GCSE Article: Model Answer (Edexcel GCSE English Language)
Revision Note
Written by: Deb Orrock
Reviewed by: Nick Redgrove
In Section B you will be given a choice of two tasks, and each task will give you the option of writing in one of the following forms (genres):
A letter
A review
A speech
An article
A section of a guide, textbook, leaflet or booklet (an informative text)
You only need to complete one task from the choice of two. Remember to put a cross in the box to indicate whether you have chosen Question 8 or Question 9 in your answer booklet. You won’t know in advance which genres will come up in the exam, so it’s best to prepare for all of them.
The following guide will demonstrate how to answer a Section B task in the format of an article. The task itself is taken from a past exam paper. It includes:
Question breakdown
Planning your response
Article model answer
Why would this get full marks?
Question breakdown
The following example is taken from the June 2022 exam paper:
The first thing you should do is to read the task carefully and identify the format, audience and purpose of the task. This is sometimes referred to as a GAP analysis or the “3 Ws”:
G | A | P |
|---|---|---|
Genre (format) | Audience | Purpose |
A magazine article | Not explicitly stated, but we can assume it will be aimed at a general audience who have an interest in travel | To inform and advise |
For this task, the focus is on communicating your ideas about travelling to different places. The intended audience is not specified in the question, but given it is better to write about something you are familiar with, it would be sensible to aim this at your peers or classmates. The response should be set out effectively as an article, using appropriate organisational features such as headings and sub-headings.
Planning your response
You should spend up to 10 minutes writing a brief plan. Here is an example:
Heading | Tricky Travelling: The Highs and Lows of Exploring the Exotic |
Introduction: What I am writing about and why I am writing |
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Paragraph 1: The benefits of going travelling |
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Paragraph 2: Is it all fun? |
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Paragraph 3: Top tips for first-time travellers |
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Conclusion: Summing up and final thoughts |
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Article model answer
Tricky Travelling: The Highs and Lows of Exploring the Exotic [Marking comment] Spending a gap year travelling the world is a privilege that many of us are now lucky enough to experience. Around-the-world airfares have never been more affordable, and “going travelling” is number one on the to-do list of many students after the stress of A Levels or university. It has many benefits: it can help you develop problem-solving skills, increase your independence and boost your confidence. But it is not without its perils, so read on for some hand-picked advice to make the most of your gap-year travelling experience. [Marking comment]
The idea of travelling around the world can be frightening. Getting on that plane, and knowing you won’t see your family and loved ones again for the best part of a year, can put a lot of people off seeing the world. But let me tell you — if you don’t go, you’ll never know what you are missing out on! [Marking comment] There are so many amazing countries accessible on a round-the-world ticket. You can taste the backpacker delights of banana pancakes in Bangkok, canoe down the Mekong Delta in Vietnam or experience the majestic wonders of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. [Marking comment] A little money goes a long way in Asia, so it makes sense to make the most of your time there, then recharge your finances once you move on.
Is it all fun? It should be! But being sensible is also important. Always read up on a country and their customs before you go. This way, you can make sure you are being respectful and ensure you are not accidentally breaking the law! For example, did you know that chewing bubble gum is against the law in Singapore? No? Neither did I, until a local police officer stopped me to remind me! I now stick to mints, and read up before I visit somewhere new. [Marking comment] Travelling to exotic places is full of wonder, but they can also be full of mosquitos and other critters who want your blood. Ensure you take anti-malaria medication if you are travelling to an affected country, and use insect repellent with a high concentration of DEET to deter them from biting you in the first place. During my time in a Malaysian jungle, I found that rinsing myself down after a shower with a bottle of water mixed with citronella worked really well, as well as using baby oil on my skin before the insect repellent. Those mozzies used to slide right off! [Marking comment] Top tips for first-time travellers Here are five of the best tips from those in the know:
Our world is a wonderful place, so be respectful, stay safe and have fun exploring it! |
Why would this get full marks?
The top level of the mark scheme for this question rewards the following:
AO5 Level 5: 20–24 marks |
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AO6 Level 5: 13–16 marks |
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This answer would receive full marks because it meets all of the criteria for a Level 5 response:
This is a coherent and sustained response which manipulates complex information and ideas in a sophisticated way
It is written in the correct form, and demonstrates sustained awareness of the audience and purpose throughout
The response is thoughtfully structured using sub-headings to guide the reader
It uses language and vocabulary suitable for the form, purpose and intended audience, employing a light-hearted and entertaining tone
It employs convincing and compelling communication through a range of techniques, such as triplets, direct address and rhetorical questions
The paragraphs use topic sentences and link directly to the sub-headings used
Spelling is accurate, and the response deliberately uses and varies both sentence structure and punctuation for effect and impact
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