How does the chronological order of statements help the candidate?

Because the statements follow the order of the text, candidates can find information more efficiently. If you find the evidence for statement 4, you know the evidence for statements 1-3 must appear earlier in the passage.

What is the consequence of selecting five or more statements as true?

Selecting more than four statements will automatically reduce your mark. The examiner requires exactly four selections to demonstrate precise retrieval skills.

How should a candidate correct a mistake if they shade the wrong box?

The candidate should draw a large cross over the entire box they wish to deselect. If they change their mind again and want to re-select it, they should draw a circle around that crossed-out box.

Why is it important to highlight the line numbers mentioned in the question?

Highlighting the line numbers creates a visual boundary that prevents the candidate from looking for answers in parts of the text that are not being tested, which is a common cause of incorrect answers.

Which source text is used for Paper 2 Question 1?

Question 1 always uses Source A only. Even though Paper 2 contains two sources, this specific question never requires information from Source B.

What is a 'distractor' in the context of this question?

A distractor is an incorrect statement that looks plausible because it uses words or themes from the text but alters the facts (e.g., saying someone was 'happy' when the text says they were 'relieved').

Should you use ticks or crosses to mark your four true statements?

No, you must shade the circles within the boxes. Using ticks, crosses, or scribbles is a procedural error and may result in marks not being awarded.

How many marks is Question 1 worth, and how much time should be spent on it?

It is worth 4 marks. Candidates should spend approximately 5 minutes on it, as it is a straightforward retrieval task meant to settle them into the exam.

What does it mean to 'scan' the text for this question?

Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly over the lines to find specific keywords or synonyms related to the statements, rather than reading every word for deep meaning initially.

Paper 2: How to Answer Question 1 | AQA GCSE English Language

Q: What is the difference between explicit and implicit information in Question 1?

Explicit information is directly stated in the text (e.g., 'the room was cold'), while implicit information is suggested or inferred (e.g., 'he shivered and saw his breath'). Both can be used to determine if a statement is true.

Paper 2: How to Answer Question 1

Summary

Question 1 of Paper 2 is a foundational retrieval task worth 4 marks, designed to test a candidate's ability to identify explicit and implicit information within a specific section of a non-fiction text. Success requires strict adherence to mechanical instructions, precise line-referencing, and an understanding of how meaning is conveyed both directly and indirectly.

1. Definition & Core Concepts

Question 1 is the opening task of Paper 2, Section A, functioning as a 'true or false' identification exercise based on a single non-fiction extract.
Candidates are presented with eight statements and must identify exactly four that are true according to the text.
The task focuses exclusively on Source A, requiring candidates to isolate information from a specific, designated set of lines rather than the whole document.
It assesses the ability to distinguish between explicit information (stated directly) and implicit information (suggested or hinted at).

2. Underlying Principles: Explicit vs. Implicit Information

Explicit Information: This refers to facts or ideas that are clearly and directly stated in the prose. For example, if a text says 'the sky was grey,' the explicit truth is that it was not blue or sunny.
Implicit Information: This involves 'reading between the lines' to find meanings that are not stated outright but are strongly suggested by the writer's choice of words or the context.
The exam uses both types to ensure candidates are not just 'word-matching' but are actually comprehending the nuances of the narrative or argument.
Statements are almost always presented in chronological order, meaning the evidence for the first statement will appear earlier in the text than the evidence for the final statement.

Diagram showing the difference between explicit and implicit information retrieval.

3. Methods & Techniques: The Four-Step Approach

Step 1: Boundary Marking: Immediately highlight or draw a box around the specific lines mentioned in the question to prevent looking for answers in the wrong part of the text.
Step 2: Statement Analysis: Read all eight statements before looking at the text to prime your brain for the specific details you need to find.
Step 3: Evidence Scanning: Scan the text for keywords from the statements, checking for synonyms or paraphrasing that might indicate a 'true' statement.
Step 4: Mechanical Execution: Shade the circles in the boxes provided for the four true statements, ensuring you do not use ticks or crosses unless correcting a mistake.

4. Key Distinctions: Shading and Corrections

5. Exam Strategy & Tips