GCSE English Language Paper 1: Complete Walkthrough and Tips

GCSE English Language Paper 1 tests your ability to read fiction critically and write creatively. Whether you’re facing AQA’s “Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing” or Edexcel’s equivalent, this guide will walk you through every question type and show you exactly what examiners want to see.

Paper Overview

Paper 1 is worth 50% of your English Language GCSE. You’ll have 1 hour 45 minutes to complete both sections:

Section A: Reading (40 marks, roughly 1 hour)
Section B: Writing (40 marks, roughly 45 minutes)

You’ll be given an extract from a fiction text—usually 19th, 20th, or 21st century prose—and you’ll answer four reading questions before completing a creative writing task.

Section A: Reading (AQA Format)

Question 1: List Four Things (4 marks)

What they want: Four simple facts from a specified part of the text.

How to answer:

Spend no more than 5 minutes on this question
Scan the specified lines carefully
Write four separate bullet points
Copy short phrases directly from the text if needed
Don’t explain or analyse—just list

Example: “List four things you learn about the character from lines 1-8.”

He was tall
He wore a grey coat
He walked with a limp
He carried a leather case

Question 2: Language Analysis (8 marks)

What they want: How the writer uses language to create effects (usually focusing on a character or setting).

How to answer:

Spend about 12 minutes
Select 3-4 relevant quotations
For each quote, identify the technique (metaphor, simile, adjective, verb choice)
Explain what the technique suggests or implies
Link back to the question throughout

Structure for each point: The writer uses [technique] when they write “[quote].” This suggests [effect/meaning], which makes the reader feel [emotional response].

Common mistake: Students identify techniques but forget to explain their effect. Don’t write “The writer uses a metaphor.” Write “The metaphor ‘her eyes were ice’ suggests coldness and lack of emotion, making the reader feel unsettled by the character.”

Question 3: Structure Analysis (8 marks)

What they want: How the writer structures the text to interest the reader.

How to answer:

Spend about 12 minutes
Look at the whole source
Consider the opening, development, and ending
Discuss shifts in focus, time, pace, or perspective
Use discourse markers: “At the beginning…”, “As the extract develops…”, “By the end…”

What to look for:

Does it start with action or description?
Are there shifts in time (flashbacks, time jumps)?
Does the focus change (from setting to character, from outside to inside)?
How does the pace change (long descriptive sentences vs short, sharp action)?
What’s the effect of the ending?

Question 4: Evaluation (20 marks)

What they want: A critical evaluation of a statement about the text (e.g., “The writer makes the reader feel sympathy for the character. To what extent do you agree?”).

How to answer:

Spend about 25 minutes
This is the longest question—plan before you write
Aim for 4-5 developed paragraphs
Use quotations throughout
Discuss both language and structure
Consider alternative interpretations
Conclude by giving your overall judgement

Paragraph structure:

Introduction: State your overall viewpoint 2-4. Main body: Each paragraph discusses one way the writer creates the effect mentioned in the statement
Conclusion: Sum up your evaluation

Top band answers:

Analyse language and structure
Use subject terminology correctly
Develop interpretations perceptively
Support every point with evidence
Show critical evaluation throughout

Section B: Writing (40 marks)

You’ll choose ONE task from a choice of two (usually a descriptive piece or a narrative). Both are marked identically, so choose whichever inspires you more.

Content and Organisation (24 marks)

Planning (5 minutes): Don’t skip this. Jot down:

Your opening hook
3-4 main events or description points
Your ending
Interesting vocabulary or techniques you want to include

Structure:

Strong opening: Start with action, dialogue, description, or a hook that grabs attention
Developed middle: Take time to build atmosphere, character, or tension
Satisfying ending: Don’t rush this. Create a sense of closure

Descriptive writing tips:

Use all five senses
Vary your sentence structures
Create a mood or atmosphere
Don’t try to describe everything—focus on specific, vivid details
Show, don’t tell: Instead of “She was scared,” write “Her hands trembled as she reached for the door handle”

Narrative writing tips:

Keep it simple—one main character, one main event
Build tension gradually
Use dialogue to reveal character and move the plot
Vary your pace: slow down for key moments, speed up for action
A satisfying ending doesn’t need to be a twist—just provide closure

Technical Accuracy (16 marks)

Examiners mark your:

Sentence structures (simple, compound, complex)
Punctuation (ambitious punctuation like semicolons earns credit)
Spelling
Grammar

Top tips:

Vary your sentence openers (Don’t start every sentence with “The…”)
Include a range of punctuation: full stops, commas, semicolons, colons, dashes
Use paragraphs correctly (new paragraph = new time, place, person, or idea)
Check your writing for errors in the last 5 minutes

Remember: Examiners aren’t looking for perfect writing. They want to see ambitious vocabulary, varied sentences, and a clear attempt to engage the reader.

Time Management

Question 1: 5 minutes
Question 2: 12 minutes
Question 3: 12 minutes
Question 4: 25 minutes
Section B planning: 5 minutes
Section B writing: 40 minutes
Final check: 6 minutes

Stick to these timings. Don’t spend 30 minutes perfecting Question 1—it’s only worth 4 marks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not reading the question properly: If it asks about language, don’t write about structure
Feature-spotting without analysis: Naming techniques isn’t enough—explain their effect
Retelling the story: Examiners have read the text—analyse it, don’t summarise it
Neglecting Section B: It’s worth as many marks as the reading section
No planning for creative writing: This always shows in the quality

Practice makes perfect with English Language. Read the examiner reports for your exam board to see exactly what loses students marks. UpGrades provides targeted practice questions that mirror real exam formats, helping you refine your approach before the real thing.