AQA GCSE English Language · 3.1.3

Spoken language

50 exam-style questions with answers for 3.1.3 Spoken language 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. Not official AQA material.

All 50 questions and answers

Question 1 · Spec 3.1.3
State the three areas of spoken language in the specification. [3 marks]
Answer:
Presenting information and ideas (1); responding to spoken language (1); spoken Standard English (1).
Question 2 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain what ‘presenting information and ideas’ involves. [3 marks]
Answer:
Selecting and organising information and ideas effectively and persuasively (1); planning for different purposes and audiences (1); making presentations and speeches (1).
Question 3 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain what ‘responding to spoken language’ involves. [1 mark]
Answer:
Listening to and responding appropriately to questions and feedback.
Question 4 · Spec 3.1.3
Define ‘spoken Standard English’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Spoken English using standard grammar and vocabulary, appropriate to formal situations.
Question 5 · Spec 3.1.3
State the requirement for using spoken Standard English. [1 mark]
Answer:
Expressing ideas using Standard English whenever and wherever appropriate.
Question 6 · Spec 3.1.3
State the three assessment objectives for spoken language. [3 marks]
Answer:
AO7: presentation skills in a formal setting (1); AO8: listening and responding to spoken language, including questions and feedback (1); AO9: using spoken Standard English effectively (1).
Question 7 · Spec 3.1.3
State what students must deliver for the spoken language assessment. [1 mark]
Answer:
A prepared spoken presentation on a specific topic.
Question 8 · Spec 3.1.3
State the guide length of a presentation. [1 mark]
Answer:
No more than ten minutes.
Question 9 · Spec 3.1.3
State four forms a formal presentation may take. [2 marks]
Answer:
Talks (½); debates (½); speeches (½); dialogues (½).
Question 10 · Spec 3.1.3
State who the topic must be agreed with. [1 mark]
Answer:
The teacher, in advance.
Question 11 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why preparation matters for the presentation. [2 marks]
Answer:
Presentations must be planned and organised (1); lack of preparation is likely to prevent access to the higher grades (1).
Question 12 · Spec 3.1.3
State whether notes or slides may be used. [1 mark]
Answer:
Yes, notes or presentation slides may be used, but they are not required.
Question 13 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain what must happen during or after the presentation. [1 mark]
Answer:
The student must listen and respond appropriately to questions and feedback.
Question 14 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain the requirement when the audience is only the teacher. [2 marks]
Answer:
The presentation must be designed for a potentially wider audience (1); for example replicating a television interview (1).
Question 15 · Spec 3.1.3
State the four possible outcomes for spoken language. [2 marks]
Answer:
Pass (½); Merit (½); Distinction (½); Not Classified (½).
Question 16 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain what ‘competency basis’ means. [2 marks]
Answer:
A student must meet all the criteria for a grade (1); before they can be awarded the next grade up (1).
Question 17 · Spec 3.1.3
State the two general criteria for all grades. [2 marks]
Answer:
The student must be audible (1); and use spoken Standard English (1).
Question 18 · Spec 3.1.3
State what spoken Standard English requires in the assessment. [2 marks]
Answer:
Being intelligible (1); and generally using language appropriate to the formal setting (1).
Question 19 · Spec 3.1.3
State the four criteria for a Pass. [4 marks]
Answer:
Expresses straightforward ideas, information or feelings (1); attempts to organise and structure the presentation (1); attempts to meet the needs of the audience (1); listens to questions and feedback and responds in a straightforward way (1).
Question 20 · Spec 3.1.3
State the four criteria for a Merit. [4 marks]
Answer:
Expresses challenging ideas using a range of vocabulary (1); organises clearly and appropriately for the audience (1); achieves the purpose (1); responds to questions and feedback formally and in some detail (1).
Question 21 · Spec 3.1.3
State the four criteria for a Distinction. [4 marks]
Answer:
Expresses sophisticated ideas using a sophisticated repertoire of vocabulary (1); uses an effective range of strategies to engage the audience (1); achieves the purpose (1); responds perceptively, elaborating with further ideas where appropriate (1).
Question 22 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain the difference in vocabulary between Merit and Distinction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Merit requires a range of vocabulary (1); Distinction requires a sophisticated repertoire of vocabulary (1).
Question 23 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain how responses to questions differ between Pass and Distinction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Pass: a straightforward response (1); Distinction: a perceptive response that elaborates with further ideas and information (1).
Question 24 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why spoken language does not affect the GCSE grade. [1 mark]
Answer:
It is a separately reported endorsement with no weighting in the final grade.
Question 25 · Spec 3.1.3
Define the term ‘audible’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Loud and clear enough to be heard by the audience.
Question 26 · Spec 3.1.3
Define the term ‘intelligible’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Clear enough to be understood.
Question 27 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why a presentation should be planned for its audience. [2 marks]
Answer:
The audience’s knowledge and interests shape the content and vocabulary (1); so the talk is understood and engaging (1).
Question 28 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why a presentation should have a clear structure. [2 marks]
Answer:
A clear introduction, main points and conclusion help listeners follow (1); which is required for Merit and Distinction (1).
Question 29 · Spec 3.1.3
Define the term ‘signposting’ in a presentation. [1 mark]
Answer:
Phrases that tell the audience where the talk is going, eg ‘My second point is…’.
Question 30 · Spec 3.1.3
State three ways to engage an audience in a presentation. [3 marks]
Answer:
Any three from: eye contact (1); varied tone and pace (1); rhetorical questions (1); examples or anecdotes (1); visual aids (1).
Question 31 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain how pace and pause affect a spoken presentation. [2 marks]
Answer:
A steady pace helps listeners understand (1); pauses give emphasis and time to absorb key points (1).
Question 32 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain how to respond well to a question after a presentation. [2 marks]
Answer:
Listen carefully and answer directly (1); develop the answer with extra detail or examples (1).
Question 33 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why asking a questioner to clarify can be appropriate. [1 mark]
Answer:
It ensures the answer addresses what was actually asked, showing good listening.
Question 34 · Spec 3.1.3
Correct to spoken Standard English: ‘Me and him done the research.’ [2 marks]
Answer:
He and I (1) did the research (1).
Question 35 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why slang should be avoided in a formal presentation. [1 mark]
Answer:
It is not appropriate to the formal setting and can make the speaker seem less credible.
Question 36 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain the difference between a debate and a talk. [2 marks]
Answer:
A talk is one speaker presenting to an audience (1); a debate involves speakers arguing opposing sides of a motion (1).
Question 37 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain how persuasive techniques can be used in a speech. [2 marks]
Answer:
Rhetorical questions, tricolons and direct address engage listeners (1); and make the argument memorable when heard rather than read (1).
Question 38 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why spoken texts often use more repetition than written texts. [1 mark]
Answer:
Listeners cannot re-read, so repetition helps them remember key points.
Question 39 · Spec 3.1.3
State one way to use feedback after a presentation. [1 mark]
Answer:
Respond to it appropriately, acknowledging points and explaining or developing ideas.
Question 40 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why dialogue can be a formal presentation form. [1 mark]
Answer:
A planned, structured exchange, such as an interview, can present ideas formally to an audience.
Question 41 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain what ‘achieves the purpose’ means in the criteria. [1 mark]
Answer:
The presentation does what it set out to do, such as informing or persuading the audience.
Question 42 · Spec 3.1.3
State how spoken language results are reported. [1 mark]
Answer:
As a separate grade on the certificate, alongside the GCSE grade.
Question 43 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain how recordings are used in spoken language assessment. [2 marks]
Answer:
A sample of presentations is recorded (1); complete and unedited, including questions and feedback, for moderation (1).
Question 44 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why eye contact matters in a presentation. [1 mark]
Answer:
It engages the audience and makes the speaker seem confident.
Question 45 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain the difference between reading a script and presenting from notes. [2 marks]
Answer:
Reading a script can sound flat and disconnect from the audience (1); notes allow a more natural, engaging delivery (1).
Question 46 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain how visual aids can support a presentation. [2 marks]
Answer:
They help the audience understand and remember information (1); but should support, not replace, the spoken content (1).
Question 47 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why planning for purpose matters in a spoken presentation. [1 mark]
Answer:
A talk to inform needs clear facts, while a talk to persuade needs arguments and rhetorical devices.
Question 48 · Spec 3.1.3
Define the term ‘register’ in spoken language. [1 mark]
Answer:
The level of formality of speech, chosen to suit the situation and audience.
Question 49 · Spec 3.1.3
Explain why a formal register suits a presentation to a school panel. [1 mark]
Answer:
The audience and setting are formal, so formal language shows respect and credibility.
Question 50 · Spec 3.1.3
State one feature of an effective conclusion to a presentation. [1 mark]
Answer:
Any one from: summarises main points; ends with a memorable line; invites questions.

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