ATARMAxxing · English Studies
HSC English Studies Practice Exams with Worked Solutions
20 full-length papers · worked solutions for every question
The 20 practice exams inside the HSC English Studies Mastery Pack, each set out like the real paper with a separate worked-solution guide. Open any paper to see what it covers.
- Section I: unseen texts on first experiences and belonging (5 questions, 3+4+4+4+5 marks)
- Section II: how the text represents the ways individuals respond to challenges
- Section II model answer: Favel Parrett, Past the Shallows
- Section III: explain why the module may be valuable to you in the future
- Section III model answer: Module A: We are Australians
- Section IV: imaginative or reflective writing beginning with ONE of two given opening sentences
- Section I: unseen texts on connection to place (5 questions, 3+3+4+4+6 marks)
- Section II: to what extent a statement that texts invite us to see the world differently applies
- Section II model answer: George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four
- Section III: a letter to a new English Studies teacher recommending a module
- Section III model answer: Module B: Telling us all about it
- Section IV: a persuasive proposal to the local council for a community event
- Section I: unseen texts on learning from failure (5 questions, 3+4+5+4+4 marks)
- Section II: how the composer represents the emotions arising from human experiences through the features of the form
- Section II model answer: Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot
- Section III: a speech to Year 10 students on which module they should look forward to
- Section III model answer: Module C: On the Road
- Section IV: imaginative writing using an image described in words (a closed shopfront at dawn)
- Section I: unseen texts on courage and fear (5 questions, 3+4+4+4+5 marks)
- Section II: how the text reveals paradoxes and inconsistencies in human behaviour
- Section II model answer: Arthur Miller, The Crucible
- Section III: a response to a school survey asking which module should remain in the program
- Section III model answer: Module D: Digital Worlds
- Section IV: reflective writing based on a quotation about a decision that changed things
- Section I: unseen texts on voices that speak up (5 questions, 3+3+5+4+5 marks)
- Section II: how storytelling in the text expresses and reflects particular lives
- Section II model answer: Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb, I am Malala
- Section III: a blog post explaining how ONE text in a module changed your view of the world
- Section III model answer: Module E: Playing the Game
- Section IV: persuasive speech to a school assembly arguing for a change in the school
- Section I: unseen texts on hope in hard times (5 questions, 3+4+4+5+4 marks)
- Section II: how the text represents hope and resilience
- Section II model answer: Anthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See
- Section III: how the module interested you and challenged the way you think
- Section III model answer: Module F: MiTunes and text
- Section IV: imaginative writing about a journey, using a given statement
- Section I: unseen texts on family stories and memory (5 questions, 3+3+4+4+6 marks)
- Section II: how the text represents collective experiences that connect people
- Section II model answer: Jane Harrison, Rainbow's End
- Section III: a feature article for the school magazine on the module's most valuable text
- Section III model answer: Module G: Local Heroes
- Section IV: reflective writing about an object that holds a family story
- Section I: unseen texts on ordinary moments that matter (5 questions, 3+4+4+4+5 marks)
- Section II: in what ways the text gives insight into human qualities, motivations and actions
- Section II model answer: Kenneth Slessor, Selected Poems
- Section III: a podcast script recommending ONE text from a module to other students
- Section III model answer: Module H: Part of a Family
- Section IV: informative article for a youth website about a local place worth visiting
- Section I: unseen texts on growing up (6 questions, 2+3+3+4+4+4 marks)
- Section II: how the text invites the responder to reflect personally
- Section II model answer: Tim Winton, The Boy Behind the Curtain
- Section III: explain how key ideas in ONE text had a significant impact on you
- Section III model answer: Module I: Discovery and Investigation
- Section IV: imaginative or reflective writing beginning with a given line
- Section I: unseen texts on strangers and belonging (5 questions, 3+4+5+4+4 marks)
- Section II: how the text challenges assumptions about other people
- Section II model answer: Ivan O'Mahoney, Go Back to Where You Came From
- Section III: an email to the principal arguing for a module to be kept
- Section III model answer: Module J: In the Marketplace
- Section IV: persuasive letter to a newspaper about welcoming newcomers
- Section I: unseen texts on loss and healing (5 questions, 3+4+4+4+5 marks)
- Section II: how the text represents grief and the ways people heal
- Section II model answer: Amanda Lohrey, Vertigo
- Section III: a reflective essay on what studying the module taught you
- Section III model answer: Module K: The Big Screen
- Section IV: reflective writing based on a statement about starting again
- Section I: unseen texts on judgement and fairness (5 questions, 3+3+4+5+5 marks)
- Section II: how the text explores prejudice and the human capacity for mercy
- Section II model answer: William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
- Section III: an opinion piece for a student website on why the module matters
- Section III model answer: Module L: Who do I think I am?
- Section IV: persuasive proposal to a youth council for a fairer local rule
- Section I: unseen texts on time and change (5 questions, 3+4+4+4+5 marks)
- Section II: how the text represents the effects of time on human experience
- Section II model answer: Rosemary Dobson, Rosemary Dobson Collected
- Section III: a letter to the composer of ONE text studied in a module
- Section III model answer: Module M: Landscapes of the Mind
- Section IV: imaginative writing using an image described in words (an old photograph of a beach crowd)
- Section I: unseen texts on making something from nothing (5 questions, 3+3+4+4+6 marks)
- Section II: how the text represents transformation in individual lives
- Section II model answer: Lucy Walker, Waste Land
- Section III: a review for a student website of ONE text studied in a module
- Section III model answer: Module N: The Way We Were
- Section IV: informative report for a school newsletter on a community project
- Section I: unseen texts on leaving and returning (5 questions, 3+4+5+4+4 marks)
- Section II: how the representation of particular lives enriches understanding of the endurance of the human spirit
- Section II model answer: Favel Parrett, Past the Shallows
- Section III: a speech at a Year 12 assembly about the module that meant most to you
- Section III model answer: Module H: Part of a Family
- Section IV: reflective writing about visiting an important place
- Section I: unseen texts on truth and trust (5 questions, 3+4+4+4+5 marks)
- Section II: how the text represents individuals who resist power
- Section II model answer: George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four
- Section III: a response to a school survey: which module best prepares students for life after school?
- Section III model answer: Module D: Digital Worlds
- Section IV: persuasive speech to a youth forum about trust online
- Section I: unseen texts on dreams and determination (6 questions, 2+3+3+4+4+4 marks)
- Section II: how the text represents identity and belonging
- Section II model answer: Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot
- Section III: explain why ONE text from a module would be worth studying for students in another school
- Section III model answer: Module E: Playing the Game
- Section IV: imaginative writing beginning with ONE of two given opening sentences
- Section I: unseen texts on standing apart from the crowd (5 questions, 3+4+4+5+4 marks)
- Section II: to what extent individuals in the text keep their integrity under pressure
- Section II model answer: Arthur Miller, The Crucible
- Section III: a letter to a local hero you studied about what their story taught you
- Section III model answer: Module G: Local Heroes
- Section IV: reflective writing based on a quotation about doing the right thing
- Section I: unseen texts on finding your voice (5 questions, 3+3+5+4+5 marks)
- Section II: how the text represents the power of an individual voice
- Section II model answer: Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb, I am Malala
- Section III: a blog post on how the module changed the way you see yourself
- Section III model answer: Module L: Who do I think I am?
- Section IV: persuasive proposal to the school for a student-run event
- Section I: unseen texts on connection in conflict (5 questions, 3+4+4+4+5 marks)
- Section II: how the text represents human connection in a time of conflict
- Section II model answer: Anthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See
- Section III: how key ideas in ONE text from a module had a significant impact on your understanding of the world
- Section III model answer: Module B: Telling us all about it
- Section IV: imaginative or reflective writing using a statement about small acts of kindness
Included in the HSC English Studies Mastery Pack
20 full-length practice exams with worked solutions, 20 revision notes, 64 practice questions and 200 flashcards.
Preview a sample note and question free on the HSC English Studies hub →