The Secret Gift from the AQA Examiners in Question 5 Paper 2
Does Your Mind Go Blank?
Have you ever sat down to do an exam, and your mind goes blank? Last night, you were buzzing with knowledge and ideas. But now, in the exam hall, you’re breathing too fast, and your mind just won’t give you anything?
Well, the lovely examiners at AQA don’t want that to happen to you when they ask you to write a persuasive piece about an issue you:
a) might know nothing about, or
b) might care nothing about
And so, the question is secretly divided into parts. They hope you will notice this, and write about each part. Let me show you.
AQA Past Questions
Note, I can’t give you exactly the same wording as AQA, as they might chase me for copyright infringement. You can look the actual wording up online.
How the Question Helps You
The examiners ask you only one question.
But, each question has 4 – 6 parts. This is deliberate. The examiner is trying to help you out. They are telling you to write about each of those parts. At its simplest, this means that you can write one paragraph about each part, which gives you an essay which is 4 – 6 paragraphs long.
Then add a conclusion.
November 2022
Teenagers are different to adults. They have different ways of socialising, they have different sleep patterns. We need to change schools to fit in with teenagers’ needs.
Write a letter to a Minister responsible for education.
Here is the question again, in parts:
Scientists say that:
1. Teenagers learn differently to adults
2. Teenagers socialise differently to adults
3. Teenagers need sleep at different times to adults
4. So education needs a radical re-think to meet the needs of students.
June 2022
Holidays can be cheap and close to home. The main purpose of a holiday is relaxation. Another purpose is to forget about the problems of everyday life, and to take time to unwind.
Write a magazine article about this.
Here is the question again, in parts:
1. Holidays don’t need to be far away
2. They don’t need to be expensive.
3. They are a break from everyday life
4. They are a time to relax
November 2021
We are addicted to fast fashion. We want cheap clothes. This means children in poor countries work to make them. The working conditions are dangerous. So we must stop buying these clothes.
Write an article for a magazine about this.
Here is the question again, in parts:
1. We are addicted to cheap clothes
2. Young people in poor countries are exploited by having to work
3. Work is in terrible conditions
4. We must stop buying cheap clothes
November 2020
We are addicted to travelling to countries which are far away. We want to get there quicker. Travel costs too much money, damages the environment and is dangerous. It is therefore not worth the time and money.
Write a magazine article about this.
Here is the question again, in parts:
1. We are obsessed with travelling further
2. And with fast travel – so planes rather than trains
3. Travel is expensive
4. Travel is dangerous
5. Therefore it is a foolish waste of time
November 2019
People campaign against animals being kept in zoos. However, the same people keep pets. They also eat meat. People who don’t like animals being kept in cages even visit zoos. However, all animals should be given total freedom.
Write an article for a magazine about this.
Here is the question again, in parts:
1. People protest about keeping animals in zoos
2. But these same people eat meat
3. They keep pets
4. They even visit zoos
5. Animals should not be kept in zoos
June 2019
The media should only make people famous if they deserve to be famous. These people will show they are determined, or are incredibly skilful, or tremendously brave. The media should not make people famous just because they are rich, or attractive, or behave in anti-social ways.
Write a letter to a newspaper about this.
Here is the question again, in parts:
These people should be famous:
1. People with extraordinary skill
2. Or courage
3. Or determination
These people should not be famous:
4. People who just have good looks
5. They are just rich
6. They behave badly
November 2018
Cars are a danger to people. They also harm us through pollution of chemicals which we breathe in. These chemicals also damage the environment. Cars are loud and their fumes smell. Consequently, cars should be banned from the centres of towns and cities. As a result, people will be able to walk and cycle peacefully.
Write a letter to the Minister for this.
Here is the question again, in parts:
Cars
1. Are noisy
2. Cause pollution
3. Smell bad
4. They should be banned from city centres
5. So people can walk in peace
6. And cycle in peace
June 2018
Sport should be enjoyable, without corruption, and available to all people. Instead, sport is dominated by wealth, corruption, and an obsession with winning.
Write an article for a newspaper about this.
Here is the question again, in parts:
Sport should be
1. Fun
2. Fair
3. Open to everyone
Instead sport is
4. Obsessed with money
5. Full of corruption
6. Obsessed with winning at any cost
June 2017
Parents are too over-protective. In the past, parents weren’t. They let children have adventurous childhoods. Children were allowed to take risks, as such activities taught them valuable lessons, helping them grow up into successful adults.
Write an article for a newspaper about this.
Here is the question again, in parts:
1. Modern parents are over-protective
2. Children should take part in adventures
3. They should do some activities which are risky
4. These will help children prepare for later life
SAMS 4 – Sample Paper
Snow looks beautiful. We are excited by it, and we think of it as fun. But it also causes accidents, is very inconvenient, and disrupts the economy.
Write an article for a newspaper about this.
Here is the question again, in parts:
Snow is
1. Beautiful, especially in pictures and films
2. Exciting
3. Fun
But it also causes
4. Accidents
5. Inconvenience
6. Economic disruption – people and businesses lose money
SAMS 2 – Sample Paper
There is no value to homework. Some students have other people to do the homework for them. Some students don’t even bother doing any homework. Students should spend their free time relaxing instead.
Write an article for a broadsheet newspaper about this.
Here is the question again, in parts:
1. Homework has no value
2. Students can get parents or friends to do it for them
3. Some students don’t do it
4. Students would be better off relaxing.
What Would Grade 9 Students Do With This?
The main difference between a student getting grade 9 and one getting grade 8 is the number of past questions the student wrote and got marked by their teacher.
A typical grade 7 student makes excellent notes, watches videos, learns quotes. But they tend to avoid writing answers to past papers. And, if they do, they are too shy to ask their teacher to mark them.
Don’t let that be you. Teachers are overwhelmed with joy when they get practice exam answers students have chosen to do. Honestly!
This year 55% of my viewers gained a grade 8 or 9. 21% on top of this gained a grade 7. I’d love even more students to do well. Please share this Substack and let’s help more students get great grades.
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Language
The Mr Salles Guide to 100% at AQA GCSE English Language
The Mr Salles Guide to Awesome Story Writing
The Mr Salles Quick Guide to Awesome Description
The Mr Salles Ultimate Guide to Description
The Mr Salles Quick Guide to Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling
The Mr Salles Ultimate Guide to Persuasive Writing
The Mr Salles Guide to 100% in AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Q 2
The Mr Salles Guide to 100% in AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Q 3
The Mr Salles Guide to 100% in AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Q 4
The Mr Salles Guide to 100% in AQA GCSE English Language Paper 1 Q 5
The Mr Salles Guide to 100% in AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 Q 2
The Mr Salles Guide to 100% in AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 Q 3
The Mr Salles Guide to 100% in AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 Q 4
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The Mr Salles Guide to GCSE English Literature
Study Guide Mr Salles Analyses Jekyll and Hyde
The Mr Salles Ultimate Guide to Macbeth
The Mr Salles Guide to An Inspector Calls
The Mr Salles Ultimate Guide to A Christmas Carol
The Mr Salles Ultimate Guide to Romeo and Juliet
Mr Salles Power and Conflict Top Grade Essay Guide (AQA Anthology): 11 Grade 9 Exam Essays!
Books on Teaching
The Full English: How to be a brilliant English teacher
The Slightly Awesome Teacher: Using Edu-research to get brilliant results
The Unofficial Ofsted Survival Guide
Differentiate Your School: where every student learns more