Exam Revision
Unit 1
20%
1 hour
English
Exam skills
Mrs Benzies
Would like you to check that you understand all sections
of the exam you will be sitting tomorrow.
Like Comment 2 minutes ago
Write down anything you want to go over in your comments box.
Learning Objectives
To check that you understand what the
questions are asking
To ensure that you are clear on which
techniques to use
Dictionary Challenge: Key Terms
Impression
Viewpoint
Attitude
Analysis
Persuasive
Compare
Contrast
The Text
• Expect that there will be some difficult words
or phrases.
• If you do not understand them, try to work
out what they are saying by looking at the
information around it.
• Concentrate on what you do understand
rather than what you don’t.
• The text will have numbers down the side to
guide you to lines.
Answering the questions:
• Usually there are 4 10 point questions.
• Sometimes, there will be 3 10 points and 2 5 points.
• You should aim for a side for a 10 point question – at
least half a side.
• 5 point questions should be about half a side, but a
minimum of 5 lines.
• Never leave a question – you are throwing marks
away!
• Always at least attempt an answer and watch the
time.
• Missed questions are missed marks!
Types of questions
• INFORMATION RETRIEVAL (Search and find)
• Explain how and/or why (What
explanations/reasons are given ….?)
• What evidence does the writer/text use….?
• Now look at the rest of the article.
2. Explain why Charles Starmer-Smith thinks
cycling is a popular and enjoyable activity. [10]
• Look at the first page of the article in the
Resource Material: ‘The Rise and Fall of Mr
Fox’ by Adam Edwards.
1. (a) Explain why foxes became so popular.
(b) According to Adam Edwards, why have foxes
become so common in towns? [10]
What?
IMPRESSIONS (Personal Response)
• What impressions do you get of the writer or
a place or an organisation or people?
• What do you think and feel about …..
• What do you learn about…?
Look at the first page of the article in the
Resource Material: ‘REINVENTING THE WHEEL’.
1. What thoughts and feelings has Charles
Starmer-Smith had about cycling at different
stages of his life? You should write about his
thoughts and feelings:
• as a boy;
• as an adolescent;
• as a man.
[10]
VIEWPOINT/ATTITUDE
• What are the writer’s attitude to …
• What are the writer’s opinions of …
• What are the writer’s thoughts and feelings about …
ANALYSIS OF PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUE
• How does the writer try to encourage or interest or argue?
• How does this text try to persuade or show or sell or
influence?
• Now look at the essay on the opposite page:
‘The Pleasures of London Cycling’.
3.How does Deborah Moggach try to prove that
‘anyone with any sense’ cycles in London?
[10]
• Now look at the rest of the article by Adam
Edwards.
• 2. How does Adam Edwards try to turn his
readers against foxes? You should track
through the article and think about:
• what he says;
• how he says it.[10]
Look at the article on the opposite page:
‘Fantastic Mr Urban Fox’ by Professor Stephen
Harris.
• 3. How does Professor Stephen Harris try to
prove that the urban fox has found ‘a place in
our hearts’? Track through the text and think
about:
•what he says;
• how he says it.
A4
COMPARISON OF TEXTS
• Compare and contract these texts.
• Using information from both texts, explain
why or what you learn …
• What do you learn from these texts about …
• To answer the next question you will need to
refer to both texts.
• 4. Compare and contrast what these two texts
say about the problems and disadvantages of
cycling. Organise your answer into two
paragraphs, using the following headings:
• Charles Starmer-Smith
• Deborah Moggach
[10]
• To answer the following question you will
need to use both texts.
4. Compare and contrast what these two texts
say about the urban fox. Organise your answer
under the following headings:
• the threat foxes are to humans;
• the threat foxes are to other animals.
You must make it clear where you get your
information from. [10]
What is the purpose of each text?
The purpose of the article is to inform people of the symptoms that many people may suffer
from if they are having sleep problems. It is factual and makes it clear that the impact of
a lack of sleep can have everyday symptoms like being ‘grumpy’, but that it can also have
more severe consequences like being ‘more vulnerable to depression’. The purpose of the
webpage is to show people that they do not need to suffer unnecessarily from sleep
deprivation as there are a wealth of simple solutions to solve any issues. It encourages
them to ne optimistic and to ‘look forward to great sleep in the near future!’
Who are the texts written for?
The article is aimed at anyone who is suffering from the symptoms of sleep deprivation and
the information is suitable for people of all ages. The webpage has a broad teenage
audience as it was taken from a teenage website (www.teenissues.co.uk). The audience
could be teenagers themselves or parents who are worried about their children’s sleep.
What are the writers’ attitudes towards sleep problems?
The writer’s attitude towards sleep problems in the article is that it doesn’t have to be a huge
burden on your life. It does stress that it can have an impact on things we take for
granted, such as ‘being less able to carry out our normal everyday tasks’. It also suggests
that it doesn’t always have to be viewed as something debilitating as ‘tasks requiring
concentration and effort should still be achievable’. The writer’s attitude to sleep
problems on the webpage is that individuals need to be proactive when looking for a
solution and ‘take matters into your own hands’. It also suggests that suffering from sleep
difficulties is quite common due to ‘hectic schedules’ which helps to reassure the reader.
Examiner’s Comment
This answer is competently organised and the writer has helpfully included headings in
their answer as suggested by the task, which helps keep the answer focused and relevant.
Each point has been well supported by textual evidence/supporting detail. The student
could have been more concise by making more use of overview in this answer, but it is a
thorough and consistent answer which would achieve grade A*
English
Exam skills
Mrs Benzies
Would like you to check that you understand all sections
of the exam you will be sitting tomorrow.
Like Comment 55 minutes ago
Great student
Today I.............................
Tomorrow I will .............................
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