← GCSE English Language

W1.2 Descriptive: chosen non-sight senses

Currently Developing · last touched 2026-10-20

Proposed secure pending adjudication: 18 Sep untimed + 22 Sep timed, different tasks, different sessions.

Every change

WhenChangeEvidenceSession
2026-10-20Developing → Developing20 Oct timed: two non-sight senses each with a named source - sound (call of seagulls) and touch (cold blast of wind like a punch). Planned sea salt and splash not used. Another instance for the adjudication already proposed.session 122
2026-10-13Developing → DevelopingSession 101, 13 Oct timed piece: two non-sight senses present thinly, each with a source - sound ('a splash coming from the cave', then 'Splash!') and touch ('a gust of cold wind hits you', 'you get colder'). Planned smell not used (as on 6 Oct). The piece is a sequence of events, so the senses sit inside actions rather than description.standalone
2026-10-06Developing → Developing6 Oct timed unseen description: two non-sight senses, each with a source - touch ('the colds hand wrap around you', 'the cold tighten its grab') and sound ('Drip, drip, drip', its source looked for and found as 'a hole in the gutter'). Planned smell (rain and dust) not used. Third instance (18 Sep untimed, 22 Sep timed, 6 Oct timed), third different task.session 78
2026-09-22Developing → Developing22 Sep timed unseen description: four chosen non-sight senses with named sources — smell of chlorine and dust, a sudden shift in temperature, shoes against tiles, a radio crackling from the changing rooms. Second instance (first 18 Sep untimed, 'the bash of rubber'); first on a timed unseen piece. Loose end from 15 Sep (sourceless sound) closed.session 40
2026-09-18Developing → Developing18 Sep, untimed own story: 'the bash of rubber' from the bumper cars - a named source and one particular sound, written before the prompt for the ride was answered. First specific sound after three sessions of categories. Untimed, own text; needs a second on a timed unseen piece.session 32
2026-09-15Developing → Developing15 Sep: three non-sight senses used (scent of dust and blood, a strange chemical smell, a whirring sound) but the sound is still sourceless — no machine named. Same loose end as 9 Sep.session 26
2026-09-09Developing → Developing'the smell of dust and cobwebs' was a specific non-sight sense; the fairground sound stayed a category (creaking metal from the rides, no named ride) even after a prompt to narrow it.session 16
2026-09-08Developing → DevelopingNon-sight senses used in the timed piece 8 Sep (waves running over the body, birdsong, jungle noise) but still as categories: 'the sounds of birds', 'the sounds of the jungle'. Same loose end as 7 Sep, so no movement.session 13
2026-09-07Not started → DevelopingNon-sight senses chosen not listed: 'the bite of the cold night air' (touch, chosen verb) and, after one prompt to narrow a general category, a single owl call replacing 'sounds of the park stopping'.session 9

In papers

No marked question has been recorded against this topic yet.

Materials

Branching Story — stimulus for this topic
Branching Story M2: each written node must carry three non-sight senses, each ONE named thing rather than a category (a jackdaw, not a bird; burnt milk, not cooking). Branch text is short, so the rule is enforceable node by node.
practice
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