paragraphs for this answer, with a different topic sentence in each paragraph focusing on different aspects of the question.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Every point you make in your response should be supported with evidence from the text and have an evaluative comment. However, following a rigid structure, such as writing in point-evidence-explanation (PEE) paragraphs, can limit the range and depth of your evaluation.
It is always best to avoid using this type of frame to structure your response. Instead, consider which of your ideas would allow you to write the most developed evaluation. Also feel free to include multiple pieces of evidence for each point you make, or alternative interpretations of the same evidence.
Putting your Question 4 ideas into an answer
Below is an example of how you might turn your personal judgements of a writer’s effects into a response for Question 4. The response is based on the November 2019 AQA Paper 1 (opens in a new tab)past paper. It is useful to read through the extract and the wording of Question 4 before exploring the model response below.
Here is how you might write a thesis to the above question and reasons why this is reflective of a Level 4 response:
Thesis statement | |
|---|---|
I agree that Zoe’s initial reaction to the avalanche could be perceived by some readers as being slow. However, I think Zoe's initial awe-inspired feelings towards the mountain's beauty and tranquillity may have clouded her judgement when the avalanche becomes imminent. |
Next, let’s see how we might write a Level 4 evaluative paragraph:
Model paragraph |
|---|
Moreover, the structural devices employed by the writer contribute to the narrative’s terrifying tone and depict Zoe’s disorientated state. The “rumble” gradually increases in volume, building suspense as the avalanche draws nearer, which further explains Zoe’s delayed response. The inclusion of dialogue when Jake warns Zoe, “‘Get to the side! To the side!’”, heightens the tension and sense of danger and immerses the reader in the immediacy of the situation. |
We will now consider how you might conclude your response:
Closing statement | |
|---|---|
While it could be argued that Zoe's initial reaction to the warning signs appear slow, I think that the writer portrays a realistic scene of human responses in times of crisis. As crises can be disorienting and unpredictable, I think the writer effectively captures the complexity of human behaviour in such terrible situations, which makes Zoe's reactions appear both authentic and relatable. |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You should always try to refer to all three bullet points in your answer.
However, you don’t need to cover different bullet points in different paragraphs. You should be including evidence to support your points (bullet point number three) in all your paragraphs.
Developing your evaluation in Question 4
To produce an effective evaluation, consider the following choices a writer makes when composing a text. You should aim to make your comments as detailed and specific as you can.
Aspect of writing | How to evaluate it in Question 4 |
|---|---|
Language choices |
|
Structural elements |
|
Dialogue |
|
Characterisation |
|
Narrative voice and point of view |
|
Descriptive language |
|
Themes and ideas |
|
Writer’s intention |
|
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember, a counter-argument is not essential for this question.
You may be more successful making and developing points that continue your original argument, rather than attempting to find arguments against the statement.
Learn more and test yourself
For more great tips and tricks, check out our dedicated revision notes on how to answer Paper 1 Question 4 and level up your Question 4 response with our revision note on the Paper 1 Question 4 mark scheme.
You can also test yourself on Paper 1 Question 4 with expert-created exam questions. Try answering full questions and get them marked by Smart Mark, our AI model created by English Language experts.
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