Practice exam question for AQA Paper 1A: Responding to literary fiction texts
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Updated for exams from 2026, this targeted resource enables students to explore focused textual analysis skills for AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Section A, with model responses provided.
What's included
Get everything you need to empower students to feel more confident in their responses to the new-style questions for GCSE English Language Paper 1 Section A from 2026:
- Free printable PDF worksheet for students to explore a typical exam-style text and related questions with accompanying model responses.
- For subscribers only, an adaptable and customisable worksheet.
Practice exam question for AQA Paper 1A resource
Ideal for students learning how to respond effectively to exam questions on AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Section A from 2026, this resource features questions that help prepare students for the rigours of this section of the exam. The questions are based on an extract from 'A Sound of Thunder' by Ray Bradbury, which contains a description of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. At the beginning of the resource, there is guidance as to where to find the extract and the text online for students and teachers.
The section A exam-style questions imitate the style that students will find on this exam from 2026. The resource guides students through the questions so that, once they have read and digested the extract, they can work through the questions to increase their understanding of the content they should include in their responses.
Using this kind of practice paper is helpful for students as they prepare for the exam because they can consolidate their familiarity with the exam format, increase their knowledge of question types and enhance the quality of detail in their answers.
Key features of this resource
Essential for exam-related teaching and learning, this resource enables students to imitate the experience they will have in the real AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 exam by providing a typical text and questions to deepen their understanding of the entire process.
The questions take students through a typical exam experience and help them to focus on language features, sentence forms and writers’ viewpoints ahead of their exams or during revision periods.
There are also model answers included.
How to use this Practice exam question for AQA Paper 1A resource
This resource is perfect for:
- Building understanding of relevant exam-style texts and questions for new 2026 questions
- Evaluating how to write a detailed and focused response for the new style 2026 questions
- Consolidating language analysis skills
- Completing revision sessions and exam or assessment preparation
- Strengthening exam question answer construction at KS4
Additional GCSE English Language Paper 1 resources
- AQA Paper 1 GCSE English Language sample practice questions
- Tackling question 1 of the AQA English Language exam
- AQA English Language Paper 1 Jane Eyre extract
- AQA English Language Paper 1: practice reading assessment task
- AQA GCSE Language Paper 1: practice exam question using 'The Hunger Games'
Browse additional resources in the AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 section.
A sample extract from the resource:
- Read again from ‘It ran with a gliding ballet step …’ to ‘This is too much for me to get hold of.’ How does the writer use language here to describe the T Rex?
You could include the writer’s choice of:
- words and phrases
- language features and techniques
- sentence forms.
(8 marks)
- Now you need to think about the structure of the source as a whole.
How has the writer structured the text to reveal the power of the T Rex?
You could write about:
- how the T Rex’s physical power is emphasised throughout the source
- how the writer uses structure to create an effect
- the writer’s use of any other structural features, such as changes in mood, tone or perspective.
(8 marks)
- Focus on the last part of the source, from ‘It can’t be killed’ to the end.
The writer vividly describes the T Rex and the terror experienced by Eckels.
To what extent do you agree and/or disagree with this statement?
In your response, you could:
- consider your impressions of the descriptions of the T Rex and the terror of Eckels
- comment on the methods the writer uses to present these impressions
- support your response with reference to the text.
(20 marks)
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