AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Knowledge Organiser and Past Papers PDF

AQA

1 hour 45 minutes
Question number + marks = time to spend (roughly)
Explorations in creative reading and writing
Order: 5,1,2,3,4

Question 1

Identify and interpret implicit and explicit information and ideas
List 4 things from the first few lines of text
4 marks
1 mark per answer
Spend 4 minutes
A01

1. Read again the first part of the source, from lines 1 to 9.
   List four things about this jungle from this part of the source.
   [4 marks]

• Write in clear, full sentences
• Be explicit and don't use ambiguous phrases
• Don't infer meaning
• Don't split up one sentence into multiple pieces of info

Question 2

Language analysis
8 marks
2 long detailed paragraphs
10 minutes
A02 (language & structure with subject terminology)

1. Look box in detail at this extract, from lines 16 to 26 of the source:
   How does the writer use language here to describe the Tyrannosaurus Rex?
   You could include the writer's choice of:

• words and phrases
• language features and techniques
• sentence forms.
  [8 marks]
• Move chronologically through the passage selecting 3 key language techniques to talk about
• For each of those 3 techniques, unpack multiple layers of meaning
• Cherry pick quotes
• Perceptive, detailed analysis
• Talk about the writer's effect of the technique

For level 4: 7-8 marks:

• Extended metaphor of power and strength to describe the Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex.) The verb 'towered' suggests that the huge creature is imposing itself on its jungle surroundings from a great height, and intimidating everything beneath it.
• Personification of the T-Rex, comparing it to a great evil god,' implies that the T-Rex is an all-powerful being without mercy.
• The image of a 'terrible warrior' conveys the idea of an invincible fighting machine destroying everything in its wake.

Question 3

Spend 10 minutes
A02 (language & structure with subject terminology)

1. You now need to think about the whole of the source box.
   This text is from the middle of a short story.
   How has the writer structured the text to interest you as a reader?
   You could write about:

• what the writer focuses your attention on at the beginning of the source
• how and why the writer changes this focus as the source develops
• any other structural features that interest you.
  [8 marks]
• Introduce with the reader's overall experience of the text
• Chose 3 structural points (change of focus, introduction to a new character etc, zoom in/out, in medias res)
• Move through the passage and think about how it is developed through perspective shifts
• 2 long detailed paragraphs or 3 detailed paragraphs

For level 4: 7-8 marks:

• Shows perceptive and detailed understanding of structural features
• Analyses the effects of the writer's choices of structural features
• Sophisticated and accurate use of subject terminology

Question 4

Opinion on the statement
It's always easier to agree but if you're more confident disagreeing, you can but do it well
20 marks
24 minutes
A04 (evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references)

1. Focus box this part of your answer on the second part of the source, from line 31 to the end.
   A student said, 'This part of the story, where the men encounter the Tyrannosaur'