Close Reading Practice Questions

The Basics You should answer using bullet points You must read the question carefully You will almost always be expected to quote for Analysis and Evaluation questions

In your own words One bullet point per mark Use your own words as far as your possibly can Quoting will get you ZERO marks

Question 1 It is only teenagers that do it It damages linguistic skills

Question 2 It is too interested in looking after its own interests It is more concerned with quantity of viewers than quality of programmes It is spending money it doesn’t have

Context ‘___________’ means ____________ The word/words ‘_______________’ helped me understand this because it/they suggest(s) _____________________

Question 3 ‘Vacillated’ means that he was indecisive The word ‘hesitation’ helped me understand this because it suggests that he swithered between two different positions

Question 4 ‘Monstrous verbosity’ means to use unnecessarily complex language The words ‘a primitive earth-breaking implement’ helped me understand this because they suggest that they wouldn’t just use a single simple word to describe something

Linking The word(s) ‘_______________’ link back to what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was __________________. The word(s) ‘_______________’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which is _______________________________.

Question 5 The words ‘his work’ link back to what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was his plays, characters and poetry. The words ‘the man himself’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which is information about his life and personality.

Question 6 The words ‘draconian approach’ link back to what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was new ways of stopping immigration. The word ‘misconceptions’ links to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which is information about how few people actually come to Britain.

Question 7 The word ‘appearance’ links back to what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was her ‘beauty’. The words ‘the character’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which is that she was an inspiring person.

The other mark is for actually recognising that this is a linking question!!! The words ‘the resource question’ link back to what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was about paying for healthcare for the elderly. The words ‘only half the story’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which focuses on bigger questions about what it means to be “old”.

Sentence Structure Know the different types Know the punctuation Be as clear as possible

Question 9 Several rhetorical questions This shows that even he doesn’t really know why he does it Long, complex list This explores the range of reasons not to enjoy hillwalking and reinforces the point made by the questions

Question 10 Very long, complex list is used This is used to demonstrate the huge range of ‘new ways of living’ (or ways in which we are ‘separating ourselves from our planet’)

Word Choice QUOTE AND EXPLAIN Think about meanings AND connotations

Question 11 “web” This suggests that Cowell sees us as his prey OR that we are manipulated the way a spider manipulates a fly in its web OR that once drawn into reality TV it is nearly impossible to escape

Question 12 “changed the world” Suggests that he had a huge influence

Tone Understand different types of tone Think of how the words used – and the way in which the sentences are written – might create a specific mood (similar to word choice questions)

Question 13 Sad / gloomy / pessimistic / concerned I would also accept dismissive

Question 14 The word “may” is used twice This makes clear that they are unsure of the chances of being able to fully explore the tomb

Imagery It is effective because just as ‘__________’ suggests _______________________ So to ____________________________________

Question 15 It is effective because just as ‘drugs’ suggests something damaging and destructive So too ‘Afrikaans’ could potentially do terrible damage to the educational changes of Africans

Question 16 It is effective because just as ‘hysteria’ suggests panic So too the response to texting was irrational and over-the-top