IGCSE English Language Study Guide

Past Exam Question: "How does the writer present her experiences of living with the Inughuit people in Thule? You should refer closely to the passage to support your answer. You may include brief quotations." (10 marks) [Click here for the Pearson exam past paper - see page 11] Top Marker Sample Answer: The writer presents her experience of living with the Inughuit people as deeply reflective and emotionally complex. Her tone blends awe, respect, and inner conflict as she witnesses the narwhal hunt - a central event in the Inughuit way of life. She begins by describing the Arctic landscape in poetic, vivid terms, calling it a "glittering kingdom" with “butter-gold” light. This sensory language evokes beauty and wonder, showing her appreciation for the environment the Inughuit inhabit. She also captures the almost magical appearance of the narwhal, whose “plumes of spray” are lit in a “spectral play of colour,” making them seem otherworldly and rare. Despite this awe...

Past Exam Question: "How does the writer criticise the actions of the two men in this passage? You should refer closely to the passage to support your answer. You may include brief quotations."  (10 marks) [Click here for the Pearson exam past paper] Top-Level Sample Answer (Grade 8-9 style): In the passage, the writer uses tone, expert opinion, and structural techniques to strongly criticise the actions of the two men, portraying them as reckless and immature. From the outset, the rhetorical headline “Explorers or boys messing about?” immediately casts doubt on their professionalism. The informal phrase “messing about” trivialises their actions, setting a mocking tone. By questioning their status as explorers, the writer suggests they are undeserving of the title. The use of expert opinion is also key in criticising the men. The writer quotes an Antarctic expert who refers to one of them as “a clown.” This direct insult from an authority figure discredits the men’s compet...

"Explorers or boys messing about?" by Steven Morris  IGCSE English Language Part 1: Unit Section A Non-fiction texts  A complete breakdown of "Explorers or boys messing about?" by Steven Morris (The Guardian, 2003) - for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language Part 1: Unit 1 Section A Non-fiction texts. Includes summary, themes, techniques, sample exam-style answers, and revision tips. Link to the original article:  https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/jan/28/stevenmorris Context This is a newspaper article from The Guardian , written in 2003. It reports on a real-life incident in which two adventurers, Steve Brooks and Quentin Smith, had to be rescued from a failed Arctic expedition. The tone is subtly mocking, questioning whether their actions were heroic or simply reckless. Audience: the general public; particularly those interested in current affairs or exploration. Purpose: to inform, but also to provoke debate and subtly critique the explorers. Key...

GCSE English Language Part 1: Unit Section A Non-fiction texts  [Currently being updated]

The Explorer's Daughter by Kari Herbert A complete breakdown of  "The Explorer's Daughter" by Kari Herbert  for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language Part 1: Unit 1 Section A Non-fiction texts. Includes summary, themes, techniques, sample exam-style answers, and revision tips. [ Click here for the Pearson text - scroll to page 9 ] [Click here for an audio version ] Context: Kari Herbert is the daughter of a British explorer and lived in Greenland as a child among the Inughuit people. In 2002, she returned to the area and observed a narwhal hunt. This extract combines personal reflection with factual information, offering both emotional depth and insight into the Inughuit way of life. Summary of the Text: Herbert describes witnessing a narwhal hunt in the Arctic. She paints the scene with a mixture of awe and tension, watching the hunters from the lookout as they prepare to strike. The narwhal are vital to the Inughuit's survival, providing food, vit...

GCSE English Language Part 1: Unit Section A Non-fiction texts  [Currently being updated]