Question 1: Model Answer (WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Language)

Read lines 1–11.

List five things you learn about the narrator in these lines.                                             [5]

When I first moved to the country, my only companion was a horse. It was a big brown thing that lived in a field at the end of my garden. I was not used to horses but soon it was hanging its heavy head over my fence and I was feeding it chapatis. I come from London. So does my husband. But we moved near to Swindon because he was making his way in the world. I was proud of him then.

The neighbours weren’t really unfriendly. We just didn’t have that much in common, me having no kids. I don’t think it was to do with prejudice — after all, I didn’t go around in a sari or anything. I was born and bred in England, same as them.

I talked to the horse when I was hanging out my washing. It might have looked funny otherwise. I told it what I was cooking for dinner and what was going on in Eastenders. One day I said to it, quite distinctly, ‘I think I’m going mad.’

• The narrator’s only companion was a horse ✅

• She was not used to horses ✅

• She fed the horse chapatis ✅

• She came from London ✅

• She was married ✅