Unit 1 & 2 TOP TIPS

English Language Unit 1: Fiction exam - Tuesday 2nd June
Box/section off the lines you are asked to consider for each question
SECTION A
Question 1 typical questions:
What does Name of character think and feel in these lines?
How to answer: Use ‘Name thinks …’ or ‘Name feels …’ to open each point and keep you focused. Some
thoughts and feelings will be self-explanatory others will require you to interpret their thoughts and
feelings using inference.
OR
What do you learn about ______________ in these lines?
How to answer: Consider the facts, physical descriptions, other people’s opinions, how they speak and act.
You can repeat the phrase ‘I learn that …’ - some of the language will require you to interpret to explain
how you came to your conclusions so explain what it means.
Question 2 typical questions:
How does the writer show Name’s thoughts and feelings?
OR
What impressions do you get of Name in these lines? How does the writer show you?
OR
How does the writer make this part of the story tense and dramatic?
How to answer: ALL question 2 answers require you to show HOW the writer does something which
means you need to CAREFULLY SELECT KEY WORDS AND PHRASES and offer an EXPLANATION as to HOW
the writer achieves the EFFECT.
The writer uses … This suggests …
The verb … is used which creates drama by …
The impression I get of Name is … because the term … shows me that …
Question 3 question:
What happens in these lines? How do you react to what happens?
OR
What do you learn about ______ in these lines? How do you react to what you learn?
How to answer: Track through the key events and describe them for the first part of the question. Whilst
tracking, offer a personal reaction.
When … happens I am surprised because …
I find it humorous when … happens as …
SECTION B
Write a story. Create a story and learn for the exam.
You are assessed on the quality of your story as well as the spelling, punctuation and
sentence structures.
English Language Unit 2: Non-Fiction exam - Tuesday 9th June
Make sure you are reading the correct material for each question
SECTION A
Question 1 typical questions:
What did …?
What do …?
What should …?
How to answer: You are mainly looking for at least 8 pieces of evidence to support the answer to the
question. You will need to explain less obvious points or metaphorical language, but mostly locate the
evidence.
Question 2 typical questions:
How does the writer try to show that …?
How to answer: ALL question 2 answers require you to show HOW the writer does something which
means you need to CAREFULLY SELECT KEY WORDS AND PHRASES and offer an EXPLANATION as to HOW
the writer achieves the EFFECT.
The writer uses … This suggests …
The verb … is used which …
The writer uses a personal experience to …
The facts and statistics, such as …, show that …
Using expert opinion shows the reader that …
Question 3 question:
Compare and contrast the 2 texts
How to answer: Consider the texts’ viewpoints, purposes and audiences. How are they similar and how do
they differ?
You MUST STATE WHICH TEXT YOU ARE REFERRING TO (use the author’s surname or the bold print above
the question that tells you whether the writing is an article, essay, review etc)
You MUST USE CONNECTIVES to signpost that you are comparing and contrasting.
HOWEVER
ALSO
WHEREAS
SIMILARLY
ALTHOUGH
FURTHERMORE
YET
LIKEWISE
Then offer an overview. OVERALL the 2 texts …
SECTION B
You will be asked to write one of the following:
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





A speech
A formal letter
An informal letter
A leaflet
A review
An article
A report
Make sure you understand the layout and structure, as well as WHO you are writing for and
what the PURPOSE of your writing is.
You are assessed on the quality and content of your writing as well as the spelling,
punctuation and sentence structures.