CORE English as a Second Language (Short Course) - 9285 OxfordAQA

Writing: Communicate In Writing

Overview

Paper 1 is the only component where you are marked on your English twice. Every one of its three tasks carries a separate mark for communicating content and a separate mark for language, and across the paper those come to 20 marks and 22 marks. Two candidates can write the same ideas and finish twenty marks apart. Two others can write flawless English and finish twenty marks apart the other way, because neither covered the bullet points.

What makes this paper learnable is that the specification names, task by task and mark by mark, exactly what each half is looking at. This lesson prints all of it, works through the three tasks with their word ranges and mark splits, shows one answer written three times at three different standards with the criteria used to name what changed, and runs a repair pass on the ten errors that most often hold a language mark down.

Objectives

  1. In order to meet the requirements of AO2, students are expected to:
  2. communicate effectively in writing for a variety of purposes across a range of specified contexts
  3. write short texts, using simple sentences and familiar language accurately to convey meaning and exchange information
  4. produce clear and coherent text of extended length to present facts and express ideas and opinions appropriately for different purposes and in different settings
  5. make accurate use of a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures, including some more complex forms, to describe and narrate with reference to past, present and future events
  6. manipulate the language, using and adapting a variety of structures and vocabulary with increasing accuracy and fluency for new purposes, including using appropriate style and register
  7. make independent, creative and more complex use of the language to explain, inform, describe, argue or persuade.

Lesson Note

Paper 1 is a written exam of 1 hour carrying 42 marks, which is 35 per cent of the qualification. There are three questions. They reflect an increasing level of challenge, the specified length of response for each question stays the same from series to series, and all three link with the themes named in the subject content. No dictionary is permitted.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Writing: Communicate In Writing. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. How many marks does Question 3 of Paper 1 carry? A. 9 B. 12 C. 15 D. 18 Answer: D
  2. Across the whole of Paper 1, how do the marks split between the two criteria? A. 20 content, 22 language B. 21 and 21 C. 22 content, 20 language D. 28 content, 32 language Answer: A
  3. On Question 1 only, what does the language mark cover? A. Creativity B. Range of grammatical structures C. Register and audience D. The accuracy of spelling and punctuation Answer: D
  4. Which five purposes does the specification name for the Question 3 task? A. Compare, contrast, evaluate, analyse or summarise B. Explain, inform, describe, argue or persuade C. Narrate, describe, review, report or advise D. Report, review, narrate, explain or list Answer: B
  5. On which question does the word 'creativity' appear in the criterion, and what does it describe? A. Question 1; correct spelling throughout B. Question 2; a wide vocabulary C. Question 3; a structure chosen to do something to the reader D. All three questions; inventing a story Answer: C

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Practice Mock Questions

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