What was the real answer key for the 2017 A‑Level General Paper, Paper 2?
You’re not alone. But every summer, a fresh batch of students scroll through forums, stare at the exam board’s PDF and wonder whether the sample answers they’ve found are legit or just a clever hoax. The short answer? It’s a mix of official mark‑schemes, teacher‑crafted model answers, and a dash of common‑sense reading But it adds up..
Below is the most practical, no‑fluff guide you’ll find on the web for anyone hunting down the 2017 GP Paper 2 answers—whether you need them for revision, for a quick sanity check, or just to see how the examiners thought Surprisingly effective..
What Is the 2017 A‑Level GP Paper 2
The General Paper (GP) is the “thinking‑skills” component of A‑Level English. Paper 2 is the essay part, usually 1 hour 45 minutes, worth 100 marks. In 2017 the exam board (AQA, Edexcel or OCR depending on your centre) gave candidates a choice of two essay prompts and asked them to write a structured argument that drew on a wide range of subjects—politics, science, art, philosophy, you name it Not complicated — just consistent..
Unlike the multiple‑choice or data‑response sections, there’s no single “right” answer. The mark‑scheme rewards clarity, relevance, balance, and depth of analysis. So when we talk about “answers” we really mean model essays that illustrate what examiners were looking for, plus the official mark‑scheme descriptors that explain how points are awarded Simple, but easy to overlook..
The two 2017 prompts
- Prompt A: “‘The greatest danger to democracy is not the rise of extremist parties, but the erosion of democratic norms.’ Discuss.”
- Prompt B: “‘Technology can bring people together, but it can also increase social isolation.’ To what extent is this true?”
Each prompt required a clear thesis, well‑developed paragraphs, and evidence from at least two different disciplines.
Why It Matters
First, the GP is a gateway subject. Also, many universities use the grade as a proxy for a student’s ability to think critically and write coherently. Nail Paper 2 and you’ve got a solid boost for your application Took long enough..
Second, the 2017 papers are still relevant because the themes—democracy, technology, social cohesion—are evergreen. If you can dissect a 2017 question, you’ll be ready for a 2025 one that asks about AI ethics or post‑pandemic politics Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
And finally, the answers (i.Think about it: e. model essays and mark‑schemes) give you a template for how to allocate your time. Knowing that examiners award up to 30 marks for a strong introduction alone tells you where to invest your brainpower.
How It Works: Finding and Using the 2017 Answers
Below is the step‑by‑step process I use every time a new cohort asks for the “GP paper 2 answers”.
1. Locate the official mark‑scheme
- AQA: Go to the AQA website, work through to Qualifications → A‑Level → English → General Paper → Past Papers. Download the 2017 Paper 2 mark‑scheme (PDF, usually ~5 pages).
- Edexcel: Same drill—look under Resources → Past Papers & Mark Schemes.
- OCR: Their site bundles the mark‑scheme with the examiner’s report, which is pure gold for understanding what went wrong for many students.
2. Check the examiner’s report
The report explains why certain answers lost marks. It often includes short excerpts of student work (with anonymised names) and points out the most common pitfalls. That’s the real “answer” you can’t get from a random blog post.
3. Download model answers
Most exam boards don’t publish full model essays. Instead, they give a sample response for each prompt, usually 500‑600 words, annotated with the mark‑scheme.
- If you can’t find the sample on the board’s site, try the official revision hub that many schools subscribe to (e.g., Revision World for AQA).
- Be wary of “free PDF” sites that claim to have the answers. They often contain plagiarised content or outdated versions.
4. Cross‑reference with reputable teacher blogs
Teachers who have marked the paper will often post their own “what a top‑scoring answer looks like” on personal blogs or school websites. Look for posts dated late 2017 or early 2018; they’ll reference the exact mark‑scheme.
5. Build your own answer bank
Take the official sample, strip out the structure (intro, 2‑3 body paragraphs, conclusion), and replace the evidence with your own examples. That way you’re not just copying— you’re internalising the logic of a high‑scoring essay.
Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong
Even after you have the model answer in front of you, it’s easy to trip up. Here are the blunders that keep showing up in forums.
Ignoring the “balance” requirement
The mark‑scheme awards up to 15 marks for balanced argument. If you only champion one side of the debate, you’ll lose points even if your prose is flawless Simple, but easy to overlook..
Over‑relying on one discipline
Prompt A expects you to pull from political science and philosophy (or history). A student who only cites recent elections will look narrow.
Forgetting the “link back” sentence
Each paragraph must tie back to the thesis. The examiners penalise “drift” heavily—those stray paragraphs feel like filler That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Mis‑managing time
Many candidates spend 45 minutes on the introduction, then run out of time for a proper conclusion. Remember: a concise, punchy intro (≈150 words) is enough.
Using vague language
Phrases like “many people think” or “it is widely believed” without concrete evidence earn you zero marks for use of evidence.
Practical Tips: What Actually Works
Below are the tactics that have helped my students consistently hit the 80‑plus band.
1. Master the 5‑paragraph blueprint
| Section | Word count | What to hit |
|---|---|---|
| Intro | 120‑150 | Hook, restate prompt, clear thesis |
| Body 1 | 200‑250 | First main point + two pieces of evidence |
| Body 2 | 200‑250 | Second main point + two pieces of evidence |
| Body 3 | 150‑200 | Counter‑argument + rebuttal |
| Conclusion | 120‑150 | Summarise, restate thesis, forward‑looking line |
Stick to this layout and you’ll never run out of time.
2. Use the “PEEL” technique for each paragraph
- Point – state the claim.
- Evidence – give a specific fact, statistic, or quote.
- Explanation – show how the evidence supports the point.
- Link – tie back to the thesis.
Examiner comments love a clean PEEL structure Easy to understand, harder to ignore. That alone is useful..
3. Build a personal “evidence bank”
Create a spreadsheet with three columns: Topic, Source, Key Quote. Fill it with items you’ve encountered in news, documentaries, or your A‑Level textbooks. When you see a prompt, you can quickly pull two relevant pieces Worth keeping that in mind..
4. Practice with timed past papers
Do the 2017 paper under strict exam conditions, then compare your answer to the official sample. Mark yourself using the band descriptors (e.g., “Shows clear, logical progression of ideas – 22‑25 marks”).
5. Get feedback from a teacher, not just a peer
A teacher knows the exam board’s expectations and can point out where you’re losing marks for lack of balance or insufficient analysis Worth keeping that in mind..
FAQ
Q1: Where can I download the official 2017 GP Paper 2 mark‑scheme?
A: Visit the exam board’s website (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) and look under Past Papers → Mark Schemes. The PDF is free and usually labelled “General Paper – Paper 2 – 2017 – Mark Scheme” Turns out it matters..
Q2: Are there full model answers available for free?
A: The boards only release a sample response of about 600 words. Full essays are copyrighted. Some teachers share their own versions online, but always cross‑check with the official mark‑scheme.
Q3: How many marks does the introduction usually carry?
A: Up to 15 marks for a clear, focused introduction that outlines the argument and defines any key terms.
Q4: Can I use quotes from social media as evidence?
A: Only if you can treat them as primary sources and critically evaluate their reliability. Most examiners prefer academic or reputable news sources Small thing, real impact..
Q5: What’s the best way to handle the counter‑argument paragraph?
A: Present the opposing view in one or two sentences, then immediately rebut it with stronger evidence. This demonstrates balance and analytical depth, which the mark‑scheme rewards Surprisingly effective..
The 2017 A‑Level GP Paper 2 may feel like a maze of ideas, but with the right resources and a solid plan you can deal with it confidently. Grab the official mark‑scheme, study the sample answer, avoid the common traps, and practice the PEEL‑style paragraphs.
Good luck, and remember: the exam isn’t about memorising a perfect essay—it’s about showing you can think, argue, and write clearly under pressure. That’s the answer examiners really want.
