Oxford Cambridge and RSA
GCE
English Language
H070/02: Exploring contexts
*9883194702*
AS Level
Monday 19 May 2025 – Morning
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer the question in Section A and one question in Section B.
• Use the Resource Booklet to answer the questions in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [601/4703/9] DC (ST) 339166/1
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
BLANK PAGE
, 2
Answer the question in Section A and one question in Section B.
Section A
Writing about a topical language issue
You should spend about 40 minutes on this section.
‘We need to embrace linguistic variations, not condemn them.’
1 Write the opening script for a podcast that critically engages in any way with the
statement above and persuades listeners to agree with a particular point of view.
Your podcast should be aimed at a non-specialist, reasonably well-educated
audience. You should write about 500 words. [24]
Section B
Exploring language in context
Answer either Question 2 or Question 3.
You should spend about 50 minutes on this section.
EITHER
2 Language and Power
Read Text A in the Resource booklet and answer the question.
Using appropriate terminology, examine Text A in the light of the ways in which
power is represented. In your answer you should:
• analyse the relevant language features of the text
• explore how contextual factors and language features construct meanings
• consider the ways in which your understanding of concepts and issues relating
to power in language use illuminates the representation of power within the text.
[36]
OR
3 Language and Gender
Read Text B in the Resource booklet and answer the question.
Using appropriate terminology, examine Text B in the light of the ways in which
gender is represented. In your answer you should:
• analyse the relevant language features of the text
• explore how contextual factors and language features construct meanings
• consider the ways in which your understanding of concepts and issues relating
to gender in language use illuminates the representation of gender within the
text.
[36]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 H070/02 Jun25
,GCE
English Language
H070/02: Exploring contexts
AS Level
Mark Scheme for June 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of
qualifications to meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications
, include AS/A Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals,
Functional Skills, Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in
areas such as IT, business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.
It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and the
needs of students and teachers. OCR is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus made is
invested back into the establishment to help towards the development of qualifications and
support, which keep pace with the changing needs of today’s society.
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements
of the examination. It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners. It does not
indicate the details of the discussions which took place at an examiners’ meeting before marking
commenced.
All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the report
on the examination.
© OCR 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations
GCE
English Language
H070/02: Exploring contexts
*9883194702*
AS Level
Monday 19 May 2025 – Morning
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer the question in Section A and one question in Section B.
• Use the Resource Booklet to answer the questions in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [601/4703/9] DC (ST) 339166/1
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
BLANK PAGE
, 2
Answer the question in Section A and one question in Section B.
Section A
Writing about a topical language issue
You should spend about 40 minutes on this section.
‘We need to embrace linguistic variations, not condemn them.’
1 Write the opening script for a podcast that critically engages in any way with the
statement above and persuades listeners to agree with a particular point of view.
Your podcast should be aimed at a non-specialist, reasonably well-educated
audience. You should write about 500 words. [24]
Section B
Exploring language in context
Answer either Question 2 or Question 3.
You should spend about 50 minutes on this section.
EITHER
2 Language and Power
Read Text A in the Resource booklet and answer the question.
Using appropriate terminology, examine Text A in the light of the ways in which
power is represented. In your answer you should:
• analyse the relevant language features of the text
• explore how contextual factors and language features construct meanings
• consider the ways in which your understanding of concepts and issues relating
to power in language use illuminates the representation of power within the text.
[36]
OR
3 Language and Gender
Read Text B in the Resource booklet and answer the question.
Using appropriate terminology, examine Text B in the light of the ways in which
gender is represented. In your answer you should:
• analyse the relevant language features of the text
• explore how contextual factors and language features construct meanings
• consider the ways in which your understanding of concepts and issues relating
to gender in language use illuminates the representation of gender within the
text.
[36]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 H070/02 Jun25
,GCE
English Language
H070/02: Exploring contexts
AS Level
Mark Scheme for June 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of
qualifications to meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications
, include AS/A Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals,
Functional Skills, Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in
areas such as IT, business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.
It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and the
needs of students and teachers. OCR is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus made is
invested back into the establishment to help towards the development of qualifications and
support, which keep pace with the changing needs of today’s society.
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements
of the examination. It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners. It does not
indicate the details of the discussions which took place at an examiners’ meeting before marking
commenced.
All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the report
on the examination.
© OCR 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations
