Question 1

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

(Lines 1-22 are not needed for this question)

The pain in my leg was a dull, persistent fire. Each step sent a jolt of agony through me, a cruel reminder of my body’s betrayal. I bit down on my lip, tasting blood, determined not to slow us down. The world had shrunk to this: the crunch of my boots, the rhythmic swing of my axe, and the taut rope connecting me to Simon. It was a fragile thread in a world of ice and wind.

(Lines 23-31)
Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over me. The white expanse spun, the jagged peaks tilting at an insane angle. My breath hitched, a pathetic gasp in the thin air. A blackness crept at the edge of my vision, a creeping void threatening to swallow me whole. I felt an overwhelming, primal urge to simply lie down, to let the snow take me, to surrender to the cold, peaceful oblivion. It was a siren’s call, seductive and deadly. My mind screamed, a silent, desperate rebellion against the weakness of my flesh. I was nothing but a fragile vessel of pain, and it was breaking.

(The final paragraph is not needed for this question)

QUESTIONS:
You now need to refer only to Source A from lines 23 to 31.

How does the writer use language to describe how he feels?

Accepted Answer

1. Read lines 23-31 of Source A very carefully, highlighting any interesting words, phrases, or literary devices (e.g., metaphors, similes, personification, powerful verbs).
2. For each example you find, think about the specific feeling it conveys (e.g., fear, pain, desperation, confusion).
3. Structure your answer using PEE paragraphs (Point, Evidence, Explanation). 
   - Point: State the feeling the writer is describing.
   - Evidence: Provide a short quote from the text.
   - Explanation: Analyse the specific words or techniques in the quote and explain how they create that feeling for the reader.
4. Aim to discuss 3-4 different examples in detail.

Question 2

What mistakes do candidates make on this AQA GCSE question?

Accepted Answer

A common error is 'feature spotting' - just listing literary devices without explaining their effect. For top marks, you must link the language choice to the feeling it creates and analyse specific words within the quotation.

How to approach this question

Full Answer

Common mistakes

Practice the full AQA GCSE English Paper 2

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