This document provides information about the GCSE English Language and Literature exams and offers revision tips. It outlines the exam structure and breakdown, including the percentage weightings of controlled assessments versus exams. It describes the exam questions for English Language Unit 1 for both higher and foundation tiers, explaining the focus and requirements of each question. Similar information is provided for the English Literature Unit 1 exam on prose and drama, focusing on An Inspector Calls. Revision tips are offered such as practicing timed answers, annotation, and learning language features. Students are advised to practice exam-style questions under timed conditions to prepare.

1. Who Says You Can’t Revise for
English?

2. GCSE Breakdown
English Language / English GCSE
• 40% Controlled Assessment - completed
• 60% Exam - Unit 1 (2 hrs 15 mins) 2nd June am
English Literature
• 25% Controlled Assessment - completed
• 75% Exam
• Paper 1: Exploring Modern Texts (Of Mice and Men
and An Inspector Calls) (1hr 30mins) 18th May
• Paper 2: Poetry Across Time (1 hr 15mins) 22nd May
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3. Preparation
• We are ensuring high quality teaching and learning in and
beyond the classroom with intensive focus on exam skills.
• We are using diagnostic assessment tools, specific
individual feedback to students, intervention strategies and
sustained focus on progression and improvement.
• We are creating opportunities for students’ to develop their
exam technique (timing, writing stamina, knowledge of
assessment criteria, familiarity with questions and exam
structure) and improve confidence such as December mock
exams, ‘Walking – talking Mocks’, March Mock exams.
• Revision booklet, strategies and resources are provided to
support students with independent revision.

4. • A 54 page booklet of advice, guidance and tasks will be
given to all students next week.

5. English Language Unit 1 Paper
(Higher Tier)
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Q5 Q6

6. Q1 What do you learn about...?
Comprehension & Summary 8 marks 12 minutes
A range of points
Supported by quotes as
evidence
Makes links between
connected ideas
No analysis

7. Q2 Explain how the headline and picture are
effective and how they link to the text
Presentational devices & evaluation 8 marks 12 minutes
Points about how image &
headline reflect content of text
Understanding of how
headline and image work
Makes connections between
different aspects of text
 Analysis & evaluation using
evidence

8. Q3 Explain the writer’s thoughts and feelings
Inference 8 marks 12 minutes
Selection of points from
across extract
Reading between the lines
Understanding of subtext
Evidence and explanation

9. Unit 1 Paper Foundation Tier
Q1a & b Q2 Q3 Q4
Q5 Q6
Compares presentational
devices and layout
Tests reading between the
lines
Language analysis

10. Q4 Compare the ways in which language is
used for effect in the two texts
Analysis of language for GAP 16 marks 24minutes
Choices for comparison
Focus on language
techniques used by writers to
have effect on the reader
Understanding of different
types of language in different
types of text

11. How to revise
 Read journalism and
literary non-fiction
 Understand effect of
language on readers
 Practise annotation
 Practise timed answers
 Practise making links
 Practise planning answers
 Learn language features

12. Q5 Inform Explain Describe
 Usually a type of writing you might find in real
life
 Concise & stylish
 Structured, with sentences used for effect.
 Spelling, punctuation
 Word choices & devices
16 marks 24 minutes

13. Q6 Argue or Persuade
• More developed writing
• Uses conventions of argument or persuasion
• Clearly organised writing
• Range of sentence structures
• Clear sense of audience & purpose
• Formal style
• Spelling & punctuation
24 marks 35 minutes

14. English Literature
• 22nd

15. Unit 1: Prose and Drama Exam
Section A
Choice of 2 essay questions based on ‘An Inspector Calls’
E.g.
Question 18
How important do you think social class is in An Inspector Calls
and how does Priestley present ideas about social class? (30
marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
45
mins

16. Section B - 2 part question on the novel
Read the following passage and then
answer Part (a) and Part (b)
Part (a)
In this passage, how does Steinbeck
present Crooks? Refer closely to the
passage in your answer.
and then
Part (b)
In the rest of the novel how does
Steinbeck use Crooks to present attitudes to
black people at the time the novel is set?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
45
mins
CONTEXT

17. Unit 2
Unseen
poem
Relationships Cluster
• 15 poems
• Choice of 2 questions
• Named poem compared to another from the
same cluster

18. Work Smart!

19. Literature Revision Tips
• Re-read set texts and make character, theme and
technique revision posters.
• Practise exam-style questions under timed conditions
(see AQA website for past papers and English revision
packs - to be given out before the Easter Holidays)
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