How do you support your students in choosing the “right” question for Paper 2?  With four questions to choose from, and with four questions that may all “work” in the exam, which one is best? 

This particular exemplar demonstrates that students should think very carefully about how they will compare and contrast their two literary works in relation to the question.  In other words, this student chose the question that allowed them to do their best comparing and contrasting even if the other questions may have also been suitable. 

For this Paper 2 exemplar, the student answered question #2 from the May 2023 Paper 2 exam: With reference to two works you have studied, discuss the means by which the passage of time is communicated and the effect this achieves. 

The student uses two plays that contrast each other quite nicely: No Exit and Harvest.  The student has clearly decided not to answer the other questions that ask about “journeys” or “poverty” or “limitations.”  They could have, and each one of those other questions may have worked for them.  But this student chose this question about the passage of time: it paid off!

Why?  The comparing and contrasting – especially in terms of content – is very strong.  And Paper 2 constantly requires this. Use this exemplar to support your students in showing them how to compare and contrast effectively in a Paper 2 exam (for criterion A) and where it still needs work in this area (for criterion B).   

Finally, as with all of our resources and materials, use this exemplar in your classroom how you see fit to help you meet the needs of your students in your particular context. 

You can find the new Paper 2 exemplar here (May 2023 Paper 2 Sample Response 6).

Best,

Tim and David