Generic Paper 1 Section A Questions

Remember- the good thing about Paper 1 Section A: Reading Non-Fiction is that the questions
don’t change very much from year to year.

You need to make sure that you:

• have a confident understanding of the assessment objectives
• can anticipate the range of questions you may get on the paper
• have practiced answering the question with a range of non-fiction texts
• are aware of the standard needed to get full marks for these types of questions.

The Assessment Objectives:

AO2 Reading (En2)

Candidates are required to demonstrate their ability to:

(i) read, with insight and engagement, making appropriate references to texts and
developing and sustaining interpretations of them

(ii) distinguish between fact and opinion and evaluate how information is presented

(iii) follow an argument, identifying implications and recognising inconsistencies

(iv) select material appropriate to their purpose, collate material from different sources,
and make cross-references

(v) understand and evaluate how writers use linguistic, structural and presentational
devices to achieve their effects, and comment on ways language varies and
changes.

This is how those assessment objectives are adapted into questions:

(i) read, with insight and engagement, making appropriate references to texts and
developing and sustaining interpretations of them

• Explain the key points made in this item.

• What are the main points made in the item?

(ii) distinguish between fact and opinion and evaluate how information is presented

• Write down three facts / opinions from this item

• How are facts and opinions used in this item?
• The writer uses particular words and phrases to show that he is expressing
opinions. Pick out and write down four examples of this.
• How does the writer use facts to support his/her argument?
(iii) follow an argument, identifying implications and recognising inconsistencies
What is the writer’s attitude towards the subject they are writing about?

• Summarise the writer’s argument in your own words.

• What are the main points of the writer’s argument?

(iv) select material appropriate to their purpose, collate material from different
sources, and make cross-references

• Compare the different purposes/audiences of the two texts.

• Compare the view on **** in item 1 and item 2.
• Who is the intended audience for these two items?

(v) understand and evaluate how writers use linguistic, structural and
presentational devices to achieve their effects, and comment on ways language
varies and changes.
• What do the words used in the item which tell you about the sort of people who
might want to read it?
• How does the writer use language to suit his/her purposes?
• Which text appeals to you more and how has the writer’s use of language shaped
your response?
• Compare how the writers and designers of the items ain to interest the reader by
their use of: pictures, layout , colour, presentation, print styles.
• How are presentational devises used to suite the text’s purpose / audience?
• In what ways does the picture support what is said in the text?

• Compare the cover of **** with the cover of ****.You should write about:• the
pictures• the print styles• the layout.

• Explain how the designer of this advertisement aims to persuade by using:

pictures & layout.

• How do the writers of these items use language to inform/ persuade/advise/argue?

Write about particular words and phrases.

How to Revise
It’s very easy: find a non fiction text and work through the questions!
• Choose two non-fiction texts on the same subject to practice the comparative
questions e.g. a review of and advert for a new car.
• Make sure on of the texts is a media text which emphasises visual over written
communication e.g. an advert or wed page with pictures.