1. IGCSE EXAM REVISION Lesson One

2. Cambridge IGCSE EXAM FORMAT
There are two possible exams you can sit
The Extension and the Core Paper.
CORE PAPER (Foundation)
1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES
ANSWER TWO QUESTIONS ON ONE PASSAGE
QUESTION ONE IS WORTH 30 MARKS
QUESTION TWO IS WORTH 20 MARKS
ELIGIBLE GRADES C-G
40% OF THE COURSES TOTAL MARKS

3. EXTENSION PAPER (Higher)
2 HOURS
3 QUESTIONS ON TWO PASSAGES WHICH ARE LINKED BY A COMMON THEME
QUESTION ONE IS WORTH 20 MARKS. QUESTION TWO IS WORTH 10 MARKS. QUESTION THREE IS WORTH 20 MARKS.
ELIGIBLE GRADES ARE A-E
40% TOTAL MARKS

4. EXAM TIMINGS
EXTENDED PAPER
Spend 15 minutes reading the two passages
Question One 42 minutes
Question Two 21 minutes
Question Three 42 Minutes
CORE PAPER
Spend 10 minutes reading the passage
Question One 55 minutes
Question Two 40 minutes

5. Both CORE and EXTENDED PAPERS are out of 50 marks.
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
Both CORE and EXTENDED PAPERS are out of 50 marks.
40 of those marks are awarded on your reading skills
10 marks on your writing skills.

6. Title Language Effects Learning Objectives:
To be able to identify features of language and explain the effects they can have on a reader

7. Today we are going to focus on one of the reading objectives
Today we are going to focus on one of the reading objectives. - R4 that is in both the CORE AND EXTENDED PAPER
The four reading objectives are:
R1 Understand and collate explicit meanings
R2 Understand, explain and collate implicit meanings and attitudes
R3 Select analyse and evaluate what is relevant to specific purposes
R4 Understand how writers achieve effects.

8. In the Extended Paper it is Question 2 that tests this reading objective
To answer this type of question you need to be able to pick out and interesting words and phrases.
You need to be aware of language features also known as linguistic devices.
You also need to be confident in explaining the effect a certain word or phrase has on the reader.

9. How is language used for effect?
Language is always used for some kind of effect or other. Often, without commenting on specific linguistic devices, you can talk about the kind of language a writer uses, noticing what kind of words are used, or what kind of tone or style is created by language and structure. Look at these examples…
The writer uses dramatic and violent language in order to describe the horror of the attack at the end of the extract. Phrases like “chill horror”, “sudden fear” and “thunderous crack” portray the fear and terror experienced by the Indians who are attacked.
Powerful words such as “war”, “huge” and “ruining” emphasise and perhaps exaggerate the seriousness of the issue.
Stress that this question is not merely a ‘hunt’ for language devices. Students still need to be showing a sound understanding of the articles, and can talk about the kind of language used (e.g. positive / negative, formal / informal, descriptive / factual, serious / humorous, dramatic / neutral etc.
The writer uses a chatty, informal tone, using contractions like “I’m” “don’t” and “can’t”.
Language is highly descriptive, with adjectives such as “golden” and “spectacular” conveying the writer’s appreciation for his surroundings.

10. Common linguistic devices
1st, 2nd or 3rd person (narrative viewpoint)
Word play & puns
Alliteration
Directly addressing the reader
Rhyme & Rhythm
Anecdote & Allusion
Imperatives
Slogan & Catchphrase
Rhetorical questions
Statistics & Facts
Register - Formal/Informal language
Exaggeration & Hyperbole
Repetition
Diction - Simple/Complex vocabulary
Humour
Lists
Emotive language
Figurative Language & Imagery: Similes/Metaphor/
Punctuation type
Expert advice
Short sentences
Personification etc.
Superlatives

11. Language Features Match the technique to the definition
Direct Address/Audience involvement
Anecdote
Emotive Language
Using facts and figures
Rhetorical Questions
Short sentences
Expert opinion
Irony/Sarcasm
Invites trust, suggests knowledge.
Use of words like demand/urge/want/frightening
Ideas presented in a way that seems opposite to what is really meant
Little stories to involve reader/create sympathy
Using words such as ‘you’, ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘I’
Questions that can not be answered
To shock/surprise – make reader believe writer is knowledgeable
Gets message across

12. To prepare yourself for answering Question 2 COMPLETE THE PIXEL THERAPY AND TESTING HANDOUTS.

13. Tips for answering -Extended Paper Question 2
Spend your time equally on both paragraphs/parts of the question
Highlight a range of words and phrases that seem powerful to you from both paragraphs.
Put quotation marks around your choices.
Avoid general comments such as the ‘writer makes you feel that you are really there’ or ‘this is a descriptive phrase.’
To explain effects, think of what the reader sees and feels when reading the word or phrase.
You need to use up to five examples from each paragraph. One or two examples are not enough to get 7-10 marks.

14. YOU MUST NEVER USE THE FOLLOWING PHRASES!!! … UNLESS YOU EXPLAIN WHY
The language is good
The language eye-catching
The language is effective
The language is interesting
The language makes the reader think
The language means…
… UNLESS YOU EXPLAIN WHY

15. Using PEEL Point – Identify a technique
Evidence – Give a short quotation
Explain – The effect of this technique on the reader
Link – Refer back to the question (repeat some of the words)
Using PEEL

16. Extended Question 2 Bear Grylls
EXAM PRACTICE
Extended Question 2 Bear Grylls
Read the extract as a group.
Re- read the descriptions of:
The fall in paragraph 3, beginning ‘‘I flip on to my front’’
The accidents in paragraph 5, beginning ‘‘Instead, I am in agony, writhing and crying.’’
Select words and phrases from these descriptions, and explain how the writer has created effects by using this language
Write between 1 and 1 ½ sides, allowing for the size of your handwriting
You have 21 minutes to answer the question

17. Extended Question 2- 2012 paper
EXAM PRACTICE
Extended Question paper
Read the extract about Julia’s visit to the rainforest as a group
Re-read the descriptions of:
The rainforest and its wildlife in paragraph 1, from ‘The family was trudging...’
Julia’s walk through the rainforest in search of her parents in paragraph 4, from ‘hours later...’
Select words and phrases from these descriptions, and explain how the writer has created effects by using this language
Write between 1 and 1 ½ sides, allowing for the size of your handwriting
You have 21 minutes to answer the question

18. PLENARY
Read through the Model answer for this question as a group.
Highlight particular sentences you think are good.
In your book write down the top three things the writer has done.