GCSEEnglish LanguageAQARevision NotesPaper 1Question 1Paper 1: How to Answer Question 1

Paper 1: How to Answer Question 1 (AQA GCSE English Language): Revision Note

Exam code: 8700

Deb Orrock

Written by: Deb Orrock

Reviewed by: Kate Lee

Updated on

Paper 1: How to Answer Question 1

Paper 1 Question 1 of the AQA GCSE English Language exam has changed and from 2026 onwards, you will be assessed with the new question style.

How to answer Question 1

Paper 1, Section A: Question 1 is the comprehension question.

Question 1 summary

  • Question 1 is the search and find question

  • You must only use information from the specified lines of the extract

  • The text will always be a prose text from either the 20th or 21st century

  • You need to find explicit and implicit information

Top tips

  • Read each of the four questions carefully

  • Read each answer option carefully before making your selection

  • Ensure you only tick one box per question

How to answer Paper 1 Question 1


This is what Question 1 looks like:

AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Question 1
Paper 1 Question 1 (2026 onwards)

In order to get the full 4 marks, you should:

  1. Grab your highlighter:

  • Read the question carefully

  • Highlight which lines you need to use in the source text for your answers

  1. Scan the section of the source:

  • Highlight only the information directly relevant to the focus of each sub-question

  1. Write your answers:

  • Read all the answer options carefully

  • Rule out two answer options per sub-question

  • Tick only one box per sub-question

  • Only tick four boxes in total

Examiner Tips and Tricks

It’s very important to read the answer options carefully. Although this question seems straightforward, some of the wrong answer options have been included to test your ability to read a text closely and carefully.

This means that you should try to rule out wrong answers by a process of elimination. Ask yourself: which of the answer options cannot be correct?

Learn more and test yourself

For more great tips and tricks, check out a sample answer for this question on our Paper 1 Question 1: Example page. 

You can also test yourself on Paper 1 Question 1 with expert-created model answers, with fully explained examiner comments, as part of our Paper 1 Question 1 exam questions offer.

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Deb Orrock

    Author: Deb Orrock

    Expertise: English Content Creator

    Deb is a graduate of Lancaster University and The University of Wolverhampton. After some time travelling and a successful career in the travel industry, she re-trained in education, specialising in literacy. She has over 16 years’ experience of working in education, teaching English Literature, English Language, Functional Skills English, ESOL and on Access to HE courses. She has also held curriculum and quality manager roles, and worked with organisations on embedding literacy and numeracy into vocational curriculums. She most recently managed a post-16 English curriculum as well as writing educational content and resources.

    Kate Lee

    Reviewer: Kate Lee

    Expertise: English Content Creator

    Kate has over 12 years of teaching experience as a Head of English and as a private tutor. Having also worked at the exam board AQA and in educational publishing, she's been writing educational resources to support learners in their exams throughout her career. She's passionate about helping students achieve their potential by developing their literacy and exam skills.