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

Each question in Paper 1 Section A (reading) is worth a different number of marks, and you are being tested on specific skills for each. However, your approach to each question should be the same; the only difference is how you write each answer.

This guide will provide you with the information you need to answer Paper 1 Question 1 to a high standard.

This page includes (click to go straight to the topic):

• An overview to Paper 1 Question 1
• Steps to success for the search and find question
• Exam tips for Paper 1 Question 1

Paper 1 Question 1 is a quick “search and find” question. You are being tested on your ability to retrieve information from a text. You will be asked to list or find four things about something from certain lines in the source document. It is very important that you only take your answers from the lines you are given in the question. This question assesses AO1 (1):

AO1 (1): Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas

Question	Marks	Suggested timing	Text	AO
1	4	5 minutes (or 10 minutes including reading time)	Given lines of Source A (20th or 21st century prose fiction)	AO1(1): Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas

You should write your answers as four separate statements. Making inferences is not required in this question. You do not need to write a whole paragraph for each answer, or attempt to ‘explain’ what a quote means. You are just being tested on your ability to find the information. It really is that straightforward.

Steps to success for the search and find question

Following these steps will give you a strategy for answering this question effectively:

1. Grab your highlighter and read the question first
• Read the question carefully and highlight which lines you need to use in the source text for your answers
• Highlight the focus of the question
  
  
  
2. Scan the section of the source
• Highlight only the information directly relevant to the focus of the question
3. Write your answers
• Write four separate answers
• Each answer must clearly relate to the focus of the question
• Write each answer as a complete sentence
• For example: “It is snowing” or “She is standing on a mountain”