Extended writing — AS & A Level English Language (9093) questions by topic
Extended writing tasks put you inside a real scenario and a real form: an article weighing whether foreign travel will decline, a speech opening a debate on children keeping pets, or a review of a jewellery-making course written for a school magazine. Discuss, describe, express and evaluate signal whether the response should argue a case, recount and assess an experience, or set a scene, and each is a full 25-mark piece written to a set word count.
46 questions from 2023 to 2025 sit on this page. Because these essays are marked on how fully the chosen form's conventions are handled alongside vocabulary and structure, drafting a full response and submitting it for marking shows whether a review has stayed a review rather than sliding into plain narrative, and whether a speech has kept its audience and purpose in view.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is candidates overlooking a specific word in the question, such as writing a straight narrative rather than description focused on 'sunrise', or drifting into recount rather than review.
- Examiners repeatedly note weaker responses lapsed into narrative or recount when the task demanded a review, description or persuasive form, with only a cursory nod to that form's purpose.
- Reports flag minor or incomplete sentences and struggles to organise description as a mark of weaker responses.
- Strong answers, according to the reports, engaged the reader from the first sentences through conscious, well-chosen vocabulary, such as a fountain 'washing the night away in a wave of warmth and light'.
- Examiners praise responses that established form, subject and purpose from the outset and balanced description with evaluation, for example combining campsite recommendations with personal experience.
May–June 2025, Paper 21
You have been watching a new TV series about interior design. You decide to write a review of the series, which will be published in your school magazine. Write between 600 and…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a story called No Turning Back, about a person who leaves home one morning and decides never to return. In your writing, create a sense of drama and suspense. Write between…
Answer this question and get it marked →Your class has just had a discussion about the benefits of studying science subjects at school. Your teacher has asked you to give a speech to first-year students at your school,…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 22
Write a story which begins with the following sentence: As I walked past the painting of the man, I was sure that his eyes were following me. In your writing, create a sense of…
Answer this question and get it marked →In class, you have been discussing whether it is better to spend your holidays in your home country, rather than travelling abroad. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay on…
Answer this question and get it marked →Last weekend, you did a one-day photography course for beginners. You decide to write a review of this course, which will be published on a photography website. Write between 600…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 23
You recently saw an advertisement for a two-hour city walking tour called Hidden Secrets. You went on the tour last weekend. Write a review of this tour, which will be published…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a descriptive piece called The Valley. In your writing, focus on sound, colour and movement to help your reader imagine the scene. Write between 600 and 900 words.
Answer this question and get it marked →You are going to take part in a debate at school about whether children should be allowed to use social media before the age of 16. Your headteacher has asked you to open the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 21
Write a descriptive piece about a rubbish tip. In your writing, focus on colour, sound and movement to help your reader imagine the scene. Write between 600 and 900 words.
Answer this question and get it marked →You recently attended an introduction day at the school you are going to join next year. You decide to write a review of the introduction day, which you will post on your blog.…
Answer this question and get it marked →You have read a newspaper article which said that people should go to shops instead of buying online, otherwise more and more shops will close. You decide to write an email to the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 22
You are going to take part in a debate at school about whether it is a good or bad thing that lots of teenagers want to be famous. Your headteacher has asked you to open the…
Answer this question and get it marked →The editor of a food magazine has asked readers to give recommendations for cookery books for beginners. You decide to write a review of a cookery book you have used, which will…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a descriptive piece about an orchestra. In your writing, focus on sound, colour and movement to help your reader imagine the scene. Write between 600 and 900 words.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 23
In class, you have been discussing whether foreign travel will become less popular because people can find out everything about other countries using the internet. You decide to…
Answer this question and get it marked →You recently went to an exercise class that you have not been to before. You decide to write a review of the class, which you will post on your blog. Write between 600 and 900…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a story which begins with the following sentence: 'After slowly opening my eyes, I realised that I didn't recognise anything around me.' In your writing, create a sense of…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 21
You have been watching a TV series about famous bridges. You decide to write a review of the series, which will be published in your school magazine. Write between 600 and 900…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a story called New World, about a group of people who are the first to go and live on another planet. In your writing, create a sense of drama and suspense. Write between…
Answer this question and get it marked →Your class has just had a discussion about the pros and cons of teenagers getting work experience before they leave school. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay on the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 22
Last month, you did a one-day jewellery-making course for beginners. You decide to write a review of this course, which will be published in your school magazine. Write between…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a story which begins with the following sentence: He slowly picked up the phone, and even before he heard the voice he knew exactly who it was. In your writing, create a…
Answer this question and get it marked →In class, you have been discussing whether younger people care more or less about climate change than older people do. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay on the topic,…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 23
Write a descriptive piece about a lake early in the morning. In your writing, focus on colour, light and movement to help your reader imagine the scene. Write between 600 and 900…
Answer this question and get it marked →You are going to take part in a debate at school about the pros and cons of children keeping pets. Your headteacher has asked you to open the debate by giving a speech on the…
Answer this question and get it marked →You recently went to a local cafe which is run by teenagers. You decide to post a review of the cafe on your blog. Write between 600 and 900 words. This is one of three optional…
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 22
In class, you have been discussing the idea that many teenagers find museums boring. You decide to write an article about this, which will be published on a museum website. In…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a story which begins with the following sentence: Clara carefully opened the envelope and saw that it contained one thing only – a single photograph of a group of people. In…
Answer this question and get it marked →You recently attended an international youth conference on how to make the world a better place. You decide to write a review of the conference, which you will post on your blog.…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 21
You are going to take part in a debate at school about whether everyone should learn more foreign languages. Your headteacher has asked you to open the debate by giving a speech…
Answer this question and get it marked →You recently did a one-day cookery course for complete beginners. Write a review of the course, which will be published on a food website. Write between 600 and 900 words. (This…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a story which begins with the following sentence: Marc shouted as loudly as he possibly could, but the man did not hear him. In your writing, create a sense of drama and…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 22
You have just returned from a one-week activity holiday for teenagers. Write a review of the holiday, which will be posted on a travel website. Write between 600 and 900 words.…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 23
You have just returned from a camping holiday in another country. You decide to write a review of the campsite that you stayed on, which you will post on an international travel…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a story called Gone! about an important object that mysteriously disappears. In your writing, create a sense of drama and suspense. Write between 600 and 900 words.
Answer this question and get it marked →You recently read a newspaper article which said that maths should not be a compulsory school subject. You decide to write a letter to the editor, in response to this article,…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 21
In class, you have been discussing whether all museums should be free. You have decided to write an article on the topic, which will be published in your school magazine. Write…
Answer this question and get it marked →Last summer, you did a two-week course to learn a range of water sports. You decide to write a review of the course, which will be published on an activity holiday website. Write…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a descriptive piece called The Square, about a town square at sunrise. In your writing, focus on colour, light and movement to help your reader imagine the scene. Write…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
Last weekend, you went on a boat trip in your local area, which was organised by a new tourism company. You decide to write a review of the trip, which will be published on a…
Answer this question and get it marked →You recently read a newspaper article which said that young people should get jobs after leaving school, rather than go to university. You decide to write a letter to the editor,…
Answer this question and get it marked →Write a descriptive piece about a factory in the middle of a working day. In your writing, focus on the sound, light and movement in the factory to help your reader imagine the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 23
Answer one question. EITHER A news website aimed at teenagers has recently been set up, and you have been looking at it. You decide to write a review of the news website, which…
Answer this question and get it marked →Answer one question. OR Write a story called Fake about a person who is not who they claim to be. In your writing, create a sense of drama and suspense. Write between 600 and 900…
Answer this question and get it marked →Answer one question. OR Your class has just had a debate on whether health or happiness is more important in life. Your teacher has now asked you to write an essay on the topic.…
Answer this question and get it marked →