AQA English Language Paper 1 (2026) – Question 1 Starters: Dickens Extracts

This engaging and ready-to-use resource introduces students to the new 2026 AQA English Language Paper 1 Question 1 using short, accessible extracts from Charles Dickens’ novels. Perfect for KS3 and GCSE classes, this pack helps students practise key reading and comprehension skills through multiple-choice questions, ideal as lesson starters, quick quizzes, or revision warm-ups.

Each mini extract is followed by a one-mark multiple-choice question, designed to:

Build familiarity with AQA Paper 1 Question 1 format

Strengthen close reading and inference skills

Provide a quick, low-stakes assessment of understanding and recall

Includes extracts from:

Great Expectations

Oliver Twist

A Christmas Carol

Bleak House

Hard Times

Little Dorrit

The Old Curiosity Shop

Our Mutual Friend

Perfect for:
KS3 English (Years 7–9)
GCSE English Language Paper 1 (AQA 2026 onwards)
Literacy starters, homework, or retrieval practice
Quick comprehension checks or end-of-unit quizzes

Format:
PDF – ready to print or display on screen
Approx. 10–15 minutes per activity

Why teachers love it:

Builds confidence with classic texts in a manageable way

Develops analytical vocabulary through simple, structured questions

Excellent for whole-class discussion or independent work