AQA AS English Language Past Papers & Mark Schemes
Download free AQA AS English Language (7701) past papers. Paper 1: Language and the Individual. Paper 2: Language Varieties. Textual analysis and original writing. 30 resources.
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June 2023
9 filesAS English Language – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – June 2023
AS English Language – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – June 2023
AS English Language – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – June 2023
AS English Language – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – June 2023
AS English Language – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – June 2023
AS English Language – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – June 2023
AS English Language – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – June 2023
AS English Language – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – June 2023
AS English Language – Insert (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – June 2023
June 2022
7 filesAS English Language – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – June 2022
AS English Language – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – June 2022
AS English Language – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – June 2022
AS English Language – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – June 2022
AS English Language – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – June 2022
AS English Language – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – June 2022
AS English Language – Insert (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – June 2022
November 2020
9 filesAS English Language – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – November 2020
AS English Language – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – November 2020
AS English Language – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – November 2020
AS English Language – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – November 2020
AS English Language – Question paper (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – November 2020
AS English Language – Question paper (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – November 2020
AS English Language – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 2 Language varieties – November 2020
AS English Language – Mark scheme (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – November 2020
AS English Language – Insert (Modified A4 18pt) (AS) : Paper 1 Language and the individual – November 2020
Analysing Textual Identity and Exploring How Language Varies Across Contexts
Exam Paper Structure
Language and the Individual
Language Varieties
Key Information
| Exam Board | AQA |
| Specification Code | 7701 |
| Qualification | AS Level |
| Grading Scale | A–E |
| Assessment Type | 2 written papers |
| Paper 1 | Language and the Individual (1 hr 30 min, 80 marks, 50%) |
| Paper 2 | Language Varieties (1 hr 30 min, 80 marks, 50%) |
| Key Frameworks | Phonetics, lexis, semantics, grammar, pragmatics, discourse |
| Writing Component | Original writing + commentary (Paper 1), Opinion piece (Paper 2) |
| Exam Sessions | June only |
| Total Resources | 30 |
Key Topics in English Language
Topics you need to know
Exam Command Words
| Command word | What the examiner expects |
|---|---|
| Analyse | Examine how specific language features create meaning — use linguistic terminology precisely and connect features to effects |
| Compare | Identify specific linguistic differences and similarities between texts, explaining what these reveal about context or purpose |
| Write | Produce an original text in a specified genre, demonstrating conscious control of language choices |
| Comment on | Provide informed linguistic observations about specific features, explaining their significance |
| Evaluate | Assess a claim about language use, drawing on linguistic evidence and relevant theories |
| Explain | Account for a language feature or pattern using linguistic knowledge and contextual understanding |
Typical Grade Boundaries
| Grade | Approximate mark needed |
|---|---|
| A | 67–77% |
| B | 56–66% |
| C | 45–55% |
| D | 34–44% |
| E | 23–33% |
⚠️ AS English Language boundaries are derived from 160 raw marks across two papers. AQA publishes session-specific thresholds after each examination series.
Systematic Language Frameworks, Register Analysis, and Writing with Linguistic Awareness
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