How to Answer Question 7(a) (Edexcel GCSE English Language)

Question 7(a) on Paper 2 of your Edexcel GCSE English Language exam is the synthesis question.

The following guide to how to answer Question 7(a) includes:

• Question 7(a) overview

• How to answer Question 7(a)

• Exam tips

Question 7(a) overview

Question 7(a) is the synthesis question. It is worth 6 marks and you should spend 10 minutes on it, including reading time. 

The question will be about the whole of Text 1 and Text 2, and you will be asked to find similarities about something specific in the two texts (not just what is generally similar about them). Synthesis means combining information from both texts into one response.

There are three levels to the mark scheme for this question, and at the highest level:

Responses at the highest level offer a number of similarities (at least three or four) with detailed evidence to support each similarity from each text. You will have already read each text in order to answer Questions 3 and 6, so you will be familiar enough with them to re-scan for evidence to answer this question.

How to answer Question 7(a)

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

The focus of this question is on the similarities between the two men in the extracts.

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

1. Read the question carefully and highlight the focus:

   • What specifically have you been asked to identify similarities about?

2. Using your knowledge of both texts from answering Questions 1–6, quickly note down as many similarities between the texts (specific to the focus of the question) as you can

3. Then, for each of these similarities, find and highlight some evidence that supports each one from each text

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

   • This should briefly summarise the similarities

   • For example: “In both texts, the men are planning a daring escape.”

5. Write at least 3–4 short (only write more if you have time), 3-sentence paragraphs, as follows:

   • Both men attempt to escape via hidden means. In Text 1, there is a tunnel hidden in a “disused outside lavatory” via a “small hole in the floor” which went under the Berlin wall. In Text 2, the pieces of the raft are hidden in a “retaining wall.”

Please see the Question 7(a): Model Answer revision note for more detailed examples.

Exam tips

• Remember, this is not an analysis question; you do not need to explain the effects of the writer’s choices

• It is essential to support each point with valid evidence from each text:

  • If you only provide evidence from one text, you will limit your marks

• Ensure you read the question carefully and accurately identify its focus — the question is not just about all the similarities between the two texts

• You are awarded highest marks for the range of points you are able to synthesise:

  • Therefore, you should look beyond just the most basic or obvious

• However, be aware that this is a 6-mark question and you only have about 10 minutes in which to answer it:

  • Therefore, 3–4 points with appropriate, precise evidence from both texts is sufficient to achieve full marks