How to Answer Question 5 (WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Language)

Paper 2, or Component 2, is the “non-fiction” paper. You will be given two reading extracts: one written in the 21st century which will be printed in a separate resource booklet, and one written in the 19th century which will be printed on your question paper. The two texts will be linked by a theme. You will have six reading questions to answer in 1 hour, as follows:

The following guide details how to answer Questions 5. It includes:

• Question 5 overview

• How to answer Question 5

Question 5 overview

Question 5 is the first of the two questions that test your understanding of both of the reading passages. It is called a “synthesis” question, which essentially means that you will be asked to combine specific information from both texts to form your answer. It will require you to select appropriate details from each text and to give a brief explanation about what you are told. 

However, it is only a 4-mark question, so your response needs to be brief (two points per text), with clear and precise details and explanations. You will be asked to find specific details and you should clearly indicate which text you are referring to in your answer. What is important is that you carefully read the question and identify its focus (what you are being asked to find), rather than just write an overall summary of both texts. 

Be careful not to write more than is necessary; you can gain full marks by being clear and precise in your answer, and you should spend no more than 5–10 minutes answering this question.

How to answer Question 5

The following example of Question 5 is taken from the Summer 2022 exam. The “theme” of this exam was Punch and Judy shows, a traditional type of puppet show once popular in English seaside towns.

To achieve full marks for this question, you should:

1. Read the question carefully and highlight its focus (what you are being asked to find evidence of in both texts)

2. Go back to each text, scan and highlight 2–3 pieces of information per text that answers the question

3. Write your answer starting with the wording of the question:

   • Make 2–3 points that specifically answer the question from the 21st-century text, and 2–3 points that specifically answer the question from the 19th-century text

   • You can either put these in your own words, or quote directly from the texts

Please see our Question 5: Model Answer page for an example of how to write the answer to the above question.