English
Topics to Revise
Paper One Section A:
Section A – Prose and questions
Read the questions first.
Underline or highlight key words.
Make annotations.
Paper One Section B:
Two longer writing pieces:
a description and an imaginative piece
Description:
A short, attention-grabbing opening, vivid characters, snapshots of conversation etc.
Remember, it is a description not a story – the examiner is after detail to build up the scene, not lots of exciting action.
Imaginative piece:
It will help if you have a basic idea for a story beforehand. This way you can adapt it to fit one of the five titles offered. Keep the story realistic and don’t include too many characters.
Paper Two Section A:
Section A – two non-fiction texts with questions
Refer to the correct text.
The final question will ask you to compare the two texts.
Foundation Tier Question 1 – list at least two more than you are asked for.
Paper Two Section B:
Two longer writing tasks:
Think about the PURPOSE, AUDIENCE, LANGUAGE & STRUCTURE.
One of the tasks on Section B is usually linked to Section A.
Use Section A to help you, either with content by borrowing ideas, statistics etc. or with structure.
Write at least a side and a half for each answer.
Revision Guides:
You can buy revision guides in all good book shops but they are not always for the Examination Board we use. We teach the WJEC syllabus, so guides for AQA or OCR will only be of limited use.
To help with Section B on paper two you need to get used to reading and recognising the features of, different types of writing e.g. reviews, articles, letters etc.
Websites:
There are some useful exercises on the BBC web site:
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english
Revision Tips:
Practice does make perfect!
Points to Remember:
- Stick to the timings on the front of the exam.
- Refer back to the key words in the question in your answer.
- Answer both questions on Section B. Write at least a side and a half for each answer.
- Leave time at the end to check your answers for silly errors like spelling mistakes, missed words, paragraphs etc.
GCSE English
Students follow the WJEC board. All of the materials we teach in Year 11 have been developed following our work with one of the WJEC examiners. So the most important thing you can do to improve your chance of success in the final exam is to work hard in our lessons. In addition you can also do the following things:
- Buy a revision guide. There are only two available to WJEC students.
WJEC/CBAC English/English Literature Foundation Tier Students’ Book (Oxford University Press)
ISBN: 978-0-19-834974-7 priced at £12.00
WJEC/CBAC English /English Literature Students’ Book (Oxford University Press)
ISBN: 978-0-19-831884-2 9 (suitable for higher tier students)
Revise WJEC GCSE English (Oxford University Press) £4.99 from book shops but cheaper if you see Mrs O’Brien.
ISBN: 0-19-831886-3
GCSE English for WJEC Student Book £11.50 (Heinnemann)
ISBN: 9-780-43536803-3
- Ask your English teacher for past papers and complete them. Stick to the exam timings, complete them and bring them in for marking.
- Attend boosters if you are asked to do so.
Unfortunately the web-based revision sites cater for a different exam board. Don’t get confused by them.