English A: Language & Literature SL
Analysing unseen texts — Paper 1
- 1.
Read the following extract from a community noticeboard poster: 'Water is precious. Every drop counts. This summer, help your neighbourhood beat the drought — take shorter showers, fix that dripping tap, and water your garden at dawn, not noon. Small habits. Big difference.' (a) Identify the primary purpose of this text. (b) Identify one language feature used to make the message memorable, quoting directly from the text. (c) Explain how the short, fragmented sentences in the final two lines support the text's purpose.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 2.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the following extract from a community noticeboard poster: 'Water is precious. Every drop counts. This summer, help your neighbourhood beat the drought — take shorter showers, fix that dripping tap, and water your garden at dawn, not noon. Small habits. Big difference.' (a) Identify the primary purpose of this text. (b) Identify one language feature used to make the message memorable, quoting directly from the text. (c) Explain how the short, fragmented sentences in the final two lines support the text's purpose.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies the primary purpose as persuading or encouraging readers to conserve water, a call to action.” Evaluate the response against the complete 4-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 3.
Read the following opening line of a company email to customers: 'We know your time is valuable, so we'll keep this short: your order has shipped.' (a) Identify the likely intended audience of this text. (b) Explain how the phrase 'we know your time is valuable' is designed to build a particular relationship with that audience.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 4.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read the following opening line of a company email to customers: 'We know your time is valuable, so we'll keep this short: your order has shipped.' (a) Identify the likely intended audience of this text. (b) Explain how the phrase 'we know your time is valuable' is designed to build a particular relationship with that audience.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies the audience as existing customers awaiting a delivery/order confirmation.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 5.
A print advertisement for a fitness app shows a single bold word, 'START.', filling most of the page, with a small line of text beneath it: 'Your first workout is free. No excuses left.' (a) Explain the effect of using a single large word as the dominant visual element. (b) Explain the effect of the short second sentence, 'No excuses left.' (c) Identify the overall tone the advertisement creates, supporting your answer with reference to both elements.
[5 marks] · no calculator - 6.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A print advertisement for a fitness app shows a single bold word, 'START.', filling most of the page, with a small line of text beneath it: 'Your first workout is free. No excuses left.' (a) Explain the effect of using a single large word as the dominant visual element. (b) Explain the effect of the short second sentence, 'No excuses left.' (c) Identify the overall tone the advertisement creates, supporting your answer with reference to both elements.” Their response addresses only this point: “Explains that the single large word dominates attention and functions as an immediate, unmissable command.” Evaluate the response against the complete 5-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[5 marks] · no calculator - 7.
Read this excerpt from a graduation speech: 'You will fail. You will fail at things you love, in front of people you respect. And then you will get up, because that is the only part of this story that was ever up to you.' (a) Identify the rhetorical technique created by beginning two consecutive sentences with the same phrase. (b) Explain the effect of the short final clause, 'that is the only part of this story that was ever up to you', on the audience.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 8.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read this excerpt from a graduation speech: 'You will fail. You will fail at things you love, in front of people you respect. And then you will get up, because that is the only part of this story that was ever up to you.' (a) Identify the rhetorical technique created by beginning two consecutive sentences with the same phrase. (b) Explain the effect of the short final clause, 'that is the only part of this story that was ever up to you', on the audience.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies anaphora (repetition of 'You will fail' at the start of consecutive sentences).” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 9.
Read this excerpt from an online restaurant review: 'The greeting was warm, the lighting was lovely, and the bread basket was, I'll admit, genuinely excellent. Then the main course arrived: a single, sad chicken breast marooned on a plate the size of a hubcap, as if the kitchen had simply forgotten the rest of the meal.' (a) Identify the shift in tone between the first and second sentence. (b) Explain how the imagery in 'marooned on a plate the size of a hubcap' contributes to this shift.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 10.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read this excerpt from an online restaurant review: 'The greeting was warm, the lighting was lovely, and the bread basket was, I'll admit, genuinely excellent. Then the main course arrived: a single, sad chicken breast marooned on a plate the size of a hubcap, as if the kitchen had simply forgotten the rest of the meal.' (a) Identify the shift in tone between the first and second sentence. (b) Explain how the imagery in 'marooned on a plate the size of a hubcap' contributes to this shift.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies a shift from warm, positive appreciation to sarcastic, critical disappointment.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 11.
Read this excerpt from a social media caption posted by a fitness influencer, alongside a photo: 'okay but WHO told y'all mornings had to be miserable?? 5am run + this view = free therapy 🌅 link in bio if you want the exact playlist that got me out of bed lol #morningroutine #noexcuses'. (a) Identify two features of informal register used in this caption. (b) Explain how the caption is designed to build a sense of relatable connection with followers.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 12.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read this excerpt from a social media caption posted by a fitness influencer, alongside a photo: 'okay but WHO told y'all mornings had to be miserable?? 5am run + this view = free therapy 🌅 link in bio if you want the exact playlist that got me out of bed lol #morningroutine #noexcuses'. (a) Identify two features of informal register used in this caption. (b) Explain how the caption is designed to build a sense of relatable connection with followers.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies two valid informal features, such as non-standard spelling/abbreviation ('y'all'), an emoji, hashtags, casual interjections ('okay but', 'lol'), or an incomplete/conversational sentence structure.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 13.
Read this excerpt from a formal letter of complaint: 'This is the third time I have written regarding the noise disturbance from unit 4B. I have documented each incident, attached herewith, and have received no response beyond an automated acknowledgment. I trust this letter will finally receive the attention it deserves.' (a) Identify the overall tone of this excerpt. (b) Explain how the phrase 'I trust this letter will finally receive the attention it deserves' conveys restrained frustration rather than open anger.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 14.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read this excerpt from a formal letter of complaint: 'This is the third time I have written regarding the noise disturbance from unit 4B. I have documented each incident, attached herewith, and have received no response beyond an automated acknowledgment. I trust this letter will finally receive the attention it deserves.' (a) Identify the overall tone of this excerpt. (b) Explain how the phrase 'I trust this letter will finally receive the attention it deserves' conveys restrained frustration rather than open anger.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies a formal, controlled, and increasingly frustrated tone.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 15.
Read this excerpt from a travel brochure: 'Wake to the scent of salt and citrus drifting through open shutters. Let your feet find the warm stone path down to a sea so still it seems to be holding its breath.' (a) Identify two of the five senses this passage appeals to. (b) Explain the effect of the personification in 'a sea so still it seems to be holding its breath'.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 16.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read this excerpt from a travel brochure: 'Wake to the scent of salt and citrus drifting through open shutters. Let your feet find the warm stone path down to a sea so still it seems to be holding its breath.' (a) Identify two of the five senses this passage appeals to. (b) Explain the effect of the personification in 'a sea so still it seems to be holding its breath'.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies two valid senses, such as smell ('the scent of salt and citrus'), touch ('warm stone path'), or sight (the still sea).” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 17.
Compare these two headlines about the same event: Headline 1: 'Protesters Clash with Police Outside City Hall'. Headline 2: 'Residents Demand Answers as Police Respond with Force'. (a) Identify the different connotations of the verb choices 'clash' versus 'respond with force'. (b) Explain how each headline positions a different party as the primary actor, and what effect this has on a reader's initial impression of the event.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 18.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Compare these two headlines about the same event: Headline 1: 'Protesters Clash with Police Outside City Hall'. Headline 2: 'Residents Demand Answers as Police Respond with Force'. (a) Identify the different connotations of the verb choices 'clash' versus 'respond with force'. (b) Explain how each headline positions a different party as the primary actor, and what effect this has on a reader's initial impression of the event.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies that 'clash' suggests mutual, two-sided conflict, while 'respond with force' implies the police acted, and specifically acted forcefully, in reaction to something else.” Evaluate the response against the complete 4-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 19.
Read this excerpt from a political campaign flyer: 'You work hard. You pay your taxes. You deserve a government that works just as hard for you. On November 5th, vote for change you can see.' (a) Identify the rhetorical effect of repeating 'You' at the start of three consecutive sentences. (b) Explain how the phrase 'change you can see' appeals to the reader without specifying any concrete policy.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 20.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read this excerpt from a political campaign flyer: 'You work hard. You pay your taxes. You deserve a government that works just as hard for you. On November 5th, vote for change you can see.' (a) Identify the rhetorical effect of repeating 'You' at the start of three consecutive sentences. (b) Explain how the phrase 'change you can see' appeals to the reader without specifying any concrete policy.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies anaphora using direct address ('You'), which creates a personal, accumulating sense of validation directed at the reader.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 21.
Read this opening of a recipe blog post: 'My grandmother never measured anything. She'd just add a pinch of this, a splash of that, and somehow it was always perfect. I've spent ten years trying to write down what she never wrote down at all. This is the closest I've gotten.' (a) Identify the narrative technique used to introduce a recipe. (b) Explain why a blogger might choose to open with a personal story rather than beginning directly with the list of ingredients.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 22.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read this opening of a recipe blog post: 'My grandmother never measured anything. She'd just add a pinch of this, a splash of that, and somehow it was always perfect. I've spent ten years trying to write down what she never wrote down at all. This is the closest I've gotten.' (a) Identify the narrative technique used to introduce a recipe. (b) Explain why a blogger might choose to open with a personal story rather than beginning directly with the list of ingredients.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies personal anecdote/narrative framing as the technique used to introduce the recipe.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 23.
Read this warning label on a household chemical product: 'DANGER: Corrosive. Causes severe skin burns. Do not mix with other cleaning products. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, call poison control immediately: [number].' (a) Explain why the text is structured as a list of short, separate instructions rather than as connected, flowing sentences. (b) Identify one word in the text chosen specifically to convey urgency.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 24.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read this warning label on a household chemical product: 'DANGER: Corrosive. Causes severe skin burns. Do not mix with other cleaning products. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, call poison control immediately: [number].' (a) Explain why the text is structured as a list of short, separate instructions rather than as connected, flowing sentences. (b) Identify one word in the text chosen specifically to convey urgency.” Their response addresses only this point: “Explains that short, separated instructions allow a reader in an emergency to quickly scan and extract the single most relevant piece of information without needing to process connected prose.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 25.
A film poster shows a single, giant title in a jagged, cracked font, with a small line beneath it reading 'Some doors should stay closed.' (a) Explain what the jagged, cracked font style suggests about the film's genre, even before any words are read. (b) Explain the effect of the tagline's use of the modal verb 'should' rather than a more direct statement such as 'these doors are dangerous'.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 26.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “A film poster shows a single, giant title in a jagged, cracked font, with a small line beneath it reading 'Some doors should stay closed.' (a) Explain what the jagged, cracked font style suggests about the film's genre, even before any words are read. (b) Explain the effect of the tagline's use of the modal verb 'should' rather than a more direct statement such as 'these doors are dangerous'.” Their response addresses only this point: “Explains that a jagged, cracked font is a visual convention strongly associated with horror or thriller genres, signalling danger, instability, or something broken/wrong before any text is processed.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 27.
Read this excerpt from an obituary: 'She measured her days not in hours but in gardens planted, letters written, and neighbours fed. She is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and a community that will, quite literally, never stop eating better because she lived.' (a) Identify the overall tone of this excerpt. (b) Explain how the final clause moves beyond a conventional obituary statement to make a specific, personal claim about the subject's legacy.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 28.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read this excerpt from an obituary: 'She measured her days not in hours but in gardens planted, letters written, and neighbours fed. She is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and a community that will, quite literally, never stop eating better because she lived.' (a) Identify the overall tone of this excerpt. (b) Explain how the final clause moves beyond a conventional obituary statement to make a specific, personal claim about the subject's legacy.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies a warm, celebratory, and affectionate tone, rather than a purely solemn or mournful one.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 29.
Read this excerpt from a satirical opinion column: 'Naturally, the solution to a housing shortage is for everyone to simply buy their own island. Truly, I don't see why more people haven't thought of this before.' (a) Identify the technique being used in this excerpt. (b) Explain how the exaggerated, clearly unrealistic 'solution' criticises the actual attitude the writer is satirising.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 30.
Marking analysis: A learner attempts the following task: “Read this excerpt from a satirical opinion column: 'Naturally, the solution to a housing shortage is for everyone to simply buy their own island. Truly, I don't see why more people haven't thought of this before.' (a) Identify the technique being used in this excerpt. (b) Explain how the exaggerated, clearly unrealistic 'solution' criticises the actual attitude the writer is satirising.” Their response addresses only this point: “Identifies satire/irony, using exaggeration (hyperbole) to mock a real attitude.” Evaluate the response against the complete 3-mark task. Identify what earns credit and state every additional requirement needed for full marks.
[3 marks] · no calculator