English Language Paper 1 Exam Strategy
This page provides a detailed overview of the English Language Paper 1 exam structure and strategies for tackling each question effectively.
The exam lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a 5-minute reading period at the start. During this time, students should focus on highlighting key quotes and identifying interesting structural features in the text.
Question 1 15minutes:
- List four things from the given extract
- Straightforward recall question
Question 2 12minutes:
- Language analysis question
- Write four paragraphs using the following structure:
"Firstly, in this extract, the writer uses... to suggest that..."
"Furthermore, the writer... by saying... This is effective because..."
& 4. Repeat the structure for two more points
Highlight: Key language devices to look for include onomatopoeia, simile, metaphor, anaphora, personification, and zoomorphism.
Question 3 12minutes:
- Structure analysis question
- Write four paragraphs using the following structure:
"Initially, the reader's attention is focused on... This effectively creates a... tone and... is also used for a slow/fast pace to make the reader think..."
"The focus then moves to/between... This makes the reader feel..."
"The writer then switches the attention to... in particular..."
"Finally,... is introduced/zoomed in on to show its significance. At the end,... is used to craft a slow/fast pace to make the reader think..."
Highlight: Key structural features to analyze include focus shifts, sentence lengths, cyclical structure, syndetic or asyndetic listing, zooming in and out, and pacing.
Question 4 25minutes:
- Evaluation question: "To what extent do you agree with the statement?"
- Write four paragraphs plus an introduction and conclusion:
Intro: State your overall position
P1 & P2: Agree with the statement, providing evidence and analysis
P3 & P4: Disagree with the statement orcontinueagreeingifdisagreementisdifficult
Conclusion: Summarize your argument and link back to the question
Question 5 45minutes:
- Creative writing task
- Focus on clear structure, sophisticated language, and varied sentence lengths for impact
Example: For Question 2, a sample paragraph might be: "Firstly, in this extract, the writer uses the simile 'rain falling like spears in the sky' to suggest the violent and threatening nature of the storm. This effectively creates a sense of danger and foreboding for the reader."