English Language Exam

Your exam board for all English exams is AQA: http://www.aqa.org.uk

English Language Exam 29th May 2012 (2 hrs 15 mins)

Section A Reading (1hr and 15mins) Key words: imply, infer, convey, illustrate, reinforce... Read the articles carefully (try to spend at least 10 minutes reading)

You are marked for reading only in this section but it is still worth being careful with your writing style.

Number of marks for each question - Foundation 2) 8 3) 12 4) 12

Type of questions- Foundation 1a) 4 Pick out main points 1b) 4 Pick out main points and infer 2) 8 Infer (Use P-E-E) 3) 12 Language features 4) 12 Compare Presentational features

Number of marks for each question - Higher 1) 8 2) 8 3) 8 4) 16

Type of questions - Higher 1) 8 Infer (always 2 elements to question!) 2) 8 Presentation question (Link some of text to pictures) 3) 8 Inference (What and How) 4) 16 Compare Language. (Always Source 3 plus one other)

You have an hour for the first section, worth 40 marks. This means that the number of minutes you spend on each part should be 1 and ½ times the available marks (e.g. 2 marks = 3 mins; 4 marks = 6 mins). Make sure your answers reflect the number of marks available!

Expect to find three texts on the same subject or theme Expect to find three texts on the same subject or theme. These may be more or less factual, or may give opinions - they may do both, in different places. Often there is a persuasive article or advertisement.

INFER The key thing to do in all questions (poss. except the 1st on Foundation) is to infer. This means to read between the lines. Use the clues in the text. This sometimes simply means using P-E-E Use ‘This shows...’!

There will always be a question asking you to write about language devices, presentational devices and compare

On higher you will have to compare language On Foundation you will have to compare presentational features

Section B (Writing) (1 hr)   You will be given two writing tasks to do. You will be asked to Inform or Describe for the shorter question and Argue or Persuade for the longer question. Aim to write between 1 and 2 pages. Check your spelling, punctuation and grammar.

You will be offered a variety of different forms to write in, which could consist of:   a newspaper or magazine article a report a letter – formal or informal a speech

Writing Assessment Objectives Write in the correct style for the audience and purpose Organise ideas (sentences and paragraphs) and use language devices (alliteration etc) Accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar!

Q5 Shorter writing task – Inform/Explain/Describe E.g. Describe a traumatic experience and explain how it has affected you. 25 minutes, 16 marks 1-2 sides

Q6 Longer writing – Argue/Persuade 35 minutes, 24 marks 2-3 sides