How to Answer Question 4 (Edexcel GCSE English Language)

Question 4 on Paper 1 of your Edexcel GCSE English Language exam is the evaluate question.

The following guide to how to answer Question 4 includes:

• Question 4 overview

• How to answer Question 4

• How to evaluate

• Exam tips

Question 4 overview

Question 4 is the evaluation question. It is worth 15 marks and you should spend 30 minutes on it, including reading time.

The question will be about the whole of the extract, and the focus will be on evaluating how well something has been achieved, not just how it has been achieved. You are being asked to assess how successful the writer is in achieving the desired effects, rather than just an explanation of the techniques used. There are five levels to the mark scheme for this question, and at the highest level students show the following:

If you only include references to the writer’s techniques in your answer, without any critical comments regarding their success, then you cannot achieve higher than Level 2 in the mark scheme.

Again, all of the points you make must be supported with appropriate and relevant textual references. 

How to answer Question 4

Let’s take a look at this example from the June 2023 exam:

The focus of this question is on how well the writer has managed to create tension in the extract.

In order to achieve full marks for this question, you should:

1. Read the question carefully and highlight its focus

2. Read the extract and annotate in the margins:

   • Identify what the writer has done and how successful they have been

For example:

1. Start your answer with a summary statement, using the wording of the question:

   • This should summarise briefly how successful the writer has been and why

   • For example: “The writer successfully creates tension in this extract as the writer conveys the danger of the situation and the fear experienced by Oliver.”

2. Make a range of points which covers the whole of the extract:

   • You can structure this as “At the start of the extract”, “In the middle of the extract” and “At the end of the extract” in order to ensure full coverage

3. For every point you make, ensure you provide 1–2 short, relevant quotes or textual references to support it

Please see the Question 4: Model Answer revision note for more detailed examples.

How to evaluate

Evaluation involves making an informed judgement based on careful analysis and consideration of the text. It involves a critical examination of the extract in order to assess the success of its intended effect.

As you read through the text, consider the following:

• What key language or structural devices has the writer used to achieve their desired meaning or effect?

• What is the value of the device used? What does it do?

• Use evaluative phrases to show your opinion:

  • For example: “effectively”, “powerfully”, “skilfully”, “masterfully”

• Provide evidence from the text to support your judgements

Remember, the examiners want you to succeed. It would be difficult to argue that a writer has not been successful in achieving the desired effect; there will be more to support the fact that they have been successful than to argue against.

Exam tips

• In order to get top marks for this question, you must ensure you include sustained, critical judgement about the writer’s methods and techniques, not analysis of the methods and techniques themselves:

  • Make sure you understand the difference between AO2 (Question 3) and AO4 (Question 4)

• To do this, you must consider the text as a deliberate construct by the writer:

  • “Informed judgement” means that you have asked yourself why the writer has made the choices they have and how effective they are

• Use evaluative language throughout your response:

  • Words like “masterfully”, “effectively”, “artfully” and “purposefully” all show evaluative judgements

• Make sure you have analysed the key wording of the question and that you understand what you must focus on in your answer