Aqa english language paper 1 question 5 descriptive writing

The windows are opalescent from dust, and occasionally a pallid glow emanates from one of the larger windows on the bottom floor, followed by the hunched, aged silhouette of a man: Mr Grimshaw. Mr Grimshaw’s the reason we go there, really. I don’t know what it is exactly, but he’s just fascinating to watch.

Last time, I looked at some general guidance for Question 5 on AQA’s GCSE English Language Paper 1, looking at some common mistakes and some strategies to help you. Today, I’m focusing in more depth on descriptive writing.

A sense of deeper themes and ideas, as well as a clear thematic statement — don’t judge others or mock them if you don’t know them well, they may need your help instead Thanks so much for reading! If you find this resource helpful, take a look at our full GCSE English courses here.

This question is worth HALF of your marks for the entire paper, so getting it right is crucial to receiving a high grade overall for your English GCSE. Underneath the answer, I’ll provide some feedback and analysis on why this piece would receive a top mark grade (around 38–40/40). Thanks so much for reading!