AQA Language Paper 2, Question 4: Example Paragraphs + Breakdown

Question 4 is one of the hardest questions on the whole AQA Language Paper 2! You have to write a full comparative essay, but you don’t have much time to complete it (I advise spending around 20-25 mins maximum). Below I’ll go through some tips to help you get the very best results without spending […]

AQA Language Paper 2 Writing A* / L9 + Example Answer

Just in time for Halloween, here’s a spooky letter that argues persuasively in defence of keeping the festival going! I wrote this answer with the mark scheme in mind, so it ticks all the boxes that you would expect for a top-level grade – a clear, thorough argument with counter paragraphs, an evaluative conclusion, lots […]

Charles Dickens Reading Comprehension: Great Expectations

Below, you can find Charles Dickens Reading Comprehension: Great Expectations. This extract and the following questions are designed as a practise for students taking GCSE English – the exam questions are based on the type of assessments you would find in an English Language exam, such as AQA, CIE, Eduqas or Edexcel. Use the extract […]

5 Image-based Descriptive Writing Prompts

Need a better way to practise writing? Below, you’ll find 5 image-based descriptive writing prompts which are a great way to go! If you’re studying creative writing, you’ve probably heard of them and might have even used them by now! If you’re a non-fiction writer or just an everyday writer, especially if you’re just getting […]

Grade Boundaries for AQA GCSE English Language (Explained for Students)

Here’s how to grade boundaries for AQA GCSE English Language yourself. Figuring out how to convert a mark into an actual grade can be very confusing! We’ve broken it down here for you so that it’s clearer and more manageable to see how you’re doing on practise questions and papers. Here are a few things […]

How to Answer Language Paper 2, Question 4: Comparative Essay

How to answer English Language Paper 2 Question 4 Comparative Essay

This question is a tough one! I think it’s probably the hardest on the whole paper. It counts for 16 marks, which is 20% of your overall score for this paper. So, make sure you know how to do it! A lot of my students get a bit intimidated by the idea of having to […]

Narrative Writing: Student Example “On The Run”

This example narrative essay was written by one of my 15-year-old students, with my detailed notes on feedback and marking. This was one of her first attempts at writing (her exam board is AQA GCSE English Language, but most English exams have similar questions and mark schemes to this one ) and I think she […]

How to get top marks in English Language Paper 1: Section A

AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Section A

Below, you’ll find an approach for each question in Section A of the English Language Paper 1, including tips that help you to get full marks. The name of this paper is ‘Explorations In Creative Reading + Writing’. This exam is focused on ‘fiction’ – this means story writing. You will have to analyse a […]

What is the AQA GCSE English Spoken Component?

A lot of my students in the past year or so have been freaked out or confused by the spoken component of the AQA GCSE English Language course. Sometimes, they think teachers are spending too much time on it; other times they’re worried that they’ve not had enough time or guidance to properly prepare. So, […]

AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Question 5

Here’s a descriptive writing example answer that I completed in timed conditions for AQA English Language Paper 1, Question 5. This question is worth HALF of your marks for the entire paper, so getting it right is crucial to receiving a high grade overall for your English GCSE. Underneath the answer, I’ll provide some feedback […]