AQA GCSE English Literature (8702/2)

DNA by Dennis Kelly

2 Sample Exam Questions

Type Question

1 Character Cathy

2 Theme Modern society

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 AQA Assessment Objectives for Modern Texts Questions

AQA GCSE English Literature Paper Two: Modern Texts Time: 45 minutes Marks: 34

AOs What the AOs say… How the AOs are rewarded in the Mark Scheme…
/34
AO1 Read, understand and respond The MS rewards answers that are “exploratory…well-structured…
to texts insightful…detailed” and use “judicious references…subject termi-
/12 Students should: nology”. So this means that you must:
- Maintain a critical style - Give a thoughtful, in-depth response to the text, showing how
35% - Develop an informed personal you understand it and what it means to you
response - Give a well-structured answer – use a 5-paragraph structure
- Use textual references and - Give an insightful response to the task
quotes to support and illustrate - Use precise references and quotes wisely
interpretations

AO2 Analyse the language, form and
structure used by a writer to
/12 create meanings and effects
Use relevant subject terminology
35%
The MS rewards “insightful analysis of language, form and struc-
ture”. So this means that you must:
- Focus on the writer’s craft – the techniques used and the effect
these techniques have on the reader
- Use the correct subject terminology
- Use precise references and quotes wisely

AO3 Show understanding of the rela- The MS rewards “exploration of ideas/perspectives/contextual

tionships between texts and the factors…detailed links between context/text/task”. So to gain
/6 contexts in which they were marks here, you must:
written. - Understand the aspects that are relevant to your text
18% - Use specific, detailed links between the context and the text
- Consider what the reader would need to know to add to their
understanding of the text – what literary, cultural or historical
information would help?
- Consider the context in which the writer was working, the con-
text in which the play is set and the contexts in which the play
could be engaged with by different audiences

AO4 Use a range of vocabulary and
sentence structures for clarity,
/4 purpose and effect, with accu-
rate spelling and punctuation
12%
The MS rewards students who “spell and punctuate with con-
sistent accuracy…consistently use vocabulary and sentence struc-
tures to achieve effective control of meaning”.
It is essential that you:
- Use accurate spelling
- Use accurate punctuation
- Use sentence structure correctly
- Use relevant vocabulary

Don’t forget that AQA have produced sample exam questions and past papers which are available on their
website. These include:

2014 Specimen How Phil is presented as a leader

The effects of peer pressure

2015 Specimen How Brian is presented as a victim

The kindest character

2017 Exam How Leah is presented as morally good

What the title suggests about society

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OR
Dennis Kelly: DNA

‘Cathy is the most disturbing character in DNA.’

0 1
How far do you agree with this statement?

Write about:

 how Kelly presents the character of Cathy

 why Cathy’s words and behaviour are disturbing

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

OR

How does Dennis Kelly present modern society as dangerous for young people?
0 2

Write about:

 the ways in which modern society is dangerous for young people

 how Kelly presents this danger in the ways he writes

[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]

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