Question 1

SOURCE TEXT:
Source A: An extract from a fictional 19th-century memoir, 'Descent into the Void' by Joseph Simpson.

The glacier stretched below us, a vast, frozen river descending into the cloud-choked valley. We had been on this unforgiving peak for what felt like an eternity, but was in fact our fifth day. The relief of finally heading down was tangible, a stark contrast to the despair that had gripped us on the ice cliff yesterday. Base camp was a daunting 3,500 feet below, a distance that seemed to mock our slow, painful progress.

Simon moved ahead, his silhouette a dark, determined shape against the blinding white. He was a machine, methodical and silent, his focus absolute. He never spoke of the cold that gnawed at our bones, nor the exhaustion that screamed in every muscle. His silence was a fortress, one I could shelter behind but never truly enter. He would occasionally gesture with an ice-axe – a signal to shorten the rope, or a warning of a hidden crevasse. He was not a companion in the conventional sense; he was a lifeline, a grim guarantor of survival. Our communication was boiled down to the essential, the functional.

Source B: An extract from a modern travel blog, 'Not Quite Conquering Snowdon, But The Pub Was Nice!' by Chloe Green.

So, Marius, my ever-optimistic partner-in-crime, had declared that we were “conquering Snowdon.” I had visions of epic vistas and a triumphant selfie at the summit. The reality involved more rain than I thought was possible outside of a car wash.

“Isn’t this amazing?” Marius yelled over the gale, his face beaming. He looked like a ridiculously happy Labrador that had just discovered mud. I, on the other hand, felt more like a grumpy cat. He bounded from rock to rock, pointing out things he’d read in the guidebook. His relentless cheerfulness was, I have to admit, infectious. While I was internally composing a strongly-worded letter to the Welsh tourist board, Marius was busy making friends with a flock of sheep. He’s less of a seasoned mountaineer and more of a travelling court jester. He’d packed three types of cheese but forgotten the map, a decision that perfectly encapsulates his approach to life.

QUESTIONS:
You need to refer to Source A and Source B for this question.

Both writers are accompanied by another person on their adventure: Simon in Source A, and Marius in Source B.

Use details from both sources to write a summary of what you understand about the differences between the two companions, Simon and Marius.

Accepted Answer

1. Read both sources and highlight descriptions of Simon and Marius.
2. Create two columns, one for Simon and one for Marius, and list their key characteristics.
3. Identify the main points of difference (e.g., professionalism vs. amateurism, seriousness vs. humour, purpose of the trip).
4. Structure your answer by dealing with one point of difference at a time.
5. For each point, explain the difference and support your ideas with a short, relevant quotation from each source.
6. Use comparative words like 'in contrast', 'whereas', 'unlike' to link your points about the two characters.

Question 2

What mistakes do candidates make on this AQA GCSE question?

Accepted Answer

Students often just list points about each character separately without making direct comparisons. It's crucial to use comparative language. Another mistake is to describe the characters without using supporting quotes from the text.

How to approach this question

Full Answer

Common mistakes

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