Language Paper 2 [2h]
General Notes
- Language Paper 2 consists of two passages with three questions
- This paper is 50 marks and worth 50% of your final Language grade
- Question 1 - 20 marks - 15 for reading, 5 for writing
- Question 2 - 10 marks
- Question 3 - 20 marks - 15 for reading, 5 for writing
Question 1
- This will ask you to write in role and in response to details in Text A. Your role should be clearly stated, then the task is given in bold, then three bullet points to structure your answer. This is worth 20 marks. Up to fifteen marks will be available for the content of your answer, and up to five marks for the quality of your writing.
- Read the passage to get a general idea of who is writing or speaking to whom about what and why.
- Read the question carefully to work out exactly who you are, what you have to write, how and why. Determine your VARP.
- Read the passage again, annotating all the relevant details necessary for question 1. Aim to use as many specific details from the text as possible.
- Try to pick up on implicit meanings. In other words, the language and style is likely to suggest ideas or attitudes not immediately obvious.
- A third reading may help before you answer the question. Make sure you include a clear introduction and conclusion in your answer.
- Be careful not to copy phrasing from the passage
Question 2
- This is in two sections, (a) and (b), and asks you to explain the effects of language used in two parts of the passage, usually about six lines each.
- Use a different way of laying out your annotations for this question in order to differentiate from the annotations you made for question 1.
- You have to write about a paragraph for each section, using a fairly straightforward topic sentence, then abuot five statements that answer the question. Try to cover a range of of literary devices.
- Marks are awarded for identifying the relevant features and explaining them clearly and precisely. You don't need to elaborate on your interpretation; focus on the overall effect and how it is achieved.
Question 3
- This is where summary skills are assessed. It consists of two parts: listed notes and a summary paragraph.
- You now read passage B and make sure you read the question first because it will focus you on the kind of evidence to look for.
- Read and underline the relevant points then try to group them into categories.
- Write a short, direct topic sentence.
- Re-write in clear and neutral English the evidence you've found. Aim to be as concise as possible, using varied sentence constructions.
- Check for clarity, coverage and concision.
Final Point
This paper is designed to test a range of reading skills. The key to success is to understand what the examiners are after in each question. Marks are likely to be lost by misreading the question rather than not understanding the passage.
This paper is designed to test a range of reading skills. The key to success is to understand what the examiners are after in each question. Marks are likely to be lost by misreading the question rather than not understanding the passage.