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 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing
Sample assessment materials Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Materials For Examiner’s Use
For this paper you must have:
• Source A – 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. 3
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided.
• 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 5
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).
• 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 source and all 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.
8700/1
, 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 the source, from lines 1 to 9.
Answer all parts of this question.
Choose one answer for each question.
• Shade the circle in the box of the one that you think is correct.
• Choose a maximum of one answer for each question.
• If you make an error cross out the whole box.
• If you change your mind and require an answer that has been crossed out, then draw
a circle around the box.
0 1 . 1 What worries Pi about the hyena?
Its appearance
Remembering what his father told him about hyenas
The noise it is making
[1 mark]
0 1 . 2 How do hyenas usually attack?
On their own
In a pair
As a group
[1 mark]
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 3 What sort of attackers are hyenas? box
Tough
Vulnerable
Reluctant
[1 mark]
0 1 . 4 What does Pi hope will distract the hyena away from him?
Its mother
The other animals on the boat
The horizon
[1 mark]
4
Turn over ►
, 4
Do not write
outside the
0 2 box
Look in detail at this extract, from lines 10 to 19 of the source:
I am not one to hold a prejudice against any animal, but it is a plain fact that the
spotted hyena is not well served by its appearance. It is ugly beyond redemption.
Its shaggy, coarse coat is a bungled mix of colours, with the spots having none of
the classy ostentation of a leopard’s, they look rather like the symptoms of a skin
disease. The head is broad and too massive, with a high forehead, like that of a
bear, but suffering from a receding hairline, and with ears that look ridiculously
mouse-like, large and round, when they haven’t been torn off in battle. The mouth
is forever open and panting. The nostrils are too big. The tail is scraggly and
unwagging. All the parts put together look doglike, but like no dog anyone would
want as a pet.
How does the writer use language here to describe the hyena’s appearance?
You could include the writer’s choice of:
• words and phrases
• language features and techniques
• sentence forms.
[8 marks]
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 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing
Sample assessment materials Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Materials For Examiner’s Use
For this paper you must have:
• Source A – 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. 3
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided.
• 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 5
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).
• 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 source and all 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.
8700/1
, 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 the source, from lines 1 to 9.
Answer all parts of this question.
Choose one answer for each question.
• Shade the circle in the box of the one that you think is correct.
• Choose a maximum of one answer for each question.
• If you make an error cross out the whole box.
• If you change your mind and require an answer that has been crossed out, then draw
a circle around the box.
0 1 . 1 What worries Pi about the hyena?
Its appearance
Remembering what his father told him about hyenas
The noise it is making
[1 mark]
0 1 . 2 How do hyenas usually attack?
On their own
In a pair
As a group
[1 mark]
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 3 What sort of attackers are hyenas? box
Tough
Vulnerable
Reluctant
[1 mark]
0 1 . 4 What does Pi hope will distract the hyena away from him?
Its mother
The other animals on the boat
The horizon
[1 mark]
4
Turn over ►
, 4
Do not write
outside the
0 2 box
Look in detail at this extract, from lines 10 to 19 of the source:
I am not one to hold a prejudice against any animal, but it is a plain fact that the
spotted hyena is not well served by its appearance. It is ugly beyond redemption.
Its shaggy, coarse coat is a bungled mix of colours, with the spots having none of
the classy ostentation of a leopard’s, they look rather like the symptoms of a skin
disease. The head is broad and too massive, with a high forehead, like that of a
bear, but suffering from a receding hairline, and with ears that look ridiculously
mouse-like, large and round, when they haven’t been torn off in battle. The mouth
is forever open and panting. The nostrils are too big. The tail is scraggly and
unwagging. All the parts put together look doglike, but like no dog anyone would
want as a pet.
How does the writer use language here to describe the hyena’s appearance?
You could include the writer’s choice of:
• words and phrases
• language features and techniques
• sentence forms.
[8 marks]
