GCSE Review: 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 a review. The task itself is taken from a past exam paper. It includes:
Question breakdown
Planning your response
Review model answer
Why would this get full marks?
Question breakdown
The following example is taken from the November 2020 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 review | Not explicitly stated, but we can assume it will be aimed at a general audience who have an interest in the event you are reviewing | To inform, entertain and give your opinion |
For this task, the focus is on communicating your ideas about an event. 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 a review, using appropriate organisational features.
Planning your response
You should spend up to 10 minutes writing a brief plan. Here is an example:
Heading | The Moonwalkers by Tom Hanks |
Introduction: What I am writing about and why I am writing |
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Paragraph 1: Details of the event |
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Paragraph 2: What made it good |
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Paragraph 3: Balanced views |
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Paragraph 4: Other people’s views |
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Conclusion: Summing up and final thoughts |
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Review model answer
The Moonwalkers by Tom Hanks At a glance: 5 stars [Marking comment] “The moon has always been our constant companion, right?” The unmistakable voice of Tom Hanks at the start of The Moonwalkers experience at London’s Lightroom fills the space and reassures the audience that they are in safe hands. [Marking comment] He continues to reel us in by reminding us that only 12 people in the history of humankind have ever walked on the moon, and we settle in for a 50-minute production that immerses the audience into an all-encompassing and magnificent experience. [Marking comment] It is difficult to properly define what The Moonwalkers actually is. It is part film, part show, part immersive experience. [Marking comment] It is housed in a large, single space, with images, films and animations projected all around us, as well as on the floor. As we file in with anticipation, everyone immediately sits on the benches nervously, unsure of what to expect. A staff member invites us to walk around more than once; the experience is better if we move. [Marking comment] Maybe it’s our typical British reserve, but everyone is reluctant. A countdown is projected on to the screen and the show begins. We are treated to Hanks’ personal fascination with space travel, as he famously played astronaut Jim Lovell in the film Apollo 13. [Marking comment] Hanks co-wrote the show.[Marking comment] The sheer size of the images being projected, along with impressive surround sound, make the experience truly mesmerising, and the narrative combines huge impact pieces with more personal sound-bites from the astronauts themselves. One highlight for me was the footage of the tense few seconds before Apollo 11 actually touched down on the moon’s surface, along with Neil Armstrong’s famous first step on alien soil. Having been born long after the first moon landing, the experience was so all-encompassing it genuinely felt as though I was watching it live, for the first time. [Marking comment] As well as being spectacular, the experience also showcased lighter moments, such as astronauts having fun in the moon’s reduced gravity, bouncing around like children on a space-hopper. The braver audience members stood and moved around as suggested, as did I, and it was true — it really did enhance the experience. [Marking comment] However, given that the number of people standing and moving were in the minority, this part of the experience could have been further encouraged via the narration, maybe with Hanks himself directing the audience. Given he was involved in how the experience was staged at the venue, this could have been the chance to really connect with the audience. [Marking comment] Ultimately, however, the experience left me with a sense of wonder and beauty, and an understanding of humankind’s desire to explore beyond our planet. It was a thrilling experience that involved high-quality visual and audio innovations, which more than justified the ticket price.[Marking comment] It was interesting to note that there were several children in the audience, who were just as mesmerised as the adults. On the way out, I asked some of the audience what they thought: “I thought it was brilliant, especially when they touched down on the moon!” Joe, aged 10. “Exhilarating, entertaining and exciting!” Steve, aged “prefers not to say”. [Marking comment] The Moonwalkers is definitely a must-see experience for any fans of space, Tom Hanks or for those who just love a really immersive experience. [Marking comment] |
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 a form appropriate for a review, and demonstrates sustained awareness of the audience and purpose throughout
The level of detail and tone are relevant and appropriate, and it is written in the first person as appropriate for a review
It uses language and vocabulary suitable for the form, purpose and intended audience, employing a light-hearted and informative tone
It employs convincing and compelling communication through a range of techniques, such as triplets and inclusive pronouns
The paragraphs are coherently linked and the overall structure is logical
Spelling is accurate, and the response deliberately uses and varies both sentence structure and punctuation for effect and impact
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