The Facts

Worth: 6 marks

AO Tested: AO1 (Identify and synthesise)

Suggested Time: 10 minutes

What will you need to do?

Identify three similarities between the two texts. You should use evidence from both texts to support each similarity.

Top Tips:

• Use three short paragraphs, each identifying one similarity.
• Provide a quote or specific detail from each text.
• Keep your answers concise and focused on the similarities.

To do well in Paper 2, focus on the following skills:

1. Identify Key Points: Carefully read the given texts to determine the main ideas relevant to the question.
2. Use Your Own Words: Paraphrase the key points without copying phrases directly from the text.
3. Conciseness: Ensure your summary is brief, clear, and to the point, avoiding unnecessary details or opinions.
4. Compare and Contrast: If the question requires comparing two texts, clearly highlight similarities and differences in their key points.
5. Logical Structure: Present your summary in a coherent and logical order, ensuring it flows well and makes sense to the reader.

The Facts

Worth: 14 marks

AO Tested: AO3 (Compare perspectives)

Suggested Time: 15 minutes

What will you need to do?

Compare how the writers present their ideas and perspectives on a given theme. You'll need to discuss both content and the writers' attitudes, using evidence from each text.

Top Tips:

• Identify 4-5 comparative points
• Use comparative phrases like "Similarly…", "In contrast…", "Whereas…"
• Focus on comparing the perspectives and how each writer's viewpoint is conveyed.

Example Question for Practice

Compare how the writers present their views on the importance of resilience.

Compare how the writers present their ideas about resilience in Text 1 and Text 2.

(14 marks)

Example Answer:

"In Text 1, resilience is presented as an essential quality for survival, with the writer describing it as 'the only thing keeping him going'. This suggests a view of resilience as crucial to enduring hardship. Conversely, in Text 2, resilience is portrayed more as a learned trait, as the writer reflects on how challenges 'taught me patience and strength'. Both texts acknowledge the value of resilience, but Text 1 views it as innate, while Text 2 presents it as developed through experience."