How To Pass The GCSE English Language Paper 1 2024 Exams: Walkthrough, Timings & What Examiners Want

Summary

This GCSE English Language Paper 1 revision lesson provides a clear framework for exam preparation, detailing what to expect from each of the five questions. It emphasizes effective time management, with strategic tips for tackling comprehension and creative writing sections. The speaker explains the assessment objectives, breaking down how to achieve high marks by focusing on language, structure, and evaluative skills. Practical techniques, such as using the PEEL method for paragraphing and the 'story mountain' framework for narrative writing, are highlighted to guide students in producing quality responses that meet examiners' expectations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Begin the exam by spending the first 10 minutes reading all five questions to strategize your approach.
• 🕒 Allocate time wisely: 5 minutes for question 1, 10 minutes for question 2, 10 minutes for question 3, and 20 minutes for question 4.
• 📜 Question 1 focuses on retrieving accurate information from the extract; full sentences are required.
• 🖊️ In question 2, analyze language techniques like metaphors and similes, aiming for two detailed PEEL paragraphs.
• 🔍 Question 3 tests your understanding of structure; discuss elements like the beginning and end of the text.
• 💬 Question 4 involves evaluating a student statement; agree or disagree and support your view with evidence from the text.
• ✍️ In section B, choose between descriptive and creative writing; do not attempt both.
• 🔄 Use a structured approach for descriptive writing, focusing on setting, atmosphere, and central focus.
• 🏔️ For creative writing, adopt a story mountain framework to guide your narrative from beginning to resolution.
• 📚 Familiarize yourself with assessment objectives (AOs) for each question to understand what examiners are looking for.

Q & A

What is the purpose of this GCSE revision lesson?

The lesson aims to provide students with a straightforward framework for preparing for the English Language Paper 1 exam, including what to expect and how to manage their time effectively.

How long is the English Language Paper 1 exam?

The exam lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes, with adjustments made for students who have extra time.

What should students do in the first 10 minutes of the exam?

Students should quickly read through all five questions to understand them, highlight keywords, and then read the fiction extract to look for specific information related to the questions.

What are the key mistakes students make in Question 1?

Common mistakes include writing one-word responses instead of full sentences and selecting incorrect statements from the passage.

What is the focus of Question 2?

Question 2 focuses on language analysis, where students must explain how the writer uses language techniques to convey meaning, requiring at least two PEEL paragraphs.

What does the structure of Question 3 involve?

Question 3 requires students to analyze the structure of the text, discussing elements like the beginning and end of the extract and any shifts in focus.

How should students approach Question 4?

In Question 4, students should evaluate a given student statement, agreeing or disagreeing based on evidence from the text, while writing at least three PEEL paragraphs.

What types of writing are required in Section B?

In Section B, students can choose between writing a descriptive piece based on an image or a creative story based on a prompt.

What is the recommended structure for descriptive writing?

The recommended structure includes five paragraphs: setting, mood, central focus, personification of that focus, and a concluding change.

What are the key assessment objectives (AOs) for the exam?

The AOs include AO1 (retrieve information), AO2 (language analysis), AO4 (evaluation), and AOs 5 and 6 (original writing and use of ambitious vocabulary and sentence structure).