Component 2 Question 12: how the writer shows an idea

The 10-mark AO2 question on one text: how the writer tries to show a given idea, commenting on what is said and on the use of language, tone and structure.
Working through the whole text in order and linking each detail to the question, and planning and writing within the 50 minutes the paper suggests for answering Section A, using the marks as a guide to time.
The worked example uses two texts about pioneering journeys made possible by new technology, both printed in the lesson: a GOV.UK news story from 2016 about the astronaut Tim Peake's return from the International Space Station, and the actor Fanny Kemble's 1830 letter about riding beside George Stephenson on his new railway engine, from her memoir 'Records of a Girlhood'.
The news story is printed with the credit line its licence asks for: 'Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.'
What separates the mark ranges, in our own words, and a model answer with the level and mark an examiner would give, and why.
A weaker and a stronger answer to the same task side by side, with what lifts the weaker one to the next level.
Sentence starters for the question and a short checklist of the steps, for students aiming at Grade 4 and above.

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