GCSE English Language Unit 1

Exam Don’t panic!

Prepare yourself with this helpful

guide

Step one: read the questions, then the items.

• As soon as possible, please invest in a highlighter or even better a pack of them !– use them to mark key points, interesting uses of language etc as you read the items so you can find them quickly later!

• This should take you about fifteen minutes

• Begin answering question 1 only when you have read the lot!

Question 1

• The examiner wants to see that you have fully understood the whole text.

• Start your answer with the most important points.

• Then add lots of detail, using BREADCRUMB QUOTES.

• You should include some inference too, eg the reader can tell she enjoyed it, he was nervous…

• DON’T analyse use of language• X3 SPEED 12 MINS.

Question 2

• Explain why heading, subheading & picture are effective AND how EACH of them link to the main text.

• This will entail some stating of the obvious, eg the heading mentions ‘new life’ which the main text explains is newly-discovered species.

• You may point out effective language use.• You MUST refer to (quote from?) the main text –

don’t discuss the headline, sub head and picture in isolation!

• X3 SPEED 12 MINS

Question 3

• The examiner wants to see that you can infer (read between the lines) what the main person in item 3 is thinking and feeling.

• Use quotes – SPEED structure is fine.

• Try to cover the whole of item 3

• X3 SPEED 12 MINS

Question 4

• Compare use of language – hopefully, you will have already highlighted a few interesting features (short sentences, technical language, informality, imagery…)

• SPEED back & forth between your 2 chosen items – link with comparison connectives.

• How are the items similar & how different?• Your answer should show you understand that

the language differs with PURPOSE & AUDIENCE.

• X6 SPEED 24 MINS

Question 5

• Writing to INFORM, EXPLAIN, DESCRIBE• .,:;””!?-/…()• PLAN 3 or 4 paras, order and LINK them• SHOW OFF as much as you can from the very

first sentence!• Use a variety of sentence structures.• -LY and –ING openers• Engage your readers!!• BAG OF FULL STOPS

Question 6

• Writing to ARGUE or PERSUADE• .,!””()?:;…• SHOW OFF as much as you can from the very first

sentence!• Use a variety of sentence structures.• Anecdote• Pivot paragraph• Magic sentence: 1; 2; 3.• 1• 2• 3• Anecdote

Check your answers.

Timing

• 15 mins reading

• 1h for qs1,2,3 & 4 » Q1 – 12 mins» Q2 – 12 mins» Q3 – 12 mins» Q4 – 24 mins

• 1h for qs 5 & 6» Q5 – 25 mins» Q6 – 35 mins