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FLE Paper 1
Explained
A Lesson for First Language English
Paper 1 – Reading
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Information
Paper 1 – 50%

2 hours, 80 marks:
● Question 1: comprehension and summary task (30 marks)
● Question 2: short answer and language questions (25 marks)
● Question 3: extended response to reading (25 marks)

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Timings

● Q1 Comprehension questions: 15 minutes

● Q1 Summary: 20 minutes
● Q2 Vocabulary Questions: 15 minutes
● Q2 Language analysis: 25 minutes
● Q3 Extended response: 35 minutes

Plus 5-10 minutes proofreading at the end

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S23 grade boundaries
Max. A B C D E

11 80 47 40 33 28 23

12 80 47 41 35 29 23

13 80 43 38 32 28 23

You can’t get an A* on a single component, only overall

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S23 grade boundaries – %
A B C D E

11 47 40 33 28 23

% 58% 50% 44% 36% 29%

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Question 1
Comprehension
Questions
Question 1(a)–(e)

● Based on Text A, you will answer short comprehension questions

● This question is worth 15 marks
● Spend 15 minutes answering it: 5 minutes to skim read, 10 minutes to write

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Question 1(a)–(e)

Technique:
● Skim and scan questions and text first before methodically working through question-
by-question
● Unless it says, “using your own words”, you should directly copy from the text
● Don’t write in full sentences except for the last two explain questions
● Don’t waste too much time on this first question

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Question 1(a)–(e)

● 1(a): retrieve 1-2 pieces of information from the text and copy down directly

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Question 1(a)–(e)
● 1(b): explain the meaning of two phrases from the text
● Make sure you explain both parts of the quote
● Definitions and synonyms only – not analysis
● Must use your own words
● Don’t reuse the word in your definition

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Question 1(c) and 1(d)(i)
● 1(c) and 1(d)(i) – retrieve two pieces of information
● Copy directly from the text

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Question 1(d)(ii)
● 1(d)(ii) – explain three pieces of information from the text
● Can use key words from the text but should be mostly in your own words
● 1 answer = 1 mark

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Question 1(e)
● 1(e) – explain three pieces of information from the text
● Should be entirely in your own words
● 1 answer = 1 mark

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 Key takeaways: 1(a)–(e)

Number of marks = number When defining, don’t re-use

Unless it says, “using your own Skim and scan the text –
of separate points you should the original word in your
words”, you should copy don’t waste time
make definition

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Question 1
Summary Writing
Question 1(f)

● Based on Text B, you will write a short,

focused summary
● This question is worth 15 marks
● Spend 20 minutes answering it: 10 minutes to
read and plan and 10 minutes to write
● 120 words total
● Don’t write more than the first sheet of paper

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Question 1(f)

Technique:
● Read the summary question first and then read through your text, highlighting for the answers as
you go
● Remember that this is a focused summary so only include relevant information to your question
● After highlighting, quickly decide which points belong together, which will flow together
● Aim to get around 10 individual points in answer to your question
● No introduction, no conclusion – every single sentence should have a purpose and contain a point
from the mark scheme

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Paraphrasing
General advice How to paraphrase

● You must try to write in your own words ● Use synonyms

wherever possible ● Switch around sentence structures
● If you don’t know a synonym, however, just ● Change the order of ideas from the original
copy the word rather than lose the content point text

● Sometimes it’s not possible to get a good ● Keep the meaning the same
synonym for very precise nouns, eg
● Be concise – keep it short!
“mammoth” or “cave painting”

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Example question
● Note: some questions will have two parts: this and this
● If this happens, write two short paragraphs in response to each part of the question

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Marking
Content – 10 marks Writing – 5 marks

● How many of the points from the mark scheme ● Did you write in your own words?
did you identify? ● How well did you paraphrase and use
● synonyms?
How well did you stay focused on your
question? ● Did you effectively group the ideas so your
summary flowed?
● Was there excess, irrelevant information?

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 Key takeaways: 1(f)
Focused summary of a specific aspect Don’t repeat points or you Don’t copy or quote. Use Don’t include irrelevant
of the text, not the whole text will lose marks for focus your own words wherever information that doesn’t
generally. and concision. possible. answer the question.

Aim to get 10-12 individual

points for your summary.

Group similar ideas together

using conjunctions or
semicolons.

Don’t try to use synonyms for precise Must be 99% in your own Don’t change the Be short and concise.
nouns. words. meaning.

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Question 2
Vocabulary Questions
Question 2(a)–(c)

● Based on Text C, you will answer some short vocabulary-based questions

● This text is the most important text, since you will answer all of Question 2 and all of
Question 3 based on it
● This question is worth 10 marks
● Spend 15 minutes answering it: 5 minutes to read and plan and 10 minutes to write

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Question 2(a)(i-iv)

● Find the correct word or phrase from the text and copy it down directly
● Must be exactly the same as the underlined – excess information could make your answer wrong

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Question 2(b)(i-iii)
● Give a synonym for a word in the text in your own words
● Must not re-use the word in your own definition
● Read the word in context – might have a different meaning in the extract

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Question 2(c)

● Explain the effect of a short

quote
● Make sure you say three
different things about your
quote
● No need to analyse – just three
separate inferences
● Must have only one quote

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Key takeaways: 2(a)–(c)

2(b) When defining, don’t 2(c) Number of marks =

2(a) – just copy the phrase 2(c) must have only one
re-use the original word in number of separate points
from the text quote
your definition you should make

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Question 2
Language analysis
Question 2(d)

● Based on Text C, you will analyse the use of imagery in two paragraphs
● This text is the most important text, since you will answer all of Question 2 and all of
Question 3 based on it
● This question is worth 15 marks
● Spend 25 minutes answering it: 5 minutes to re-read and plan. 20 minutes to write
your response.

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Example 2(d)

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Question 2(d)

● You will be given two paragraphs from Text C to analyse

● You have to pick three images from each paragraph, explain the meaning of
the quote and analyse the effect of the image
● You should analyse word choices and the effect on the reader
● You don’t need to pick out any language devices

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Do not

× Do not try to be too clever

× Do not look for language devices
× Do not analyse the other paragraphs
× Do not give more than three images per paragraph
× Do not deviate from the structure

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How to answer Question 2 (d)

Overall effect sentence: what is the overall effect of the paragraph?

• Quote: should be a strong image and must match the quote given in the mark scheme
• Meaning: give a definition or a synonym of the meaning of your quote
x3
• Connotations: pick out a powerful word and state its connotations
• Effect: state the effect of your quotation

And repeat the above again for your second paragraph

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What would that look like?

The overall effect of paragraph 10 is to show a magical and romanticized view of the underwater
world. Firstly, the image of “shell-encrusted” means that the doorstep was completely covered by
shells. This has connotations of being decorated by gems, showing how precious the location is and
how the hotel blends in with its natural surroundings. Secondly, the image of clownfish “darting” means
that the fish are rapidly zig-zagging all over. “Darting” has connotations of being agile, light and free,
and this might reflect Jenny’s own excitement. Finally, the image of the anemone’s “swirling fingers”
means that they are twisting and wrapping around. “Swirling” has connotations of magic and dancing,
suggesting even the landscape is performing for Jenny.

O–1 Q–3 M–3 E–3

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Sentence starters

The overall effect of the paragraph is to suggest…

● Firstly, the image of “…” means that… (explain/definition)

● The word “…” has connotations of… ,… and …, which suggests that (effect).

● Secondly, the image of “…” means that… (explain/definition)

● The word “…” has connotations of… ,… and …, which suggests that (effect).

● Finally, the image of “…” means that… (explain/definition)

● The word “…” has connotations of… ,… and …, which suggests that (effect).

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How are you marked?
• You have 6 Q
• You have 5+ M
• You have 5+ E (imaginative)

• You have 5+ Q
• You have 4+ M
• You have 4+ E (clear, make sense)

• You have 5+ Q
• You have 3+ M
• You have 0-3 E (basic)

• You have 4+ Q
• You have 1-2 M (basic)
• You have 0 E

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Key takeaways: 2(d)

Examiner wants to see you understand

Overall effect + (quote, meaning, Don’t analyse language
both the literal meaning of the image
connotations, effect) x3 devices
and the deeper, implicit meaning

Analyse only from the two

paragraphs assigned

Make sure your quotes are

powerful enough to be on the
mark scheme

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Question 3
Extended response
Extended Response
Question 3 is called the Extended Response
You will write about 2-4 sides, responding to Text C in the
format of one of the following text types:
● Letter
● Newspaper report
● Journal
● Speech
● Interview
● Magazine article

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Question 3

● Text C is your biggest question and so you should make sure you save plenty of time
for it!
● This question is worth 25 marks: 15 marks for reading and 10 marks for writing
● Spend 40 minutes answering it: 10 minutes to re-read and plan. 30 minutes to write
your response.

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Writing marks – 10 marks

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Writing marks – 10 marks

● How accurate is your register? For example, do you really sound like you are the
character from the extract writing in their journal?
● How confidently can you express yourself in writing?
● How interesting are your language choices?
● Can you paragraph and sequence your ideas effectively?

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VARPF

● Voice – who are you writing as? Whose voice are you assuming?
● Audience – who are you writing to?
● Register – how formal or informal should your language be?
● Purpose – why are you writing? To discuss, persuade, argue, inform, entertain, describe, narrate,
analyse?
● Format – what type of text have you been asked to write? A letter, magazine or a speech?

This is a method of helping you to decide on what writing style will work best for the task you are
given.

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What’s the VARPF?

Voice, Audience, Register, Purpose, Format

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Structure
Introduction

Bullet 1

● Write about the bullet points equally

Bullet 2 ● Write one paragraph per bullet point

● No introduction or conclusion needed for interview

Bullet 3

Conclusion
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Reading marks – 15 marks

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Reading marks – 15 marks

● Content points – details summarised in your own words

● Details – explicit information you could highlight in the text: who, what, where, how
● Development – implicit information you need to infer: why, feelings, reactions

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Annotate

● Assign a highlighter colour to each bullet

point; highlight for each of the bullet points.
These are your details.
● Next think how you could summarise the
broader idea in your own words. This is your
content point.
● Finally, think what these ideas show about
how or why something happened, or how a
character felt about it. This is your
development.

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 Key takeaways: Question 3
Answer the three bullets equally
Bullet 3 is often implicit
Aim to write at least 5
different things for each
bullet point
If it’s an interview, only
write the three questions
given – don’t add on
Content point –
Details – explicit Development – inferred
information from the text
information from the text information (how, why,
summarised in your own
(who, what, where, when) feelings)
words
Identify VARPF of your
question
You must sound like the
character/voice you have
been asked to assume
One paragraph per bullet
point
Don’t copy from the text –
Don’t make anything random up
should be your own words
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Walkthrough
Paper 1 Walkthrough

● Do a full, timed Paper 1 with me in my next video!

● Print off the paper and we will do it together timed
● I will remind you of these tips as we go along and help you stay on pace with the
recommended times
● We will then mark the paper together
● You can ask questions in the comments

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