English Language Answers and commentaries GCSE (8700) - Paper 2 - Writers' viewpoints and perspectives (from 2026) - Version 1.1 - June 2025

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by awa

GCSE English Language Paper 2 (from 2026) provides marked answers and examiner commentary for Question 2 on writers' viewpoints and perspectives, using Source A and Source B to infer differences between two trains. It explains how marks are awarded, the relevant assessment focus, and includes a level-based mark scheme (Levels 4 to 0) describing what synthesis, interpretation, and textual selection look like at each band. It also clarifies that responses illustrate possible answers under exam conditions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Answers and commentaries

Overview and guidance

Question 2: Writers' viewpoints and perspectives

Mark scheme (AO1)

Levels 4 to 0

Notes on marking and focus

English Language Answers and commentaries GCSE (8700) Paper 2: Writers' viewpoints and perspectives (from 2026) Marked answers to exemplify the updated questions for first exam in 2026. Supporting commentary is provided to help you understand how marks are awarded and how students can improve performance. Version 1.1 June 2025 Contents The below content table is interactive. You can click on the title of the question to go directly to that page. | | Page | | --- | --- | | Question 2 | 3 | | Question 4 | 9 | | Question 5 | 14 | Answers and commentaries Please note that these responses have been produced by a senior examiner and are not from an exam series, therefore they have not been through the usual exam standardisation process. This resource is intended to illustrate possible student answersand generate discussion rather than to indicate a standard for a future exam. As they have been created to represent a student responding in exam conditions, some errors in spelling and punctuation are present. This resource is to be used alongside the GCSE English Language updated Sample assessment materials for first exam in 2026 Paper 2 Question paper and inserts. Question 2 This question has been reworded to make it clearer to learners what they need to do in order to gain marks. This allows all learners to demonstrate their ability to select, infer meaning and synthesise information, as required by AO1 . Question You need to refer to Source A and Source B for this question. The writers in Source A and Source B are travelling on different types of trains. What can you infer about the differences between the two trains? [8 marks] Mark scheme | AO1 | • Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas • Select and synthesise evidence from different texts | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | This question assesses both bullets | | | | | Level | | Skills descriptors | Indicative standard
This indicative standard provides an exemplification of the skills descriptors at each level. It is not a model answer, nor a complete response, nor does it seek to exemplify any particular content. | | Level 4 Perceptive, detailed summary
7–8 marks | | Shows perceptive or detailed synthesis and interpretation of both texts:
• makes perceptive inferences from both texts
• selects judicious references/use of textual | The train in Source A reflects significant progress in train travel. It is being used to transport mail and people and so has a ‘mail van’, ‘a dining car’ and ‘five sleeping cars’, showing both the advancement of train manufacture and the purpose of rail travel to enable long journeys by providing eating | | | detail relevant to the focus of the question
• statements show perceptive differences between texts. | and sleeping facilities. This relative luxury is a complete contrast to Source B where the steam engine is an earlier model and is, therefore, much simpler in its design. In Source B, the train is just a functional‘uncovered carriage’ with ‘benches’ as the purpose at this earlier stage of invention is to develop the mechanics of the engine, not provide more luxurious passenger facilities. | | --- | --- | --- | | Level 3
Clear, relevant summary
5–6 marks | Shows clear synthesis and interpretation of both texts:
• makes clear inferences from both texts
• selects clear references/ textual detail relevant to the focus of the question
• statements show clear differences between texts. | The train in Source A has an engine and several carriages which include a ‘mail van’,‘a dining car’ and ‘five sleeping cars’showing that it is used to transport letters and that people can eat and sleep on it, which suggests how the train has been developed to have a range of purposes.
This is very different to Source B, where the steam engine has just been invented and has a much more basic purpose which is to provide a new and quicker form of transport. In S

FAQs

What sources does Question 2 require you to use?

Question 2 requires reference to Source A and Source B.

What does the question ask learners to infer?

Learners infer the differences between the two trains described in the sources.

How is performance assessed in the mark scheme?

Assessment is based on AO1, including identification and interpretation of information and ideas and synthesis and selection of evidence from both texts across Levels 4 to 0.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by awa