Paper 1 - Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

Topics

Section A (Reading): one literature fiction text.
Section B (Writing): descriptive or narrative writing.

Format

Reading (40 marks, 25%): one single text - 1 short form question (1 x 4), 2 longer form questions (2 x 8), 1 extended question (1 x 20).
Writing (40 marks, 25%): 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy).

Paper 2 - Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives

Topics

Section A (Reading): one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text.
Section B (Writing): writing to present a viewpoint.

Format

Reading (40 marks, 25%): two linked texts - 1 short form question (1 x 4), 2 longer form questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12), 1 extended question (1 x 16).
Writing (40 marks, 25%): 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy).

Component 1 - Fiction and Imaginative Writing (1EN0/01)

Topics

Section A (Reading): questions on one unseen 19th-century prose fiction extract (about 650 words).
Section B (Writing): imaginative writing to engage the reader (choice of two tasks, linked by theme to the extract).

Format

Section A: a mixture of short and extended response questions on the extract.
Section B: one imaginative writing response (choose 1 of 2 tasks). One task includes two images to prompt ideas (optional).

Component 2 - Non-fiction and Transactional Writing (1EN0/02)

Topics

Section A (Reading): questions on two thematically linked unseen non-fiction extracts from 20th and 21st-century texts (one is literary non-fiction).
Section B (Writing): transactional writing for a range of forms, purposes and audiences (choice of two tasks, linked by theme).

Format

Section A: questions on Text 1, then Text 2, plus a separate synthesis question and a final comparison question.
Section B: one transactional writing response (choose 1 of 2 tasks). Forms can include article, letter, review, speech, or guide/leaflet section.

Paper 1 - Communicating Information and Ideas

Topics

Reading and writing non-fiction. Students read and compare two unseen non-fiction texts (one 19th century and one 20th or 21st century) and produce one piece of original non-fiction writing for a specific audience and purpose.

Format

Two parts worth 40 marks each. Part A: read and compare non-fiction texts. Part B: write one original piece of non-fiction. Students analyse language and structure, then compare and evaluate the texts.

Paper 2 - Exploring Effects and Impact

Topics

Reading literary prose and creative writing. Students read and compare two unseen prose texts (both 20th or 21st century, one may be literary non-fiction) and produce one piece of original creative writing.

Format

Two parts worth 40 marks each. Part A: read and compare literary prose texts. Part B: write one original piece of creative writing. Students analyse language and structure and evaluate the texts.

Paper 1 - Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing

What's assessed

Section A: Reading
One anthology non-fiction text and one previously unseen non-fiction extract. Students analyse language and structure and explore links between writers’ ideas and perspectives.

Section B: Writing
Transactional writing for a specific audience, form and purpose. Tasks may include writing an article, speech, letter, guide, review or leaflet.

Assessed

Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes
90 marks
60% of the International GCSE

Questions

Reading: mixture of short and long answer questions on an anthology text and one unseen extract (45 marks)
Writing: 1 transactional writing task from a choice of two (45 marks)

Paper 2 - Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing

What's assessed

Section A: Reading
One essay question based on a poetry or prose text from the anthology.

Section B: Writing
Imaginative writing to narrate, describe or entertain.

Assessed

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
60 marks
40% of the International GCSE

Questions

Reading: 1 essay question on a poetry or prose text from the anthology (30 marks)
Writing: 1 imaginative writing task from a choice of three prompts (30 marks)