2025 Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Language Paper 2 and Mark Scheme Combined (1EN0/02: Non-fiction and Transactional Writing)
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2025 Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Language Paper 2 and Mark Scheme Combined (1EN0/02: Non-fiction and Transactional Writing)
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2025 Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Language Paper 2 and Mark Scheme Combined (1EN0/02: Non-fiction and Transactional Writing)

Paper 2 is the Non-fiction and Transactional Writing component of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Language qualification (1EN0/02). This paper assesses students’ ability to read, understand, and analyse non-fiction and transactional texts, as well as their skills in crafting structured and purposeful written responses.

Paper 2 forms 50% of the total GCSE English Language grade and includes reading comprehension and writing tasks.


What the Paper Covers

Paper 2 focuses on the following areas:

📖 Reading Non-fiction

  • Understanding, summarising, and analysing non-fiction texts (articles, reports, speeches, letters, etc.)

  • Evaluating language, structure, and form to understand meaning and effect

  • Comparing ideas, viewpoints, and perspectives across multiple texts

✍️ Transactional and Creative Writing

  • Writing for purpose and audience in a variety of formats (letters, articles, reports, speeches)

  • Planning, structuring, and organising ideas effectively

  • Using appropriate tone, style, vocabulary, and grammar

🧠 Critical Thinking

  • Making inferences and deductions from texts

  • Identifying biases, viewpoints, and rhetorical techniques

  • Analysing how writers achieve their effects on the reader


Structure of the Paper

  • Section A – Reading:

    • Comprehension and analysis of one or more unseen non-fiction texts

    • Questions assessing retrieval, inference, language analysis, structure, and comparison

  • Section B – Writing:

    • Transactional writing tasks requiring students to produce coherent, purposeful, and audience-appropriate responses

The paper assesses the following skills:

  • AO1 – Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information

  • AO2 – Explain, comment on, and analyse how writers use language and structure

  • AO3 – Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, evaluating effectiveness

  • AO5 – Communicate clearly, effectively, and imaginatively in writing

  • AO6 – Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures with accuracy


Mark Scheme (Included in the Combined Document)

The combined question paper + mark scheme includes:

  • Model answers and guidance for comprehension and analysis questions

  • Marking criteria for transactional writing tasks, including content, structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling

  • Allocation of marks for AO1–AO6 skills

  • Examiner notes to ensure consistent and fair marking

The mark scheme emphasizes evidence-based analysis, clear expression, and effective organisation of ideas.