Question types in language paper 1

Question 1

Find 4 facts within a small section of text (usually the first paragraph), worth 4 marks, spend 5 mins on it - including reading the extract and questions

Question 2

Language analysis, worth 8 marks, spend 12-15 mins writing 3 paragraphs with two quotes in each, uses a given section of text (1 or 2 paragraphs)

How does the writer use language to create _ ? You could include the writer’s choice of words and phrases, language features and techniques, and sentence forms

Question 3

Structural analysis, worth 8 marks, spend 12-15 mins writing 3 paragraphs with one quote in each, uses whole text

How has the writer structured the text to interest you as a reader? Think about what the writer focuses your attention on at the start of the extract, how and why the writer shifts the focus as the source develops, and any other structural features that interest you

Structural techniques to identify in question 3

Contrasts in characters, contrasts in internal thoughts vs external actions, dialogue, in media res, exposition, cliffhangers, cyclical structure, shift in setting, shift in mood, shift in perspective, shift in focus (zoom in/zoom out), shift in time, flashback, temporal markers

Question 4

Write a balanced argument of an introduction, 3 paragraphs and a conclusion to a student’s question with 2 quotes in each, worth 20 marks, spend approx. 30 mins on it

A student said “_”. To what extent do you agree? In your response, you could consider your own impressions of , evaluate how the writer conveys _, support your response with references to the text.

Section B: writing

Either a description or narrative based on a picture or prompt; worth 40 marks, spend approx. 45 mins on the section (5 mins planning, 40 mins writing with checking)

Techniques to include in creative writing

Semantic field, shifts in time, place, focus, zooms, pathetic fallacy, in media res, exposition, cliffhangers, flashback, cyclical structure, description, sensory language, avoid cliches, dialogue, sophisticated vocabulary, adjectives, range of sentence structures/types, imagery, metaphors, similes, personification, onomatopoeia, alliteration, range of punctuation

Example of interesting structure to use in section B

Drop (in media res/exposition), zoom (shift in focus), flash (flashback), end (cliffhanger/resolution)