AQA · 8700
English Language GCSE
Two written papers on unseen twentieth- and nineteenth-century fiction and non-fiction, plus a separately reported spoken language endorsement. Reading and writing are assessed together in each paper.
Specification points
11
0 with marked evidence
Coverage
0%
Average paper standing
—
0 secure · 0 developing · 0 learning
How it is assessed
- Paper 1 — Explorations in creative reading and writing — one unseen literature fiction extract, then descriptive or narrative writing (1h 45m, 50%).
- Paper 2 — Writers' viewpoints and perspectives — two linked non-fiction texts from different centuries, then a viewpoint writing task (1h 45m, 50%).
- Non-exam — Spoken language endorsement — presentation, response to questions and standard English (reported separately).
Exam-style practice papers
Paper 1 practice: reading an unseen extract
Reading skills from Questions 1–4 in exam order, using original extracts written for practice.
Not yet attempted.
Sit this paperPaper 2 practice: two texts, two centuries
Retrieval, summary with inference, non-fiction language, comparison of attitudes and viewpoint writing, using original paired sources.
Not yet attempted.
Sit this paperSpecification content and progress
Paper 1
- Paper 1 Q1Identify and interpret explicit informationNot started
Select true statements about a given section of an unseen fiction extract.
- Paper 1 Q2Language analysisNot started
Explain how a writer uses language — words, phrases, language features and sentence forms — to achieve effects.
- Paper 1 Q3Structural analysisNot started
Explain how a writer has structured a whole text to interest the reader, including focus shifts and endings.
- Paper 1 Q4Evaluate a statement criticallyNot started
Evaluate how far a critical statement about part of the text is justified, using references to support the view.
- Paper 1 Q5Descriptive and narrative writingNot started
Communicate imaginatively, matching tone, style and register to purpose and audience, with accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Paper 2
- Paper 2 Q1Retrieve from non-fictionNot started
Identify explicit and implicit information and ideas from a non-fiction source.
- Paper 2 Q2Synthesis and summaryNot started
Summarise and synthesise differences or similarities between two texts using inference.
- Paper 2 Q3Language in non-fictionNot started
Analyse how a writer uses language to describe, persuade or convey attitude in a non-fiction text.
- Paper 2 Q4Compare viewpoints and methodsNot started
Compare writers' ideas and perspectives and how these are conveyed across two texts.
- Paper 2 Q5Writing to present a viewpointNot started
Write a letter, article, speech or essay presenting a point of view, organised for effect and technically accurate.
Non-exam
- Spoken languagePresenting and respondingNot started
Present information and ideas, respond to questions and feedback, and use spoken standard English.