National 5 Exam preparation Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation

Preliminary Examinations In January you will have a practice run of the exams you’ll sit in May. The Preliminary exam will consist of: Answering questions on the MacCaig poetry 45 minutes = 20 marks (includes 8 mark question) Writing an essay on either the film/short story/play you’ve read in class 45 mins = 20 marks Reading a NON-FICTION passage and answering questions (1 hour = 9 questions = 30 marks)

Answering questions using your own words Picking out and explaining why certain words have been used Explaining why sentence types are effective including linking Summarising points/ideas made by the writer Explaining effective imagery and use of language Identify and explain the tone/attitude of the writer

LAST YEAR’S PAPER PASSAGE, QUESTIONS + ANSWERS ON MRSWOODSENGLISH Exploring Question TYPES (i.e. how to answer) And MARKS (i.e. How many points do I write?)

Question Clues: “In Your Own Words” = Find + Translate How many points? 4 marks = 4 points “Show how Explain how With reference to the text Quote/Find a word, phrase, expression Analyse how” = Quote + Comment/Effect (1) + (1) = 2 Marks So 4 marks = 2 sets of Quote + Comment answers

This week – Answering questions in your own words You will either: 1)Be given specific paragraph/line references, or 2)Will be required to summarise key points in the whole passage => Find and Translate => Use Bullet Points

Task 1: On the board there are sentences with very similar meanings. Find and match them. Niagara Falls is viewed by thousands of tourists every year The grey clouds were a warning of an approaching storm It was a spacious room with lit candles all over Each year, thousands of people visit Niagara Falls. Candles flickered from many areas of the large room The coming storm was foretold by the dark clouds The turquoise Caribbean waters were calm The still waters of the Caribbean were teal in colour

Now you’ll see how you can use this skill in the exam True, the iPhone 5S does have one major innovation in the fingerprint sensor, a security feature which may help make consumers more confident in banking and shopping online. Under the bonnet, it may also prove to be the fastest smartphone on the market - for a few months until the game of leapfrog continues. But in appearance - unless you go for the gold version - you would be hard put to differentiate it from the previous model. These paragraphs offer 2 advantages and 1 disadvantage of the new iPhone 5s. In your own words explain what these are (3 marks)

Answers Advantages: 1)It scans your finger prints making internet banking and shopping safer 2)It has a powerful processor Disadvantages: 3) It does not look any different from the previous version.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WRITER’S LANGUAGE Writer’s language means … Word choice Poetic techniques (similies/metaphors etc) Imagery Sentence structure Tone

Word Choice One feature of language you could be asked about is word choice. Look for strong words. Answers should follow the pattern: Q+C/E: Quote the word from the passage Comment on its connotations (what the word suggests) Effect - Explain why it has been used by the writer – try and be specific

Word Choice Questions = 2 marks Quote + Comment/Effect (1) + (1) Comment on the word choice in each of the following: The boy was interrogated about his actions by his parents. “Interrogated” means to be questioned intensely over a long period of time. This suggests the parents asked the boy lots of questions, possibly to catch him out. We have been bombarded with numerous images. “Bombarded” means to be inundated/overwhelmed with something. This suggests that there have been an excessive amount images. A return to the dark ages could be imminent. “imminent” means about to happen/soon. This suggests that it could happen at any moment soon.

Task : Show how the language used in the following is effective …. sloppy clothes squandered his money a reckless plan a calculated response to the question a valuable employee The shirt was made of flimsy material Steps: QUOTE the word COMMENT on connotations EFFECT: why it is an effective word to use.

The missing part of the Cinderella story is what happens when she puts on the glass slipper and disappears into the palace. Rowling filled in the blanks, describing to Jeremy Paxman how she has to cope with begging letters, journalists rifling through her bins, photographers lurking on the beach, and strangers accosting her in the supermarket. taken from an article in The Scotsman newspaper, June 2003 SQA specimen question paper Explain how the writer’s word choice in these lines helps to show the negative effects of fame. (4 marks)

“begging” is constant and relentless requests/peads for something. This suggests that JK Rowling had constant demands for money from some fans. “rifling” is to sort through something quickly and without much care. This suggests that she had people digging through her bins making a mess searching for things. “lurking” means to follow or watch in a odd way from a distance. This suggests that photographs followed/watched her in an almost sinister manner.

Language Techniques Name the technique (simile, metaphor etc.), explain what it means and explain why it’s effective

Task One: Copy down the definitions to add to your glossary/notes on close reading The sun is like a yellow football in the sky Life is a roller coaster The tall grass danced in the wind SimileA comparison of two things using the words LIKE or AS MetaphorSaying that one thing IS something else PersonificationGiving something human qualities

Some other examples of language features Use all these definitions to identify examples of these techniques AlliterationRepetition of consonants at the start of several words OnomatopoeiaUsing a word to describe a sound OxymoronContradictory terms placed side by side IronyUsing words to show the opposite of its literal meaning ClichéAn over-used expression HyperboleAn exaggeration

Examples of OXYMORONS …. It was an open secret that the company had used a paid volunteer to test the plastic glasses. Although they were made using liquid gas technology and were an original copy that looked almost exactly like a more expensive brand, the volunteer thought that they were pretty ugly and that it would be simply impossible for the general public to accept them. On hearing this feedback, the company board was clearly confused and there was a deafening silence. This was a minor crisis and the only choice was to drop the product line.

Task Two: Copy out the examples and write the name of the technique. The popcorn leapt out of the bowl. Rabbits Running Over Roses Her memories were bitter sweet. Her home was a prison. My love is like a red, red rose What goes around comes around “I’ve told you a million times” Britain’s biggest dog was called Tiny

Language Technique Questions: The fact that it’s been put in a question means that it’s obviously effective…but the examiner wants to know WHY! Steps: 1.Quote - What is the technique? 2.Comment - What does it mean? (what is being compared? 3.Effect - Why is it effective? Read the following extract and explain why the language technique is effective.

It was easy standing here to recall the bustle of business life. It came to him how much he wanted it, that activity. It was more than just something you did to make money: it was the only life he knew and he was missing out on it, standing on the side-lines like a face in the crowd at a football game. 1.What is the technique? 2.What does it mean? 3.Why is it effective? Identify and explain this image. Comment on the effectiveness of this image.

Quote: “standing on the side-lines like a face in the crowd at a football game.” Comment: Simile: His life is being compared to a spectator in a crowd. Effect: He feels he is an unknown observer watching, but not participating in the main activities (of life)

Imagery Follow the Steps: 1.What two things are being compared? (metaphor/simile) 2.What is the literal meaning of the image? 3.Why is the comparison effective?

A tidal wave of tourists crashed into the souvenir store stripping the shelves tinsel and tack. 1.What two things are being compare? 2.What is the literal meaning of the image? 3.Why is it effective? 4.What does the word choice of “tinsel and tack” suggest about the writer’s attitude to souvenir shops?

Links to poetry … ImageSteps 1,2 and 3 “sat slumped like a half- filled sack” “a withered hand trembles on its stalk” “a glass fang is fixed not guzzling but giving” “a carousel of language” “a walking masterpiece”

Sentence structure/link sentences You need to explain how the sentence is put together and explain why it has been done in that way. In order to get the marks you should: Q+ C/E  Identify the feature of sentence structure  Quote or give the line number  Comment on the effect of the sentence

Task One: Copy out this list of possible sentence structure features  Short (minor) sentence  Rhetorical question  Parenthesis (brackets/ellipsis)  Use of list, climax/anti-climax  Ellipsis  Repetition  Antithesis (balanced structure ie. Contrast in a sentence)

How to Answer a question on Sentence Structure: 1)Quote the technique (and the line/s it appears on if necessary) 2)Comment on its effect – WHY has the writer written this way??

Now try a couple of examples The transaction seemed to fluster her, as if she might not have enough money to pay for the few things she’d bought. A tin of lentil soup. An individual chicken pie. One solitary tomato. Maybe she did need the avocados – or something else. Q: How does the writer emphasis that the woman had bought ‘few things’ through the use of sentence structure? A: Fragmented sentences. To emphasise how little she bought the writer puts each item in a sentence of its own. Suggests each purchase is well-considered.

The surreal plot emerged from bedtime stories Dahl told to daughters Tessa and Olivia. The hero, four-year-old James, is orphaned after his parents are killed by a rhinoceros. James is sent to live with his wicked aunts, the start of a traditional Dahl theme – the solitary child at the mercy of cruel adults. Q: Describe a feature of sentence structure in this paragraph and explain the purpose of this feature. A: Use of a dash. Used to introduce the traditional theme

Here are some key punctuation features you should know …EllipsisDots used to tail off a sentence or to show gaps in speech or writing :ColonOften used to introduce a list, a quotation, an idea, information, an explanation or statement -Dash (parenthesis)Can be used like a pair of brackets to set aside information or singly to introduce a piece of information ‘ Inverted commasGo round exact words said when someone speaks or round the words quoted or can imply that something is just ‘so called’ ( )BracketsUsed to separate off information which is interesting but not vital. The sentence would still make sense without the information in the brackets

Linking questions You could be asked to explain how paragraphs (ideas) are linked together through the structure of a sentence. There are 4 things you should do in order to get full marks: What the idea is BEFORE the link QUOTE from the link sentence showing that idea What the idea is AFTER the link QUOTE from the link sentence showing the new idea

The three witches in Macbeth, prancing and cackling round their cauldron, provide the accepted cliches of witch behaviour and taste. Alas the Macbeth witches have merely served to reinforce prejudice, rather than cast illumination. So does the witch deserve her poor image? It is probably that the Wiccan creed goes back to the dawn of religious belief, when cave dwellers peered out and saw wonder in the rhythm of the changing seasons. Early witchcraft was probably no more than a primitive attempt to make sense of the unknown. Q: In what way can the single sentence be regarded as a link of the ideas within this article? Answer

1.‘her poor image’ 2.Refers back to the prejudiced ideas about withes mentioned already, such as those found in Macbeth. 3.The questions ‘Does the witch deserve…?’ 4.Introduces the next part of the passage, which is going to present a truer history of witchcraft.