Layout of the English and Literature Exams

English Language Exams

Non-Fiction, Media and Information - Written Examination - 1 hour 45 minutes - 30%
Three tasks will be set in the examination:

Section A: Assessment objective: READING 20%

Task 1 will require candidates to distinguish between fact and opinion, select and collate material, and to cross-refer between texts.

Task 2 will require candidates to follow an argument, to identify implications and inconsistencies, and/or to evaluate how information is presented (e.g. to comment on the characteristic features)

Section B: Assessment Objective: WRITING 10%
Candidates will be required to produce a piece of continuous writing to inform, explain, describe, on a topic broadly linked to the reading material provided.

Different Cultures, Analysis and Argument -Written Examination – 1 hour 45 minutes - 30%
Three tasks will be set in the examination.

Section A [Open Book]: Assessment Objective: READING 10%
Candidates will be required to complete one task, based on reading of Opening Worlds.

Tasks will require candidates to respond to distinctive aspects of texts from different cultures and traditions by exploring the ways in which writers use language and structure to create character/setting/theme.

Section B: Assessment Objective: WRITING
20%
Two tasks will be set.
In response to stimulus material, candidates will be required to produce two pieces of writing: one to analyse, review, comment; one to argue, persuade, advise.

English Literature Exams

Drama post 1914 - Written Examination - 45 minutes - 20%
You must answer one question.
On Death of a Salesman three questions will be set including:
• Extract – based tasks, (a question of this type will always be set);
• Tasks involving comment, criticism and analysis, (at least one question of this type will be set);
• Imaginative/ re-creative tasks, for example in which you write in role as one of the characters.

Poetry and Prose post-1914 - Written Examination - 1 hour 30 minutes 50%
You must answer two questions: one from Section A and one from Section C:

• Section A: Poetry published after 1914 – The 1914-18 War (Section H)

• Section C: Empire of the Sun

On Empire of the Sun and Poetry three questions will be set, including:
• Extract–based tasks (questions of this type will always be set on poetry).
• Tasks involving comment, criticism and analysis, including comparison where appropriate (at least one question of this type will always be set on each text)
All tasks on poetry will require comparison between texts.