IB DP English A: Language & Literature HL Paper 1 (Sample) 2023
This paper trains you to spot the exact moment a writer's tone shifts and how register choices reveal hidden power dynamics—skills that separate 6–7 band answers from 8–9 band answers on the real exam. You'll analyse two unseen non-literary passages with guided questions on rhetorical strategies, discourse features, and audience positioning, using the same analytical frameworks the IB examiner uses to mark. Inside you'll find multiple-choice, true/false, and short-answer questions that drill textual evidence, stylistic terminology, and interpretive reasoning across three core strands: rhetoric and persuasion, language variation and register, and implied reader construction. This sample mirrors the length, unseen-text challenge, and mark allocation of actual HL Paper 1 sittings, designed for Grade 12 students preparing for their final IB exams. By the end, you'll have practised spotting connotation in context, distinguishing between tone and register, and building airtight claims from linguistic evidence—the exact habits that unlock consistent 7+ marks on the real paper.
Questions in this quiz
Answers hidden — play to find out.
- Question 1
In the marketing email encouraging customers to "join our family," the phrase functions primarily as an example of which rhetorical strategy?
- Question 2
Which of the following best describes the argumentative structure in the opening paragraph of Passage A?
- Question 3
The repetition of the word "today" throughout the advertisement serves which primary rhetorical purpose?
- Question 4
True or False: The technical terminology in Passage B signals that the intended audience holds specialized knowledge in the field.
- Question 5
In Passage A, the shift from short, punchy sentences in the opening to longer, complex sentences in the middle section reflects which change in rhetorical purpose?
- Question 6
Which lexical choice in Passage B best indicates the writer's assumption about the reader's educational background?
- Question 7
True or False: The use of imperative mood in the advertisement creates an illusion of choice while actually directing the reader toward a predetermined action.
- Question 8
In Passage A, the phrase "we invite you to" rather than "you must" serves what function in the audience relationship?
- Question 9
The use of second-person pronouns ("you," "your") throughout the marketing material directly addresses the reader as which type of participant?
- Question 10
Fill in the blank: The technique of _______ (repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses) is used to build emphasis and memorability in persuasive texts.
- Question 11
Fill in the blank: In formal academic writing, _______ shifts indicate movement between explanation, argument, and counterargument sections.
- Question 12
Which statement best explains why the opening paragraph of Passage A uses short, simple sentences rather than complex subordinate structures?
- Question 13
In Passage B, the passive voice construction "it has been shown that" rather than "researchers have shown that" primarily serves to achieve which effect on the reader?
- Question 14
The overall tone of Passage A can best be described as which of the following?
- Question 15
How does the grammatical structure of the final sentence in Passage A differ from earlier sentences, and what effect does this create on the reader's understanding of the message?
- Question 16
Which of the following is NOT an example of a discourse feature used to position the reader in Passage A?