Paper 1: Question 1 Example (AQA GCSE English Language): Revision Note
Exam code: 8700
Paper 1 Question 1 of the AQA GCSE English Language exam has changed. If you are sitting your exam from 2026 onwards, you will be assessed with the new question style.
Sample answer to Question 1 (question style from 2026)
Paper 1 Question 1 is designed to settle you down into the exam, so even though it is only worth 4 marks, these should be easy marks to pick up.
Let’s have a look at the question, which is about lines 1-9 of the source text (opens in a new tab):
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Have a go at writing your four answers to the example question, and then compare what you have written to the suggested answers below.
Paper 1 Question 1 correct answers
Question part | Correct answer | Marks |
|---|---|---|
What worries Pi about the hyena? | Remembering what his father told him about hyenas | 1 |
How do hyenas usually attack? | As a group | 1 |
What sort of attackers are hyenas? | Tough | 1 |
What does Pi hope will distract the hyena away from him? | The other animals on the boat | 1 |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Some valid answers for this question may not be explicit, but instead be implied, which means that the information is found between the lines. Check out our explicit and implicit meaning exam skills page for a detailed guide on how to find both types of information in an exam.
Learn more and test yourself
For more great tips and tricks, check out Paper 1: How to Answer Question 1.
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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