Context Questions

What is a context question? This type of question tests your vocabulary and your understanding of language. Context questions are very precise and test your understanding of single words and/or phrases. E.g. “Show how the first sentence provides a context which enables you to understand the meaning of the word…” (2marks)

CONTEXT QUESTIONS You do two things here: 1. Quote the word and give the meaning of the word 2. By reference to the context, explain how you arrived at the meaning. Use the phrase: The context makes this clear as it says (insert quote) and explain

How is it marked? If a context question is worth 2 marks, you will generally be awarded 1 mark for getting the meaning right and 1 mark for the quoted piece of evidence with a brief explanation. It is usually possible and advisable to quote 2 pieces of evidence to ensure that you gain full marks (obviously if the question is worth 3 marks then you must quote twice).

Worked example The rumour that Douglas was a prisoner was still unsubstantiated. There had been no witnesses to his bailing out of the plane, and no solid information could be expected from beyond enemy lines for weeks, perhaps even months. Show how the context helped you arrive at the meaning of the word unsubstantiated. The word “unsubstantiated” clearly means unconfirmed. (1 mark) The context makes this clear as it says there were “no witnesses” who could say for sure the news was true (1/2 mark), and the phrase “no solid information” also repeats the idea of there being no firm proof. (1/2 mark)

Q1 1. Silverstein was implacable in pursuing his revenge. After years of patient searching he had finally come face to face with his father’s tormentor, and he showed no mercy. (2marks) The word “implacable” means relentless. The context shows this by saying Silverstein had searched for years to avenge his father (1/2 mark) and when he found the man who he wanted to take revenge on he “showed no mercy”.

Q2 For two days the general vacillated. Should he give the order to advance, or should he allow his men to cling to their sturdy line of defence? This hesitation was to prove fatal. (2marks) The word “vacillated” to swither between two options. The word “hesitation” means this (1/2 mark) and the question revealing the two alternatives shows what he was trying to make up his mind about (1/2 mark).

Q3 The position of the Stewart monarchs in the fifteenth century and sixteenth centuries was peculiarly perilous in dynastic terms, for a number of reasons. In the first place chance had resulted in a total of seven royal minorities – there had been no adult succession since the fourteenth century – which had an inevitable effect of weakening the power of the crown and increasing that of the nobility. (Extract from Mary, Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser) (2marks) The word “minorities” means that someone who is a minor (under 21) is in power (1 mark). The phrase “there had been no adult succession since the fourteenth century” shows this as it reveals that for many years a child had succeeded to the throne. (1 mark)

Q5 Oliver’s first play at the Edinburgh festival was only a qualified success. True, the critics, including some who were frequently disdainful of new writers, were lavish in their praise, and the houses were pleasingly full in the first week. But by the second week the numbers attending had inexplicably fallen away and the show was lucky to break even.(2marks) The word qualified means partial or incomplete. (1 mark) The reference to the praise of the critics and full houses shows some success for the playwright (1 mark); the reference to the later poor audiences and the shows financial problems, “lucky to break even”, show it was not completely successful. (1 mark)

Question 6 It seems the childcare pendulum has swung; the principal threat to children is no longer neglectful parents, but excessively protective ones who are always worrying about germs. Frank Furedi, reader in sociology at the University of Kent, has written a book, “Paranoid Parenting”, in which he explores the consequences of too much cossetting. “It is always important to recall that our obsession with our children’s safety is likely to be more damaging to them than any risks that they are likely to meet with in their daily encounter with the world.”