How to Answer Question 5 (Edexcel IGCSE English Language A)

Revision Note

Deb Orrock

Written by: Deb Orrock

Reviewed by: Kate Lee

Question 5 is a comparison question worth 22 marks. It will be based on both Text One and Text Two featured in the source booklet in your exam. It tests Assessment Objective 3 (AO3), which is your ability to compare and contrast subject matter, themes, language choices, narrative voice and perspective, tone and structure across both texts, supporting your points with close textual references and brief quotations from both texts.

The following guide includes:

  • Breaking down the question

  • Steps to success

  • Exam tips

Breaking down the question

Question 5 has the highest marks of any reading question on Paper 1. It is therefore crucial that you ensure you have sufficient time to answer this question, and read the question carefully, highlighting:

  • The key instructions in the question, including the command word “compare”

  • The focus of the question (what specifically you are being asked to compare)

For example:

An example of Question 5 with labels pointing to the important parts of the question
Question 5 breakdown

It is important that you are able to support the points in your answer with close textual references and short quotations from both texts. If you only focus on one text, you will not score high marks.

Steps to success

Following these steps will give you a strategy for answering this question effectively:

  1. Read the question and highlight:

    1. The key instructions and command word

    2. The focus of the question (what specifically you are being asked to compare in the texts)

  2. Re-scan both extracts:

    1. It is useful to make a plan before writing your answer to this question

    2. In your plan, identify key elements of similarity or difference

  3. Start your answer by making an overall comparison statement:

    1. For example: “Text One and Text Two both describe parental reactions to the writers’ educations. Text One presents a negative experience, whereas Text Two depicts a more positive one.”

    2. This demonstrates to the examiner that you have understood the texts and the question

  4. Go into detail:

    1. Start each paragraph with a key point of similarity or difference

    2. Then, use close textual reference and short quotations from both texts as evidence for your point

    3. Remember to compare the writer’s methods, in terms of their choices of language and/or structure

  5. Sum up:

    1. Finish your answer with a “So overall…” statement

You are advised to spend about 40 minutes on this question (including planning time).

Exam tips

This question is the most challenging question in Section A, with the mark scheme divided into 5 levels. To obtain the highest level (Level 5: 19–22 marks), you should:

  • Use a varied range of comparisons between the texts

  • Include analysis of the writers’ ideas and perspectives, including their use of language and/or structure, across both texts:

    • However, avoid “feature spotting”

  • Ensure your quotations are relevant and fully support the points being made

  • Refer back to your plan as you write, ticking off the points made

  • Make sure that your introductory paragraph includes a precise and focused point of comparison, rather than just repeating the words of the question

  • Your supporting quotations should be brief and embedded into your sentences:

  • This means not “introducing” your quotations separately, using statements such as “This is shown by the quote…” or just putting a quote on a separate line

  • Instead, the quotation should form part of your sentence

  • For example: “The writer describes time passing ‘relentlessly’, suggesting she feels…”


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Deb Orrock

Author: Deb Orrock

Expertise: English Content Creator

Deb is a graduate of Lancaster University and The University of Wolverhampton. After some time travelling and a successful career in the travel industry, she re-trained in education, specialising in literacy. She has over 16 years’ experience of working in education, teaching English Literature, English Language, Functional Skills English, ESOL and on Access to HE courses. She has also held curriculum and quality manager roles, and worked with organisations on embedding literacy and numeracy into vocational curriculums. She most recently managed a post-16 English curriculum as well as writing educational content and resources.

Kate Lee

Author: Kate Lee

Expertise: English and Languages Lead

Kate has over 12 years of teaching experience as a Head of English and as a private tutor. Having also worked at the exam board AQA and in educational publishing, she's been writing educational resources to support learners in their exams throughout her career. She's passionate about helping students achieve their potential by developing their literacy and exam skills.