GCSE English Language Paper 2 Question 2 (AO1): Grade 9 Comparison & Synthesis Guide
How to answer the 8-mark AO1 summary question with elite comparison, inference and synthesis skills
Target: Level 4 (Grade 8–9)What Paper 2 Question 2 (AO1) Really Tests
In AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2, Question 2 is an 8-mark AO1 summary question on both sources.
- You must identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas from each source.
- You must select and synthesise evidence from both texts in short, comparative points.
You are not analysing language techniques and you are not evaluating the writers. This is about understanding and combining ideas from the two non-fiction texts in a clear, efficient way.
TL;DR – Grade 9 Snapshot for Question 2
Zoom in on the focus of the question (for example, attitudes to work, experiences of childhood, views on travel).
Lift short, precise evidence from both sources and turn it into sharp inferences about what each writer thinks or experiences.
Write in paired comparative sentences: Source A idea + quotation + inference, connective, Source B idea + quotation + inference.
Stay AO1-specific here: stick to ideas and information, not language analysis or “effect on the reader”.
Hit 3–4 focused comparisons in about 8–10 minutes to reach the top of the mark range.
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Simple Grade 9 Structure for GCSE Paper 2 Question 2
Question 2 is worth 8 marks, so plan to spend around 8–10 minutes. Aim for 3–4 concise comparative points, each one tightly linked to the focus of the question.
- Underline the exact focus of the question (for example, “impressions of the city”, “experiences of school”, “attitudes to work”).
- Skim both sources and highlight 2–3 details in each that clearly relate to that focus.
- Plan 3–4 paired points that match like with like (attitude with attitude, experience with experience, impression with impression).
- Write tight comparative sentences: Source A idea + evidence + inference, connective, Source B idea + evidence + inference.
If a sentence doesn’t refer to both sources or clearly compare ideas, it is probably not doing enough work for full marks.
How to Stay Tightly Focused on the Question
Every point must answer the focus of the question, not simply repeat random details from the texts.
For example, if the question asks about “attitudes to work”, choose quotations that reveal how each writer feels about work, not just description of places or people that does not link to attitude.
Use this quick test before you write a point: “Does this quotation directly show something about the focus word?” If the answer is no, find a more precise piece of evidence.
For wider revision strategies that support Paper 2 prep, students can also read your study tips for GCSE students or effective revision strategies for GCSE exams.
Turning Quotations into High-Level Inferences
Lower-band answers simply paraphrase the text. Elite answers interpret what the details imply about the writers’ ideas, attitudes or experiences.
Step-by-step AO1 inference method
- Lift a short quotation that clearly links to the focus.
- State what it shows explicitly (what is obviously true in the line).
- Push to an implication: what does this suggest about attitude, situation or experience?
Example quotation: “He drags himself to work before dawn every day.”
“This suggests that his work routine is exhausting and relentless, implying that he sees work as a draining necessity rather than something he enjoys.”
The jump from what the line says to what it implies is what the top levels of the AO1 mark scheme reward.
Synthesis: Comparing Ideas Across Both Sources
To hit the highest band, you must select and synthesise evidence from both sources, not write two separate mini-answers.
Use comparative connectives such as similarly, in contrast, whereas, on the other hand, unlike to make the relationship between the ideas clear.
Try this sentence frame when you practise Question 2:
“In Source A, the writer shows X about [focus], whereas in Source B the writer shows Y, which reveals a clear similarity/difference in their experiences.”
Every time you build a point like this, you are selecting, interpreting and synthesising – exactly what AO1 demands in Paper 2 Question 2.
Model Answers for Paper 2 Question 2 (AO1)
Example focus: impressions of a town square
Quotations:
- Source A: “The old clock tower loomed over the square, its hands frozen at midnight.”
- Source B: “Neon signs flash above the busy cafés.”
Low-Level Response (Level 1):
In Source A the clock tower is old and big and it is in the square. The hands are stopped at midnight so the clock is broken. In Source B there are neon signs above cafés and it is busy.
Why this is low: the answer mostly paraphrases, treats each source separately and offers almost no inference or explicit comparison.
Mid-Level Response (Level 3):
In Source A the “old clock tower” with “hands frozen at midnight” suggests that the square is tired and slightly neglected. In contrast, Source B’s “neon signs” and “busy cafés” show a lively and modern atmosphere. This difference suggests that the town in Source A feels stuck in the past, whereas the town in Source B seems energetic and up to date.
Why this is mid: clear inferences and a direct comparison of atmosphere. To move higher, the answer needs more precision in selecting and integrating detail.
High-Level Response (Level 4):
Source A presents the square as dominated by an “old clock tower” whose “hands [are] frozen at midnight”, implying that the place is trapped in a moment of decay and has been left behind. By contrast, Source B’s “neon signs” above “busy cafés” suggest a constantly moving, commercial space that is determined to project energy and modernity. Taken together, these details show that while Source A’s square is weighed down by its past, Source B’s square is defined by a forward-looking, almost restless vibrancy.
Why this is high: precise quotation, layered inference and fluent synthesis across both sources, all clearly tied to the question focus.
8-Mark Question 2 Checklist (Paper 2 AO1)
- Have I underlined the exact focus word or phrase in the question?
- Have I chosen short, precise quotations from both sources that clearly link to that focus?
- Does each point include an inference (what the detail suggests), not just paraphrase?
- Have I written 3–4 paired comparative points within about 8–10 minutes?
- Does each sentence help compare the writers’ ideas, attitudes or experiences about the focus?
- Have I stayed on AO1 (ideas and information), avoiding language analysis and “effect on the reader” comments for this question?
Linking Question 2 to Wider GCSE Revision
Paper 2 Question 2 focuses on AO1: selecting, inferring and synthesising ideas from two sources. To support this, students should also develop strong revision habits and exam strategies.
They can build a broader toolkit with guides such as how to create an effective GCSE revision timetable, beat exam stress: GCSE survival guide and time management tips for GCSE exam preparation.
How to Use These Grade 9 Examples to Improve Your Creative Writing
Use these Grade 9 examples as practical models, not scripts to copy. First, read each piece once for overall effect, then identify three key features you want to steal: for example, a vivid opening, precise vocabulary or varied sentence structures. Next, highlight where those features appear and annotate why they work. Finally, rewrite a short paragraph of your own, imitating just one or two of those techniques at a time until they feel natural in your own writing.
GCSE Creative Writing FAQs
How often should I practise creative writing for GCSE?
Aim to write one short piece (about 300–500 words) each week, focusing on a different skill each time, such as openings, description or dialogue.
What is the best way to learn from Grade 9 examples?
Read the example slowly, highlight effective phrases and sentence patterns, then create a new paragraph on a different topic using the same techniques.
How can I improve my vocabulary without sounding forced?
Build a small personal word bank from the examples, choose 3–5 words for each practice piece and use them in simple, clear sentences rather than cramming in lots of unfamiliar words.
What makes an opening paragraph sound like Grade 9?
Strong openings usually zoom in on a specific detail, mood or moment, use precise sensory description and hint at a deeper tension or question to keep the reader curious.
How do I get better at descriptive detail?
Practise short “snapshot” descriptions: choose an object or place, write five sensory details about it, then shape them into one tight, well-controlled paragraph.
Should I copy phrases from Grade 9 models in the exam?
No. Examiners want to see your own voice. Learn the techniques from Grade 9 work and apply them to your own ideas, settings and characters.
Further Reading:
If you’re also revising AQA GCSE English Literature, see our complete guide to the AQA Power and Conflict poetry anthology. AQA Poetry Anthology – Power and Conflict
Struggling to fit creative writing practice into your revision? Our GCSE time management guide can help you plan efficient practice sessions. Time Management