This is your complete guide to tackling the Edexcel GCSE... Show more
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170
•
4 Jan 2026
•
Comprehensive English Language Test
YUKI
@armeoow
1 / 10
Exam Overview and Instructions
Paper 1 is all about fiction and imaginative writing, and it's worth 64 marks total. You'll need black ink or a ballpoint pen, plus the reading text insert that comes with your paper.
The timing is crucial here - spend about 1 hour on Section A (reading) and 45 minutes on Section B (writing). This split gives you enough time to properly analyse the text and craft a solid piece of creative writing.
Watch out for questions marked with an asterisk (*) - these assess your written communication, so your spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary need to be spot on. Don't rush through the instructions; read each question carefully before diving in.
Top tip: Use the marks in brackets as your time guide - a 15-mark question deserves much more attention than a 1-mark question!
Section A: Reading Questions (24 marks)
Section A tests your ability to understand and analyse fiction texts. You'll face four questions that get progressively more challenging, starting with simple identification and building up to detailed evaluation.
Question 1 (1 mark) asks you to find specific words or phrases from given line numbers. This is your quick win - find the exact evidence and write it down clearly.
Question 2 (2 marks) wants you to identify information about a character. You can use direct quotes or put it in your own words, whichever feels more natural.
The later questions focus on language analysis and evaluation of relationships between characters. These require you to explain how the writer creates effects, not just what happens in the text.
Remember: Always support your answers with specific references to the text - quotes and line numbers are your best friends here!
Advanced Reading Analysis
Question 3 (6 marks) focuses on language and structure analysis. You need to examine how the writer uses specific techniques to reveal a character's thoughts and feelings.
Look for literary devices like metaphors, similes, sentence structure, and word choices. Don't just identify these techniques - explain their effect on the reader and how they reveal character emotions.
Question 4 (15 marks) is your big evaluation question. Here you're judging how successfully the writer presents the relationship between two characters. This isn't about whether you liked it - it's about how effectively the writer achieved their purpose.
Structure your response with clear paragraphs, each focusing on a different aspect of the relationship. Use plenty of textual evidence and explain how each example supports your evaluation.
Pro tip: For the 15-mark question, aim for 4-5 substantial paragraphs with a clear conclusion about the writer's success.
Section B: Imaginative Writing (40 marks)
Section B gives you two creative writing options - choose the one that sparks your imagination most. You've got 45 minutes to produce a piece that could be real or imagined.
Question 5 asks you to write about positive feelings towards another person. This could be friendship, family love, admiration for a teacher, or romantic feelings - the choice is yours.
Question 6 involves responding to images and writing about your most treasured memory. Even if you base your response on an image, make the memory personal and emotionally engaging.
Your writing will be marked on vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar as well as content. Plan for 5 minutes, write for 35 minutes, and save 5 minutes for checking your work.
Golden rule: Choose the question that immediately gives you ideas - don't waste time deliberating between both options!
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Most popular content in English Language
Most popular content
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Comprehensive English Language Test
YUKI
@armeoow
This is your complete guide to tackling the Edexcel GCSE English Language Paper 1, which focuses on fiction reading and imaginative writing. You'll have 1 hour 45 minutes to show off your reading analysis skills and creative writing abilities across... Show more
Exam Overview and Instructions
Paper 1 is all about fiction and imaginative writing, and it's worth 64 marks total. You'll need black ink or a ballpoint pen, plus the reading text insert that comes with your paper.
The timing is crucial here - spend about 1 hour on Section A (reading) and 45 minutes on Section B (writing). This split gives you enough time to properly analyse the text and craft a solid piece of creative writing.
Watch out for questions marked with an asterisk (*) - these assess your written communication, so your spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary need to be spot on. Don't rush through the instructions; read each question carefully before diving in.
Top tip: Use the marks in brackets as your time guide - a 15-mark question deserves much more attention than a 1-mark question!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Section A: Reading Questions (24 marks)
Section A tests your ability to understand and analyse fiction texts. You'll face four questions that get progressively more challenging, starting with simple identification and building up to detailed evaluation.
Question 1 (1 mark) asks you to find specific words or phrases from given line numbers. This is your quick win - find the exact evidence and write it down clearly.
Question 2 (2 marks) wants you to identify information about a character. You can use direct quotes or put it in your own words, whichever feels more natural.
The later questions focus on language analysis and evaluation of relationships between characters. These require you to explain how the writer creates effects, not just what happens in the text.
Remember: Always support your answers with specific references to the text - quotes and line numbers are your best friends here!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Advanced Reading Analysis
Question 3 (6 marks) focuses on language and structure analysis. You need to examine how the writer uses specific techniques to reveal a character's thoughts and feelings.
Look for literary devices like metaphors, similes, sentence structure, and word choices. Don't just identify these techniques - explain their effect on the reader and how they reveal character emotions.
Question 4 (15 marks) is your big evaluation question. Here you're judging how successfully the writer presents the relationship between two characters. This isn't about whether you liked it - it's about how effectively the writer achieved their purpose.
Structure your response with clear paragraphs, each focusing on a different aspect of the relationship. Use plenty of textual evidence and explain how each example supports your evaluation.
Pro tip: For the 15-mark question, aim for 4-5 substantial paragraphs with a clear conclusion about the writer's success.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Section B: Imaginative Writing (40 marks)
Section B gives you two creative writing options - choose the one that sparks your imagination most. You've got 45 minutes to produce a piece that could be real or imagined.
Question 5 asks you to write about positive feelings towards another person. This could be friendship, family love, admiration for a teacher, or romantic feelings - the choice is yours.
Question 6 involves responding to images and writing about your most treasured memory. Even if you base your response on an image, make the memory personal and emotionally engaging.
Your writing will be marked on vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar as well as content. Plan for 5 minutes, write for 35 minutes, and save 5 minutes for checking your work.
Golden rule: Choose the question that immediately gives you ideas - don't waste time deliberating between both options!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content in English Language
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user