Now discuss the general effect of the words.
• Here’s a model of a possible overview for the PPE question.
• The general effect of the words used to describe the common land is
to create the image of an ugly and unsightly place. Also it seems like
a hostile and wild area. Its dangers are exaggerated by Rufus as he
attempts to manipulate his audience.
• In your group on the A3 paper create a similar overview for your text.
• Group leaders to do the writing.
Model of the method
• Carmichael uses the word ‘eyesore’ to describe the common
land. This literally means something that is very ugly. It
suggests that the land is so unsightly it is painful to behold.
In the text the writer intends to show that Carmichael is
using this word to suggest to the audience the land has a
negative effect on the community and has no value and must
be redeveloped. He is suggesting he can turn an ‘eyesore’
into an attractive place to be proud of.
Now take a word each
and write your
response
using the method.
Underlined: monitor rest of group following the
Method and assist if needed. It’s up to you to make
sure everyone follows the Method!
Bronze challenge : use these instruction to help
you answer the Silver or Gold question.
1: Read the question and highlight the key words.
2: Read the paragraphs and select all possible examples.
3: Select the most powerful, making sure you include imagery.
4: Aim for 4 words / phrases that have a similar effect on the reader.
5: summarise the effect in a short overview.
6: Analyse each word using the Method:
7: Literal meaning ;
8: Word in context;
9: Effect on reader.
10: Complete all aspects of the Question: (a) Overview + 4 (b) Overview + 4.
Silver Challenge
This passage describes the finding of a wild child in northern India.
It was the dry season when Narsingh Singh decided to cycle to see his cousin, who lives in a village
on the far side of Musafirkhana forest, about 20 miles from Sultanpur. He had got to about half way
and it was approaching mid-morning, and a sweltering temperature, when he came to the area of
Question 2
Re-read the descriptions of:
(a) the area and its wildlife in
paragraph 1;
thick bush in the middle of the forest. The track sliced through thickets of stately bamboo and passed
by statuesque thorn trees which seemed to have been carved and placed there to pose, their spiky
fingers pointing against the blinding blue background of empty sky, with alert, flamboyantly-beaked
hornbills perched on their pinnacles to boom a warning.
In the scrub behind one of these he heard some squealing, so he got off his bicycle, crept up stealthily,
(b) the appearance of the boy
in paragraph 2.
Select four powerful words or
phrases from each paragraph.
Your choices should include
imagery.
and saw a boy playing with four or five wolf cubs. He was absolutely certain that they were wolves. The
first things he noticed about the boy were his darkened skin, fingernails grown into claws, a tangle of
knotted hair, and unusually pointed teeth. Then he saw the callouses on his palms, elbows and knees,
and the scars on the side of his head which the mother wolf would have made when she picked him
up and carried him as a baby. The boy ran rapidly on all fours, yet couldn’t keep up with the cubs as
they made for cover. The mother wolf was not in sight. Narsingh Singh caught the boy – and was bitten
badly on the arm as a result – but he managed to truss him up in his towel, lash him to the bicycle with
rope, and ride back home with him.
Explain how each word or
phrase is used effectively in
the context.
Write about 200 to 300 words.
Up to 10 marks are available
for the content of your
answer.
Challenge aim to complete the entire question in 20 minutes. After 20 min draw a line across the page and continue to complete the whole
Gold Challenge
Passage A: Into the Wild
Question 2
Re-read the descriptions of:
Christopher McCandless dreamed of living off the land of the Alaskan wilderness. In April
1992 he hitchhiked from Enderlin, North Dakota, to Fairbanks, Alaska. He was last seen
alive on April 28, 1992, by Jim Gallien, a local, who had given McCandless a ride from
Fairbanks to the head of the Stampede Trail and warned him of the dangers ahead.
(a) the surrounding environment
in paragraph 1, beginning ‘From
the bus Christopher gazed…’
From the bus Christopher gazed out over the majesty of the savage kingdom. He was now
ruler of the lowland valley between the outer range to the south and the east to west
ridge system to the north. The rugged flat lowland between the two ridge systems snarled
with tussock tundra, and the sea green grasses that crowded the bog land thrashed
violently whenever the winds whipped and cracked. The edge of the historic Stampede
Trail was just about visible from the crown of the hill, though on misty mornings it slipped
silently away from sight. Surrounding hillsides and spur ridges were brushy and wild like
primitive beasts unable to control their animal urges.
The Teklanika River separated Christopher from safety. He had first crossed it early in the
season when the tides were low. Three months later it had now fully woken and
transformed into a raging torrent. The current thundered north and punched its way
through the helpless canyon near Mt. Wright. From there it ripped open against the banks
before forcing its way back down the single channel where the Stampede Trail crossed.
The water was like pure ice and in places near the edge it had sunk its chilly bite into the
overhanging grasses that had clearly tried to retreat before being turned to stone. There
was no obvious way to cross, particularly without the necessary harnesses he had left in
his garage. The river could not be passed and so Christopher eventually turned and made
his way back to the bus.
Challenge aim to complete the entire question in 20 minutes. After 20 min draw a line
(b) description of the river in
paragraph 2 beginning ‘The
Teklanika River separated…’
.
Select four powerful words or
phrases from each paragraph.
Your choices should include
imagery.
Explain how each word or
phrase is used effectively in
the context.
Write about 200 to 300 words.
Up to 10 marks are available
for the content of your
answer.