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English Language flashcards

38 cards covering every topic of the 8700 syllabus (For first teaching 2015). Study one topic or mix them all, turn each card, and mark yourself honestly.

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Topic 1: Critical reading and comprehension

How are AQA GCSE English Language Papers 1 and 2 set out?: Each is 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks, 50% of the GCSE: Section A Reading (40 marks) and Section B Writing (40 marks).
What does Paper 1 (Explorations in creative reading and writing) use as its source?: One unseen literary fiction extract from the 20th or 21st century. The 19th century is kept for Paper 2.
What do the AQA English Language reading objectives AO1 to AO4 test?: AO1 identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas, and select and synthesise evidence; AO2 analyse language and structure using terminology; AO3 compare writers' ideas and perspectives; AO4 evaluate texts critically.
What does Paper 1 Question 1 require?: 4 marks: list four things from a specified part of the source. It rewards identifying explicit information accurately (AO1).
What is the difference between explicit and implicit information?: Explicit information is stated directly in the text. Implicit information is suggested and must be inferred from clues such as word choice or behaviour.
What does Paper 2 (Writers' viewpoints and perspectives) use as its sources?: Two unseen non-fiction extracts on a shared theme: one from the 19th century and one from the 20th or 21st century.
What does Paper 2 Question 2 require?: A summary of the differences (or similarities) between the two sources on a given focus, 8 marks (AO1): inferences drawn from both texts, supported by evidence.
What does "synthesise" mean in AQA English Language?: Bring together information from more than one text into one coherent answer, rather than dealing with each separately.
Why does Paper 2 pair a 19th-century text with a modern one?: It forces comparison across real historical distance: tone, assumed audience and rhetorical conventions differ more clearly than between two contemporary texts.
What does Paper 1 Question 2 require?: 8 marks (AO2): analyse how the writer uses language in a given section, quoting precisely and explaining the effect of words, phrases, techniques and sentence forms.
What does Paper 1 Question 3 require?: 8 marks (AO2): analyse how the writer structures the whole extract, such as the opening focus, shifts, zooming in or out, and the ending.
What does Paper 1 Question 4 require?: 20 marks (AO4): evaluate a statement about part of the extract, judging how far the writer achieves an effect with textual evidence. It is worth as much as Questions 1–3 combined.
What does Paper 2 Question 3 require?: 12 marks (AO2): analyse how the writer of one source uses language to achieve effects.
What is a structural feature in a fiction extract? Give examples.: A choice about how the text is ordered and shaped: a shift in focus, a flashback, a change of perspective, a one-line paragraph, or a cyclical ending. Each shapes what the reader notices and when.
What is the effect of a one-sentence paragraph?: It isolates a moment or idea, slowing the pace and giving it emphasis, often marking a shock or turning point.
What is a semantic field, and why comment on one?: A group of words linked by meaning (such as words of war or of decay). A pattern of them builds a consistent mood or idea across the text.
What does Paper 2 Question 4 require?: 16 marks (AO3): compare how the two writers convey their different perspectives or viewpoints, and the methods they use to do so.
How do you structure a strong comparison of two sources?: Work through comparable points (an attitude, a language choice, a structural device), discussing both texts together each time and explaining why each writer chose their approach (audience, era, purpose).
Which assessment objective is tested on Paper 2 but not Paper 1?: AO3, comparing writers' ideas and perspectives. Paper 1 has a single source, so there is nothing to compare.

Topic 2: Writing

What do the AQA English Language writing objectives AO5 and AO6 reward?: AO5: communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, matching tone, style and register to form, purpose and audience, and organise ideas with structural and grammatical features. AO6: a range of vocabulary and sentence structures with accurate spelling and punctuation.
How are the 40 Section B writing marks split?: 24 marks for content and organisation (AO5) and 16 for technical accuracy (AO6), on both papers.
What does Paper 1 Question 5 require?: One piece of descriptive or narrative writing, from a choice of tasks linked in theme to the reading source. It is an original piece, not a continuation of the extract.
What does Paper 2 Question 5 require?: Writing to present a viewpoint on the Section A theme, in a specified form such as an article, letter or speech, for a given audience and purpose.
What conventions does a newspaper or magazine article need?: A headline and often a subheading, an opening that hooks the reader, clearly paragraphed points, and a register suited to its readership.
Which persuasive devices suit Paper 2 viewpoint writing?: Rhetorical questions, direct address, a counter-argument then rebuttal, facts and anecdotes, the rule of three, and a deliberate tone, all serving a clear viewpoint.
What makes a strong piece of descriptive writing?: A clear shape (hook, development, turning point, ending), precise vocabulary and sensory detail, and varied sentence structures, rather than sheer length.
What is the effect of the rule of three?: A list of three items or phrases sounds complete and memorable, adding emphasis and rhythm to an argument or description.
What is the effect of a short sentence after several long ones?: It stops the reader abruptly, giving the idea emphasis and often creating tension or a sense of finality.
What is a counter-argument, and why include one?: An opposing view that you state and then rebut. It makes your argument seem fair and considered, and so more convincing.

Topic 3: Spoken language

How is AQA GCSE English Language spoken language assessed?: A teacher-assessed presentation in a formal setting, followed by questions and feedback. It is reported separately as an endorsement with 0% weighting toward the GCSE grade.
What makes a strong spoken presentation?: A clear purpose, a structure (an attention-gaining opening, a few developed points, a conclusion), detail and evidence, knowledge without reading a script, and controlled delivery.
What is signposting in a presentation?: Phrases that tell the audience where the talk is going, such as "my second point is". It helps listeners follow the structure.
How should you respond to questions after a presentation?: Listen to the whole question, think, then give a relevant, developed answer: a short answer followed by a reason or example.
How should you respond to feedback or a challenge?: Show you have understood it, concede a fair point or defend your view politely, and stay appropriately formal.
How can you prepare for the questions?: Predict three or four likely questions and practise answers, and have a polite way to buy time, such as "That's an interesting question, let me think about the most important part of it."
What is Standard English?: The form of English used in formal writing and public speech, with consistent grammar and vocabulary not restricted to one region.
Which non-standard forms should you avoid in a formal presentation?: Errors of verb agreement and tense, such as "we was" (we were) and "they done it" (they did it), plus slang and fillers such as "like".
Is speaking with a regional accent non-standard English?: No. Standard English is about grammar and vocabulary, not accent, so it can be spoken in any accent.

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Written for AQA GCSE English Language (8700), syllabus 8700 (For first teaching 2015).

Cards by Marlbridge Academic Team. This deck has not yet been reviewed as a whole by a subject teacher. Report an error.

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