Grade 2

Grade 2: You're showing basic reading and simple ideas.

A Grade 2 answer shows you understand the surface of the text - you know what happens, you can name the main characters, and you can write a simple response. Your writing is mostly understandable, with some attempt to use quotes or details from the source.

What Grade 2 looks like

English Literature (Grade 2)

Describes what happens in the text, in order
Recognises one or two main themes (e.g. love, fear)
Uses at least 2-3 quotes, even if briefly
Writes in paragraphs (not one long block)
Makes a simple comment on what the writer shows us

English Language (Grade 2)

Finds 2-3 relevant words or phrases in the source
Makes a simple comment on how those words make the reader feel
Writes creative or transactional pieces with a clear beginning and end
Uses capital letters and full stops more consistently
Varies sentence openers occasionally (not every sentence starts with "The")

How to get there

1. Use PEE: Point, Evidence, Explanation

The basic paragraph shape: make a point, quote the text, then say WHY it matters. Even three short sentences in that order lift you toward Grade 3.

2. Name the techniques you see

If you spot a metaphor, simile, or repetition - name it. You don't need to say much about it yet. Just naming shows you recognise the writer's methods.

3. Plan before you write

Even two minutes of planning - writing down three ideas - will make your answer feel organised rather than random.

Previous grade

Grade 1

Next grade

Grade 3

All grade targets

Grade 2

Grade 2: You're showing basic reading and simple ideas.

A Grade 2 answer shows you understand the surface of the text - you know what happens, you can name the main characters, and you can write a simple response. Your writing is mostly understandable, with some attempt to use quotes or details from the source.

What Grade 2 looks like

English Literature (Grade 2)

Describes what happens in the text, in order
Recognises one or two main themes (e.g. love, fear)
Uses at least 2-3 quotes, even if briefly
Writes in paragraphs (not one long block)
Makes a simple comment on what the writer shows us

English Language (Grade 2)

Finds 2-3 relevant words or phrases in the source
Makes a simple comment on how those words make the reader feel
Writes creative or transactional pieces with a clear beginning and end
Uses capital letters and full stops more consistently
Varies sentence openers occasionally (not every sentence starts with "The")

How to get there

1. Use PEE: Point, Evidence, Explanation

The basic paragraph shape: make a point, quote the text, then say WHY it matters. Even three short sentences in that order lift you toward Grade 3.

2. Name the techniques you see

If you spot a metaphor, simile, or repetition - name it. You don't need to say much about it yet. Just naming shows you recognise the writer's methods.

3. Plan before you write

Even two minutes of planning - writing down three ideas - will make your answer feel organised rather than random.

Previous grade

Grade 1

Next grade

Grade 3

Your Hub

Your Hub

Grade 2: You're showing basic reading and simple ideas.

What Grade 2 looks like

English Literature (Grade 2)

English Language (Grade 2)

How to get there

1. Use PEE: Point, Evidence, Explanation

2. Name the techniques you see

3. Plan before you write

Grade 2: You're showing basic reading and simple ideas.

What Grade 2 looks like

English Literature (Grade 2)

English Language (Grade 2)

How to get there

1. Use PEE: Point, Evidence, Explanation

2. Name the techniques you see

3. Plan before you write