Reading Questions Breakdown

You'll face five reading questions that test different skills, and knowing what each one wants is half the battle. Questions 1 and 2 are straightforward - just list five things or describe impressions using direct evidence from the text. No need for deep analysis here, just show you understand what's happening.

Questions 3 and 4 step things up by asking how writers create effects. Focus on the writer's choices - why they picked certain words or structured events in particular ways. Always refer to "the writer" to show you understand this is crafted, not accidental.

Question 5 wants your opinion on a statement about the text. Always agree or "agree to an extent" - this gives you a clear stance to argue from. Track through the entire text even if the question focuses on specific lines.

Top tip: Rule off the section you're directed to read and stick to it for Questions 1-4. Copying chunks of text without explanation gets zero marks!

Writing Your Narrative and Key Techniques

Your creative writing needs to be 450-600 words and directly address the title you choose. Keep it simple - limit characters and events so you can develop them properly rather than rushing through a complicated plot.

Planning is essential - spend 10 minutes plotting your story structure and 5 minutes proofreading at the end. Your narrative must have an engaging opening, logical sequence of events, and an effective ending that ties up loose ends.

Master the "show don't tell" technique. Instead of writing "he was angry," describe the purple-red colour of his face and the pulsating vein in his neck. Use prepositions to create atmosphere - "from beyond the darkness" sounds much more dramatic than "he saw a light."

Common mistakes will cost you marks: remember "a lot" is two words, "it's" only means "it is," and "could of" should be "could have." These basics matter just as much as your creative ideas.

Remember: You must practise different story types before the exam. Having a few narrative structures ready will save precious thinking time on the day.