AQA GCSE English Language · 4.3

Viewpoints and perspectives: non-fiction and literary non-fiction

Exam-style questions with answers for 4.3 Viewpoints and perspectives: non-fiction and literary non-fiction 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.

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Question 1 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘non-fiction’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Writing based on real people, events and facts.
Question 2 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘literary non-fiction’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Non-fiction written with a crafted literary style, such as memoir, travel writing or essays.
Question 3 · Spec 4.3
State five forms of non-fiction and literary non-fiction. [5 marks]
Answer:
Any five from: journalism (1); articles (1); reports (1); essays (1); travel writing (1); letters (1); diaries (1); autobiography (1); biography (1).
Question 4 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘journalism’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Writing for newspapers, magazines or websites that reports on or comments on events and issues.
Question 5 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘report’. [1 mark]
Answer:
A formal, factual account of findings or events, usually objective.
Question 6 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘essay’. [1 mark]
Answer:
A structured piece of writing that discusses a subject or argues a view.
Question 7 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘travel writing’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Writing that describes places and journeys, usually from the writer’s personal experience.
Question 8 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘account’. [1 mark]
Answer:
A description of events, often in time order, from a particular person’s point of view.
Question 9 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘sketch’ in non-fiction. [1 mark]
Answer:
A short, vivid piece describing a person, place or moment, often with a personal or humorous tone.
Question 10 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘autobiography’. [1 mark]
Answer:
An account of a person’s life written by themselves.
Question 11 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘biography’. [1 mark]
Answer:
An account of a person’s life written by someone else.
Question 12 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘memoir’. [1 mark]
Answer:
A personal account focusing on particular memories or experiences from the writer’s life.
Question 13 · Spec 4.3
Explain why letters and diaries are useful for understanding perspectives. [2 marks]
Answer:
They are personal and often private (1); revealing the writer’s honest feelings and attitudes of the time (1).
Question 14 · Spec 4.3
Explain the difference between a viewpoint and a perspective. [2 marks]
Answer:
A viewpoint is the opinion a writer holds on an issue (1); a perspective is the wider way of seeing that shapes it, from their background and experiences (1).
Question 15 · Spec 4.3
Explain how a writer’s background can shape their perspective. [2 marks]
Answer:
Their age, class, job, culture and time period affect their experiences (1); which influence how they see and judge an issue (1).
Question 16 · Spec 4.3
State three features often found in 19th-century non-fiction. [3 marks]
Answer:
Any three from: long, complex sentences (1); formal register (1); old-fashioned vocabulary (1); attitudes typical of the period (1); detailed description (1).
Question 17 · Spec 4.3
Explain how to deal with unfamiliar 19th-century vocabulary. [2 marks]
Answer:
Use the surrounding context to work out the meaning (1); and focus on the overall tone and viewpoint (1).
Question 18 · Spec 4.3
Explain why 19th-century attitudes may differ from modern ones. [2 marks]
Answer:
Society, values and knowledge have changed (1); for example views on class, gender, childhood and empire (1).
Question 19 · Spec 4.3
Explain how journalism can present a viewpoint even when reporting facts. [2 marks]
Answer:
The writer chooses which facts to include and emphasise (1); and uses loaded language that shapes the reader’s response (1).
Question 20 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘objective’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Based on facts, without personal feelings or bias.
Question 21 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘subjective’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Based on personal feelings, opinions or experiences.
Question 22 · Spec 4.3
‘This frankly ridiculous policy will ruin lives.’ Is this objective or subjective? Explain. [2 marks]
Answer:
Subjective (1); ‘frankly ridiculous’ and ‘ruin lives’ express strong personal opinion rather than fact (1).
Question 23 · Spec 4.3
Explain how a writer influences the reader in non-fiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Through language choices such as emotive words and rhetorical devices (1); and structural choices such as the order of arguments and evidence (1).
Question 24 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘first-person account’. [1 mark]
Answer:
An account written by someone who experienced the events, using ‘I’.
Question 25 · Spec 4.3
Explain one strength and one weakness of a first-person account as evidence. [2 marks]
Answer:
Strength: it gives vivid, direct experience (1); weakness: it may be biased or limited to one view (1).
Question 26 · Spec 4.3
Explain how a travel writer can reveal attitudes towards a place. [2 marks]
Answer:
Positive or negative descriptions show their feelings about it (1); and comparisons with home can reveal their values or prejudices (1).
Question 27 · Spec 4.3
Explain why non-fiction texts on the same theme from different centuries are compared. [2 marks]
Answer:
They show how viewpoints and perspectives change over time (1); and what has stayed the same (1).
Question 28 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘audience’ for a non-fiction text. [1 mark]
Answer:
The intended readers, who influence its content, tone and style.
Question 29 · Spec 4.3
Explain how a writer adapts a viewpoint text for a specified audience. [2 marks]
Answer:
Choosing suitable vocabulary and register (1); and examples and arguments that matter to those readers (1).
Question 30 · Spec 4.3
State the three things a writing-to-present-a-viewpoint task usually specifies. [3 marks]
Answer:
Audience (1); purpose (1); form (1).
Question 31 · Spec 4.3
State four forms for writing to present a viewpoint. [2 marks]
Answer:
Any four from: letter (½); article (½); speech (½); essay (½); leaflet (½); review (½).
Question 32 · Spec 4.3
Explain how a statement or opinion can provoke a viewpoint response. [2 marks]
Answer:
It gives a claim to agree or disagree with (1); so the writer must take a clear stance and support it (1).
Question 33 · Spec 4.3
Explain why a viewpoint text needs a clear stance. [1 mark]
Answer:
A clear position makes the argument coherent and convincing.
Question 34 · Spec 4.3
Explain how a writer can acknowledge another view without weakening their own. [2 marks]
Answer:
Present the opposing view fairly (1); then rebut it with reasons or evidence (1).
Question 35 · Spec 4.3
Explain why personal experience can strengthen a viewpoint. [2 marks]
Answer:
It adds authenticity (1); and makes the argument relatable and emotional (1).
Question 36 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘persuade’. [1 mark]
Answer:
To convince someone to believe or do something.
Question 37 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘argue’. [1 mark]
Answer:
To present a reasoned case for a viewpoint, supported by evidence.
Question 38 · Spec 4.3
Explain the difference between arguing and persuading. [2 marks]
Answer:
Arguing relies mainly on reasons and evidence (1); persuading also uses emotional appeal and rhetorical devices (1).
Question 39 · Spec 4.3
Explain how a review presents a viewpoint. [2 marks]
Answer:
It gives the writer’s judgement of something such as a film or place (1); supported by details and examples (1).
Question 40 · Spec 4.3
Explain how a writer uses tone to present a perspective in non-fiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Tone shows the writer’s attitude, such as outrage or admiration (1); and invites the reader to share it (1).
Question 41 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘nostalgia’ as a perspective. [1 mark]
Answer:
A fond, sentimental longing for the past.
Question 42 · Spec 4.3
Explain how nostalgia might affect a writer’s presentation of the past. [2 marks]
Answer:
They may emphasise positive memories (1); and present the past as better than the present (1).
Question 43 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘satire’. [1 mark]
Answer:
Using humour, irony or exaggeration to criticise people or society.
Question 44 · Spec 4.3
Explain how a writer can present an issue as important to how we live. [2 marks]
Answer:
By linking it to the reader’s own life and experiences (1); and showing its effects on people or society (1).
Question 45 · Spec 4.3
Explain why the writer’s purpose must be considered in literary non-fiction. [2 marks]
Answer:
Literary non-fiction often entertains as well as informs (1); so the writer may shape or select details for effect (1).
Question 46 · Spec 4.3
Explain why an eyewitness account from the 1800s is valuable today. [2 marks]
Answer:
It gives first-hand insight into life and attitudes of the time (1); that modern writers can only reconstruct (1).
Question 47 · Spec 4.3
Define the term ‘opinion piece’. [1 mark]
Answer:
An article in which the writer argues their own view on an issue.
Question 48 · Spec 4.3
Explain how headlines can show a viewpoint. [2 marks]
Answer:
Word choice in a headline can be loaded or emotive (1); signalling the writer’s attitude before the article begins (1).
Question 49 · Spec 4.3
Explain why a reader should consider who wrote a non-fiction text. [2 marks]
Answer:
The writer’s identity and interests may affect their viewpoint (1); so knowing them helps the reader detect bias (1).
Question 50 · Spec 4.3
State two differences between a speech and an article presenting the same viewpoint. [2 marks]
Answer:
A speech uses more direct address and repetition for listeners (1); an article uses a headline, subheadings and paragraphs for readers (1).

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