1. Close Reading Exam Skills
S4 Standard Grade

2. Know the format Close Reading exam paper will always be same format
a passage ( fiction or non-fiction)
followed by questions

3. Foundation will be short and about a familiar subject
General will be slightly long and on a topic not as familiar to you
Credit may contain quite complex ideas and be quite long

4. Read the introduction and study any photograph, caption or headline
These are there to help you
They will give you a good idea of what the passage is about
Will give you extra information which will help you understand the passage

5. For example… Previous credit close reading passage
‘In this extract the writer gives his impression of an area of Montana called the Badlands’

6. Read the question carefully and identify key words
Be sure what you are being asked
Underline or highlight key words in the question
This will help you focus on what you are being asked

7. For example…
‘Quote two expressions from this section that continue the comparison between prairie and the ocean’

8. Know how much to write
The amount of space indicates how much you should write
Some may be multiple choice or need only one word or phrase
The number of marks will give you an idea of how much to write

9. Quote if requested
You will be asked to answer in your own words or quote from the passage
‘Quote from the passage’
‘Show how the writer’
‘What evidence’
Require actual words and phrases

10. Have a go at every question
You might get it right!
Every mark counts
Don’t waste time if you’re stuck- go back to it later- you might get it when you return to it.

11. Watch your time Don’t spend too long on a question
Have a watch with you or make sure you know where the clock is
Don’t get stuck for ten minutes on a two mark question

12. Make your meaning clear
If the marker can’t understand your answer, you won’t get in any marks!
Don’t waffle or over-write- get to the point!

13. Check for bold type in the questions
Words typed in bold are important
It has been done to draw your attention to a specific focus

14. For example…
‘Write down two separate expressions that suggest the policemen were not expecting trouble’

15. Know what the questions are asking you to do

16. Close Reading will ask you to…
Identify a link
Evaluate a writer’s effectiveness
Identify the writer’s or character’s attitude
Identify a specific writing feature
Find specific expressions
Give reasons for your answers

17. 1. Identify a Link Look at structure of passage
‘How does the writer establish the link between paragraph 4 and paragraph 5?’
Look at structure of passage
Linking words such as ‘however’, ‘finally’, ‘after that’
Link through ideas

18. 2. Evaluate a writer’s effectiveness
How well the writer has doe his/ her job
First, work out what writer is trying to do
Build tense atmosphere
Persuade by repeating a point
Describing a scene in detail

19. ‘How effective do you find this?’
Asking your opinion on whether the writer has picked the best phrase
Not enough to say yes or no, you must explain why it is or is not effective

20. 3. Identify the writer’s or character’s attitude
Be sure who’s attitude you are being asked about
Notice the difference
‘What is the author’s attitude to the police’?
‘What does the author suggest about the attitude of the police?’

21. To answer this type of question look for descriptive words such as
Delighted
Horrified
Aggressive
Unusual

22. 4. Identify a specific writing feature
Writing technique
Features add together to create a writer’s style
For example long sentences or words that sound harsh (using t’s and d’s)

23. 5. Find a specific expression in the passage
‘Quote an expression that emphasises the idea of prejudice’
Look for a phrase with the same meaning or stronger eg ‘bias’, ‘racism’

24. ‘Explain what this expression adds’
Why a writer has used a particular word or phrase
An author chooses words very carefully and uses them for a reason
Purpose- to create atmosphere or attitude

25. 6. Give reasons for your answer
You will frequently be asked this
Give a reason for your answer
Justify your answer
Why?
This may be a two or three mark question

26. ‘What is surprising about the boy’s reaction
‘What is surprising about the boy’s reaction? Give a reason for your answer’.
This may be a two mark question
You get one mark for his reaction, one for why it is surprising

27. Activity Paired Work
Read the passage and make up six close reading questions testing the six key skills discussed
Make up answers and marking scheme
We will then swap the questions with another pair.

28. Passage
After breakfast on a bright, sunny morning, they paraded on the square, each group under its sergeant. Herded aboard trucks, the whole company was transported to Baldoon Aerodrome, where the men were to do their jumps. No one spoke much as they turned from the road and passed a sentry at the gate. Even a high-spirited Tam Devlin crouched down in a corner, with nothing to say for himself.
“We’re first to jump,” Sergeant Bolton informed his group. “Five men will go up with me in ten minutes’ time. Hold yourself in readiness.”
Alex could not still the tremor in his legs as he sat on the grass, waiting until the sergeant returned. His mouth felt like an oven that had long since overheated. Time and again, he looked up into the sky and asked himself why he had volunteered for the paratroops.
From Dropping Zone by P. Baillie