English Unit One Exam: Foundation Tier

L.O.: To understand the requirements of the foundation tier

exam.

General Tips• Keep track of your time – no one

will warn you when a certain time has elapsed.

• Spend more time on questions worth more marks.

• If a question asks about language, write about language. You will get no marks for writing about presentation, and vice versa!

• Plan your extended written answers. This allows you to write with a confident structure, and will help you order your ideas.

Point, Evidence, Explain

This means make a point, show some evidence (use a quote) then explain its effect!

For example:In article one, the writer uses a rhetorical question. The text says: ‘Why don’t you make the change?’. This has two effects. Firstly, it encourages the reader to think, because they answer the question in their head. Secondly, it is a challenge to the reader so it persuades them to see the writers’ point of view, and then hopefully make the change.

To be on the safe side, try and quote for each point you make. You’ll see that the mark scheme asks for this. It shows understanding and

detailed engagement with the text.

Section A: Reading and Understanding Non-fiction texts

Question Marks Suggested Time (minutes)

1 4 5

2 4 5

3 8 10

4 12 20

5 12 20

Total 40 60

n.b. The exam is 2hr15 long. This means you have fifteen minutes to read the three sources,

and then an hour to complete each section.

There are five questions:

1. Identify four facts in source one.2. What do we learn from source one?3. Follow an argument; what information is

given in source two?4. How does the writer use language in source

three to (describe/inform/advise etc.)5. Compare two sources. How is presentation

used and what are the effects?

Question 1 and 2…

• They are now Q1a and Qb. Each is worth 4 marks.

• Q1a asks you to find four facts and write them down.

• Q1b is tougher, it asks you what you learn from the article. You should try to fully PEE two or three points.

These two questions are worth 8 marks. With a bit of careful planning, this will give you an

excellent start!

Question 3

What does the article tell us about (name)?This could be ‘How does (name) feel about (thing)’, ‘What is (name)’s opinion on…’ etc.

This question asks you to follow an argument and

identify the main things the writer is

saying.

Question 4

How does the writer use language to achieve its purpose?

This question asks you to identify language features (how the article is written).

Do not talk about presentational features (how

the article looks)!

Question 5

Compare two sources. How are presentational devices used for effect?

This question asks you talk about how the texts look.

Do not talk about language! You also need to

talk in detail about two sources. Remember to

identify similarities and differences, and comment

on their effects!

Section B: Producing Non-fiction texts

Question Marks Suggested Time (minutes)

6 16 20

7 24 40

Total 40 60