1. NATIONAL 5 CLOSE READING PRACTICE EXAMPLES

2. T HE B ASICS You should answer using bullet points You must read the EXAMPLE carefully Unless told to answer in your own words you should always quote

3. 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

4. EXAMPLE 1 It is only teenagers that do it It damages linguistic skills

5. EXAMPLE 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

6. EXAMPLE 3 Both “endured” cold living conditions Both were on their own/single Both were poor Both had their lives altered for the better Both found husbands (any 4 of the above)

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

8. EXAMPLE 4 ‘Vacillated’ means that he was indecisive The word ‘hesitation’ helped me understand this because it suggests that he swithered between two different positions

9. EXAMPLE 5 ‘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

10. L INKING 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 _______________________________.

11. EXAMPLE 6 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.

12. EXAMPLE 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.

13. EXAMPLE 8 The words ‘the resource EXAMPLE’ 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 EXAMPLEs about what it means to be “old”. The other mark is for actually recognising that this is a linking EXAMPLE!!!

14. S ENTENCE S TRUCTURE Know the different types Know the punctuation Be as clear as possible

15. EXAMPLE 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

16. EXAMPLE 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’)

17. W ORD C HOICE QUOTE AND EXPLAIN Think about meanings AND connotations

18. EXAMPLE 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

19. EXAMPLE 12 “changed the world” Suggests that he had a huge influence

20. EXAMPLE 13 “begging letters” – implies unpleasant/unwanted attention Journalists “rifling” through her bins – suggests invasion of privacy/indiscriminate searching and/or unpleasant/unwanted attention

21. T ONE 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)

22. EXAMPLE 14 Sad / gloomy / pessimistic / concerned I would also accept dismissive

23. EXAMPLE 15 The word “may” is used twice This makes clear that they are unsure of the chances of being able to fully explore the tomb

24. EXAMPLE 16 Attitude is positive / admiring The word “reassure” confirms that the writer believes her story to be positive

25. I MAGERY _________ is being compared to __________ This is effective because just as ‘__________’ suggests ____________________ So to ____________________________________

26. EXAMPLE 17 Afrikaans is being compared to a drug 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

27. EXAMPLE 18 It is effective because just as ‘hysteria’ suggests panic So too the response to texting was irrational and over-the-top

28. EXAMPLE 19 Fame is being compared to a photograph This is effective because just as a photograph cannot be changed So too being famous makes it incredibly difficult for people like JK Rowling to change their career path