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- Paper 1 Question 5: comparing two texts
Paper 1 Question 5: comparing two texts
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Question 5 is the biggest reading question on Paper 1: 22 marks. You compare how the two texts present ideas and perspectives on a shared theme.
What it asks
AO3: explore links and connections between writers' ideas and perspectives, and how they are conveyed.
You write about both texts: the unseen extract and the Anthology text.
Pearson's examiners advise making each point a valid comparison with references from both extracts, using comparative topic sentences, and not writing about one passage at length before moving on to the second.
You write about both texts: the unseen extract and the Anthology text.
Pearson's examiners advise making each point a valid comparison with references from both extracts, using comparative topic sentences, and not writing about one passage at length before moving on to the second.
Two practice texts
Shared theme: facing a fear.
A comparative paragraph
'Both writers present fear honestly. In Text One the writer admits plainly, 'I was afraid', whereas in Text Two fear is shown through the ice that 'groaned'. However, the outcomes differ: Text One ends in triumph and a 'solemn thumbs up', while Text Two ends more quietly, with fear 'joined by wonder'.'
Write a comparative topic sentence about how the two writers are helped.
- Text One: Bea's calm advice.
- Text Two: the guide's tracks.
- Link them with 'both' or 'whereas'.
Answer: Both writers rely on a calm guide figure: Bea's spoken advice in Text One and the guide's footsteps in Text Two.
Question 5: AO3, 22 marks. Compare ideas and perspectives and how they are conveyed, point by point, with evidence from both texts and comparative topic sentences.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
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