AQA_2024: AS English Language - Paper 2
Language Varieties.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
AS
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Paper 2 Language varieties
Monday 20 May 2024 Morning Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 12-page answer book.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7701/2.
There are two sections:
– Section A: Language diversity
– Section B: Language discourses.
Answer either Question 1 or Question 2 from Section A. Answer Question 3 from Section B.
Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
The maximum mark for this paper is 70.
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
There are 30 marks for either Question 1 or Question 2. There are 40 marks for Question 3.
You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
It is recommended that you use:
– about 40 minutes writing your Section A answer
– about 50 minutes writing your Section B answer.
,For AS English Language Paper 2: Language Varieties, here’s a concise revision guide focusing on the
key areas to cover:
1. Language Varieties:
Definition: A variety of language refers to the different forms of language used by individuals or
groups in various contexts, including regional dialects, social dialects, and registers.
Key Types of Varieties:
o Regional Varieties: Accents and dialects linked to specific geographical areas (e.g.,
Northern English, Cockney, Scouse).
o Social Varieties: Differences in language use based on social class, education, and
occupation (e.g., working-class speech vs. middle-class speech).
o Ethnolects: Language varieties spoken by particular ethnic or cultural groups (e.g., African
American Vernacular English, Multicultural London English).
o Registers: Varieties of language based on the formality of the context (e.g., formal academic
writing vs. casual conversation).
2. Dialect and Accent:
Dialect: Includes vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation unique to a particular region or social
group. Examples: Geordie, Yorkshire dialect.
Accent: Refers only to pronunciation differences and is influenced by geographical region or social
background (e.g., Received Pronunciation vs. regional accents).
Standard vs. Non-Standard English: Standard English follows grammatical rules and is used in
formal contexts, while non-standard varieties may include regional dialects, slang, or colloquial
speech.
3. Code-Switching:
Definition: The practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects in conversation,
depending on the context or audience. For example, a speaker might switch between formal and
informal language depending on the situation.
Contexts for Code-Switching:
o Social Settings: Adapting language for formal or informal contexts (e.g., using formal
language in an interview but informal language with friends).
o Audience: Switching language based on the listener's background (e.g., adjusting language
for children vs. adults).
o Bilingual Speakers: Alternating between two languages depending on the setting or the
topic.
4. Social Influences on Language:
Class: How social class influences language use (e.g., upper-class individuals may use more
formal, standard language; working-class individuals may use colloquial or regional dialects).
Gender: Differences in language use based on gender (e.g., women may use more politeness
markers, tag questions, or hedging compared to men).
Age: How language use varies across age groups, with younger people tending to use more slang
and informal speech than older generations.
5. Language and Identity:
Language as a Marker of Identity: Language varieties are often a reflection of personal identity,
such as cultural, ethnic, regional, or social identity.
o Example: A person from Liverpool might use Scouse to reflect their regional identity, or
someone from a certain social class might adopt a particular speech style.
Social Identity Theory: How individuals use language to align themselves with particular social
groups (e.g., using certain jargon or slang to signal membership in a subculture).
IB/G/Jun24/G4005/E6 7701/2
, 2
Section A
Language diversity
Answer one question from this section.
Either
0 1 Discuss the idea that there is a connection between a person’s social class and the
language they use.
In your answer you should discuss concepts and issues from language study.
You should use your own supporting examples and the data in Text A, below.
Text A is the opening of an article from Country Living magazine.
[30 marks]
Text A
IB/G/Jun24/7701/2
Language Varieties.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
AS
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Paper 2 Language varieties
Monday 20 May 2024 Morning Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 12-page answer book.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7701/2.
There are two sections:
– Section A: Language diversity
– Section B: Language discourses.
Answer either Question 1 or Question 2 from Section A. Answer Question 3 from Section B.
Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
The maximum mark for this paper is 70.
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
There are 30 marks for either Question 1 or Question 2. There are 40 marks for Question 3.
You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
It is recommended that you use:
– about 40 minutes writing your Section A answer
– about 50 minutes writing your Section B answer.
,For AS English Language Paper 2: Language Varieties, here’s a concise revision guide focusing on the
key areas to cover:
1. Language Varieties:
Definition: A variety of language refers to the different forms of language used by individuals or
groups in various contexts, including regional dialects, social dialects, and registers.
Key Types of Varieties:
o Regional Varieties: Accents and dialects linked to specific geographical areas (e.g.,
Northern English, Cockney, Scouse).
o Social Varieties: Differences in language use based on social class, education, and
occupation (e.g., working-class speech vs. middle-class speech).
o Ethnolects: Language varieties spoken by particular ethnic or cultural groups (e.g., African
American Vernacular English, Multicultural London English).
o Registers: Varieties of language based on the formality of the context (e.g., formal academic
writing vs. casual conversation).
2. Dialect and Accent:
Dialect: Includes vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation unique to a particular region or social
group. Examples: Geordie, Yorkshire dialect.
Accent: Refers only to pronunciation differences and is influenced by geographical region or social
background (e.g., Received Pronunciation vs. regional accents).
Standard vs. Non-Standard English: Standard English follows grammatical rules and is used in
formal contexts, while non-standard varieties may include regional dialects, slang, or colloquial
speech.
3. Code-Switching:
Definition: The practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects in conversation,
depending on the context or audience. For example, a speaker might switch between formal and
informal language depending on the situation.
Contexts for Code-Switching:
o Social Settings: Adapting language for formal or informal contexts (e.g., using formal
language in an interview but informal language with friends).
o Audience: Switching language based on the listener's background (e.g., adjusting language
for children vs. adults).
o Bilingual Speakers: Alternating between two languages depending on the setting or the
topic.
4. Social Influences on Language:
Class: How social class influences language use (e.g., upper-class individuals may use more
formal, standard language; working-class individuals may use colloquial or regional dialects).
Gender: Differences in language use based on gender (e.g., women may use more politeness
markers, tag questions, or hedging compared to men).
Age: How language use varies across age groups, with younger people tending to use more slang
and informal speech than older generations.
5. Language and Identity:
Language as a Marker of Identity: Language varieties are often a reflection of personal identity,
such as cultural, ethnic, regional, or social identity.
o Example: A person from Liverpool might use Scouse to reflect their regional identity, or
someone from a certain social class might adopt a particular speech style.
Social Identity Theory: How individuals use language to align themselves with particular social
groups (e.g., using certain jargon or slang to signal membership in a subculture).
IB/G/Jun24/G4005/E6 7701/2
, 2
Section A
Language diversity
Answer one question from this section.
Either
0 1 Discuss the idea that there is a connection between a person’s social class and the
language they use.
In your answer you should discuss concepts and issues from language study.
You should use your own supporting examples and the data in Text A, below.
Text A is the opening of an article from Country Living magazine.
[30 marks]
Text A
IB/G/Jun24/7701/2
