High level model answers for questions 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the 2023 AQA Language Paper 2 paper on trains which was, by all accounts, a challenging pair of extracts. Also includes some notes for helping to answer the reading questions.

Here are my model answers to questions 1 to 5 of the AQA Language Paper 1 exam where the exam was based on an extract from Life of Pi. They may be useful for students who want to know how they could have improved on their mock. The extract and questions are available on the AQA website. Each answer has been written to try and aim for the top band of the mark scheme. For Q5, I chose to do the story rather than the description. For model responses to the November 2022 paper on The Old Man and the Sea use this link: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12934137 Model responses for June 2022 on The Pearl can be found here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-13031986

Model answers for questions 1-5 of the English Language Paper 1 June 2024 paper when the extract was from The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing. The resource contains both a mid-level answer and a high-level model for questions 2-5 designed to meet the criteria for the top band of the markscheme for each question. There are model responses for both the description and the narrative for question 5. Please note: This pack only contains model answers. I have not included the extract from The Grass is Singing or the questions themselves because I don’t have copyright permission to share either of these. The insert and question paper are available to download from the AQA website.

The drop, shift, zoom, leave method is an increasingly popular method for approaching Paper 1 Question 5 because it allows a student to show the examiner they can effectively structure a narrative deliberately for effect. This resource contains several 500 word stories written in the drop, shift, zoom, leave style. Students should read the examples. They then attempt to plan and write a drop, shift, zoom, leave narrative of their own.

3 Grade 9 responses to the 2023 Language Paper 2 Question 5 question which involved writing a speech in which students had to give their opinion on a statement related to cars. Speech 1: Written in the powerful and emotional style with environmental concerns at the forefront Speech 2 Written in a slightly humorous/satirical style Speech 3: Begins and ends with an anecdote. All 3 speeches should achieve grade 9 due to the sustained use of ambitious vocabulary, a full range of punctuation and sentence structures used for effect alongside the use of cohesive devices to assist whole text structure and organisation.

High Level Model Answers for questions 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the AQA Language Paper 2 June 2024 paper which involved two non-fiction texts on the topic of medical care. For each answer I have included two advanced model responses. Students read each response and make notes at the bottom of each sheet explaining what they notice about the differences between the responses and debate which would achieve higher marks. I have not included the extracts or the questions themselves for copyright reasons. To obtain these you would need to go on the AQA website.

50 question quiz based on the Worlds and Lives AQA anthology. Comes with an answer sheet.

A bank of 200 ambitious adjectives to support students with creative writing on one printable sheet.

Perhaps due to the recent coronation, many experts are predicted kingship would be the theme for the exam in 2023. They were wrong. Maybe 2024 will be the year for this key theme to be on the exam. Therefore I have created a 20 slide PowerPoint that guides students through how to plan and respond to a question on kingship in Macbeth. Students go on to write their own response and then compare it to the model response. I believe the model response is full marks and would easily achieve grade 9; however, there will always be some teachers who claim nothing short of postgraduate level writing will receive the much coveted 9 so I am reluctant to make the claim that it would definitely achieve a 9.

A timeline revision activity for A Christmas Carol that asks students to offer 3 layers of analysis for 13 key Scrooge quotations to help track his transformation in the novel from a solitary miser to a redeemed philanthropist. A01: What is the meaning of the quotation? A02: What is the impact of words/methods? A03: What is Dickens’ message in this quotation? Comprehensive answer sheet is included. I give this out at the end of the lesson so students can compare their answers to it. Ideal revision activity in the run up to the May examinations. Also contains a similar timeline focused on the life lessons Scrooge learns across the novel to support the AQA May 2024 style question.

2 high level model example responses to the AQA Language Paper 2 Question 5 June 2024 paper. One response primarily agrees with the statement and argues young people should choose a career that benefits society. The second response offers a more nuanced argument that primarily disagrees with the statement in the question. Both follow a 6 paragraph structure which start with a personal anecdote to hook the reader. Both explore the issue from ethical, moral and financial perspectives. Both contain an element of counter argument. Both use a cyclical structure at the end to return to the ideas expressed in the opening.

A knowledge organiser containing a brief overview of the main ideas, key quotations, structure and context for the 15 poems from the AQA Worlds and Lives new poetry anthology. Useful for anyone, like me, who is trying to prepare to teach these largely unfamiliar poems for the first time.

50 multiple choice questions on An Inspector Calls designed to fit snugly onto one A3 sheet. Ideal for testing students’ direct knowledge of the text. Includes the answer sheet on page 2.

An exam-style grade 9 response that would comfortable fit into band 6 that explores how Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an evil/violent character. I have not included the 2019 question or extract but it is available on the AQA website under assessment materials. There is perceptive debate with judicious use of quotations and assured analysis of methods and wider ideas. Also contains a differentiated adaptive writing frame to help lower ability students achieve a grade 4.

PowerPoint with click-animated text which goes through 4 big ideas in the collection concerning the power of nature, conflict over identity, abuse of power and the power of memories. For each big idea, I go through key quotations from specific poems with detailed analysis written in short form to assist with note-taking. Students then move on to try using big ideas to help plan responses to 3 exam-style questions. My most comprehensive resource on Power and Conflict poetry is available here with revision posters on every poem: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/power-and-conflict-revision-sheets-12884928

A 13 page model answer booklet for the AQA Language Paper 2 Exam where the theme for the non-fiction texts was camping. There are two high level responses for each question so students can compare the merits of each response and decide which is better. I have not included question 1 because, of course, it is just multiple choice.

Ideal for spaced learning, here is a 20 question multiple choice test on The Handmaid’s Tale with answers included.

A free student workbook version of my 15 page power and conflict revision booklet. There are spaces underneath all of the key quotations from each poem so that students can write down their ideas about each quotation. The full resource with detailed analysis of key quotations from each poem is available here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12886246

A 20 question multiple choice quiz on Othello with answers. Ideal as a spaced learning revision task.