Using past papers effectively - OCR English language

Here you can find past papers for OCR GCSE English language. Use the links below to download question papers and mark schemes. If you’re unsure whether you need Foundation or Higher papers, consult your teacher.

November 2023

Communicating information and ideas - Past paper | Mark scheme

Exploring effects and impact insert - Past paper | Mark scheme

June 2022

Communicating information and ideas - Past paper | Mark scheme

Exploring effects and impact insert - Past paper | Mark scheme

November 2021

Communicating information and ideas - Past paper | Mark scheme

Exploring effects and impact insert - Past paper | Mark scheme

These resources were created to support your exam preparation. The past papers and mark schemes here belong to OCR and are shared with their permission.

This page provides tailored tips based on GCSE English language past papers to help you approach your English language exam. These insights will help you develop the key reading and writing skills needed to tackle a variety of question types.

The exam assesses your ability to understand, analyse and compare texts, as well as to write clearly, persuasively and creatively. These tips will help you to develop essential exam strategies such as identifying key information, analysing language and structure and comparing texts.

Remember, the questions on the exam paper are not released until the day of the exam. The examples on this page are a guide to the topics and question structures that could be on the paper.

Past paper trend: The first question on Paper 1 assesses Assessment Objective 1 which focuses on your ability to 'identify and interpret explicit and implicit information'.

Exam tip: To get all four marks for this question you will need to locate four accurate quotes and either copy them from the text or summarise them in your own words. Make sure the selected evidence is concise and directly relevant to the question. You can either quote directly or paraphrase as long as your answer remains accurate.

Strategy:

• Read the question carefully and highlight the keywords that indicate what to look for.

• Highlight the relevant lines in the text to ensure you pick the right quotes.

• If you have more answers than marks, choose the most obvious and relevant ones and write them clearly on the exam paper.

Past paper trend: Always read the questions carefully before starting. This helps you locate quotes that directly answer the questions. Pay attention to what the question is asking and select your evidence accordingly.

Exam tip: Before reading the sources skim through the questions to understand what kind of information you'll need to find.

Strategy:

Highlight the key words in the question after reading the source: Once you’ve read the source go back to the question and highlight the key task. For example:

"How does the writer use language to interest and inform the reader?"

Focus on key phrases like 'use language', 'to interest' and 'to inform'.

Analyse the text with purpose: As you re-read the text highlight anything you think the writer has used intentionally to inform or interest the reader.

Set up a simple color-coding system: Yellow: Highlights sections used to inform. Green: Highlights sections used to interest.

Organise your response: This system helps you clearly see and write about how the writer is informing and how the writer is interesting the reader.

Use colour coding across the exam: Assign a different highlighter colour for each question throughout the paper. When re-reading the text, mark evidence for each question in its corresponding colour. This makes it easier to organise your ideas and quickly locate relevant quotes when writing your answers. Use highlighters on the question booklet, not in your written answers - instead, use underlining, numbering, or brackets for key points.

Past paper trend: There will be questions that require you to identify, analyse and explain the effects of language and structure.

Exam tip: Make sure you understand the difference between language techniques and structural techniques.

• Language techniques focus on the specific words and phrases used by the writer, such as metaphors, similes, alliteration or personification. Your task is to explain why the writer has chosen these techniques and the impact they create.

• Structural techniques refer to the way text is organised and presented. These include sentence length, paragraphing, shifts in focus, repetition and contrast. When analysing structure consider why the writer has chosen these techniques and how they shape meaning or impact the reader. For example, a one-line paragraph might be used to emphasise a key idea, creating a dramatic or suspenseful effect. Always think about the writer’s purpose and the effect on the audience.

Strategy: Revise common language and structural techniques so that you can easily spot them in the unseen text and understand their effect. The questions specifically ask about language or structure so make sure that you use the correct techniques when writing about either.

Past paper trend: You will be assessed on your ability to compare texts in Paper 1 where you will be given two sources.

Exam tip: On Paper 1 there will be two questions in which you need to compare the sources. This asks you to compare how two writers present their ideas and viewpoints. You need to focus on similarities and differences in tone, attitude and language choices.

Strategy: A good way to answer this is to use comparing statements with comparative connectives. This format could really help you:

In source A, the writer states “add quote.” This suggests…

In source B, the writer states “add quote.” This suggests…

This is different/similar because…

Past paper trend: Half of the marks for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are awarded for your writing.

Exam tip: In the writing section (Section B) of both papers you will be awarded 40 marks for your response. This accounts for 50% of the total marks in each paper, so it's essential to manage your time effectively to complete this section.

Each written piece is worth 40 marks, split into:

• AO5 (24 marks) – Communicating clearly, structuring ideas effectively and engaging the audience.
• AO6 (16 marks) – Using a wide range of vocabulary and sentence structures with accurate spelling and punctuation.

Strategy:

Choose only one task: There will always be two tasks and you should choose the one that you think you can write most about. Read the task carefully and prepare it by looking at the format, the intended audience and the purpose. Use FAP to help you:

F – Format – what kind of text do you need to write and what are the conventions of that text?

A – Audience – Who is the intended audience and how does this impact on your style and tone?

P – Purpose – what are you writing? What are you writing for? How does this impact on your content and the style of what you write?

Answer the bullet points: The task is often followed by a list of things that you should do. Use this list to help plan your writing and use the advice from the exam board.

Manage your time wisely: Ensure you allocate enough time to complete Section B.

Use the sources effectively: The reading section often links to the writing task, so use the sources for ideas, quotes or inspiration. If you're unsure how to spell a word check the source text to find its accurate spelling.

Focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar (16 marks): Check your sentences, punctuation and paragraphs carefully. Ensure every sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with the correct punctuation. Go back through your writing to correct any mistakes.

Plan for content and organisation (24 marks): To achieve top marks your writing must demonstrate 'compelling and convincing communication'. To help achieve this:

• Plan your writing before starting: Outline your main points and structure.

• Decide on the vocabulary, punctuation and techniques you will use.

• Jot down key vocabulary, phrases and punctuation ideas during your plan. This helps you stay organised and ensures you don’t forget important elements.

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