Practice questions for the WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Language (C700QS) specification, for teaching in England. Every answer is explained, so you can see why the right option is right. It covers the knowledge and reading skills that suit multiple choice; extended writing is not assessed here.
About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our GCSE English Language (Eduqas) questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by WJEC Eduqas. Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
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Try 3 real GCSE English Language (Eduqas) questions
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Q1. Read the short passage below.
The old market square, usually bustling with activity, was eerily quiet. Cobblestones, still damp from the morning's downpour, glistened under the weak afternoon sun. A solitary cat, a ginger tabby with a torn ear, stalked silently past the shuttered windows of the bakery. The only sound was the rhythmic drip-drip-drip of water from a broken drainpipe. The air felt heavy, carrying the scent of rain and damp earth.
According to the text, what was the only sound in the market square?
A. The footsteps of a cat
B. The shouting of market traders
C. Water dripping from a drainpipe
D. The wind whistling through the alleys
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. Water dripping from a drainpipe
The text explicitly states, 'The only sound was the rhythmic drip-drip-drip of water from a broken drainpipe.'
Q2. Read the passage below, from a review of a new restaurant.
The decor is certainly… memorable. Every surface is coated in a shade of neon pink that vibrates under the harsh lighting. The menu arrives, a weighty tome bound in faux leather, offering 'culinary adventures' at prices that suggest a journey to another galaxy. My 'deconstructed' fish and chips arrived looking like a science experiment gone awry, though the taste was, admittedly, adequate.
What does the writer implicitly suggest about the restaurant?
A. It is a fun and exciting place to eat.
B. It is a sophisticated and high-class establishment.
C. It is pretentious and overpriced for what it offers.
D. It provides a poor quality of food.
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. It is pretentious and overpriced for what it offers.
The tone is sarcastic. Phrases like 'memorable' in italics, 'weighty tome', and 'science experiment' imply the restaurant is trying too hard and is not worth the high prices.
Q3. The jungle was a wall of noise: the screech of unseen birds, the chittering of monkeys, the constant, maddening hum of a million insects. Sweat dripped from every pore. Every step was a battle against clinging vines and treacherous roots. He had to keep moving. He had to find a way out. He had to survive. Anything was better than this. Anything.
A. They create a calm and relaxed atmosphere for the reader.
B. They show that the character is confused and has lost his memory.
C. They quicken the pace and reflect the character's panicked, desperate thoughts.
D. They provide a detailed description of the jungle environment.
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. They quicken the pace and reflect the character's panicked, desperate thoughts.
The short, simple sentences mimic a frantic, focused state of mind, increasing tension and showing the character's desperation.
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Who has to sit the GCSE English Language (Eduqas)
Who needs a GCSE English Language (Eduqas)?
Students in England who do not achieve a Grade 4 by age 16 must resit if continuing education.
The real GCSE English Language (Eduqas): format
How many questions are in the GCSE English Language (Eduqas)?
The real GCSE English Language (Eduqas) has 2 questions and lasts 225 minutes. Our mock uses 40 questions in 60 minutes.
What is the GCSE English Language (Eduqas) pass mark?
Real exam pass mark: Grade 4 (approx. 44.5% in June 2026). Our mock marks you at 24 out of 40, the threshold we mark against.
What it costs, and what a resit costs
How much does the GCSE English Language (Eduqas) cost?
Real exam fee: Approx. £200-£400 (private candidate incl. centre fees), Eduqas board fee £48.60. Resit fee: Approx. £200-£400 (private candidate incl. centre fees), Eduqas board fee £48.60. Rebooking after a fail: Next exam series (May/June or November)
How hard is it
What is the GCSE English Language (Eduqas) pass rate?
Real exam first-time pass rate: 54.6% (Eduqas Grade 4+ in 2026)
Why people fail it
Why do people fail the GCSE English Language (Eduqas)?
Lack of technical control in writing (spelling, punctuation, grammar, tense).
Not answering the question directly or failing to read questions carefully.
Insufficient detail or development in answers, often due to poor time management.
Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
GCSE English Language (Eduqas): common questions
Frequently asked
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 60 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with WJEC Eduqas.