Question 2 (AQA GCSE English Language)

Exam Questions

2 hours66 questions
11 mark

What does denotation refer to when analysing words and phrases?

  • Denotation is the implied meaning of a word or phrase.

  • Denotation refers to the emotional impact a word creates.

  • Denotation is the literal meaning of a word or phrase.

  • Denotation is the tone conveyed by a word or phrase.

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21 mark

What does connotation refer to when analysing words and phrases?

  • Connotation is the implied meaning of a word or phrase beyond its literal definition.

  • Connotation is the grammatical structure of a word or phrase.

  • Connotation is the literal, dictionary definition of a word or phrase.

  • Connotation is the tone conveyed by a word or phrase in a sentence.

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31 mark

Which language feature compares two things using "like" or "as"?

  • metaphor

  • simile

  • alliteration

  • imagery

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41 mark

What is personification?

  • It gives human traits to non-human things.

  • It repeats sounds at the start of words.

  • It repeats words or phrases for emphasis.

  • It uses detailed language to create mental images.

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51 mark

Which sentence contains an example of emotive language?

  • The new smartphone is faster than the previous model.

  • The explorer's journey into uncharted territory was the most courageous expedition of the century.

  • The devastating aftermath of the natural disaster left a trail of destruction, sorrow and misery.

  • The exam was a doddle; I finished the problems in no time.

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61 mark

Which of these is an example of alliteration?

  • The raging sea was an untamed beast.

  • Close the door behind you.

  • I wandered lonely as a cloud.

  • From forth the fatal loins of these two foes.

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71 mark

Which of these is an imperative sentence?

  • Call me Ishmael.

  • Do you think I am soulless and heartless?

  • Nothing short of explosives could destroy the wall.

  • It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

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81 mark

What is colloquial language?

  • the repetition of vowel sounds

  • formal and sophisticated vocabulary

  • highly emotional words and phrases

  • informal, everyday language

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91 mark

What is the purpose of comparative adjectives?

  • to compare differences between two nouns

  • to describe something as the highest quality of its kind

  • to evoke strong emotional responses in the reader

  • to give commands or instructions

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101 mark

Why might a writer use repetition in their writing?

  • to describe the highest quality of something

  • to create emphasis, reinforce ideas, or establish rhythm

  • to provide a literal meaning of a word or phrase

  • to compare differences between two nouns

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11 mark

How does juxtaposition enhance the meaning of a text?

  • Juxtaposition compares two things using "like" or "as."

  • Juxtaposition places contrasting ideas side by side to highlight their differences.

  • Juxtaposition ensures the text flows coherently without interruptions.

  • Juxtaposition ensures the tone remains consistent throughout the text.

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21 mark

Look at the following sentence:

“Jake hit the west side of the steep but broad slope and she took the east, carving matching parallel tracks through the fresh snow.”

Why does the writer use active verbs such as “carving” and “hit” in this sentence?

  • to create a sense of movement and energy in the scene

  • to emphasise the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the setting

  • to suggest hesitation and uncertainty in the characters’ actions

  • to convey a sense of dull repetition in the characters’ actions

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31 mark

Look at the following sentence:

“The devastating aftermath of the natural disaster left a trail of destruction, sorrow and misery.”

What is the purpose of the writer’s use of emotive language in this sentence?

  • to evoke strong feelings from the reader

  • to provide a factual account of the natural disaster

  • to create a calm and detached tone

  • to compare the disaster to other similar events

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41 mark

Look at the following sentence:

"The stormy sea was an untamed beast.”

What is the impact of this metaphor?

  • It compares the sea to a calm and peaceful entity.

  • It highlights the wild and unpredictable nature of the sea.

  • It describes the sea as lifeless and unthreatening.

  • It suggests the sea is friendly and welcoming.

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51 mark

A writer describes a character’s appearance as "austere" and "rugged". 

What might this suggest about their personality?

  • They are warm and approachable.

  • They are friendly and optimistic.

  • They are careless and impulsive.

  • They are disciplined and serious.

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61 mark

Look at the following sentence:

"In the autumn, by a tremendous, exhausting effort – for the harvest had to be gathered at almost the same time – the windmill was finished.”

How does the writer’s use of hyperbole enhance the meaning of this sentence?

  • It exaggerates the effort required, emphasising the characters’ perseverance.

  • It downplays the difficulty of the task, making their achievement seem effortless.

  • It highlights the simplicity of the task, suggesting it was completed with great ease.

  • It diminishes the significance of the windmill by focusing on other unrelated challenges.

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71 mark

Look at the following phrase:

“...the tranquillity, the silence, the undisturbed snow and the feeling of proximity to an eagle’s flight”

How does this description contribute to the overall tone of the passage?

  • It creates a sense of awe and reverence for the natural environment.

  • It emphasises the chaotic and unpredictable aspects of nature.

  • It highlights a sense of disconnection and alienation from the natural world.

  • It conveys the harshness and brutality of the natural setting.

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81 mark

Look at the following sentence:

“...like the amplified jaws of a million termites chewing on wood.”

How does the simile in this sentence enhance the description of the noise?

  • It conveys the noise’s ceaseless intensity and destructive undertones.

  • It draws on a natural and familiar noise to create a calming association.

  • It uses an exaggerated comparison to ridicule the noise.

  • It highlights the rhythmic and organised nature of the noise.

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11 mark

How might declarative and exclamatory sentences impact the tone of a text in different ways?

  • Declarative sentences create an informative tone, while exclamatory sentences add intensity and emotion.

  • Declarative sentences ask questions, while exclamatory sentences provide factual information.

  • Declarative sentences emphasise emotions, while exclamatory sentences remain neutral and objective.

  • Declarative sentences express surprise, while exclamatory sentences build suspense and mystery.

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21 mark

Look at the following phrase:

“...nothing short of explosives would lay them low this time!”

How does this phrase create suspense?

  • It emphasises that resolving the situation will require minimal effort and resources.

  • It suggests the problem is exceptionally challenging and nearly impossible to overcome.

  • It minimises the seriousness of the challenge being faced, making it seem insignificant.

  • It implies that the solution to the problem is already known, reducing the unpredictability.

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31 mark

A writer describes the immediate aftermath of an avalanche as follows:

“...and then there was silence, and the total whiteness faded to grey, and then to black.”


Assess the significance of the writer’s use of juxtaposition in this description.

  • It creates a contrast that highlights the physical discomfort and confusion of the scene.

  • It emphasises the jarring shift from the chaos of the avalanche to the silence that followed.

  • It reinforces the monotony and uniformity of the events, implying a return to normal.

  • It alters the tone in order to diminish the reader’s engagement and encourage deeper analysis.

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41 mark

Look at the following sentence:

“Tired out but proud, the animals walked round and round their masterpiece, which appeared even more beautiful in their eyes than when it had been built the first time.”

How does the writer’s repetition of “round and round” enhance this description?

  • It underscores the animals’ pride and deep emotional connection to their accomplishment.

  • It conveys an overwhelming sense of aimlessness in their repetitive actions, suggesting disillusionment.

  • It highlights the cyclical nature of their efforts, drawing attention to their endless labour.

  • It establishes a sense of calm, allowing the reader to focus on the beauty of their creation.

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