1. Close Reading Practice Questions

2. 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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 _______________________________.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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”.

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

15. 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

16. 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’)

17. Word Choice
QUOTE AND EXPLAIN
Think about meanings AND connotations

18. 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

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

20. 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)

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

22. 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

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

24. 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

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