OCR GCSE English Language Paper 1 and 2: every question explained
All 10 questions on the two OCR papers: what each one asks, the marks, how long to spend, what the best answers do, the usual mistakes and a way to tackle it. OCR calls them Component 01 and Component 02.
Written in our own words from the board’s published papers and examiners’ reports. Show Working is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by OCR.
02 / Component 012 hours · 80 marks · 50% of the GCSE
Component 01: Communicating information and ideas
Two non-fiction texts on a shared theme: one from the 19th century, one from the 20th or 21st. About 1 hour on the reading and 1 hour on the writing.
Question 1 / Finding and explaining (AO1)4 marks · about 5 minutes
Component 01 Question 1: finding and explaining
Multiple choice
Three short parts on a few named lines of Text 1: find a word or phrase, find another, then explain two things in your own words. Here you tap the finding parts, then write the explaining part and check it against the answers that count.
What the best answers do
Exact, short answers from inside the lines.
In the explaining part, two separate points, in your own words.
The usual mistakes
Taking an answer from outside the lines the question names. It earns nothing, however true it is.
Using the introduction printed above the text. Answers must come from the text itself.
Copying out long chunks. Keep it brief and exact.
Giving two answers to a one-answer part: only the first is credited.
How to tackle it
Read the named lines.
Keep each answer short.
Question 2 / Synthesis (AO1)6 marks · about 8 minutes
Component 01 Question 2: synthesis
Written answer
The similarities between the two texts on one focus, drawing on evidence from both.
What the best answers do
Three distinct similarities, each with its own topic sentence.
Evidence from both texts for each, briefly explained.
The usual mistakes
Merging two similarities into one, or rewording the same one three times.
Evidence from one text only.
How to tackle it
Find three things both texts share on the focus.
One short paragraph for each: the similarity, a quotation from each text, what it shows.
Question 3 / Language and structure (AO2)12 marks · about 15 minutes
Component 01 Question 3: language and structure
Written answer
How the writer uses language and structure in named lines of one text to achieve something.
What the best answers do
Precise, perceptive analysis of how language and structure work.
Apt short references and accurate terms.
Sentence length discussed only when the effect at that point is clear.
The usual mistakes
Saying a sentence is short without saying why it is short there.
Only covering language.
Long quotations, which make it impossible to discuss one word.
Naming a technique and stopping there, or saying it “makes the reader want to read on”.
How to tackle it
Read only the lines named. Underline four or five words or phrases that do the most work.
For each one: what does it suggest? Why this word and not a plainer one?
Name the feature only where it helps you explain.
Link every point back to the focus of the question.
Question 4 / Evaluation and comparison (AO4, AO3)18 marks · about 22 minutes
Component 01 Question 4: evaluation and comparison
Written answer
A statement about both texts. You say how far you agree, evaluating what each text shows, and compare how the two writers present it, with quotations from both.
What the best answers do
A sustained, critical evaluation of the statement for both texts.
Detailed comparison of how the writers present the idea.
Uses the whole of both texts.
The usual mistakes
Writing about one text, then the other, with no comparison.
Only part of each text.
Agreeing or disagreeing without saying how far.
How to tackle it
Decide how far you agree for each text.
Three points, each comparing both texts: what they show, how they show it, how far it fits the statement.
An overall judgement to finish.
Question 5 or 6 / Writing40 marks · about 60 minutes
Component 01 Question 5 or 6: writing
40 marks: 24 for content and organisation, 16 for technical accuracy. In the exam you choose one of two tasks. About 1 hour, planning included.
03 / Component 022 hours · 80 marks · 50% of the GCSE
Component 02: Exploring effects and impact
Two prose extracts from the 20th or 21st century: fiction, or one fiction and one literary non-fiction. About 1 hour on the reading and 1 hour on the writing.
Question 1 / Finding and explaining (AO1)4 marks · about 5 minutes
Component 02 Question 1: finding and explaining
Short answers
Two parts on named lines of Text 1: find two phrases that show something, then explain two things, using your own words.
What the best answers do
Short, exact phrases from inside the lines.
Two separate explained points.
The usual mistakes
Taking an answer from outside the lines the question names. It earns nothing, however true it is.
Using the introduction printed above the text. Answers must come from the text itself.
Copying out long chunks. Keep it brief and exact.
Copying long chunks: keep phrases short.
How to tackle it
Read the named lines.
Two short phrases, then two short explanations.
Question 2 / Language and structure (AO2)6 marks · about 8 minutes
Component 02 Question 2: language and structure
Written answer
How the writer uses language and structure in a short set section of Text 1 to create an effect.
What the best answers do
Two or three precise points covering language and structure.
Effects explained, with short quotations.
The usual mistakes
Long quotations, which make it impossible to discuss one word.
Naming a technique and stopping there, or saying it “makes the reader want to read on”.
How to tackle it
Read only the lines named. Underline four or five words or phrases that do the most work.
For each one: what does it suggest? Why this word and not a plainer one?
Name the feature only where it helps you explain.
Link every point back to the focus of the question.
Question 3 / Language and structure (AO2)12 marks · about 15 minutes
Component 02 Question 3: language and structure
Written answer
How the writer of Text 2 uses language and structure in a longer set section to create an effect.
What the best answers do
Precise, perceptive analysis of how language and structure work together.
Apt short references and accurate terms.
The usual mistakes
Saying a sentence is short without saying why it is short there.
Only covering language.
Long quotations, which make it impossible to discuss one word.
Naming a technique and stopping there, or saying it “makes the reader want to read on”.
How to tackle it
Read only the lines named. Underline four or five words or phrases that do the most work.
For each one: what does it suggest? Why this word and not a plainer one?
Name the feature only where it helps you explain.
Link every point back to the focus of the question.
Question 4 / Evaluation and comparison (AO4, AO3)18 marks · about 22 minutes
Component 02 Question 4: evaluation and comparison
Written answer
A statement about both texts (often about characters or a feeling). You say how far you agree for each text, and compare how the two writers present it.
What the best answers do
A sustained, critical evaluation of the statement for both texts.
Comparisons made one at a time, clearly.
Uses the whole of both texts, with well-chosen quotations.
The usual mistakes
Two separate essays with no comparison.
Only the opening of each text.
No judgement on how far you agree.
How to tackle it
Decide how far you agree for each text.
Three comparative points across both texts.
An overall judgement to finish.
Question 5 or 6 / Writing40 marks · about 60 minutes
Component 02 Question 5 or 6: writing
40 marks: 24 for content and organisation, 16 for technical accuracy. In the exam you choose one of two tasks. About 1 hour, planning included.
English Language is built for the Show Working app, but it isn’t on phones yet: it will arrive in an update, and we won’t give a date until it’s ready. When it comes, OCR pupils get:
4 practice sets laid out like the OCR papers, with our own texts and classic passages, 16 questions, a timer, model answers and a tick-yourself checklist. The first set of Component 01 is free.
4 writing tasks, each with a plan, a model answer and a checklist.
525 skill questions on 14 topics, from language techniques to apostrophes.
No mark or grade, ever. Nothing you write is marked by an AI. You compare your answer with ours and tick what you did.
How long are the OCR GCSE English Language papers?
Component 01 lasts 2 hours and is worth 80 marks, 50% of the GCSE. About 1 hour on the reading and 1 hour on the writing. Component 02 lasts 2 hours and is worth 80 marks, 50% of the GCSE. About 1 hour on the reading and 1 hour on the writing.
What texts are on OCR English Language Paper 1 and 2?
Component 01: two non-fiction texts on a shared theme: one from the 19th century, one from the 20th or 21st. Component 02: two prose extracts from the 20th or 21st century: fiction, or one fiction and one literary non-fiction.
Which reading question is worth the most marks on the OCR papers?
On Component 01: Question 4 (18 marks, evaluation and comparison), so give it about 22 minutes. On Component 02: Question 4 (18 marks, evaluation and comparison), so give it about 22 minutes. On both papers the writing is worth more than any single reading question.
Our own questions and words. Show Working is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by OCR. Always check the details of your own exam with your teacher.
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