GCSE English Language Paper 2 Question 4: Complete Guide (AQA) – With Multiple Grade 9 Model Answers
GCSE English Language Paper 2 Question 4 is the most important reading question on the paper. It is worth 16 marks, making it the highest-mark reading task in Section A. For many students, this question can be the difference between a grade 5 and a grade 8, or between a grade 8 and a grade 9.
Why? Because Question 4 tests the most advanced reading skill in Paper 2: comparison of viewpoints and methods.
You must compare how two writers present their perspectives, feelings, or attitudes about a shared topic. This means you need to understand both texts deeply, compare ideas clearly, and analyse the methods used to shape those ideas.
Many students lose marks because they summarise the texts instead of analysing them, or they write about each source separately rather than comparing throughout. However, once you understand the structure, Question 4 becomes highly manageable.
This guide explains marks, timing, assessment objectives, examiner expectations, structure, common mistakes, and multiple Grade 9 model answers based on real AQA-style Paper 2 tasks.
What Is Paper 2 Question 4?
Paper 2 is called Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives.
Question 4 asks you to compare both sources and evaluate how the writers convey their attitudes.
Typical wording:
Compare how the writers convey their different feelings about the places they visit.
Or:
Compare the writers’ perspectives on travelling.
Or:
Compare how the writers present their attitudes towards city life.
You must:
- use both sources
- compare viewpoints
- analyse methods
- support ideas with quotations
Marks, Time and Assessment Objective
Marks
- 16 marks total
Recommended Time
Spend:
- 20–25 minutes
This is the biggest reading question, so it deserves the most time.
Assessment Objective
Question 4 assesses AO3:
Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts.
This means:
- compare opinions/attitudes
- compare feelings
- compare methods
- analyse effects
What Examiners Want
To reach top levels, examiners look for:
✅ Clear comparison throughout
✅ Understanding of viewpoints
✅ Analysis of methods
✅ Relevant quotations from both texts
✅ Judgement about similarities/differences
They do not reward simple summary.
Difference Between Question 2 and Question 4
Question 2
- Compare information
- Summarise content
- AO1
Question 4
- Compare perspectives
- Analyse methods
- Evaluate attitudes
- AO3
Question 4 is more analytical and more sophisticated.
Best Grade 9 Structure
Use comparative analytical paragraphs.
Formula:
Point + Source A + Source B + Methods + Effect
Example:
Both writers find travel challenging, but they respond differently. In Source A, the writer describes the road as “endless”, suggesting frustration and exhaustion. In contrast, Source B presents difficulty more dramatically through the mountain that “towered above us”, making the obstacle seem intimidating.
How Many Paragraphs?
Aim for:
- 3 developed paragraphs
That is enough for top marks if analytical.
Grade 9 Example Question 1
Question
Compare how the writers convey their different feelings about the cities they describe.
Source A
The city thrilled me. Music poured from cafés and bright lights danced across every street.
Source B
I found the city exhausting. Horns blared constantly and strangers pushed past me.
Grade 9 Model Answer 1
The writers present sharply contrasting feelings about the cities they describe. In Source A, the writer feels energised and excited, immediately shown through the verb “thrilled”, which suggests genuine pleasure and stimulation. The lively imagery of music that “poured” from cafés and lights that “danced” across the streets creates an atmosphere of celebration, showing the writer is attracted to the city’s vibrancy.
In contrast, Source B presents the city as stressful and unpleasant. The adjective “exhausting” directly reveals the writer’s negative attitude, while horns that “blared constantly” create harsh auditory imagery. This suggests relentless noise and pressure. Additionally, strangers who “pushed past” the writer imply aggression and discomfort.
Therefore, while Source A celebrates the city’s energy, Source B views the same kind of busy environment as overwhelming and hostile.
Why This Is Grade 9
✅ Direct comparison
✅ Methods analysed
✅ Quotations from both texts
✅ Judgement in final sentence
Grade 9 Example Question 2
Question
Compare how the writers present their attitudes towards nature.
Source A
I stood in silence as the sea stretched endlessly before me.
Source B
The rain trapped us for hours, turning the path into a river of mud.
Grade 9 Model Answer 2
The writers have very different attitudes towards nature. In Source A, nature is presented as inspiring and majestic. The writer stands “in silence”, suggesting awe and respect, while the sea that “stretched endlessly” emphasises vastness and beauty. This creates the impression that nature is something powerful yet admirable.
By contrast, Source B views nature as obstructive and hostile. The rain “trapped us for hours”, personifying the weather as controlling and imprisoning. Furthermore, the path becomes a “river of mud”, showing nature transforming the landscape into something unpleasant and difficult.
Overall, Source A admires nature’s grandeur, whereas Source B focuses on its ability to cause frustration and discomfort.
Grade 9 Example Question 3
Question
Compare how the writers convey their perspectives on travelling.
Source A
Every mile brought fresh excitement. Villages, rivers and mountains appeared like gifts ahead of us.
Source B
My legs ached and the road never seemed to end.
Grade 9 Model Answer 3
The writers present travelling in contrasting ways. In Source A, travelling is shown as joyful and rewarding. The phrase “fresh excitement” suggests constant pleasure, while places that appear “like gifts” use a simile to imply travel brings unexpected rewards and discoveries.
However, Source B presents travelling as tiring and discouraging. The writer’s “aching” legs emphasise physical pain, while the road that “never seemed to end” exaggerates the length of the journey and suggests hopelessness.
This means Source A sees travel as an adventure full of possibilities, whereas Source B experiences it as exhausting labour.
Grade 9 Example Question 4
Question
Compare how the writers present their feelings about weather conditions.
Source A
The warm breeze drifted through the garden and sunlight rested softly on the grass.
Source B
The wind tore at the doors while rain hammered the roof.
Grade 9 Model Answer 4
The writers present opposite feelings about the weather. In Source A, the weather is calm and pleasant. The “warm breeze” suggests comfort, while the sunlight that “rested softly” personifies the scene as peaceful and gentle. This creates a soothing atmosphere and implies the writer enjoys the conditions.
In contrast, Source B portrays the weather as violent and threatening. The wind “tore at the doors,” suggesting aggression, while rain that “hammered” the roof creates forceful sound imagery. These verbs make the storm seem dangerous and frightening.
Therefore, Source A associates weather with peace, whereas Source B associates it with fear and destruction.
What Makes These Answers Grade 9?
-
Comparison Throughout
Weak:
Source A says…
Source B says…
Strong:
While Source A celebrates the city’s energy, Source B finds it exhausting.
-
Focus on Perspectives
Always ask:
- What does each writer think?
- How do they feel?
-
Methods Included
Use:
- verbs
- adjectives
- imagery
- personification
- tone
-
Judgement
Top answers often conclude with a clear overview.
Real AQA Question 4 Themes
Past papers often focus on:
- journeys
- city life
- weather
- difficult experiences
- places visited
- attitudes to modern vs old life
- reactions to challenges
Biggest Student Mistakes
-
Writing Separate Paragraphs
Do not write one paragraph on each source.
-
Summarising Only
Need methods + perspectives.
-
No Quotations
Use evidence from both texts.
-
Ignoring One Source
Use both equally.
-
No Comparison Connectives
Use:
- whereas
- however
- similarly
- in contrast
Grade 9 Sentence Starters
- Both writers present… although…
- Whereas Source A…, Source B…
- The writer in Source A suggests…
- In contrast, Source B implies…
- This reveals differing attitudes because…
Fast 25-Minute Method
Minute 1–3
Read the question and both sources.
Minute 4–6
Highlight quotations.
Minute 7
Plan 3 comparison points.
Minute 8–25
Write 3 developed analytical paragraphs.
Mini Practice Task
Source A
I loved the station’s noise and movement. It felt alive.
Source B
The station was chaos. Voices crashed together, and I longed to leave.
Question
Compare how the writers present their feelings about the station.
Grade 9 Model Answer
The writers present opposite feelings about the station. In Source A, the writer enjoys the busy atmosphere, shown by the statement that they “loved” the noise and movement. Describing the station as “alive” personifies it as energetic and exciting.
In contrast, Source B experiences the station negatively. Calling it “chaos” immediately suggests disorder, while voices that “crashed together” create harsh sound imagery. This makes the environment seem stressful and unpleasant.
Therefore, while Source A is attracted to the energy of the station, Source B feels overwhelmed by it.
Grade 9 Checklist
Before moving on:
✅ Have I compared throughout?
✅ Have I used both texts equally?
✅ Have I analysed methods?
✅ Have I focused on perspectives?
✅ Have I made a clear judgement?
Final Summary
Paper 2 Question 4 is worth 16 marks and tests AO3 comparison of viewpoints and methods.
To achieve Grade 9:
- Compare throughout
- Analyse writer attitudes
- Use methods from both texts
- Support with quotations
- Make clear judgements
Final Advice
Question 4 is the biggest reading opportunity on Paper 2. If you master it, grades rise quickly.
Think:
What does each writer think? How do they show it? How are they different?
Answer those three questions, and you are on the path to top marks.
