AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 2:
L6 / B Grade Example Student Answer + Feedback
This document breaks down the process for answering Language Paper 2 Question 2 -
the language analysis question. You are advised to write PEE paragraphs for this
question, if you aim for three detailed paragraphs that will be better than writing four
or five smaller paragraphs. This was the student’s first time at planning and writing the
question - so she did very well! Her answer received a borderline L6 grade - the
equivalent of a B grade with a score of 7/12. The mark scheme and feedback on each
paragraph have been provided below, by an AQA examiner. Bear in mind that the
answer is a little ungrammatical - the grammar errors have been left in to show the
students’ capability. For all Language exam questions, you should aim to use accurate
grammar and complex, sophisticated vocabulary wherever possible.
THE QUESTION
The question is taken from the November 2017 exam: “How does the writer use
language to describe Sister Brendan?” [12 marks]
Note: This extract is still available online. You may want to read through it before
looking at the answer below. You could even try writing your own answer to the
question, then comparing and contrasting what you wrote with the example given.
STEP 1: IDENTIFY KEYWORDS
Sister Brendan - the focus of the question, a character question
Writer - always analyse the writer’s intentions behind the story, not just what happens
Language - focus on language techniques and devices
Describe - creative / painting a picture
, STEP 2: PLAN THREE TOPICS ABOUT SISTER BRENDAN
1) Happy
Firstly, Sister Brendan is described as a happy person.
“fluttering along the corridors”
“her shining eyes”
2) Attentive
She’s also quite attentive, both to the students and the narrator.
”dark darting eyes”
“like a small hungry blackbird out for the early worm”
“mysterious glint”
3) Lively and friendly
Finally, she welcomes the narrator with a lively and friendly personality.
“pointing and chattering and cluttering” (syndetic listing)
“Enthusiastically”
STEP 3: WRITE UP YOUR ANSWER USING PEE PARAGRAPHS
The example below is from a student who tried this question for the first time. She did
really well, but there’s also lots of room for improvement! She’s great at understanding
the specific effects of language, but could do with being a bit more precise on
grammar, structuring and language techniques.
L6 / B Grade Example Student Answer + Feedback
This document breaks down the process for answering Language Paper 2 Question 2 -
the language analysis question. You are advised to write PEE paragraphs for this
question, if you aim for three detailed paragraphs that will be better than writing four
or five smaller paragraphs. This was the student’s first time at planning and writing the
question - so she did very well! Her answer received a borderline L6 grade - the
equivalent of a B grade with a score of 7/12. The mark scheme and feedback on each
paragraph have been provided below, by an AQA examiner. Bear in mind that the
answer is a little ungrammatical - the grammar errors have been left in to show the
students’ capability. For all Language exam questions, you should aim to use accurate
grammar and complex, sophisticated vocabulary wherever possible.
THE QUESTION
The question is taken from the November 2017 exam: “How does the writer use
language to describe Sister Brendan?” [12 marks]
Note: This extract is still available online. You may want to read through it before
looking at the answer below. You could even try writing your own answer to the
question, then comparing and contrasting what you wrote with the example given.
STEP 1: IDENTIFY KEYWORDS
Sister Brendan - the focus of the question, a character question
Writer - always analyse the writer’s intentions behind the story, not just what happens
Language - focus on language techniques and devices
Describe - creative / painting a picture
, STEP 2: PLAN THREE TOPICS ABOUT SISTER BRENDAN
1) Happy
Firstly, Sister Brendan is described as a happy person.
“fluttering along the corridors”
“her shining eyes”
2) Attentive
She’s also quite attentive, both to the students and the narrator.
”dark darting eyes”
“like a small hungry blackbird out for the early worm”
“mysterious glint”
3) Lively and friendly
Finally, she welcomes the narrator with a lively and friendly personality.
“pointing and chattering and cluttering” (syndetic listing)
“Enthusiastically”
STEP 3: WRITE UP YOUR ANSWER USING PEE PARAGRAPHS
The example below is from a student who tried this question for the first time. She did
really well, but there’s also lots of room for improvement! She’s great at understanding
the specific effects of language, but could do with being a bit more precise on
grammar, structuring and language techniques.
