PAPER 1 : QUESTION 2 : LANGUAGE

Step-by-step method

STEP 1: Underline the focus of the question

How does the writer use language to present the old man and the house?

Students underline:

  • old man

  • house

 These must be linked together, not separated.

STEP 2: Find language about BOTH / ONE in the text

Underline  what the question is asking you to focus on

Underline the key things named in the question.

For example:

  • If the question mentions the old man, underline old man.

  • If the question mentions the house, underline house.

This reduces the text and keeps them focused.

Then go to the part of the text they ask you to and underline that information. 

STEP 3: Make ONE clear point that links them

Example point:

The writer presents the old man and the house as equally isolated and lifeless.

QUESTION (AQA-STYLE, SPECIFIC)

SAMPLE EXTRACT (Paper 1–style fiction)

The old man sat alone at the small kitchen table.

The house was silent, apart from the ticking of a clock that had not been wound properly. Dust clung to the shelves and the curtains hung stiffly, as if they had not been touched for years.

He stared at the window but did not move. Outside, the street felt far away, almost forgotten.

Question 2
How does the writer use language to describe the old man and his house, and what effect does this have on the reader?
[8 marks]

You could include the writer’s choice of:

  • words and phrases

  • language features and techniques

  • sentence forms

Use evidence from the text to support your ideas.

MODEL ANSWER (SINGLE, LINKED PARAGRAPH – YOUR METHOD)

The writer uses language to describe the old man and his house as isolated and lifeless, which creates a sense of emptiness for the reader. The adjective “alone” emphasises the old man’s lack of human connection. The house is described as “silent,” and this adjective suggests an unnatural absence of life or activity. The phrase “did not move” highlights the man’s inactivity, with the verb “move” suggesting emotional detachment rather than action. The verb “clung” personifies the dust, as it gives it a human quality, suggesting it has remained there for a long time. This implies long-term neglect and reinforces the lifeless atmosphere. These language choices create a bleak atmosphere and encourage the reader to share the old man’s isolation.


Another one:

SAMPLE EXTRACT (Paper 1–style fiction)

The boy stood at the edge of the playground, his bag hanging loosely from one shoulder.

Laughter burst across the yard, but it never reached him. The benches were scratched and uneven, and the fence leaned at an awkward angle, rattling whenever the wind passed through.

He watched the others run past, saying nothing, as the bell rang without meaning.

Question 2

How does the writer use language to describe the boy and the playground, and what effect does this have on the reader?
[8 marks]

You could include the writer’s choice of:

  • words and phrases

  • language features and techniques

  • sentence forms

Use evidence from the text to support your ideas.

MODEL ANSWER (SINGLE, LINKED PARAGRAPH – YOUR METHOD)

The writer uses language to describe the boy and the playground as unwelcoming and isolating, which creates sympathy for the reader. The boy is positioned “at the edge,” and the noun “edge” suggests exclusion rather than belonging. The playground’s laughter is described as something that “never reached him,” which personifies the sound and emphasises how disconnected he feels. The benches are described as “scratched,” and this adjective suggests neglect, reflecting the uncomfortable atmosphere of the setting. The verb “leaned” in the description of the fence gives it a human quality, implying weakness and instability. These language choices create a sense of discomfort and encourage the reader to feel sympathy for the boy’s situation.





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