AQA English-Language Paper 1 Question 1 Tips

Overview

• Question 1 of AQA English-Language Paper 1 is an easy opener designed to ease students into the exam.
• It requires listing four things about a topic from a certain part of a source.
• This usually involves the first 5 to 9 lines of the source, focusing on character or setting.
• The question assesses the first part of AO1: to identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas.

Common Mistakes

1. Wrong Part of Text: Students often write about the wrong section of text.
   • Tip: Draw a box around the relevant lines to ensure answers are from the correct section.
   • Reminder: Do not strike through any lines of text; you will need to revisit this section for Question 3.
2. Overcomplication: Trying to infer rather than stating simple points.
   • Examiner Advice: Retrieving information directly often yields better results than interpreting.
   • Example: "Brightly coughed" is correct while "Brightly was sick" is an incorrect inference.
3. Misreading: Errors in understanding or quoting the text correctly.
   • Example: Misreading "He tried to believe he was tasting them" as "He tried to believe he was tasting his lips." The correct point is about tasting bread, cheese, and cider.

Tips for Answering

1. Keep Answers Simple

• Find four explicit, simple points for your answer.
• Write in your own words or quote directly from the text.
• Use the wording of the question to stay focused.

2. Use Sentence Starters

• Start answers with words from the question: e.g., "Brightly" or "He".
• Example 4 Points about Brightly:
  1. Brightly was tired.
  2. Brightly was hungry.
  3. Brightly was thinking about bread and cheese and cider.
  4. Brightly licked his lips.

3. Draw a Box Around Relevant Text

• Ensure answers come from the correct lines (e.g., lines 1-7).

Conclusion

• Following simple, clear strategies can help achieve full marks in Question 1.
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