7.3 - Question 1: Model Answers
Understanding Question 1 in practice
This section builds on your knowledge of Question 1 from Paper 1 of the AQA GCSE English Language exam. As a reminder, Question 1 is a multiple-choice question worth 4 marks, focusing on the opening section of a source text. You will be asked to select four true statements from a list, testing your ability to retrieve explicit and implicit information under Assessment Objective 1 (AO1). These worked examples will help you see how to approach the question practically and avoid common pitfalls.
Quick reference overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Question type | Multiple-choice question (MCQ) about explicit and implicit information |
| Marks available | 4 marks (1 mark per correct statement) |
| Recommended time | Approximately 5 minutes |
| Assessment objective | AO1: Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas |
| Focus | Specified section only (usually the opening of the source) |
| Your task | Select four true statements from a list of options |
| Success criteria | Careful reading of the specified section + accurate selection of true statements |
Worked example: Applying the process
Below is a full worked example of a Question 1 task, including the source extract and the multiple-choice format. This will demonstrate how to approach the question and select the correct statements.
Extract and question
Read again the opening part of the source, from lines 1 to 8.
Ellie stood on the platform, clutching her suitcase with both hands. The station was a chaos of noise and movement, with passengers rushing past her like a river around a stone. She had never been to London before, and the sheer scale of everything overwhelmed her. The train loomed ahead, its engine hissing steam into the cold morning air. Her ticket was crumpled in her pocket, a fragile promise of a new start. She glanced at the clock – only five minutes until departure. Her heart raced as she stepped closer to the carriage door. This was it, no turning back now.
Choose four statements below which are TRUE.
- A. Ellie is at a quiet station.
- B. Ellie is holding a suitcase.
- C. Ellie has been to London many times.
- D. The train is releasing steam.
- E. Ellie is travelling in the evening.
- F. Ellie checks the time.
- G. Ellie feels calm and confident.
- H. Ellie is about to board the train.
[4 marks]
Step-by-step process for identifying true statements
Follow this process to ensure you select the correct statements efficiently and accurately.
Step 1: Read the specified section carefully (2 minutes)
- Focus only on the lines mentioned (lines 1 to 8 in this case).
- Read the extract at least twice to familiarise yourself with the details.
- Note key information: who is involved (Ellie), where they are (a station), what is happening (preparing to board a train), and any emotions or descriptions (overwhelmed, heart racing).
Step 2: Read each statement and check against the text (1–2 minutes)
- Go through each statement (A to H) one by one.
- Look for evidence in the extract to confirm if the statement is true or false.
- Be cautious of statements that seem plausible but are not directly supported by the text.
Step 3: Eliminate false statements (30 seconds)
- Cross out statements that are clearly incorrect or not mentioned in the specified lines.
- For example, statement A ("Ellie is at a quiet station") is false because the text describes the station as chaotic with "noise and movement".
Step 4: Select the four true statements and double-check (30 seconds)
- Choose the four statements that are supported by the text.
- Double-check each selection against the extract to avoid careless errors.
- Shade the circles or boxes for your chosen answers as instructed.
Applying the process to the extract
Let's go through each statement for the example above and determine which are true.
Statement analysis:
- A. Ellie is at a quiet station. – False. The text describes the station as chaotic with "noise and movement" and passengers "rushing past".
- B. Ellie is holding a suitcase. – True. The text states she is "clutching her suitcase with both hands".
- C. Ellie has been to London many times. – False. The text says she "had never been to London before".
- D. The train is releasing steam. – True. The text mentions the train's engine "hissing steam into the cold morning air".
- E. Ellie is travelling in the evening. – False. The text specifies it is "cold morning air".
- F. Ellie checks the time. – True. The text says she "glanced at the clock".
- G. Ellie feels calm and confident. – False. The text states she is "overwhelmed" and her "heart raced", indicating nervousness.
- H. Ellie is about to board the train. – True. The text describes her stepping "closer to the carriage door" and thinking "this was it".
Correct answers: B, D, F, H
Why these answers are correct
- B. Ellie is holding a suitcase. – Directly supported by "clutching her suitcase".
- D. The train is releasing steam. – Directly supported by "hissing steam".
- F. Ellie checks the time. – Directly supported by "glanced at the clock".
- H. Ellie is about to board the train. – Supported by her movement towards the carriage and the sense of finality in "no turning back now".
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
| Mistake | Why it's a problem | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Selecting statements based on information outside the specified lines | Only the lines mentioned in the question are relevant. Anything else will not be credited. | Double-check the line numbers and ensure every selected statement is supported by evidence within those lines. |
| Choosing statements based on assumptions or general knowledge | You must base your answers on what the text explicitly or implicitly states, not on what you think might be true. | Always refer back to the text for evidence before selecting a statement. For example, don't assume Ellie is calm just because she's travelling. |
| Misreading statements or the text | Small misunderstandings can lead to incorrect selections, costing easy marks. | Read each statement and the extract slowly and carefully. Pay attention to key words like "never" or "always". |
| Selecting more or fewer than four statements | The question specifies exactly four true statements. Selecting the wrong number will lose marks. | Count your selections before shading the boxes to ensure you've picked exactly four. |
| Spending too much time on this question | This question is worth only 4 marks out of 80. Overthinking can waste time needed for higher-mark questions. | Stick to around 5 minutes for this question. Make your best selections and move on if unsure. |
Self-assessment checklist
Use this checklist after completing practice questions to evaluate your performance and identify areas for improvement.
After completing a practice question, ask yourself:
- Did I read the specified lines at least twice to understand the key details?
- Did I check every statement against the text before making my selection?
- Did I avoid using information from outside the specified lines?
- Did I select exactly four statements as instructed?
- Did I spend no more than 5 minutes on this question during practice?
- Did I double-check my answers for careless mistakes or misreadings?
- Were my selections based on evidence in the text, not assumptions or guesses?
If you answer "no" to any of these, focus on that area in your next practice. For example, if you spent too long, set a timer for 5 minutes during your next attempt. If you used outside information, practise underlining only the relevant lines before answering.
Additional practice extract and question
Here's a second example for you to test your skills independently. Apply the steps above and use the self-assessment checklist afterwards.
Extract and question
Read again the opening part of the source, from lines 1 to 7.
Marcus trudged through the snow, his boots sinking deep with every step. The wind bit at his face, sharp and relentless, as he pulled his scarf tighter. He had been walking for over an hour, and the village was still nowhere in sight. His hands, despite the gloves, felt numb from the cold. The map in his backpack was useless now, sodden from the earlier sleet. All he could do was keep moving forward, hoping for a sign of shelter. The silence of the snowfall was eerie, broken only by the crunch of his footsteps.
Choose four statements below which are TRUE.
- A. Marcus is walking through rain.
- B. Marcus has been walking for over an hour.
- C. Marcus can see the village ahead.
- D. Marcus's hands are numb from the cold.
- E. Marcus is using a map to navigate.
- F. Marcus is wearing gloves.
- G. The snowfall is completely silent.
- H. Marcus is looking for shelter.
[4 marks]
Work through this question using the step-by-step process. Once you've selected your answers, check them against the text and use the self-assessment checklist to reflect on your approach. This will help build confidence and accuracy for the real exam.