Actual 2026/2027 AQA GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE 8700/1 Paper 1 Question Paper + Mark Scheme + Insert

Thursday 23 May 2026 Morning Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• Source A – provided as a separate insert.
Instructions
• Answer all questions.
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided.
• Do not write outside the box around each page or on blank pages.
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be
marked.
• You must refer to the insert booklet provided.
• You must not use a dictionary.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• There are 40 marks for Section A and 40 marks for Section B.
• You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers.
• You will be assessed on the quality of your reading in Section A.
• You will be assessed on the quality of your writing in Section B.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about 15 minutes reading through the source and all five questions you have
to answer.
• You are advised to plan your answer to Question 5 before you start to write.
• You should make sure you leave sufficient time to check your answers.