AQA Sample Paper 1 - GCSE English Language - Explorations in creative reading and writing

Sep 5, 2026

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AQA GCSE English Language Sample Paper 1 focuses on explorations in creative reading and writing across two sections. Learners are assessed on reading quality in Section A and writing quality in Section B, with marks allocated by question brackets and an overall maximum of 80. The provided novel extract centers on Pi during a sinking ship, using vivid action and imagery to convey mounting fear. The assessment includes source-based questions requiring close textual detail and clear presentation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages55

Reading Time2 h 19 min

AccessFree to download

Section A: Reading

AQA Sample Paper 1: GCSE English Language Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes 􀁸 The marks for questions are shown in brackets. 􀁸 The maximum mark for this paper is 80. 􀁸 There are 40 marks for Section A and 40 marks for Section B. 􀁸 You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers. 􀁸 You will be assessed on the quality of your reading in Section A. 􀁸 You will be assessed on the quality of your writing in Section B. You are advised to spend about 15 minutes reading through the Source and all five questions you have to answer. You should make sure you leave sufficient time to check your answers. Source A This extract is from a novel by Yann Martel. In this section the central character, Pi, is on a sinking ship. The ship is carrying the animals belonging to Pi’s father, who owns a zoo. Life of Pi 1 Inside the ship, there were noises. Deep structural groans. I stumbled and fell. No harm done. I got 2 up. With the help of the handrails I went down the stairwell four steps at a time. I had gone down 3 just one level when I saw water. Lots of water. It was blocking my way. It was surging from below 4 like a riotous crowd, raging, frothing and boiling. Stairs vanished into watery darkness. I couldn't 5 believe my eyes. What was this water doing here? Where had it come from? I stood nailed to the 6 spot, frightened and incredulous and ignorant of what I should do next. Down there was where 7 my family was. 8 I ran up the stairs. I got to the main deck. The weather wasn't entertaining any more. I was very 9 afraid. Now it was plain and obvious: the ship was listing badly. And it wasn't level the other way 10 either. There was a noticeable incline going from bow to stern. I looked overboard. The water 11 didn't look to be eighty feet away. The ship was sinking. My mind could hardly conceive it. It was 12 as unbelievable as the moon catching fire. 13 Where were the officers and the crew? What were they doing? Towards the bow I saw some men 14 running in the gloom. I thought I saw some animals too, but I dismissed the sight as illusion crafted 15 by rain and shadow. We had the hatch covers over their bay pulled open when the weather was 16 good, but at all times the animals were kept confined to their cages. These were dangerous wild 17 animals we were transporting, not farm livestock. Above me, on the bridge, I thought I heard 18 some men shouting. 19 The ship shook and there was that sound, the monstrous metallic burp. What was it? Was it the 20 collective scream of humans and animals protesting their oncoming death? Was it the ship itself 21 giving up the ghost? I fell over. I got to my feet. I looked overboard again. The sea was rising. The 22 waves were getting closer. We were sinking fast. 23 I clearly heard monkeys shrieking. Something was shaking the deck, a gaur-an Indian wild ox- 24 exploded out of the rain and thundered by me, terrified, out of control, berserk. I looked at it, 25 dumbstruck and amazed. Who in God's name had let it out? 26 I ran for the stairs to the bridge. Up there was where the officers were, the only people on the 27 ship who spoke English, the masters of our destiny here, the ones who would right this wrong. 28 They would explain everything. They would take care of my family and me. I climbed to the middle 29 bridge. There was no one on the starboard side. I ran to the port side. I saw three men, crew 30 members. I fell. I got up. They were looking overboard. I shouted. They turned. They looked at me 31 and at each other. They spoke a few words. They came towards me quickly. I felt gratitude and 32 relief welling up in me. I said, "Thank God I've found you. What is happening? I am very scared. 33 There is water at the bottom of the ship. I am worried about my family. I can't get to the level 34 where our cabins are. Is this normal? Do yo

FAQs

How long is the AQA Sample Paper 1 exam and what is the maximum mark?

The paper allows 1 hour 45 minutes and has a maximum mark of 80.

How are marks distributed between Section A and Section B?

There are 40 marks for Section A and 40 marks for Section B.

What does Section A assess?

Section A assesses the quality of the learner’s reading.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Hazel