← GCSE English Language

R5.2 P1: fiction reading — openings, perspective, atmosphere

Currently Developing · last touched 2026-10-21

Every change

WhenChangeEvidenceSession
2026-10-21Not started → DevelopingParent rule, answered-on notstarted topic: paper #10 Q1 2/3 timed multiple choice, 21 Oct — at the bar for developing.standalone
2026-10-21Not started → Not startedpaper #10 Q1: 2/3, loss=technique — one of three multiple-choice parts missed on a line-range readsession 125

In papers

No marked question has been recorded against this topic yet.

Materials

AQA 8700 specification (live web version)
THE document. Subject content, AOs (AO6 = 20% of the GCSE), scheme of assessment, Spoken Language endorsement (NEA administration section).
notes
8700/1 June 2017 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
English Language syllabus (Paige, June 2027) — decomposed from AQA 8700
File held by the parent: english-language-syllabus.md (5 Sep 2026). Decomposes spec 3.1.1–3.1.3 into the R/V/W/T/X/E x.y refs in this tracker, with the 34-week scheme of work, dated checkpoints (13 Nov, 11 Dec, 29 Jan, 12 Mar, 30 Apr), terminology set and coverage audit. No URL — ask the parent for the file or its hosted copy.
notes
Branching Story project — stimulus policy
Approved by parent 9 Sep 2026. Paige's own choose-your-own-path story is the default stimulus for UNTIMED W-strand teaching and practice (W1-W4) until Dec 2026. All timed work stays on unseen AQA prompts: Tue 13:00 timed handwritten block, the Nov P1 Q5 check, the Dec P1 mock, and every mock thereafter. Reason: she must stay adaptable to an unseen prompt, not fluent on a rehearsed one.
notes
Placement paper 1 re-work — teaching sequence (parent decision 30 Sep 2026)
Test 3 (lighthouse text) is re-worked in lessons, one question per lesson, re-marked on its stored scheme: (1) language question from her own quotation; (2) structure question, current wording, after the hyena paragraph closes; (3) 20-mark 'do you agree' shape taught here first, then written with hints. Re-marks go in the summary as 'was X, now Y with hints': not an attempt, not promotion evidence. Proof: same three types, unseen text, no hints, in a later Wednesday paper.
notes
AQA news: GCSE English Language updates to assessments for summer 2026 onwards
Applies to her June 2027 sitting. P1 Q1 multiple choice; Q3 single structural effect; Q5 narrative = story opening, image as inspiration; mark scheme gains a 'typical features' column. Marks, timings and AOs unchanged.
notes
8700/1 June 2018 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
Branching Story — day brief (9 Sep 2026)
Self-paced day, 5 modules. M1 branch map: 5-min timed skeleton (W3.1) then branch points that change the scene (W4.2). M2 one node handwritten 200-250 words: three specific non-sight senses (W1.2), paragraph break AT the shift (W4.2), 5-min self-hunt for comma splices, count reported (T1.1/T1.2). M3 loop path with the final line decided BEFORE writing it (W4.3). M4 transfers to Literature. M5 free writing.
practice
AQA 8700 Paper 1 Sample set 1 question paper (2026 format)
THE model Paper 1 for 2027. Uses the June 2023 insert (stored separately). Use for Q1/Q3/Q5 practice in the new format.
paper
8700/1 June 2019 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
AQA 8700 Paper 1 insert — June 2023 (also the insert for Sample set 1)
The fiction source booklet for both the June 2023 paper and the 2026-format sample paper.
paper
8700/1 June 2020 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam. PMT label 'June 2020' = the November 2020 sitting (no June 2020 exams).
paper
AQA 8700 Paper 1 Sample set 1 mark scheme v1.1 (2026 format)
FOR THE MARKER. AO5/AO6 ladders with the new 'typical features' column. Mark against this for any 2026-format paper.
paper
8700/1 June 2022 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
AQA 8700 Paper 2 Sample set 1 question paper (2026)
Paper 2 is unchanged in structure; this is the refreshed sample. Insert likely the June 2023 P2 insert (not confirmed by AQA).
paper
8700/1 June 2023 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
AQA 8700 Paper 2 Sample set 1 mark scheme v1.0 (2026)
FOR THE MARKER. Paper 2 reading ladders (Q2 summary, Q3 language, Q4 compare) and the AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/1 June 2024 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
AQA 8700 Paper 2 insert — June 2023
Two non-fiction sources (one 19th-century) for the June 2023 Paper 2.
paper
8700/1 June 2025 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
AQA 8700 Paper 2 question paper — June 2023
Full past paper; pair with the June 2023 P2 insert. Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027.
paper
8700/1 November 2017 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
AQA 8700 assessment resources page (all series: papers, inserts, mark schemes, examiner reports)
Canonical home of every paper and examiner report. File list renders in-browser only; individual PDFs are stored separately as added.
other
8700/1 November 2018 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
PMT index: AQA English Language Paper 1 past papers, inserts & mark schemes (2017–2025)
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): valid for Q2, Q4 and Q5; use the 2026 Sample set 1 for Q1 and Q3. Nov 2020/2021 are labelled 'June'.
paper
8700/1 November 2019 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
PMT index: AQA English Language Paper 2 past papers, inserts & mark schemes (2017–2025)
Paper 2 is unchanged for 2027 — every series is fully valid practice.
paper
8700/1 November 2021 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
AQA GCSE subject grade boundaries — June 2025 (8700 row: /160)
8700: 9=119 8=109 7=100 6=91 5=82 4=73 3=54 2=35 1=16. These are the boundaries stored on this subject. AQA hub: https://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/results-days/grade-boundaries
other
8700/1 November 2022 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
AQA GCSE exam timetable May/June 2027 (version 1.0)
8700/1 Monday 24 May 2027 am; 8700/2 Tuesday 8 June 2027 am; 8700/C Spoken Language submit by 7 May 2027. Confirm with the centre.
other
8700/1 November 2023 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
AQA private candidates page
PARENT: confirm the centre enters 8700 for external candidates AND whether it will administer the Spoken Language endorsement (8700/C). If not, the certificate shows Not Classified; the 9–1 grade is unaffected.
other
8700/1 November 2024 — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam.
paper
8700/1 Specimen — question paper
OLD FORMAT (pre-2026): use for Q2, Q4, Q5 only; Q1 and Q3 differ from the 2027 exam. Original 2015 specimen.
paper
8700/1 June 2017 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 June 2018 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 June 2019 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 June 2020 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper. PMT label 'June 2020' = the November 2020 sitting (no June 2020 exams).
paper
8700/1 June 2022 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 June 2023 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper. Also the insert for the 2026-format Sample set 1.
paper
8700/1 June 2024 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 June 2025 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 November 2017 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 November 2018 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 November 2019 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 November 2021 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 November 2022 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper. Redacted copyright text — source may be incomplete.
paper
8700/1 November 2023 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 November 2024 — insert (Source A, fiction)
Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/1 June 2017 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 June 2018 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 June 2019 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 June 2020 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027. PMT label 'June 2020' = the November 2020 sitting (no June 2020 exams).
paper
8700/1 June 2022 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 June 2023 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 June 2024 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 June 2025 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 November 2017 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 November 2018 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 November 2019 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 November 2021 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 November 2022 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 November 2023 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 November 2024 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027.
paper
8700/1 Specimen — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Four-level reading ladders; AO5 (24) and AO6 (16) writing ladders; indicative standard column. Old-format scheme: Q1 and Q3 marked differently from 2027. Original 2015 specimen.
paper
8700/2 June 2017 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 June 2018 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 June 2019 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 June 2020 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid. PMT label 'June 2020' = the November 2020 sitting (no June 2020 exams).
paper
8700/2 June 2022 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 June 2023 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 June 2024 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 June 2025 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 November 2017 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 November 2018 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 November 2019 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 November 2021 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 November 2022 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 November 2024 — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid.
paper
8700/2 Specimen — question paper
Paper 2 format unchanged for 2027 — fully valid. Original 2015 specimen.
paper
8700/2 June 2017 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 June 2018 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 June 2019 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 June 2020 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. PMT label 'June 2020' = the November 2020 sitting.
paper
8700/2 June 2022 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 June 2023 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 June 2024 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 June 2025 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 November 2017 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 November 2018 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 November 2019 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 November 2021 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 November 2022 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 November 2024 — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Read with the matching question paper.
paper
8700/2 Specimen — insert (Sources A & B)
Two non-fiction sources, one 19th-century. Original 2015 specimen.
paper
8700/2 June 2017 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 June 2018 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 June 2019 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 June 2020 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders. PMT label 'June 2020' = the November 2020 sitting.
paper
8700/2 June 2022 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 June 2023 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 June 2024 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 June 2025 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 November 2017 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 November 2018 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 November 2019 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 November 2021 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 November 2022 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 November 2023 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders. No PMT question paper/insert for this series — mark scheme only.
paper
8700/2 November 2024 — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders.
paper
8700/2 Specimen — mark scheme
FOR THE MARKER. Q2 summary (AO1), Q3 language (AO2), Q4 compare (AO3) ladders; AO5/AO6 writing ladders. Original 2015 specimen.
paper