← GCSE English Language

W4.2 Structure: a shift that changes the scene

Currently Developing · last touched 2026-09-15

Second unaided timed instance needed before secure; 9 Sep instance was untimed.

Every change

WhenChangeEvidenceSession
2026-09-15Developing → Developing15 Sep timed: shifts written AND broken at — the chemical-smell/whirring/fade-to-waking shift is a genuine change of scene and sits in its own paragraph. Loose end (shifts not broken at) closed under timing.session 26
2026-09-09Developing → DevelopingShift now marked on the page in untimed work — the break at 'You head back out to continue down the path' was chosen by her from three candidate sentences.session 16
2026-09-08Not started → DevelopingUnaided in the timed piece 8 Sep: the sandy beach 'slowly changes' into jungle, with the soundscape changing to match — a deliberate shift of scene rather than a jump cut.session 13

In papers

No marked question has been recorded against this topic yet.

Materials

Branching Story — stimulus for this topic
Branching Story M1/M2: a branch point that doesn't change the scene isn't a branch point. The form makes the shift structural rather than decorative, so it cannot be written without being noticed.
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