GCSE English Language Paper 1
Everything you need to know about Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing. Paper structure, assessment objectives, mark scheme breakdown, and how to practise effectively.
1 hour 45 minutes | 80 marks | 50% of GCSE English Language
Paper 1 at a Glance
1h 45m
Exam Duration
80
Total Marks
1 Source
Fiction Extract
50%
Of English Language GCSE
Section A: Reading (40 marks)
You will read a fiction extract from either a 20th or 21st century novel or short story, then answer four questions of increasing difficulty.
Question 1 (4 marks)
List four things from a specific part of the source. Straightforward retrieval — identify explicit information.
Top tip: Keep answers short. Quote or paraphrase directly from the text.
Question 2 (8 marks)
How does the writer use language to describe/present something? Analyse specific words, phrases, and language features.
Top tip: Use the Point-Evidence-Explain structure. Identify techniques and explain their effect on the reader.
Question 3 (8 marks)
How has the writer structured the text to interest you as a reader? Analyse structural choices across the whole text.
Top tip: Consider openings, shifts in focus, narrative perspective changes, and how tension builds.
Question 4 (20 marks)
To what extent do you agree with a given statement about the text? Evaluate critically, using textual references.
Top tip: Show a clear personal response. Evaluate the writer's methods and their effectiveness. Use 'judicious' quotations.
Section B: Writing (40 marks)
One creative writing task worth 40 marks. You choose between a descriptive and a narrative task.
Question 5 (40 marks — 24 content + 16 SPaG)
Descriptive or narrative writing based on a visual prompt or written statement. Choose one task from two options.
Key Tips for Section B
Assessment Objectives Breakdown
Paper 1 tests five Assessment Objectives. Understanding what each AO requires helps you target your revision and maximise marks.
Identify & Interpret
4 marks (Q1)Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas. Select and synthesise evidence.
Explain & Analyse
16 marks (Q2 + Q3)Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers.
Evaluate Critically
20 marks (Q4)Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual references.
Content & Organisation
24 marks (Q5)Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different purposes and audiences. Organise information using structural and grammatical features.
Technical Accuracy
16 marks (Q5)Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.
Approximate Grade Boundaries
Grade boundaries vary each year, but these approximate ranges give you a target to aim for on Paper 1 (80 marks total).
Grade 9
68-80 marks
85-100%
Grade 8
60-67 marks
75-84%
Grade 7
52-59 marks
65-74%
Grade 6
44-51 marks
55-64%
Grade 5
36-43 marks
45-54%
Grade 4
28-35 marks
35-44%
Note: These are approximate figures based on recent AQA exam series. Actual boundaries vary by paper difficulty and are set after marking.
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