Paper 1 Question 5 AQA English Language

Paper 1 Question 5 AQA English Language GCSE EXPLAINED

Summary of Mrs Wear’s “Top Five Things You Need to Know About AQA English Language Paper 1 Question 5”

Mrs Wear breaks down how to approach the creative writing task (Q5) in Paper 1:

What you need to do – You’ll always have two options: one with a picture, and one with a written statement or instruction. You can be asked to “describe” or “write a story,” but the marking doesn’t really distinguish between them. Mrs Wear recommends always picking the picture option, as it gives more inspiration and avoids vague prompts like “describe a place you think is beautiful.”

Marks and timings – This is the biggest question in the paper, worth 40 marks (half the paper). Spend 45 minutes here: 1 hour for Questions 1–4, then the rest on Q5. Don’t run out of time — examiners often see students write only a few sentences or nothing at all.

What skill is tested – The question is marked on two assessment objectives:

AO5 (24 marks): Content & organisation – how engaging, convincing and well-structured your writing is.

AO6 (16 marks): Technical accuracy – spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence variety.
Both matter. Many students drop marks on AO6 by ignoring punctuation and variety.

Keep it small and realistic – Don’t attempt an overblown, action-packed plot with vampires, car crashes and “it was all a dream” endings. Focus on a snapshot or a moment so you can show atmosphere, description, and character detail — exactly what AO5 rewards.

Must-use techniques –

Show, don’t tell: write cinematically, as if describing what a camera sees.

Metaphorical language: use metaphors sparingly to add sophistication, but avoid cramming one into every sentence or confusing the reader early on.

Flashbacks: a great structural feature that lets you add contrast and depth without needing an over-complex plot.

She finishes by reminding students to balance literal description with occasional figurative flourishes, manage their time wisely, and always aim for compelling, convincing writing.

Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:41 What do you need to do?
2:35 Marks and Timings
3:42 What skill is it testing?
6:35 Seriously, no vampires
8:10 Must use techniques