Paper 2: How to Answer Question 4 (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 guide will provide you with the information you need to answer Paper 2 Question 4 to a high standard.

This guide includes:

• Overview of Paper 2, Question 4
• How to approach Question 4
• Understanding the wording of the comparison question
• Steps to success for the comparison question
• Exam tips for the comparison question

Paper 2 Question 4 is the comparison question. You are being tested on your ability to compare writers’ ideas and perspectives from the two different source documents. It assesses AO3:

AO3 Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts

You are required to read and understand information and ideas from the two sources and focus on the writers’ perspectives and points of view. You are expected to bring together and compare the two perspectives on a particular topic, analysing the differences and linking these points of view to the methods used by the writers to convey them.

Overview

Question 4 is the comparison question Question 4 is worth 16 marks You should aim to write 4-5 paragraphs You should spend approximately 20 minutes on this question

• The focus of Question 4 will always be on the writers’ perspectives, attitudes or feelings 
• The bullet points underneath the question are there to give you clues about what you might want to consider in your response
• Begin with an identification of the writers’ similar perspectives, and then explore the different ways the writers have presented their points of view
• Your response should be written in paragraphs and you must use direct quotations from the text to support your points:
• These quotes need to be directly relevant to the focus of the question
• Your comparison should be confined directly to the focus of the question, highlighting both the similarities and differences

• Having a focused approach will help you to structure your response and focus on quality rather than quantity
• You need to demonstrate that you understand the writer’s perspectives to access Level 3 marks or above
• Three points of comparison are sufficient to demonstrate clear or perceptive understanding
• The ability to identify “like with like” is key to success in Question 4:
• This is also central to the synthesis required in Question 2

Here is an example of Question 4:

• The task in Question 4 is usually very straightforward in focus, encompassing the whole of both texts
• The task is deliberately broad in order to allow students to select the details which have caught their attention
• Question 4 builds on the inferential understanding and synthesis of ideas required by Question 2 (the ‘what’), and the exploration of language methods required by Question 3 (the ‘how’)

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:

Question text	Explanation
“For this question, you need to refer to the whole of Source A, together with the whole of Source B.”	This part of the question reminds you to make reference to a specific source (both Source A and Source B) and to the whole of each source
“Compare how the writers convey their different perspectives and feelings about their experiences at sea.”	This part of the question will provide you with a focus (e.g. “their experiences at sea”) and will ask you to compare
	The task requires you to engage with the writers’ individual points of view, the methods they use to convey their perspectives, as well as to compare the differences and similarities between the writers’ points of view across the two extracts
“In your answer, you could:	This part of the question will provide you with three bullet points to consider
compare their different perspectives and feelings	The bullet points should help to guide your response
compare the methods the writers use to convey their different perspectives and feelings
support your response with references to both texts.”	The words in the question may vary according to the content of the sources so you must be guided by them in their response

Following these steps will give you a strategy for answering this question effectively:

1. Grab your highlighter and read the question first:
   • Read the question carefully
   • Highlight the focus of the question
2. Scan the section of text:
   • Highlight only the information directly relevant to the focus of the question
   • Annotate in the margins
3. Start your answer using the wording of the question:
   • For example: “The opening comment in Source B that he had been ‘hourly expecting’ the ship to sink indicates a surprisingly calm perspective on his experience of the sea at the start of the extract, whereas in Source A…”
   • This demonstrates to the examiner that you have understood both the question and the texts
4. Go into detail:
   • Now you need to make 5-6 points, ranging throughout both texts
   • It is a good idea to make your points in chronological order, if possible
   • Use the annotations you have made in the margins to form the basis of each point
   • For the highest marks, you should compare and contrast each writer’s perspectives and feelings throughout your answer 
   • For a full example of this, please see Paper 2 Question 4: Model Answer
5. Sum up:
   • Finish your answer with a “So overall…” statement
   • Your finishing statement should sum up what you have discovered about the writers’ perspectives and feelings

• Plan your response:
• Ensure you understand the focus of the question and what perspectives you are being asked to compare
• Exploring the methods used by the writers is an integral and necessary strand of this question, so you must ensure you comment on this throughout:
• Always engage with the ‘how’ and incorporate methods in your response
• Methods should always be referenced in an integrated way:
• You should aim to seamlessly move between perspectives and methods in your analysis of the texts 

• Comparing ‘like with like’ is essential for meeting Level 3 and Level 4 criteria

• Make your comments detailed and perceptive:
• These responses will be awarded a Level 4 mark

• Ensure your points are backed up by relevant and appropriate textual detail
• Identify any changes in perspectives as they will enable you to explore your points in more depth and detail 

• Avoid bolting on language terminology:
• To get the highest marks, do not get distracted by technical terms or spotting language features that the writer may have used
• Avoid repeating the same ideas from Question 2 in your Question 4 response:
• Repeating the response to Question 2 for Question 4 is never an effective strategy
• The focus of these two questions will always be very different and discrete
• Avoid writing too much:
• Writing more does not help you achieve any more marks
• Aim to write a short, concise response which covers all of the relevant skills 

• Try to avoid running out of time for this answer and not attempting it:
• Even the simplest response to Question 4 is rewarded, so it is better to add some comments rather than leave it blank

• Avoid ambiguity (an answer being unclear) and ensure your comparison is easily comprеhеnsiblе (easily understood)