English language paper 2: Section A
In Paper 2 Section A of the exam your child will spend 15 minutes reading the two
non-fiction texts provided and annotating these in preparation for answering 4
questions. The four questions follow a similar pattern each year and cover the
following skills:
- Question 1 – Selecting and retrieving information
- Question 2 – Summary of explicit and implicit information
- Question 3 – Explain, comment on, analyse language
- Question 4 – Comparison of writers’ ideas and perspectives
| Question 1 4 marks 5 minutes Students need to: Identify 4 true statements from one text.
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Question 2
8 marks 1) Identify the difference between the two ideas 2) Use precise quotation(s) to support their point 3) Explain what the evidence suggests about the topic |
| Question 3 12 marks 12 minutes Students need to: Examine one text and analyse the use of language and its effects.Students to set out their 3 paragraphs as follows:1) Identify the writer’s use of language and how it’s been used 2) Use precise quotation(s) to support their point 3) Explain the effects the language provides
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Question 4 16 marks 20 minutes Students need to: Compare the writers’ ideas and perspectives and how they are conveyed.Students need to set out their evaluationas follows:1) Make a point linked to topic in question 2) Offer precise pieces of evidence to support your point on source A 3) Explore the connotations/effect of your feature 4) Link back to writer’s view/perspective 5) Use a connective to highlight difference (whereas) and repeat 1-4 for source B |
How can you help support your child with the reading sections?
- Time your son/daughter completing a mock question using the times above
- Find different types of fiction and non-fiction sources together and talk about what they are about
- Encourage your child to read a variety of literature. This will ensure they are well-read individuals who have the ability to discuss great writing
- Work with your child on annotating different sources, from their English revision pack, for the different skills needed for each question
- Marking timed responses, together with your child, using the criteria outlined above
Section B on both language exams assess your child’s writing skills.
Paper 1 – Descriptive or narrative writing Paper 2 – Opinion writing
| Paper 1
40 marks 45 minutes Students need to write for one of the following purposes: ● narrative ● describe – using an image as a stimulus Students need to ensure they have included: 1) language features associated with the purpose 2) appropriate tone for the genre, purpose and audience 3) variety of sentences crafted for impact 4) a variety of punctuation crafted for impact 5) accurate spelling 6) ambitious vocabulary 7) paragraphs that are used accurately and crafted for impact.
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Paper 2
40 marks 45 minutes Students need to write for the following purpose: ● opinion Students need to ensure they have included: 1) language features associated with the purpose 2) appropriate tone for the genre, purpose and audience 3) variety of sentences crafted for impact 4) a variety of punctuation mcrafted for impact 5) accurate spelling 6) ambitious vocabulary 7) paragraphs that are used accurately and crafted for impact.
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How can you help support your child with the writing sections?
- Time your son/daughter completing a mock question using the times above.
- Create some writing questions together with your child that cover different forms, audiences and purposes.
- Find different images together that your son/daughter could use as a stimulus for descriptive writing.
- Marking timed responses, together with your child, using the criteria outlined above.
- Encourage your child to redraft their creative writing once you have marked together.
- Annotate examples of different types of writing and how their language use suits the text’s purpose.