Paper 2 Question 3: Mark Scheme (AQA GCSE English Language): Model Answers
AO2 Assessment - Language Analysis
AO2: Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views.
This question assesses Language ie: Words/Phrases/Language Features/Language Techniques/Sentence Forms.
| Level | Skills Descriptors | Indicative Standard This indicative standard provides an exemplification of the skills descriptors at each level. It is not a model answer, nor a complete response, nor does it seek to exemplify any particular content. |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 Detailed, perceptive analysis 10–12 marks | Shows detailed and perceptive understanding of language: • analyses the effects of the writer's choices of language • selects a range of judicious textual detail • makes sophisticated and accurate use of subject terminology. | The writer uses the hyperbole 'my heaviest suitcase was cannonaded down' to describe how the impact of the train crash was like a deliberate act of warfare. The use of the military verb 'cannonaded' conveys the writer's sense of being victimised as he describes the simple dislodging of his suitcase by physical force as a metaphorical attack by the train, as it has turned his own possession into a weapon to be used against him. |
| Level 3 Clear, relevant explanation 7–9 marks | Shows clear understanding of language: • explains clearly the effects of the writer's choices of language • selects a range of relevant textual detail • makes clear and accurate use of subject terminology. | The writer uses the hyperbole 'my heaviest suitcase was cannonaded down' to describe how the train crash was so forceful that it felt like he was being bombarded. The metaphor of 'cannonaded' suggests that the impact of the train crash turns the suitcase into a weapon being fired which creates the idea of the writer being under attack. |
| Level 2
Some understanding and comment
4–6 marks | Shows some understanding of language:
• attempts to comment on the effect of language
• selects some appropriate textual detail
• makes some use of subject terminology, mainly appropriately. | The writer uses lots of different language to describe the train crash. He uses the hyperbole 'my heaviest suitcase was cannonaded down' to show how the crash was powerful enough to move a heavy object so that it smashed into his knees. |
| Level 1
Simple, limited comment
1-3 marks | Shows simple awareness of language:
• offers simple comment on the effect of language
• selects simple reference(s) or textual detail(s)
• makes simple use of subject terminology, not always appropriately. | The writer describes the train crash as 'From the rack above me my heaviest suitcase was cannonaded down'. This is hyperbole as it is just a suitcase hitting his legs, but he uses this to emphasise how heavy it was. |
| Level 0
No marks | Nothing to reward. | |