Exam practice: unit 1 section A – reading non-fiction texts Newspaper articles.

Cars are crushed by a collapsed wall at a car park in Mito City, after a massive Earthquake hit Japan Alliteration (repetition of similar sounds) ‘c’ is used to grab the reader’s interest in the story. The word ‘massive’ is a superlative (exaggeration) which shows just how powerful the earthquake was. Cars are crushed by a collapsed wall at a car park in Mito City, after a massive Earthquake hit Japan

MASSIVE earthquake in Japan unleashes ferocious tsunami How does this headline and picture grab our interest?

Crews Scour Tsunami Zone for Victims How does this headline and picture grab our interest?

Japan earthquake: Emperor Akihito 'deeply worried' A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan triggering a tsunami that has caused extensive damage. Japan's TV showed cars, ships and even buildings being swept away in the Fukushima prefecture, after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake. Officials said a wave as high as 6m (20ft) could strike the coast. The quake struck about 250 miles (400km) from Tokyo at a depth of 20 miles, shaking buildings in the capital for several minutes. TV stations interrupted programming on Wednesday to show the emperor describing the crisis facing the nation as "unprecedented in scale". The 77-year-old - deeply respected by many Japanese - said: "I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times." Japan's head of state - who acceded to the throne in 1989 after the death of his father Hirohito - said he prayed that every victim would be saved. Presentation: Short, bold headline – grabs the readers attention Quotation tells the reader how the emperor of Japan is feeling – makes us empathise (understand what victims are going through) A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan triggering a tsunami that has caused extensive damage. Japan's TV showed cars, ships and even buildings being swept away in the Fukushima prefecture, after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake. Officials said a wave as high as 6m (20ft) could strike the coast. The quake struck about 250 miles (400km) from Tokyo at a depth of 20 miles, shaking buildings in the capital for several minutes. TV stations interrupted programming on Wednesday to show the emperor describing the crisis facing the nation as "unprecedented in scale". The 77-year-old - deeply respected by many Japanese - said: "I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times." Japan's head of state - who acceded to the throne in 1989 after the death of his father Hirohito - said he prayed that every victim would be saved. Language- Emotive words highlight just how devastating the event is – get us emotionally involved. Quotations - from respected figures help us further empathise Evidence – facts and statistics are reported to inform the reader about the event.

Pop star Shakira meets earthquake children in Haiti Colombian pop star Shakira has met young survivors of the Haiti earthquake. The singer flew into the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince to meet children living in makeshift camps. She said her charity, Barefoot, is searching for suitable land to build a school for needy children. More than 200,000 people died and one million people were left homeless in the earthquake which struck the Caribbean island on 12 January. Humanitarian aid Arriving in the country on Sunday, Shakira waved to onlookers and greeted children living on a Haitian golf course that has been turned into a makeshift camp for 50,000 quake survivors. She was welcomed by Hollywood star Sean Penn, who is providing humanitarian aid at the refugee camps. They both spoke about challenges confronting Haiti since the disaster. Shakira's Barefoot foundation provides nutrition to more than 6,000 children in Colombia, and she is member of the ALAS foundation that advocates for children across Latin America. Questions to consider when reading: 1.Does the headline grab the reader’s attention? If yes, why? 2.Language: are there any emotive words used to make the reader emphasise with the people of Haiti? 3.What is the meaning of the word “makeshift”? What impression does it give of the children’s situation in Haiti? 4.What facts or statistics are used? What impression do they give of the situation?

Hurricane Katrina:'Tragedy for beautiful city' Hurricane Katrina has caused death and destruction in New Orleans, leaving most of the low-lying city flooded and facing desperate conditions and looting. One British man says it is a "tragedy" for the US city he made his home. Boats are being used to reach people in areas cut off by floods. Back in Britain, Noel Wyatt has been listening to radio news reports about floods, destruction and looting in New Orleans, frustrated knowing he can do little to help friends or rescue his home there. Mr Wyatt owns a house in the Louisiana city but returned to Derby around 18 months ago to care for his sick parents. But over the last few days, as reports have worsened, he wishes he could be back in New Orleans helping out. Questions to consider when reading: 1.What does this picture show? How does it make you feel? 2.How is the headline emotive? 3.What three words, all beginning with the same letter (therefore using alliteration), make us feel sorry for the people of New Orleans? 4.How does Noel Wyatt feel?