This pack of CHRISTMAS picture questions is designed for AQA GCSE English Language 9-1. They simulate Paper 1 Question 5 where students are given a picture and are presented with two options (it’s hard, almost to call them questions!). The tasks can be for a descriptive or a narrative response (although both tasks can be descriptive or narrative and this pack reflects that). I hope that you will be able to use this pack to help you increase the story-telling powers of your learners as well as their descriptive prowess!

The pack gives teachers the opportunity to have a selection of ready-made questions for Paper 1 Question 5. These can be used to ensure that there are always writing tasks at hand. They might be used to stimulate class or small group discussion or can be used as interchangeable exercises to be done during a session. I hope that there is a sufficient variety of Christmassy mages in this pack to pique the interest of even the most reluctant of writers. By giving your learners a choice of task (while the assessment objectives - A05 and A06 remain the same) these sample questions might help to ensure both differentiation and an element of choice. There are also a few naughty suggestions…

Each is formatted to include the question on a single A4 sheet. The originals are also included on their own if you would like to use them without the question stimulus. Plus if it’s easier for you - PDFs are also included of both files.

They would probably also be very useful if you are covering a class - the skills that students develop with these questions are vital for success in GCSE English as this question alone represents 25% of the entire exam.

All of the wonderful pictures have been ethically sourced and are available under a Creative Commons license which means you do not have to worry about copyright with them at all. Each originator is credited by use of a link to the original.

How to Pass GCSE English Language 9-1: How to Avoid Boring Exam Phrases

Sometimes students have to be encouraged to be a little more ambitious with their exam responses.  In GCSE English Language (Grade 9-1) this is particularly true when it comes to the language questions, not to mention the critical appreciation question in Paper 1 (question 4).  Altogether these represent a lot of marks and therefore quite a big percentage of the overall marks available.  Responding well to these questions can without doubt mean the difference between one grade and another (not to put too fine a point on it).

Many learners follow the PEE structure that they have been taught to respond to language questions.  However, they give as much effort to explaining as they do to pointing out and evidencing.  For example, a student might say that the writer uses a metaphor and then quote the metaphor.  That could be done in a single sentence, two at a push.  Then they only spend a further sentence explaining the impact that this metaphor had on the reader.  Frankly this is only enough for a grade 4 at best.

If students wish to do better they must properly explain.  The examiner will award more marks to two well explained points than she will to three which are poorly explained - it makes sense.  So things like it makes the reader want to read on should be avoided at all costs!  This video shows some of the common boring sentences written by exam candidates and offers a few choice alternatives.

Enjoy!