Paper 2: How to Answer Question 2 (AQA GCSE English Language)

Each question in Paper 2 Section A (reading) is worth a different number of marks, and you are being tested on specific skills for each. However, your approach to each question should be the same; the only difference is how you write each answer.

This section will provide you with the information you need to answer Paper 2 Question 2 to a high standard.

This section includes:

• Overview of Paper 2 Question 2
• How to approach Question 2
• Understanding the wording of the summary question
• Steps to success for the summary question
• Exam tips for the summary question

Paper 2 Question 2 is the summary question. This question assesses your ability to write a summary by synthesising and interpreting evidence from both sources, according to a given focus. Question 2 will ask you to comment on the source text in Section A and Section B. The texts will always be non-fiction texts from either the 19th, 20th or 21st century. You will be asked to provide a summary on some aspect of both sources. Question 2 assesses you on AO1 only:

Question 2 requires you to interpret information and infer meaning using the ideas in the texts. In addition, you are also expected to synthesise the ideas and information, interpreting the differences (and any similarities) between the texts.

Here is an example of Question 2:

Within the framework of the Assessment Objective, you are expected to “synthesise evidence” (which includes information, ideas and textual detail). This allows the selection and interpretation of similarities or differences to be equally valid. 

• Question 2 requires you to bring the two aspects of textual details together in a written summary
• Your summary can be either one or two paragraphs of writing
• In order to synthesise, you must show understanding of the information that you have read in both sources
• The focus of the question can vary; it may invite you to engage with an abstract focus or it could involve a more concrete aspect of the text
• The question will consistently remind you that you need to refer to both sources
  • These are the two non-fiction texts in Source A and Source B
• The question will always provide you with a specific point of focus for your search
  • It will give you a specific textual detail to look for that connects both texts
  • This will either be because something is similar, something is different, or both details add together to develop a fuller understanding
• The point of focus will be relatively narrow within the scope of the topic or theme as a whole as developed by both sources
• As a more extended response, it requires you to show evidence of inferential reading
• The scope of this question will not require you to consider writers’ techniques or effects
  • The question will not reference writers for this reason
  • Remember, aspects of writers’ techniques and effects on readers are separately assessed in AO3 in Question 4

It is important that you understand the wording of each part of the question so that you know how to respond to it accurately. An explanation of each part of the question is explored below.

There are essentially four skills that you need to develop in order to answer this question successfully: three of these are reading skills and one is a writing skill.

1. 1. Grab your highlighter and read the question first:
      • Read the question carefully and highlight the focus of the question 
        • 
   2. Scan both Source A and Source B:
      • Highlight only the information directly relevant to the focus of the question
      • Annotate in the margins of the texts
   3. Start your answer using the wording of the question:
      • For example: “In Source A and Source B, both speakers depict contrasting images of the boats…”
      • This demonstrates to the examiner that you have understood both the question and the text
   4. Go into detail:
      • Now you need to make as many points as possible, ranging throughout both texts
      • It is a good idea to make your points in chronological order, if possible
      • For the highest marks, you should interpret the implied meanings of the texts, synthesise ideas and give supporting evidence
      • For a full example of this, please see Paper 2 Question 2: Model Answer
   5. Sum up:
      • Finish your answer with a “So overall…” statement
      • Your finishing statement should sum up what you have discovered

• Focus on the introduction in the text box before reading the extract, as it will usually contain contextualising information to help orientate you 
• Read the task carefully and ensure you have understood the correct focus
• Plan your response:
  • One way to do this is by highlighting textual details which are relevant to the question you have been asked
  • You then need to choose those which are most fruitful for your summary
• You will be rewarded for responses which are either perceptive or detailed or, in some cases, both:
  • You can offer interpretations which are perceptive, meaning your interpretation is insightful, conceptualised or profound
  • Or you can give a response which is detailed, meaning that it is extended, developed or analytical
  • Writing in detail as this approach can often be the means of moving up a level
• Give extended and detailed explanations of a small number of inferences:
  • This is more beneficial than making a larger number of less precise inferences
• Interpretation is at the heart of both key skills assessed in this question (making inferences and showing differences):
  • This is true regardless of whether the focus of the question is concrete or abstract
• Including layers of interpretation will enable you to offer a perceptive or conceptual understanding of the ideas presented:
  • Interpretation of information and ideas is the key to accessing the higher levels
• Where the focus of the question is on similarities, comments on differences will also be rewarded if they are appropriate to the focus of the question

• Avoid focusing exclusively on differences rather than similarities or vice versa:
• For example, while comments about differences can be credited as part of a discussion of similarities, you must always focus on the question set
• The focus in the question will always enable you to have the widest number of options to comment on
• Avoid focusing on only one of the sources:
• Question 2 requires you to synthesise information from both sources
• You must deal with both texts and address the correct focus of the question to achieve Level 3 or above