How to Answer Question 6 (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 Question 6. It includes:

• Question 6 overview

• How to answer Question 6

• Exam tips

Question 6 overview

Question 6 is the last of the 10-mark questions and, like Question 5, will be about both texts. It is a “comparison” question. You will be asked to compare something specific about the texts, with consideration of how the writers have crafted their texts to achieve their meanings. The question will include two bullet points, which provide the main focus for comparison. It is therefore important that you keep your focus on these bullet points, and do not stray into writing a general comparison of the two texts.

Time management in the exam is equally important, as the overall attempt rate for this question in each exam series drops to below 90%. Missing out this 10-mark question, or only answering it very briefly, means that you will not achieve the highest grades. It’s good to remember that a 10-mark question requires 15 minutes spent on it (including reading and annotation time).

How to answer Question 6

The following example of Question 6 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 the focus in the first bullet point (what specifically you are being asked to compare)

2. Go back to each text, and scan and highlight 4–5 pieces of information per text specifically relevant to the focus of the first bullet point

3. Make a brief plan; a diagram such as this may be useful:

4. Start your answer by summarising what is similar about the two texts, relevant to the focus of the question:

• For example: “The writers of both texts give an impression of children behaving badly.”

5. Then, make as many points as you can that directly provides the information requested:

• It does not matter whether you deal with one text and then the other, or write about both texts simultaneously, as long as you always make it clear which text you are referring to

• A straightforward structure to your response would be to write one paragraph starting with “In the 21st century text…”, a second paragraph starting with “In the 19th century text….” and then a final paragraph dealing with the second bullet point

• The second bullet point can be addressed by demonstrating that you understand the different ways in which the writers have presented their information

Exam tips

• When considering how the writers have presented their information, think about the differences in style and format between the 21st-century text and the 19th-century text

• Make sure you keep your focus on what you are being asked to compare in the first bullet point:

  • Do not drift into a general comparison of both texts

• A methodical approach to both texts again is the most successful, as this allows you to accumulate a range of detail from each text

• You can either use direct quotations from the texts, or textual references, to support your points