Free Eduqas GCSE Media Studies (C680) Exam Questions and Answers
Eduqas GCSE Media Studies (C680) is Eduqas's GCSE Media Studies qualification, specification C680, taken in England. The questions here come from Eduqas's published question papers from June 2019 to June 2025, plus its specimen papers, with answers and marking guidance taken from Eduqas's own mark schemes. Written-answer questions let you work out your answer and then reveal what the mark scheme accepts; diagrams, graphs and source material appear with the questions that use them.
Looking for Eduqas GCSE Media Studies (C680) exam dumps or ExamTopics questions? These practice questions cover the same ground with verified answers and explanations, a downloadable PDF and a full practice test, kept current as Eduqas updates the exam.
Last updated: October 10, 2026
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Question #1
Spectre film poster (To be used with Question 1) Film poster for Spectre showing a man in a white dinner jacket and black bow tie, arms crossed, holding a silenced pistol, with a large skull and hat image behind him. Title: SPECTRE, 007 logo. Credits block at the bottom. Text: COMING SOON. EXPERIENCE IT IN IMAX. Question 1 is based on the front cover of GQ magazine (July 2016) from the set products. Use this magazine front cover when answering the question. Explore how this front cover of GQ magazine uses media language to communicate meanings: images
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Analysis of images, e.g. medium close-up of The Rock with muscular arm filling the frame emphasises masculinity; direct mode of address creates a personal relationship (conventional for covers); serious, stereotypically masculine expression offers challenge/aspiration; raised arm and clenched fist connote defensiveness and power; bull's skull iconography in the exclamation mark links to his bicep tattoo.
Explanation
5 marks, AO2 1a. 5: excellent, detailed analysis with consistent focus on connotations or intended meanings of specific elements. 4: good, reasonably detailed analysis focused on connotations. 3: satisfactory, general focus on connotations but lapses into description. 2: basic, limited focus on connotations, tendency to describe. 1: minimal, brief, descriptive. 0: nothing creditable. Indicative content is not a checklist; credit all valid points. Semiotic terms (denotation, connotation) are not required.
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Question #2
Spectre film poster (To be used with Question 1) Film poster for Spectre showing a man in a white dinner jacket and black bow tie, arms crossed, holding a silenced pistol, with a large skull and hat image behind him. Title: SPECTRE, 007 logo. Credits block at the bottom. Text: COMING SOON. EXPERIENCE IT IN IMAX. Question 1 is based on the front cover of GQ magazine (July 2016) from the set products. Use this magazine front cover when answering the question. Explore how this front cover of GQ magazine uses media language to communicate meanings: text / written language
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Analysis of text/written language, e.g. cover lines tease and create enigmas (Barthes) to encourage purchase; buzzwords ("special", "exclusive", "new") suggest added value; pun ("rebooted") and direct address ("it's not as hard as you think") create a colloquial tone and personal relationship; exclamatives make the magazine 'shout' from the newsstand; language such as "mind, body", "wellness", "style", "fashion" and expensive "beach watches" suggests a more modern, less stereotypical masculinity; the serious bottom strapline contrasts with the "man up!" imperative.
Explanation
5 marks, AO2 1a. 5: excellent, detailed analysis with consistent focus on connotations or intended meanings. 4: good, reasonably detailed. 3: satisfactory, general focus but lapses into description. 2: basic, tends to describe. 1: minimal, brief, descriptive. 0: nothing creditable. Indicative content is not prescriptive; credit all valid points.
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Question #3
Spectre film poster (To be used with Question 1) Film poster for Spectre showing a man in a white dinner jacket and black bow tie, arms crossed, holding a silenced pistol, with a large skull and hat image behind him. Title: SPECTRE, 007 logo. Credits block at the bottom. Text: COMING SOON. EXPERIENCE IT IN IMAX. Question 1 is based on the front cover of GQ magazine (July 2016) from the set products. Use this magazine front cover when answering the question. Explore how this front cover of GQ magazine uses media language to communicate meanings: layout and design.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Analysis of layout and design, e.g. large central image creates reader identity with the cover star; "The Rock!" is in a larger font than his real name, suggesting his persona is more famous than the man; stereotypically masculine colour palette connotes strength and power; cover lines framed around the face while the masthead is layered over the image, suggesting brand power; a Z-line moves the eye from masthead to special issue to anchoring language ("masculinity", "man up!", "The Rock!") to aspirational teases bottom right; serif fonts for serious articles and sans serif for lighter ones.
Explanation
5 marks, AO2 1a. 5: excellent, detailed analysis with consistent focus on connotations or intended meanings. 4: good, reasonably detailed. 3: satisfactory, general focus but lapses into description. 2: basic, tends to describe. 1: minimal, brief, descriptive. 0: nothing creditable. Indicative content is not prescriptive; credit all valid points.
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Question #4
Explain how historical context influences print advertisements. Refer to the print advertisement for Quality Street (1956) from the set products to support your points.
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Correct answer: Historical context influences the values, attitudes, social norms and representations in print advertisements, and the products and techniques used. Responses should link this to the Quality Street (1956) advertisement, with detailed, accurate knowledge and highly appropriate references.
Explanation
5 marks, AO1 2a and 2b (knowledge and understanding of contexts and their influence). 5: excellent, detailed, accurate knowledge and understanding of how historical context influences print adverts, with highly appropriate reference to Quality Street. 4: good, accurate, with appropriate reference. 3: satisfactory, generally accurate, with some reference. 2: basic knowledge, basic if any understanding, limited reference. 1: minimal knowledge, minimal reference, brief or incomplete. 0: nothing creditable. 5 marks, AO1. Indicative content is not prescriptive; all valid points are credited. Higher bands show awareness of how aspects of historical context (production, audience consumption, values, themes) influence how print adverts are constructed, and refer explicitly to the Quality Street advert to support points. Points to make: 1950s post-war prosperity, affordable luxury, more choice (18 types), second wave feminism and women's roles after WWII, patriarchal ideology (man as provider), theatrical characters, Regency references, rising middle classes and dress codes.
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Question #5
GQ magazine cover (2016) (To be used with Question 2(b)) GQ British magazine cover, July 2016. Cover lines: SPECIAL ISSUE! MIND, BODY & MASCULINITY. HERO WORSHIP: Man Up! How to be a man in 2016 (It's not as hard as you think). + The essential wellness gadgets + Your ideal beach watch The best for under £300. WORLD EXCLUSIVE: The ROCK! How Dwayne Johnson became Hollywood's most bankable star. Photographed for British GQ by Gavin Bond. Story by Paul Henderson. The Style Manual: GQ's rebooted fashion guide (NEW SECTION). PLUS! THE EXTRAORDINARY TRUTH BEHIND THE VIOLA BEACH TRAGEDY. GQ magazine cover (2021) (To be used with Question 2(b)) GQ British Edition magazine cover, April 2021. Cover lines: The rise, fall and rise again of Slowthai (Story by Ciaran Thapar). 'Add Snoop Dogg to basket' Want to buy a celebrity online? (Story by Thomas Barrie). Why we just can't resist Jordan Peterson (Story by Sam Leith). Crime lord: A no-holds-barred encounter with the creator of Line Of Duty (Story by Ben Allen). Friendly neighbourhood... MOVIE STAR Tom Holland suits up (Story by Jonathan Heaf. Photographed by AB+DM). America's Brexit: Which US states are plotting their escape? (Story by Freddy Gray). Domestic abuse: The hidden pandemic (Story by George Chesterton). How MERCH went HIGHBROW, TV went MINDFUL and MANSCAPING went TECHY. Acknowledgement: These materials were sourced online and are reproduced under the provisions of 'Fair Dealing' UK. 'Fair dealing' of third party materials is used for criticism and review purposes. However, if there are omissions or inaccuracies please inform us so that any necessary corrections can be made. Question 2(b) is based on: • the Quality Street print advertisement (1956) from the set products • the print resource, an advertisement for Axe Peace (2014). Study the resource carefully and use both print advertisements when answering the question. Compare the representations of gender in the Quality Street and Axe Peace print advertisements. In your answer, you must consider: • how representations of gender are constructed • how far the representations of gender are similar in the two advertisements • how far the representations of gender are different in the two advertisements.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: A sustained comparison of gender representation in Quality Street (1956) and Axe Peace (2014), covering how representations are constructed, similarities and differences, and a justified judgement on how far they are similar or different. Either conclusion is acceptable if justified through analysis.
Explanation
25 marks, AO2. Bands: 21-25 excellent, detailed analysis engaging with complex aspects of representation, detailed comparisons, consistent use of representation framework and terminology (possibly theory), well-reasoned judgements. 16-20 good, reasonably detailed analysis and comparisons, reasoned judgements. 11-15 satisfactory, mostly obvious aspects, some description, comparisons may favour one product. 6-10 basic, descriptive, mainly one product. 1-5 minimal. Band 3 and above must compare the set and unseen products. Need not cover both genders equally. Needs a sustained line of reasoning. Construction: choice of images (dress, make-up, hair, pose, gesture, expression), e.g. the central man holds the tin and controls the luxury item; shot type, framing and composition, e.g. women either side of the man link to the 'delightfully delicious dilemma'; stereotypes, e.g. men as heroic central characters and objects of desire. Also selection, construction and mediation, and feminist perspectives. Similarities: selection of images building character roles (male heroes, military roles, female damsels); indirect mode of address linking characters and making audiences want the product to join the narrative; shots, colour and fonts support the narrative (bright sweet wrappers; Axe pink accent connoting peace and love); men dominant and women subservient; both show people needing the product to form relationships; both artistic and idealised rather than realistic. Differences: Quality Street is traditional, conservative and British-historical; Axe uses dress, gesture and language suggesting romantic or sexual relationships; Axe men are not visually linked to the product (prior knowledge needed), while the Quality Street man holds and controls it; Axe men link to one woman, while the Quality Street man must choose between two; Axe women are represented more sexually through revealing dress. The difference may reflect changing audience attitudes.
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Question #6
Name the organisation that regulates radio in the UK.
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Correct answer: Ofcom (The Office of Communications)
Explanation
1 mark for Ofcom or The Office of Communications.
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Question #7
Briefly explain the difference between how public service radio and commercial radio are funded.
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Correct answer: Public service radio is funded by public money, either directly by government or through a tax such as the licence fee. Commercial radio is funded by selling advertising and sponsorship slots.
Explanation
4 marks, by band: 4 excellent, detailed and accurate understanding of the difference; 3 good and accurate; 2 satisfactory and generally accurate; 1 basic. Points: PSBs are funded by public money (government or licence fee); this funding is usually linked to the content they must produce and the audiences they must reach; commercial broadcasters are funded by advertising and sponsorship.
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Question #8
Explain how radio programmes use technologies to reach audiences. Refer to The Archers to support your points.
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Correct answer: Radio programmes use a range of technologies, especially digital ones, to reach audiences across platforms. The Archers is broadcast on Radio 4 via FM (core audience) and simultaneously on DAB. Radio 4 Extra repeats episodes so listeners can catch up. The website, Facebook and Twitter offer multimedia content, behind-the-scenes video and fan interaction, and build the brand to a global audience. The podcast, BBC Sounds and iPlayer let audiences listen outside scheduled times. This helps the BBC meet its public service remit to reach a wide range of audiences.
Explanation
12 marks, AO1. Bands: 10-12 excellent, detailed and accurate understanding of how technologies reach audiences, thorough reference to The Archers, highly appropriate terminology; 7-9 good and secure; 4-6 satisfactory, with less developed understanding of how technologies reach audiences; 1-3 basic, often focusing on a single technology (website, iPlayer or podcast). Higher bands go beyond listing technologies to consider digital technologies for audiences listening across platforms, with possible reference to convergence. Other radio programmes may be credited if used appropriately. Indicative content: The Archers is the world's longest running radio soap with about 5 million listeners; main broadcast on Radio 4 FM; simultaneous DAB broadcast; Radio 4 Extra repeats; websites offering multimedia content and active audiences; global reach through the BBC website, Facebook and Twitter; synergies allowing interaction, behind-the-scenes video and fan engagement; podcast, BBC Sounds and iPlayer for listening at convenient times; BBC public service remit.
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Question #9
What type of newspaper is The Sun?
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Correct answer: Tabloid newspaper (also accepted: red top, daily, mass market, right wing/conservative)
Explanation
1 mark for any valid type: tabloid / 'red top' / daily / mass market / right wing / conservative.
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Question #10
Identify one audience for The Sun website.
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Correct answer: Any valid audience, e.g. working social classes (C2DE); younger audiences interested in TV, films, music; over-35s; men attracted by sport; women (majority of website users); adults with weaker literacy wanting a fast/easy read; fans of football/showbiz/gossip; politically conservative/right-leaning audiences; 'Mainstreamers'.
Explanation
1 mark for a valid audience. Any valid target audience is credited, even if a different audience is used in part (c).
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