First exam in June 2026
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work.
GCSE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Paper 2 Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives
Sample assessment materials Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Materials For Examiner’s Use
For this paper you must have:
• Source A and Source B – provided as a separate Insert. Question Mark
Instructions 1
• Answer all questions.
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 2
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. 3
• Do not write outside the box around each page or on blank pages. 4
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). 5
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be
TOTAL
marked.
• You must refer to the Insert booklet provided.
• You must not use a dictionary.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• There are 40 marks for Section A and 40 marks for Section B.
• You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers.
• You will be assessed on the quality of your reading in Section A.
• You will be assessed on the quality of your writing in Section B.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about 15 minutes reading through the sources and all five questions you
have to answer.
• You are advised to plan your answer to Question 5 before you start to write.
• You should make sure you leave sufficient time to check your answers.
8700/2
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Section A: Reading box
Answer all questions in this section.
You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.
0 1 Read again the first part of Source A from lines 1 to 7.
Choose four statements below which are true.
• Shade the circles in the boxes of the ones that you think are true.
• Choose a maximum of four statements.
• If you make an error cross out the whole box.
• If you change your mind and require a statement that has been crossed out then draw
a circle around the box.
[4 marks]
A The writer is at the start of his train journey.
B The writer is looking forward to leaving the train.
C The writer will be on the train for three more days.
D The train has a carriage where meals are served.
E The writer thinks the bread has been delicious.
F The writer feels that he has been cut off from society while on the train.
G The writer has had many activities to keep him busy on the train.
H The writer does not have any plans for when he leaves the train. 4
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 2 box
You need to refer to Source A and Source B for this question.
The writers in Source A and Source B are travelling on different types of trains.
What can you infer about the differences between the two trains?
[8 marks]
Turn over ►
, 4
Do not write
outside the
box
8
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work.
GCSE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Paper 2 Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives
Sample assessment materials Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Materials For Examiner’s Use
For this paper you must have:
• Source A and Source B – provided as a separate Insert. Question Mark
Instructions 1
• Answer all questions.
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 2
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. 3
• Do not write outside the box around each page or on blank pages. 4
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). 5
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be
TOTAL
marked.
• You must refer to the Insert booklet provided.
• You must not use a dictionary.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• There are 40 marks for Section A and 40 marks for Section B.
• You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers.
• You will be assessed on the quality of your reading in Section A.
• You will be assessed on the quality of your writing in Section B.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about 15 minutes reading through the sources and all five questions you
have to answer.
• You are advised to plan your answer to Question 5 before you start to write.
• You should make sure you leave sufficient time to check your answers.
8700/2
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Section A: Reading box
Answer all questions in this section.
You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.
0 1 Read again the first part of Source A from lines 1 to 7.
Choose four statements below which are true.
• Shade the circles in the boxes of the ones that you think are true.
• Choose a maximum of four statements.
• If you make an error cross out the whole box.
• If you change your mind and require a statement that has been crossed out then draw
a circle around the box.
[4 marks]
A The writer is at the start of his train journey.
B The writer is looking forward to leaving the train.
C The writer will be on the train for three more days.
D The train has a carriage where meals are served.
E The writer thinks the bread has been delicious.
F The writer feels that he has been cut off from society while on the train.
G The writer has had many activities to keep him busy on the train.
H The writer does not have any plans for when he leaves the train. 4
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 2 box
You need to refer to Source A and Source B for this question.
The writers in Source A and Source B are travelling on different types of trains.
What can you infer about the differences between the two trains?
[8 marks]
Turn over ►
, 4
Do not write
outside the
box
8
