Understanding Question 2 of Paper 2

This section provides a detailed overview of Question 2, helping you understand what the question asks and what you need to include in your answer.

Quick reference overview

What Question 2 looks like

This question appears on Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives. It tests your ability to summarise differences or similarities between two non-fiction texts (Source A and Source B) on a related theme. You will be asked to focus on a specific aspect, such as the writers' attitudes, experiences, or perspectives, and to draw out key points of comparison. Below is an example of how the question appears on the exam paper.

You need to refer to Source A and Source B for this question.

Use details from both sources. Write a summary of the differences between the writers' attitudes towards city life.

In your answer, you could write about:

• the differences in the writer's attitude in Source A
• the differences in the writer's attitude in Source B

[8 marks]

Key things to understand about this question

• "Refer to Source A and Source B" means you must use information from both texts equally in your response.
• "Use details" indicates you need specific evidence or examples from the texts to support your summary.
• The question will specify whether to focus on differences or similarities, so read it carefully.
• The topic or aspect (e.g., attitudes towards city life) is the focus of your summary (stick to this and don't stray into unrelated ideas).
• The bullet points are there to guide you, helping you structure your response by focusing on each source separately before combining ideas.
• This question requires synthesis (combining information from both texts to show understanding, not just listing points from each source).

What is being assessed?

Question 2 tests specific reading skills through Assessment Objective 1 (AO1). Understanding what is being assessed will help you target your response effectively.

Assessment Objective 1 (AO1)

This question tests your ability to:

• Identify explicit information and ideas from both texts.
• Interpret implicit meanings by making inferences about the writers' viewpoints or attitudes.
• Synthesise information by combining ideas from both sources to draw out differences or similarities.

The key skill here is summarising (condensing key ideas into a concise response while showing you understand the deeper meanings behind the texts).

The difference between summary and analysis

For Question 2, examiners want a summary of content, not an analysis of methods. Save language and structural analysis for other questions like Question 3 or 4.

How to approach Question 2

You should spend approximately 8–10 minutes on this question. Follow the steps below to answer efficiently and effectively.

Step-by-step approach

Step 1: Read the question carefully (1 minute)

• Identify whether you're summarising differences or similarities.
• Note the specific topic or aspect (e.g., attitudes, experiences, perspectives).
• Keep this focus in mind as you revisit the texts.

Step 2: Skim both sources for relevant points (2 minutes)

• Quickly revisit Source A and Source B, focusing on sections relevant to the topic.
• Underline or jot down key ideas, feelings, or opinions related to the specified aspect.
• Look for both explicit statements and implied meanings (e.g., tone or choice of words that suggest an attitude).

Step 3: Plan your summary (1 minute)

• Group your points into 2–3 clear differences or similarities.
• Decide how to structure your response (you could address Source A first, then Source B, or compare point-by-point).
• Ensure you have evidence or examples from both texts for each point.

Step 4: Write your summary (4–5 minutes)

• Start with a clear opening sentence stating the overall difference or similarity.
• Develop 2–3 points, using evidence from both sources for each.
• Use linking phrases to show comparison (e.g., "while", "however", "in contrast", "similarly").
• Keep your writing concise (avoid long quotations or unnecessary detail).

Step 5: Check your work (1 minute)

• Have you addressed the specific topic or aspect mentioned in the question?
• Have you included points from both sources for each idea?
• Have you avoided analysing language techniques or structure?

How much to write

Quality matters more than quantity. Aim for a focused response that covers the key points without unnecessary detail.

• Write about 2–3 clear differences or similarities.
• Each point should be supported with evidence or examples from both texts.
• A strong response might be around half a side of A4, prioritising clarity and relevance over length.

The mark scheme levels explained

The mark scheme for Question 2 has four levels, each reflecting a different quality of response in terms of synthesis and inference.

Main differences between levels

• Depth of inference (how well you interpret implied meanings: Level 4 shows perceptive insights; Level 1 sticks to obvious points).
• Quality of synthesis (how effectively you combine ideas from both texts: Level 4 integrates points seamlessly; Level 1 may list points separately).
• Relevance of examples (how closely your evidence matches the topic: Level 4 uses precise details; Level 1 may include unrelated ideas).
• Organisation (how clearly your summary is structured: Level 4 is cohesive; Level 1 may be disjointed).

Most students can identify basic points (Level 1–2). Fewer can make clear inferences and synthesise ideas (Level 3). The best students offer perceptive insights and a balanced comparison (Level 4).