Paper 1 Question 5 AQA English Language Part 2

(Part Two) Detailed Grade GCSE 9 Revision of Paper 1 Question 5 AQA English Language GCSE

Summary of Mrs Wear’s “Last-Minute Revision for AQA Paper 1 Question 5 – AO6 (Technical Accuracy)”

Mrs Wear focuses on AO6 (spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence variety) for Question 5, where many students lose marks.

Know your limits – Your AO6 score depends on how accurate your English is. If grammar and spelling are weak, treat English like a foreign language: study the rules, use resources (grammar books, YouTube, Grammar Bytes), and practise.

Punctuation –

Full stops are fine, but commas are where most students go wrong (not just “pause for breath”).

Make sure you accurately use a semicolon, colon, and dash at least once each. Don’t force them into lists — use them properly to link clauses.

Sentence structure – Vary your sentences. Use short, long, simple, and complex forms. Learn different sentence starters and clause placements. She recommends Alan Peat’s 25 Ways to Start a Sentence as a practical tool.

For grades 4–6: throw in as many as possible.

For grades 7–9: be more selective and use variety for deliberate effect.

Standard English & grammar – Show control of grammar with complex sentences and structures. Proof of control is what examiners reward.

Spelling & vocabulary – These also matter. Sophisticated, ambitious vocabulary (used appropriately) will tick AO6 boxes as well as AO5. Avoid simple word choices like “hot,” “big,” or “nice.”

Planning and proofreading – In 45 minutes for Q5, spend:

5 minutes planning (theme, small action, paragraph structure, where you’ll add punctuation, vocab, sentence variety, flashbacks/contrasts).

35 minutes writing.

5 minutes proofreading (catch avoidable spelling, punctuation, and grammar slips).

Keep the plot small – You don’t have time for an epic saga. Focus on a snapshot moment (e.g. a walk to school, making tea, walking through a park) and make the meaning big through word choice, description, and technique.

She ends by stressing: control, planning, and attention to detail are the keys to maximising AO6 and boosting your overall score.

Timestamp
0:00 Punctuation 
04:48 Sentence structure and grammar
07:44 Spelling & Vocabulary
9:45 Planning the whole question 5 response