Intermediate 1 English. Close Reading Question Types ... to get enough exercise.
He also felt that playing games like these, for lengthy periods, ultimately led to ...
Intermediate 1 English Close Reading Question Types
Question Types: Understanding (Own Words) Referring to Passage Sentence Structure Word-Choice Context Linking Tone Imagery
Understanding (Own Words): Most understanding questions require you to answer a question in your OWN WORDS. The question will usually tell you that you need to use your own words, but if there is a letter U at the nd of a question it is always best to use your own words as far as possible. An understanding question might look like this: Explain in your own words what is meant by “the decibel levels are substantial” (lines 4–5). 2 U
How Do I Answer It?
Understanding (Own Words): The best way of answering these questions is: Find the answer
Translate it into your own words
Underline it
Practice Exercises
Understanding (Own Words): John had always hated computer games. Addicts spent far too long indoors and failed to get enough exercise. He also felt that playing games like these, for lengthy periods, ultimately led to players suffering from restricted social skills.
Using your own words, explain why John "hated" computer games.
2
U
I would never live in a city - the streets are far too congested with both pedestrians and automobiles. The inhabitants of urban areas are also often aloof and cold. Explain, in your own words, why the writer would never live in a city.
2
U
Referring to Passage: These are becoming less and less common. They often say things like "referring to the passage" / "using textual evidence" / "quote two expressions". You are required to QUOTE when completing this type of question. A "referring to passage" question might look like this: Quote two expressions which make the writer's hatred of cats clear. (lines 9-15). 2 U
How Do I Answer It?
Referring to Passage The best way of answering these questions is: Explain how the quotation links to the question
Find the answer
"Quote" Quote all or part of what you have underlined
Underline it
Practice Exercises
Referring to Passage Fife is a wild place. The inhabitants are hostile - and often violent. There is lots of unemployment, caused mainly by the end of the mining industry which provided jobs in the region. There are too many soulless villages, populated by people with nothing to do and all day to do it. This, inevitably, leads to high crime figures.
1. By referring to the passage, explain one objection the writer has to the people of Fife. 2 U 2. Using textual evidence, identify one reason the writer provides to explain why Fife has problems. 2 U
Sentence Structure Sentence structure questions involve you having to identify unusual features such as: punctuation; repetition; word order. They require you to comment on why the writer uses sentence structure in an unusual manner. A sentence structure question might look like this: Look at the sentence in lines 21–23, and then explain how the sentence structure helps to get across the writer’s argument. 2 U
Sentence Structure Sentence structure questions revolve around writers trying to emphasise words or ideas. Look out for: Short sentences draw our attention to and emphasise the words/ideas in them. Long sentences often build up to a climax, drawing our attention to and emphasizing what is at the end of them, which is therefore emphasized. Lists often draw our attention to what is actually listed, often to emphasise how much of something there is.
Sentence Structure Colons (:) often create a pause for emphasis, drawing our attention to what follows immediately after the colon. Brackets or dashes are used to separate something from the rest of the sentence, thus emphasising what is in parenthesis, e.g. example, additional information, change of tone, important ideas. A single dash can create a pause for emphasis - often to create a comic tone. The use of exclamation marks emphasises how passionately a writer feels about something.
Sentence Structure The use of exclamation marks emphasises how passionately a writer feels about something! Using a series of questions might emphasise confusion. The use of questions that directly involve the reader can help emphasise the ideas in the question, as we pay more attention to them due to an increased sense of involvement. Look out for rhetorical questions, which are used to make a point and do not need an answer. Repetition – any word or phrases which are repeated, automatically stand out, emphasising certain ideas.
Sentence Structure Word Order – Another name for word order is syntax. Look out, in particular for a technique called inversion, which takes what would usually be at the end of a sentence and places it at the start, e.g. “Exhausted, we reached the top of the mountain.” or “Being two-faced was the thing she was best at”. We pay attention to “Exhausted” in the first example and “being twofaced” in the second. This is mainly due to the fact that they are so clearly placed in a strange position within the sentence. Inverted commas are often put around words to distance the writer from what is written. It may show the writer's distaste for what is written or, often, create a sarcastic tone. So "cool".
How Do I Answer It?
Sentence Structure The best way of answering these questions is: Technique and Quote
Link back to what the question is asking
Explain what the technique EMPHASISES
Practice Exercises
Sentence Structure The greatest sport in the world is - football! It is played in stuffy European cities, on African plains, in dusty fields under blazing Arabian skies, in the cramped streets of South American ghettoes and on remote North Atlantic islands. Look at the sentence in lines 1-3, and then explain how the sentence structure helps to get across the writer's enthusiasm for football. 2 U
Waiting. John had been waiting all day. Waiting for her (not that she was worth it). How does the writer use sentence structure to emphasise John's mood?
2
U
Practice Exercises
Sentence Structure Susan had to wash dishes, make the beds, hoover the hall, clean the windows, water the plants in the garden, walk the dogs, cook a meal for four people, tidy her bedroom pack two suitcases and disinfect the toilet. A really " exciting"" day. How does the writer use sentence structure to highlight the sort of day Susan had? 2 U
She wanted me to ask her out: I never would. Comment on the writer's use of sentence structure in line 1?
2
U
Word Choice: Word Choice questions should be straightforward enough. Basically, you quote the relevant word and explain why the writer has used that particular word. What connotations does it have? What does it suggest? Why use that word and not another similar one? A word choice question might look like this: How does the writer's word choice convey the his excitement at meeting DJ Bad Boi for the first time? (lines 23-27) 2 U
Word Choice: All words come with ideas that attach to them - as though each word has other ideas which velcro to it. For instance:
Stop
Danger
Red Love
Blood
Word Choice: Or:
Arrogance
Proud
Swagger Confidence
Cocky
How Do I Answer It?
Word Choice The best way of answering these questions is: Technique and Quote
Link back to what the question is asking
Explain what the word suggests or has connotations of
Practice Exercises
Word Choice The woman was one of the most horrific people I had ever laid eyes on. Her eyes were grotesque, like a gargoyle's, and her lips were gruesome. How does the writer's word choice convey an impression of the woman's appearance? 2 U
The men were eager to get cracking on the job. Their eyes gleamed when they heard about the possible rewards waiting for them. How does the writer use word choice to explain the mood of the workmen before they started a job? 2 U
