AQA GCSE English Language · 3.1.2

Producing clear and coherent text

Exam-style questions with answers for 3.1.2 Producing clear and coherent text in AQA GCSE English Language (spec 8700). Practise with flashcards, a topic quiz, a random quiz across the course, 5 crosswords, or read every question and answer below.

All questions and answers

Question 1 · Spec 3.1.2
Name the six purposes for writing in the specification. [3 marks]
Answer:
Describe (½); narrate (½); explain (½); instruct (½); give and respond to information (½); argue (½).
Question 2 · Spec 3.1.2
State two features of writing to describe. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: sensory detail (1); figurative language (1); precise adjectives and verbs (1); a clear viewpoint on the scene (1).
Question 3 · Spec 3.1.2
State two features of writing to narrate. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: characters (1); setting (1); a sequence of events (1); a consistent narrative perspective (1); dialogue (1).
Question 4 · Spec 3.1.2
State two features of writing to explain. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: clear reasons or causes (1); connectives such as because and therefore (1); logical order (1); a clear, informative tone (1).
Question 5 · Spec 3.1.2
State two features of writing to instruct. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: imperative verbs (1); numbered or sequenced steps (1); precise detail (1); direct address (1).
Question 6 · Spec 3.1.2
State two features of writing to give information. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: facts and figures (1); clear organisation such as headings (1); objective tone (1); precise vocabulary (1).
Question 7 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain what is meant by ‘responding to information’ in writing. [2 marks]
Answer:
Writing a reply to information supplied by others (1); for example answering a letter or commenting on a report (1).
Question 8 · Spec 3.1.2
State two features of writing to argue. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any two from: a clear viewpoint (1); reasons and evidence (1); a counter-argument and rebuttal (1); a strong conclusion (1).
Question 9 · Spec 3.1.2
State what writers must select to reflect audience, purpose and context. [2 marks]
Answer:
Vocabulary and grammar (1); form and structural and organisational features (1).
Question 10 · Spec 3.1.2
Define the term ‘judiciously’. [1 mark]
Answer:
With careful, sensible judgement.
Question 11 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain how audience affects vocabulary choice. [2 marks]
Answer:
A younger or general audience needs simpler, familiar words (1); an expert or formal audience suits precise, technical or formal vocabulary (1).
Question 12 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain how purpose affects sentence choices. [2 marks]
Answer:
Instructions suit short, clear imperative sentences (1); description suits varied sentences including longer ones that build detail (1).
Question 13 · Spec 3.1.2
Define the term ‘formal register’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Serious, polite language with standard grammar and no slang.
Question 14 · Spec 3.1.2
Define the term ‘informal register’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Relaxed, everyday language, which may include contractions and colloquialisms.
Question 15 · Spec 3.1.2
Rewrite in a formal register: ‘Loads of kids reckon school starts way too early.’ [2 marks]
Answer:
Many students believe (1) that the school day begins too early (1).
Question 16 · Spec 3.1.2
Define the term ‘coherence’. [1 mark]
Answer:
The quality of a text whose ideas fit together logically and make sense as a whole.
Question 17 · Spec 3.1.2
Define the term ‘cohesion’. [1 mark]
Answer:
The way sentences and paragraphs are linked, for example by connectives, pronouns and repeated key words.
Question 18 · Spec 3.1.2
State three cohesive devices. [3 marks]
Answer:
Any three from: connectives (1); pronouns referring back (1); repeated key words (1); synonyms (1); topic sentences (1).
Question 19 · Spec 3.1.2
Define the term ‘discourse marker’. [1 mark]
Answer:
A word or phrase that guides the reader through a text, such as firstly, however or in conclusion.
Question 20 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain why paragraphs are used. [2 marks]
Answer:
They group related ideas together (1); and signal a change of topic, time, place or speaker (1).
Question 21 · Spec 3.1.2
State four reasons for starting a new paragraph. [2 marks]
Answer:
A change of topic (½); time (½); place (½); or speaker (½).
Question 22 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain what ‘maintaining a consistent point of view’ means. [2 marks]
Answer:
Keeping the same narrative voice, such as first person, throughout (1); or keeping the same stance in an argument (1).
Question 23 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain why tense should be kept consistent. [1 mark]
Answer:
Unnecessary switches between past and present confuse the reader.
Question 24 · Spec 3.1.2
Define the term ‘Standard English’. [1 mark]
Answer:
The widely accepted form of English used in formal writing and speech, with standard grammar and vocabulary.
Question 25 · Spec 3.1.2
Correct to Standard English: ‘We was going to the shop.’ [1 mark]
Answer:
We were going to the shop.
Question 26 · Spec 3.1.2
Correct to Standard English: ‘I could of helped.’ [1 mark]
Answer:
I could have helped.
Question 27 · Spec 3.1.2
Correct to Standard English: ‘I didn’t see nothing.’ [1 mark]
Answer:
I didn’t see anything. (or I saw nothing.)
Question 28 · Spec 3.1.2
Define the term ‘comma splice’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Joining two main clauses with only a comma.
Question 29 · Spec 3.1.2
Correct the comma splice: ‘It was raining, we stayed inside.’ [1 mark]
Answer:
It was raining, so we stayed inside. (or a full stop or semicolon)
Question 30 · Spec 3.1.2
State the use of a semicolon. [1 mark]
Answer:
To join two closely related main clauses, or to separate items in a complex list.
Question 31 · Spec 3.1.2
State the use of a colon. [1 mark]
Answer:
To introduce a list, explanation or example after a complete clause.
Question 32 · Spec 3.1.2
State two uses of an apostrophe. [2 marks]
Answer:
To show omission in contractions, eg don’t (1); to show possession, eg the girl’s bag (1).
Question 33 · Spec 3.1.2
Distinguish between ‘its’ and ‘it’s’. [2 marks]
Answer:
‘Its’ shows possession, eg the dog wagged its tail (1); ‘it’s’ means it is or it has (1).
Question 34 · Spec 3.1.2
Distinguish between ‘there’, ‘their’ and ‘they’re’. [3 marks]
Answer:
There: a place (1); their: belonging to them (1); they’re: they are (1).
Question 35 · Spec 3.1.2
Distinguish between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’. [2 marks]
Answer:
Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence (1); effect is usually a noun meaning a result (1).
Question 36 · Spec 3.1.2
Punctuate correctly: where are you going she asked [2 marks]
Answer:
‘Where are you going?’ she asked. (speech marks (1); question mark inside and lower case ‘she’ (1))
Question 37 · Spec 3.1.2
State the rule for new lines in dialogue. [1 mark]
Answer:
Start a new line each time a different person speaks.
Question 38 · Spec 3.1.2
Define the term ‘homophone’. [1 mark]
Answer:
A word that sounds the same as another but has a different meaning and spelling.
Question 39 · Spec 3.1.2
Correct the spelling: ‘definately’, ‘seperate’, ‘recieve’. [3 marks]
Answer:
Definitely (1); separate (1); receive (1).
Question 40 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain what ‘using information provided by others to write in different forms’ means. [2 marks]
Answer:
Taking facts or ideas from a source (1); and reshaping them into a new form, such as turning notes into a leaflet (1).
Question 41 · Spec 3.1.2
State three conventions of a formal letter. [3 marks]
Answer:
Any three from: addresses and date (1); greeting such as ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ (1); paragraphs (1); ‘Yours faithfully’ or ‘Yours sincerely’ (1).
Question 42 · Spec 3.1.2
State when to use ‘Yours sincerely’ and ‘Yours faithfully’. [2 marks]
Answer:
‘Yours sincerely’ when the recipient is named (1); ‘Yours faithfully’ when writing to ‘Sir or Madam’ (1).
Question 43 · Spec 3.1.2
State three conventions of a speech. [3 marks]
Answer:
Any three from: greeting the audience (1); direct address (1); rhetorical devices (1); signposting (1); a closing thank you (1).
Question 44 · Spec 3.1.2
State three conventions of a magazine article. [3 marks]
Answer:
Any three from: headline (1); engaging introduction (1); subheadings (1); clear paragraphs (1); strong conclusion (1).
Question 45 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain why planning helps produce coherent writing. [2 marks]
Answer:
Planning sets out ideas in a logical order (1); so the text stays focused and well organised (1).
Question 46 · Spec 3.1.2
Define the term ‘topic sentence’ in writing. [1 mark]
Answer:
The opening sentence of a paragraph that introduces its main point.
Question 47 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain how a conclusion contributes to coherence. [1 mark]
Answer:
It draws the main points together, giving the text a sense of completeness.
Question 48 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain why a range of sentence structures improves writing. [2 marks]
Answer:
It keeps the writing varied and engaging (1); and allows the writer to control pace and emphasis (1).
Question 49 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain why proofreading is part of producing clear text. [1 mark]
Answer:
It finds and corrects errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar that could confuse the reader.
Question 50 · Spec 3.1.2
Explain why a range of accurate punctuation improves writing. [2 marks]
Answer:
It shows control of the writing (1); and lets the writer create effects such as pauses, lists and emphasis (1).

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Producing clear and coherent text

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