English Language
Units 1 and 2
This examination is two hours
long and consists of the following:
Section A: Assessing READING. 60 minutes.
40 marks.
• You will read two examples of non-literary texts
on a common theme and answer questions on
them.
Section B: Assessing WRITING. 60 minutes.
40 marks (20 for each piece of writing)
• You need to produce two pieces of transactional
writing – writing that pays special attention to
audience, purpose and format.
The reading section
Section A: Assessing READING. 60 minutes.
40 marks.
• You will read two examples of non-literary texts
on a common theme. These could be an
advert, a newspaper or magazine article, a
page from the Internet or an essay (e.g. travel
writing). You then answer questions on these
texts. One question (usually the last one) will
ask you to compare the texts.
Reading paper
The questions you will be asked fall into seven
basic types:
• Locating and retrieving information
• Impressions and images
• Viewpoint and attitude
• Intended audience
• Analysis of persuasive techniques
• Comparison of texts
• Evaluation of texts
Reading paper
How the questions might be worded:
• Compare and contrast these texts.
• What are the writer’s thoughts and feelings
about…?
• What evidence does the writer give that…?
• Which of these texts do you find the most
effective?
• Who would the language in this text appeal to?
• What impression do we get of…?
• How does this text try to persuade the reader
that…?
You can use the
words in the
question to start
your answer e.g. ‘The
writer’s thoughts and
feelings are…’
Remember PAS
Purpose – Why has the text been written? What
does the writer want to achieve?
Audience – Who is the text intended to be read by?
Style – How do the language and presentational
devices of a text suit the PURPOSE and
AUDIENCE?
So, put simply, the S is used to match the P and A!
Glossary
of useful terms
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