ENGLISH-LANGUAGE-A · Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
ENGLISH-LANGUAGE-A/11
Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing
English Language A · 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.4 / 5
150
225 min
Anthology Text Analysis and Comparative Reading
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
150
Duration
225 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
In Section A, candidates often lose straightforward marks on Q1 and Q2 of Paper 1 by quoting outside the designated line numbers (e.g., lines 4–6 and 41–51).
Precision is key here.
For the high-value comparative question (Paper 1, Q5), the mark scheme enforces a strict penalty: candidates who write about only one text cannot progress beyond Level 2 (8 marks).
The highest marks were awarded to those who constructed a balanced, integrated analysis highlighting the similarities in high-stakes, hazardous environments and contrasting Fogle's introspective humiliation with Levine's observation of external social chaos.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Textual
Weight: 8100%Analysis
Weight: 788%Comparative Connections
Weight: 675%Structure,
Weight: 450%Tone &
Weight: 338%Spelling,
Weight: 225%Punctua
Weight: 113%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Match the expected response style for “How” questions.
Identify similarities and differences explicitly — paired sentences or a table helps.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Select” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Write” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
An Unknown Girl, Moniza Alvi
30 marks this session
From A Game of Polo with a Headless Goat, Emma Levine
23 marks this session
Unseen Non-Fiction Reading
22 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Section B: Transactional Writing (Speech/Article)
Transactional Writing
The Bright Lights of Sarajevo, Tony Harrison
Section B: Imaginative Writing
An Unknown Girl, Moniza Alvi
The Necklace
Imaginative Writing
Explorers, or boys messing about? Either way, taxpayer gets rescue bill, Steven Morris
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing:
Paper 2: Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
An Unknown Girl, Moniza Alvi
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiFrom A Game of Polo with a Headless Goat, Emma Levine
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiUnseen Non-Fiction Reading
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
In Section A, candidates often lose straightforward marks on Q1 and Q2 of Paper 1 by quoting outside the designated line numbers (e.g., lines 4–6 and 41–51).
- 2Message
Precision is key here.
- 3Message
For the high-value comparative question (Paper 1, Q5), the mark scheme enforces a strict penalty: candidates who write about only one text cannot progress beyond Level 2 (8 marks).
- 4Message
The highest marks were awarded to those who constructed a balanced, integrated analysis highlighting the similarities in high-stakes, hazardous environments and contrasting Fogle's introspective humiliation with Levine's observation of external social chaos.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2024 2024
English Language A
In Section A, candidates often lose straightforward marks on Q1 and Q2 of Paper 1 by quoting outside the designated line numbers (e.g., lines 4–6 and 41–51). Precision is key here. For the high-value comparative question (Paper 1, Q5), the mark scheme enforces a strict penalty: c
In Section A, candidates often lose straightforward marks on Q1 and Q2 of Paper 1 by quoting outside the designated line numbers (e.g., lines 4–6 and 41–51).
Precision is key here.
For the high-value comparative question (Paper 1, Q5), the mark scheme enforces a strict penalty: candidates who write about only one text cannot progress beyond Level 2 (8 marks).
- Total marks
- 150
- Duration
- 225 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.4 / 5
Session analysis
In Section A, candidates often lose straightforward marks on Q1 and Q2 of Paper 1 by quoting outside the designated line numbers (e.g., lines 4–6 and 41–51). Precision is key here. For the high-value comparative question (Paper 1, Q5), the mark scheme enforces a strict penalty: candidates who write about only one text cannot progress beyond Level 2 (8 marks). The highest marks were awarded to those who constructed a balanced, integrated analysis highlighting the similarities in high-stakes, hazardous environments and contrasting Fogle's introspective humiliation with Levine's observation of external social chaos.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing:
Paper 2: Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
68% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Extended Writing
(AO4/AO5)
75·2·50%
Analytical Essay
(AO2)
42·2·28%
Comparative Essay
(AO3)
22·1·15%
Short Answer
(AO1)
11·3·7%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section B (
1.00 m/minPaper 2 Section A (
0.67 m/minPaper 2 Section B (
0.67 m/minTotal marks
105
Total time
135 min
Avg pace
0.78
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Disabled, Wilfred Owen
88%88%
Night, Alice Munro
82%82%
From A Passage to Africa, George Alagiah
78%78%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h 15min
- Total marks
- 90
- Weighting
- 60%
- Question types
- Select (AO1), Describe (AO1), Explain (AO1), Analyze (AO2), Compare (AO3), Transactional Writing (AO4/AO5)
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.