1. The Link Question The link question is always testing 1, 2 and 3 3 3 If you understand how the link sentence connects X to Y 2 2 If you understand the ideas which follow the link 1 1 If you understand the ideas which have just been presented before the link

2. It seems, however, that image belongs to a vanishing breed (1) What do you think the passage has just been talking about? What clues are in the link itself? (Left hand) Stage One: Look first at the link itself. (2) What do you think the passage will go on to talk about? What clues are in the link itself? (Right hand)

3. It seems, however, that image belongs to a vanishing breed. Look at the circled phrases, then at paras 1 and 2. a) What are the left hand and right hand in the link? b) What idea in para 1 does the left hand connect to? c) What idea in para 2 does the right hand connect to? At the heart of Lynne Dunlop’s farmhouse in an archetypal country kitchen: stone floor, bright checked tablecloth, wellies by the door. Here is found everyone’s preconception of a farmer’s wife: “Someone with a blue rinse, wearing a housecoat, baking scones” 1 A survey in this month’s Country Life magazine reveals that 64% of farmers’ wives have a career outside of the home, and those who do not are far more likely to be equal partners in the mucky end of the business, more likely to be found driving a tractor or delivering a lamb than making jam. 2

4. It seems, however, that image belongs to a vanishing breed. At the heart of Lynne Dunlop’s farmhouse is an archetypal country kitchen: stone floor, bright checked tablecloth, wellies by the door. Here is found everyone’s preconception of a farmer’s wife: “Someone with a blue rinse, wearing a housecoat, baking scones” X A survey in this month’s Country Life magazine reveals that 64% of farmers’ wives have a career outside of the home, and those who do not are far more likely to be equal partners in the mucky end of the business, more likely to be found driving a tractor or delivering a lamb than making jam. Y Illustration Left hand Right hand

5. Sample Answer : 2 marks “That image” refers back to the previous paragraph where the stereotype of the farmer’s wife was discussed: “everyone’s preconception of a farmer’s wife”. “However” indicates that this is about to change, and “vanishing breed” links forward on to the next paragraph where statistics and examples are offered to show that the old ways are changing and new habits are taking hold: “64% of farmers’ wives have a career outside of the home” and others take part in rough farm work. 1/2

6. Remember: Quote the bit in the link which links back (left hand) Explain what the writer was saying previously that it’s linking back to Quote the bit in the link which links forward (right hand) Explain what the writer goes on to say that the link is introducing

7. William Shakespeare is easily the best known of our writers.Virtually anyone can name several of his plays and characters, and many people can recite lines of his poetry. Yet, despite our familiarity with his work, we know relatively little of the man himself. We do not know when or why he became an actor, we know nothing of his life in London, and his personal life is a mystery.

8. My mother was born in Nairn in 1920. On her mother’s side there was some connection to the local landowners, and it was believed in the family that one of their ancestors may have had royal blood. But whatever grand notions her family may have had, my mother’s life was harsh and undistinguished. She left school at a very young age and had to keep house for her sick mother; at the age of fourteen she worked a twelve hour day as a maid of all work for the local minister.

9. Persuading kids to choose broccoli over burgers is no mean feat and the journey in Auchinleck High is anything but over; but the school’s success proves it might just be possible to educate Scottish children to make healthier eating choices and stave off long-term health problems, such as obesity and diabetes. However, despite the obvious attractions of such initiatives, there is a gaping flaw in the plan for most schools. Roast chicken with lemon and rosemary roast potatoes may look mouth-watering in Auchinleck’s newly refurbished trendy café, but in a multipurpose school hall where 30 whiffy adolescents might have run around barefoot and sweating not half an hour beforehand... well, suddenly things look less appetising.

10. “Attractions of such initiatives” is linking back to the idea of schools such as Auchinbeck High introducing new dining areas for the children in order to introduce healthy choices into their diets. “flaw in the plan” links forward to the hygiene problem within schools as some schools have to use the same halls in which other activities take place to hold the school cafeteria which is “less appetising” and makes introducing healthy food seem pointless. 1/2

11. However, despite Blanche’s attempts to present herself as upper class in her first appearance, the audience can immediately see through her.

12. In Scene three, Blanche establishes an awkward friendship with Mitch: she persuades him to cover the lightbulb with a paper lantern, symbolising her need to hide the harsh truth, and she admires the quotation on his cigarette case, which makes her seem cultured. She says he “seems different”, and he seems to look up to her, shown in the way her imitates her dancing. WRITE THE LINK By scene 8, the truth has been revealed to Mitch by Stanley, and he fails to turn up to Blanche’s birthday party. When he does appear, in scene 9, he is drunk and unshaven, where previously he always dressed up for Blanche. He is clearly not only angry but also disappointed, which is made clear when …