Symbols
Dear all,
We discussed the information below in class surrounding common symbols in Literature. Here's the information if you want to access it.
1. Colours: Colours often play a role in stories. Usually they represent emotions like love, anger, or sadness. Red is a passionate color that can symbolize love, anger, or passion. Blue can mean tranquility, peace, sadness, and in some cases fear. Yellow can mean spring, like turning over a new leaf, or it can symbolize sunlight or light. Shades of greens and browns can be used for nature, peace, and to give off a sense of hospitality, unless the browns are used in images of deserts which would symbolize a’ death in nature.’
2. Water: It can be religious, like baptism, it can mean purification, or it can even mean death (in instances like drowning).
3. Fire: Fire can represent anger, passion, love, pain or death. It is a symbol used in some cases for rebirth or new life.
4. Night: Night can be used in connection to darkness and acts as a cover over the world and can be used to represent an ‘end of the road.’ It can represent peace or tranquility or it can be as simple as death and darkness concerning the usage of shadows.
5. Day: Literally the opposite of night. With day comes the rising of the sun, representing new life and light. It can be the new beginning for characters or an opportunity for starting over.
6. Light: Light is used for truth, enlightenment, safety, or it can be used as a holy image.
7. Dark: Is a symbols for darkness and hiding, meaning the character may be lying about something.
We discussed the information below in class surrounding common symbols in Literature. Here's the information if you want to access it.
1. Colours: Colours often play a role in stories. Usually they represent emotions like love, anger, or sadness. Red is a passionate color that can symbolize love, anger, or passion. Blue can mean tranquility, peace, sadness, and in some cases fear. Yellow can mean spring, like turning over a new leaf, or it can symbolize sunlight or light. Shades of greens and browns can be used for nature, peace, and to give off a sense of hospitality, unless the browns are used in images of deserts which would symbolize a’ death in nature.’
2. Water: It can be religious, like baptism, it can mean purification, or it can even mean death (in instances like drowning).
3. Fire: Fire can represent anger, passion, love, pain or death. It is a symbol used in some cases for rebirth or new life.
4. Night: Night can be used in connection to darkness and acts as a cover over the world and can be used to represent an ‘end of the road.’ It can represent peace or tranquility or it can be as simple as death and darkness concerning the usage of shadows.
5. Day: Literally the opposite of night. With day comes the rising of the sun, representing new life and light. It can be the new beginning for characters or an opportunity for starting over.
6. Light: Light is used for truth, enlightenment, safety, or it can be used as a holy image.
7. Dark: Is a symbols for darkness and hiding, meaning the character may be lying about something.
Core Exam Timings
Below are the scripts we used for your Walking Talking Mocks.
You can use these to support your revision.
Question 3a
Requirements - 1 Black Pen
1 Highlighter
Write your answer using short notes.
You do not need to use your own words.
Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.
To begin with, you will just focus on 3a. This question asks you to look at passage B and you’re going to have to do some summarising. However, before you read the passage, read the question so you know exactly what you’re looking for.
Highlight the key words from the question.
Now you need to read the passage highlighting or underlining any important information from the text that refers to the topic you’re going to be summarising.
There are 10 marks for content in part A. Therefore, you need to aim to find 10 separate points and jot them down on your paper.
7 MINUTES
Spend 7 minutes reading the text and highlighting those key points, aiming for at least 10 points relating to the question. You MUST read the italic introduction to the text so you understand WHO it has been written by and the CONTEXT.
3 MINUTES
Your next stage is to quickly number the points you have and check you have got 10.
If not, you need to go back to the text and find more - try looking for some implicit answers.
If you have 10 you need to check to make sure they are focused on the correct parts of the question.
By the end of the timer you should have your 10 bullet points completed. Remember you can use focused quotations OR your own words.
Question 3 b)
We'll quickly write this up to gain our final five marks.
3 MINUTES
Return to your bullet points. You are going to plan your summary now.
Take the next 3 minutes to group your bullet points together - these will make up the content of your paragraphs.
Underline any facts, dates, names, places, statistics that cannot be changed into your own words.
10 MINUTES
Now you are ready to write:
The question specifies that you should write about 100 to 150 words in total; that is only one side of A4 so don’t add in any unnecessary explanations. Simply, summarise the information you’ve bullet pointed. Don’t forget to use your own words as much as you possibly can and try and get one or two points in each sentence to be really concise.
Checklist
Include at least 10 points from the text
Tick the points off as you use them
Use your own words where you can
Write in paragraphs
Use complex, compound and complex / compound sentences.
Use discours markers, coordinating and subordinating conjunctions to make your writing sound less list like..
Use the key words from the question throughout your summary.
Check you've been true to the meaning of the text.
You are now 23 minutes into the exam - hopefully you have gained at least 7 - 10 marks from your bullet points and 3-5 marks for your writing.
We are going to move to Question 1:
You will need a highlighter for this.
Part a,b,c focus on certain paragraphs
10 MINUTES
We are going to take 10 minutes reading from paragraph 1 - 6:
Part a) is worth two marks so you need to highlight two things related to the question.
Part b) is worth one mark but you can see there are two bullet points so you will need to find two details.
Part c) i is worth one mark so you will have to find one detail.
Part c) ii is worth two marks and asks you to use your own words therefore you cannot copy from the text. You will need to read and interpret two effects.
3 MINUTES
Quickly write your answers down ensuring you have enough points.
7 MINUTES
Part d,e,f focus on the next paragraphs.
Part d) is worth two marks so you need to highlight two details related to the question.
Part e) is worth two mark and asks you to write what the quotation means in your own words. This means you will have to give two answers.
Part f) is worth one mark so you will need to find one detail that relates to the question.
3 MINUTES
Quickly write your answers down ensuring you have enough points.
10 MINUTES
Now Turn to Part G - You need to choose 3 out of the 4 phrases.
In the next ten minutes you need to do the following:
Look at the phrases now and cross out one phrase where you don't know what the words mean.
Write the letters of your three chosen in the first column of the table.
Go to the paragraph you've been directed to and re-read it highlighting where your chosen phrases have come from.
Write what the words in italics mean in the context of the sentence in the column marked i).
Explain what the phrases tell us about what the writer thinks and write your answer in the column marked ii)
You are now 56 Minutes into the exam hopefully you've added another 13-20 marks to your score from Question 3.
There are now 49 minutes left of the exam.
You can use these to support your revision.
Question 3a
Requirements - 1 Black Pen
1 Highlighter
Write your answer using short notes.
You do not need to use your own words.
Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.
To begin with, you will just focus on 3a. This question asks you to look at passage B and you’re going to have to do some summarising. However, before you read the passage, read the question so you know exactly what you’re looking for.
Highlight the key words from the question.
Now you need to read the passage highlighting or underlining any important information from the text that refers to the topic you’re going to be summarising.
There are 10 marks for content in part A. Therefore, you need to aim to find 10 separate points and jot them down on your paper.
7 MINUTES
Spend 7 minutes reading the text and highlighting those key points, aiming for at least 10 points relating to the question. You MUST read the italic introduction to the text so you understand WHO it has been written by and the CONTEXT.
3 MINUTES
Your next stage is to quickly number the points you have and check you have got 10.
If not, you need to go back to the text and find more - try looking for some implicit answers.
If you have 10 you need to check to make sure they are focused on the correct parts of the question.
By the end of the timer you should have your 10 bullet points completed. Remember you can use focused quotations OR your own words.
Question 3 b)
We'll quickly write this up to gain our final five marks.
3 MINUTES
Return to your bullet points. You are going to plan your summary now.
Take the next 3 minutes to group your bullet points together - these will make up the content of your paragraphs.
Underline any facts, dates, names, places, statistics that cannot be changed into your own words.
10 MINUTES
Now you are ready to write:
The question specifies that you should write about 100 to 150 words in total; that is only one side of A4 so don’t add in any unnecessary explanations. Simply, summarise the information you’ve bullet pointed. Don’t forget to use your own words as much as you possibly can and try and get one or two points in each sentence to be really concise.
Checklist
Include at least 10 points from the text
Tick the points off as you use them
Use your own words where you can
Write in paragraphs
Use complex, compound and complex / compound sentences.
Use discours markers, coordinating and subordinating conjunctions to make your writing sound less list like..
Use the key words from the question throughout your summary.
Check you've been true to the meaning of the text.
You are now 23 minutes into the exam - hopefully you have gained at least 7 - 10 marks from your bullet points and 3-5 marks for your writing.
We are going to move to Question 1:
You will need a highlighter for this.
Part a,b,c focus on certain paragraphs
10 MINUTES
We are going to take 10 minutes reading from paragraph 1 - 6:
Part a) is worth two marks so you need to highlight two things related to the question.
Part b) is worth one mark but you can see there are two bullet points so you will need to find two details.
Part c) i is worth one mark so you will have to find one detail.
Part c) ii is worth two marks and asks you to use your own words therefore you cannot copy from the text. You will need to read and interpret two effects.
3 MINUTES
Quickly write your answers down ensuring you have enough points.
7 MINUTES
Part d,e,f focus on the next paragraphs.
Part d) is worth two marks so you need to highlight two details related to the question.
Part e) is worth two mark and asks you to write what the quotation means in your own words. This means you will have to give two answers.
Part f) is worth one mark so you will need to find one detail that relates to the question.
3 MINUTES
Quickly write your answers down ensuring you have enough points.
10 MINUTES
Now Turn to Part G - You need to choose 3 out of the 4 phrases.
In the next ten minutes you need to do the following:
Look at the phrases now and cross out one phrase where you don't know what the words mean.
Write the letters of your three chosen in the first column of the table.
Go to the paragraph you've been directed to and re-read it highlighting where your chosen phrases have come from.
Write what the words in italics mean in the context of the sentence in the column marked i).
Explain what the phrases tell us about what the writer thinks and write your answer in the column marked ii)
You are now 56 Minutes into the exam hopefully you've added another 13-20 marks to your score from Question 3.
There are now 49 minutes left of the exam.
We are going to move to Question 2:
10 MINUTES
You need three highlighters (or different coloured pens).
Look at the bullet points for the question - underline each one in a different colour. Call these A1, A2, A3. Circle the form you are writing in and who you are writing as.
Read the text highlighting the passage as you go along. You have ten minutes and there are time reminders below.
Time reminders:
1 minute: You should have between 1 and 2 points underlined.
3 minutes: You should have between 3 and 4 points underlined.
6 minutes: You should have between 5 and 6 points underlined.
9 minutes: You should have between 7 and 9 points underlined. If you have finished, you need to go through and find MORE points to underline.
7 MINUTES
Draw a quick grid with 3 columns, with headings of A1, A2 and A3. Now write down the points you have for A1, A2 and A3. Count up how many you have in each column.
Are they equally covered? If not, go back into the passage and find some more points. Do that now.
Now look at the points you have made for A1 and A2 and A3. Can you add DETAILS from the passage to each of your points? DETAILS are facts – names of people, place names, temperatures or any factual details you have from the passage. Do this now.
1- 4 minutes - List your ideas in a grid.
4-7 minutes - Add Facts to your bullet points.
3 MINUTES
Now try and add DEVELOPMENT to each of your points – DEVELOPMENT is often an emotional response to the A1/A2/A3 point. You will get marks for developing the ideas in the text but you MUST stay true to the original. With this question, it is not just about taking information from the text and putting it in your own words; it’s also about inferring from these points so that you can develop them.
25 MINUTES
You have to include all of the information you have underlined and included in your table. As you include it, tick it off.
The best tip is to try and put a each bullet point into every paragraph.
Before you begin, look back to the question to check how you have to start:
Don’t forget, include all of the key points you have underlined and planned in your table and tick them off as you go, develop the ideas, making inferences about thoughts and feelings your character might have had but stay true to the text and remember to write carefully, using paragraphs, high level vocabulary and correct punctuation.
Include high level vocabulary - make sure it is in your own words.
Include your key points
Tick the points off as you use them
Make sure you include DETAILS (facts from the passage)
Extend on each of the points you make (DEVELOPMENT emotions)
Check you 've been true to the meaning of the text
Check you' ve covered all 3 bullet points
You need three highlighters (or different coloured pens).
Look at the bullet points for the question - underline each one in a different colour. Call these A1, A2, A3. Circle the form you are writing in and who you are writing as.
Read the text highlighting the passage as you go along. You have ten minutes and there are time reminders below.
Time reminders:
1 minute: You should have between 1 and 2 points underlined.
3 minutes: You should have between 3 and 4 points underlined.
6 minutes: You should have between 5 and 6 points underlined.
9 minutes: You should have between 7 and 9 points underlined. If you have finished, you need to go through and find MORE points to underline.
7 MINUTES
Draw a quick grid with 3 columns, with headings of A1, A2 and A3. Now write down the points you have for A1, A2 and A3. Count up how many you have in each column.
Are they equally covered? If not, go back into the passage and find some more points. Do that now.
Now look at the points you have made for A1 and A2 and A3. Can you add DETAILS from the passage to each of your points? DETAILS are facts – names of people, place names, temperatures or any factual details you have from the passage. Do this now.
1- 4 minutes - List your ideas in a grid.
4-7 minutes - Add Facts to your bullet points.
3 MINUTES
Now try and add DEVELOPMENT to each of your points – DEVELOPMENT is often an emotional response to the A1/A2/A3 point. You will get marks for developing the ideas in the text but you MUST stay true to the original. With this question, it is not just about taking information from the text and putting it in your own words; it’s also about inferring from these points so that you can develop them.
25 MINUTES
You have to include all of the information you have underlined and included in your table. As you include it, tick it off.
The best tip is to try and put a each bullet point into every paragraph.
Before you begin, look back to the question to check how you have to start:
Don’t forget, include all of the key points you have underlined and planned in your table and tick them off as you go, develop the ideas, making inferences about thoughts and feelings your character might have had but stay true to the text and remember to write carefully, using paragraphs, high level vocabulary and correct punctuation.
Include high level vocabulary - make sure it is in your own words.
Include your key points
Tick the points off as you use them
Make sure you include DETAILS (facts from the passage)
Extend on each of the points you make (DEVELOPMENT emotions)
Check you 've been true to the meaning of the text
Check you' ve covered all 3 bullet points
4 MINUTES
You've now got 4 minutes to check over your exam. Hopefully you have gained at least 7 - 10 marks from your bullet point writing and 3-5 marks for your writing.
33 - 50 marks should give you a C grade.
Parent Corner
As teachers we know how stressful it can be watching students go through exam season but we also know that stress is more often than not vented at home rather than in the classroom. It is difficult to know what to do especially as you don't know the syllabus requirements or the best way to revise or when the exams are.
This post is aimed at supporting parents in helping their students prepare for the English exams at home.
This year all Year 11 will have exams on Tuesday May the 5th. This is a reading exam.
Some but not all Year 11 students will have a writing exam on Friday 8th May.
All Year 10s and some Year 11 students will have Literature exams on Monday 18th and Friday 22nd of May.
The best way students can revise at this stage is by carrying out practice questions which all students have had set as homework.
There are a number of posts on this blog with guides on developing exam answers and there are links to a range of revision videos.
If you have any questions about the examination period or supporting your child's revision, you can post a comment below.
This post is aimed at supporting parents in helping their students prepare for the English exams at home.
This year all Year 11 will have exams on Tuesday May the 5th. This is a reading exam.
Some but not all Year 11 students will have a writing exam on Friday 8th May.
All Year 10s and some Year 11 students will have Literature exams on Monday 18th and Friday 22nd of May.
The best way students can revise at this stage is by carrying out practice questions which all students have had set as homework.
There are a number of posts on this blog with guides on developing exam answers and there are links to a range of revision videos.
If you have any questions about the examination period or supporting your child's revision, you can post a comment below.
Extended Exam Timings
Below are the scripts we used for your Walking Talking Mocks.
You can use these to support your revision.
Question 3a
Requirements - 1 Black Pen
1 Highlighter
Write your answer using short notes.
You do not need to use your own words.
Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer.
To begin with, you will just focus on 3a. This question asks you to look at passage B and you’re going to have to do some summarising. However, before you read the passage, read the question so you know exactly what you’re looking for.
Highlight the key words from the question.
Now you need to read the passage highlighting or underlining any important information from the text that refers to the topic you’re going to be summarising.
There are 15 marks for content in part A. Therefore, you need to aim to find 15 separate points and jot them down on your paper.
10 MINUTES
Spend 10 minutes reading the text and highlighting those key points, aiming for at least 15 points relating to the question. You MUST read the italic introduction to the text so you understand WHO it has been written by and the CONTEXT.
5 MINUTES
Your next stage is to quickly number the points you have and check you have got 15.
If not, you need to go back to the text and find more - try looking for some implicit answers.
If you have 15 you need to check to make sure they are focused on the correct parts of the question.
By the end of the timer you should have your 15 bullet points completed. Remember you can use focused quotations OR your own words.
Move to Question 1
10 MINUTES
You need three highlighters (or different coloured pens).
Look at the bullet points for the question - underline each one in a different colour. Call these A1, A2, A3. Circle the form you are writing in and who you are writing as.
Read the text highlighting the passage as you go along. You have ten minutes and there are time reminders below.
Time reminders:
1 minute: You should have between 1 and 2 points underlined.
3 minutes: You should have between 5 and 8 points underlined.
6 minutes: You should have between 9 and 12 points underlined.
9 minutes: You should have between 13 and 15 points underlined. If you have finished, you need to go through and find MORE points to underline.
5 MINUTES
Draw a quick grid with 3 columns, with headings of A1, A2 and A3. Now write down the points you have for A1, A2 and A3. Count up how many you have in each column.
Are they equally covered? If not, go back into the passage and find some more points. Do that now.
Now look at the points you have made for A1 and A2 and A3. Can you add DETAILS from the passage to each of your points? DETAILS are facts – names of people, place names, temperatures or any factual details you have from the passage. Do this now.
1- 2 minutes - List your ideas in a grid.
3-5 minutes - Add Facts to your bullet points.
5 MINUTES
Now try and add DEVELOPMENT to each of your points – DEVELOPMENT is often an emotional response to the A1/A2/A3 point. You will get marks for developing the ideas in the text but you MUST stay true to the original. With this question, it is not just about taking information from the text and putting it in your own words; it’s also about inferring from these points so that you can develop them.
1-2 Minutes - Add emotions to A1 / A2
3-5 Minutes - Add emotions to A3
30 MINUTES
You have to include all of the information you have underlined and included in your table. As you include it, tick it off.
The best tip is to try and put a each bullet point into every paragraph.
Before you begin, look back to the question to check how you have to start:
Don’t forget, include all of the key points you have underlined and planned in your table and tick them off as you go, develop the ideas, making inferences about thoughts and feelings your character might have had but stay true to the text and remember to write carefully, using paragraphs, high level vocabulary and correct punctuation.
Include high level vocabulary - make sure it is in your own words.
Include your key points
Tick the points off as you use them
Make sure you include DETAILS (facts from the passage)
Extend on each of the points you make (DEVELOPMENT emotions)
Check you 've been true to the meaning of the text
Check you' ve covered all 3 bullet points
10 MINUTES
Check your plan to make sure you have a balance of all bullet points. Spend the last 10 minutes making sure you finish the question with even coverage.
You are now 1hr 15 minutes into the exam.
You have answered 35 marks out of the possible 50.
You now have 45 minutes to complete the final 15 marks.
Hopefully you have gained between 23 - 35 marks so far.
Q3a: 10 - 15 marks.
Q1 Reading: 10 - 15 marks.
Q1 Writing: 3- 5 marks
Move to Question 2 - Requires 1 or 2 Highlighters
5 MINUTES
First things first - put a box around the paragraphs you need to analyse and note the key words in the question.
In five minutes - Decide what effect each paragraph has (This will be your point for part a and b).
Highlight the 8 words or phrases you are going to use. Make a rough note of the meaning in context.
Remember - there should be some words used to create specific pictures (imagery).
20 MINUTES
You are now looking to write up your answer to the question. You have 20 minutes to do so:
Remember to put part a and part b where you begin each section.
Use the checklist below:
Make a clear point about language.
Use your word / phrase (preferably embedded in the sentence).
Define the meaning of the word in the context of the sentence.
Analyse (and evaluate) your word / phrase focusing on specific effect.
Key hint: Remember if all your quotations link to the same point instead of writing the point each time you can write things like 'this is further developed' etc.
e.g. The writer creates fear...
This is further emphasied...
This is developed in...
This idea is continued...
Return to Question 3 b)
5 MINUTES
We'll quickly write this up to gain our final five marks.
Return to your bullet points. You are going to plan your summary now.
Take the next 5 minutes to group your bullet points together - these will make up the content of your paragraphs.
Underline any facts, dates, names, places, statistics that cannot be changed into your own words.
15 MINUTES
Now you are ready to write:
The question specifies that you should write about 200 to 250 words in total; that is only one side of A4 so don’t add in any unnecessary explanations. Simply, summarise the information you’ve bullet pointed. Don’t forget to use your own words as much as you possibly can and try and get one or two points in each sentence to be really concise.
Checklist
Include at least 15 points from the text
Tick the points off as you use them
Use your own words where you can
Write in paragraphs
Use complex, compound and complex / compound sentences.
Use discours markers, coordinating and subordinating conjunctions to make your writing sound less list like..
Use the key words from the question throughout your summary.
Check you've been true to the meaning of the text.
If you complete this before the time is up, make sure you have 15 bullet points, check you have covered each bullet point in Question 1 and they are balanced.
You've now completed the mock:
Hopefully you have gained:
Q1 Reading: 10-15 Marks
Q1 Writing: 3 - 5 Marks
Q2: 7 - 10 Marks
Q3 a) :10-15 Marks
Q3 b) : 3 - 5 Marks
33 Marks + will gain you a secure B pushing to an A.
You can use these to support your revision.
Question 3a
Requirements - 1 Black Pen
1 Highlighter
Write your answer using short notes.
You do not need to use your own words.
Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer.
To begin with, you will just focus on 3a. This question asks you to look at passage B and you’re going to have to do some summarising. However, before you read the passage, read the question so you know exactly what you’re looking for.
Highlight the key words from the question.
Now you need to read the passage highlighting or underlining any important information from the text that refers to the topic you’re going to be summarising.
There are 15 marks for content in part A. Therefore, you need to aim to find 15 separate points and jot them down on your paper.
10 MINUTES
Spend 10 minutes reading the text and highlighting those key points, aiming for at least 15 points relating to the question. You MUST read the italic introduction to the text so you understand WHO it has been written by and the CONTEXT.
5 MINUTES
Your next stage is to quickly number the points you have and check you have got 15.
If not, you need to go back to the text and find more - try looking for some implicit answers.
If you have 15 you need to check to make sure they are focused on the correct parts of the question.
By the end of the timer you should have your 15 bullet points completed. Remember you can use focused quotations OR your own words.
Move to Question 1
10 MINUTES
You need three highlighters (or different coloured pens).
Look at the bullet points for the question - underline each one in a different colour. Call these A1, A2, A3. Circle the form you are writing in and who you are writing as.
Read the text highlighting the passage as you go along. You have ten minutes and there are time reminders below.
Time reminders:
1 minute: You should have between 1 and 2 points underlined.
3 minutes: You should have between 5 and 8 points underlined.
6 minutes: You should have between 9 and 12 points underlined.
9 minutes: You should have between 13 and 15 points underlined. If you have finished, you need to go through and find MORE points to underline.
5 MINUTES
Draw a quick grid with 3 columns, with headings of A1, A2 and A3. Now write down the points you have for A1, A2 and A3. Count up how many you have in each column.
Are they equally covered? If not, go back into the passage and find some more points. Do that now.
Now look at the points you have made for A1 and A2 and A3. Can you add DETAILS from the passage to each of your points? DETAILS are facts – names of people, place names, temperatures or any factual details you have from the passage. Do this now.
1- 2 minutes - List your ideas in a grid.
3-5 minutes - Add Facts to your bullet points.
5 MINUTES
Now try and add DEVELOPMENT to each of your points – DEVELOPMENT is often an emotional response to the A1/A2/A3 point. You will get marks for developing the ideas in the text but you MUST stay true to the original. With this question, it is not just about taking information from the text and putting it in your own words; it’s also about inferring from these points so that you can develop them.
1-2 Minutes - Add emotions to A1 / A2
3-5 Minutes - Add emotions to A3
30 MINUTES
You have to include all of the information you have underlined and included in your table. As you include it, tick it off.
The best tip is to try and put a each bullet point into every paragraph.
Before you begin, look back to the question to check how you have to start:
Don’t forget, include all of the key points you have underlined and planned in your table and tick them off as you go, develop the ideas, making inferences about thoughts and feelings your character might have had but stay true to the text and remember to write carefully, using paragraphs, high level vocabulary and correct punctuation.
Include high level vocabulary - make sure it is in your own words.
Include your key points
Tick the points off as you use them
Make sure you include DETAILS (facts from the passage)
Extend on each of the points you make (DEVELOPMENT emotions)
Check you 've been true to the meaning of the text
Check you' ve covered all 3 bullet points
10 MINUTES
Check your plan to make sure you have a balance of all bullet points. Spend the last 10 minutes making sure you finish the question with even coverage.
You are now 1hr 15 minutes into the exam.
You have answered 35 marks out of the possible 50.
You now have 45 minutes to complete the final 15 marks.
Hopefully you have gained between 23 - 35 marks so far.
Q3a: 10 - 15 marks.
Q1 Reading: 10 - 15 marks.
Q1 Writing: 3- 5 marks
Move to Question 2 - Requires 1 or 2 Highlighters
5 MINUTES
First things first - put a box around the paragraphs you need to analyse and note the key words in the question.
In five minutes - Decide what effect each paragraph has (This will be your point for part a and b).
Highlight the 8 words or phrases you are going to use. Make a rough note of the meaning in context.
Remember - there should be some words used to create specific pictures (imagery).
20 MINUTES
You are now looking to write up your answer to the question. You have 20 minutes to do so:
Remember to put part a and part b where you begin each section.
Use the checklist below:
Make a clear point about language.
Use your word / phrase (preferably embedded in the sentence).
Define the meaning of the word in the context of the sentence.
Analyse (and evaluate) your word / phrase focusing on specific effect.
Key hint: Remember if all your quotations link to the same point instead of writing the point each time you can write things like 'this is further developed' etc.
e.g. The writer creates fear...
This is further emphasied...
This is developed in...
This idea is continued...
Return to Question 3 b)
5 MINUTES
We'll quickly write this up to gain our final five marks.
Return to your bullet points. You are going to plan your summary now.
Take the next 5 minutes to group your bullet points together - these will make up the content of your paragraphs.
Underline any facts, dates, names, places, statistics that cannot be changed into your own words.
15 MINUTES
Now you are ready to write:
The question specifies that you should write about 200 to 250 words in total; that is only one side of A4 so don’t add in any unnecessary explanations. Simply, summarise the information you’ve bullet pointed. Don’t forget to use your own words as much as you possibly can and try and get one or two points in each sentence to be really concise.
Checklist
Include at least 15 points from the text
Tick the points off as you use them
Use your own words where you can
Write in paragraphs
Use complex, compound and complex / compound sentences.
Use discours markers, coordinating and subordinating conjunctions to make your writing sound less list like..
Use the key words from the question throughout your summary.
Check you've been true to the meaning of the text.
If you complete this before the time is up, make sure you have 15 bullet points, check you have covered each bullet point in Question 1 and they are balanced.
You've now completed the mock:
Hopefully you have gained:
Q1 Reading: 10-15 Marks
Q1 Writing: 3 - 5 Marks
Q2: 7 - 10 Marks
Q3 a) :10-15 Marks
Q3 b) : 3 - 5 Marks
33 Marks + will gain you a secure B pushing to an A.
