The study of language change is an integral part of the A2 course; in the exam you will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of how English has changed over the centuries, and to comment on features of language from different periods. However it is important to remember that when studying texts from the past, your task, first and foremost, is to analyse the writers' use of linguistic devices related to the specific contexts - avoid producing an essay on language change.

In preparing for this section of the exam, it is important to study the difference aspects of language change - a chronological approach is helpful at this stage to establish a clear timeline for significant events and eras: examiners are critical of students who mix up their centuries or confuse important dates such as the publication of the King James I Bible and the arrival of the printing press.

When it comes to revision however, it is more useful to take a genre-based approach to texts; in the exam, texts will be grouped by theme or genre so the best revision practice is to compare similar texts from different periods.