IGCSE English Language Study Guide

1. Read the question carefully. Highlight what it's asking you to focus on (e.g. how the writer shows their attitude or how they make it interesting). You must write about language and structure. 2. Start strong. Begin with a clear sentence that answers the question in your own words. For example: "The writer shows their critical attitude through mocking language and dramatic structure." 3. Pick out powerful words or phrases. Zoom in on what stands out.  Ask yourself: Why did the writer choose this word? What effect does it have? 4. Write about structure too. Think: Where does the writer use facts? Quotes? Short paragraphs? Does the tone change? Is there a climax or twist? 5. Use short, embedded quotes. Don’t copy big chunks. Instead, slip quotes into your sentence like this: "The use of ‘farce’ makes the situation seem ridiculous." 6. Cover the whole text. Don’t just write about the start. Include examples from the beginning, middle and end. 7. Say why each tec...

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...