1. How to pass higher
Close reading

2. First steps
Read passage ONE in full before attempting the questions. Following this - Read passage TWO in full before attempting the questions. Then- Answer the questions on both passages, remembering to back up any point you make with evidence from the passage. Circle any striking punctuation as you read!

3. Types of questions
Understanding In your own words Context questions Link questions Analysis Word choice Imagery Tone Structure Evaluating ‘How effectively…”

4. In your own words
Relay the same ideas as the author. Find alternative words for the key vocabulary used by the author. Re- read the author’s words to ensure that you have not used any of the same language

5. Context Questions Find the meaning of an unknown word:
Say what the word means
Select a clue word from the surrounding language
Explain how it helped you to arrive at the meaning of the word

6. Link Questions
1.Summarise what has been said in the paragraph before the link sentence 2. Quote a word/expression from the link sentence that links back to this idea. 3. Summarise what the writer goes on to say in the paragraph directly after the link sentence. 4.Quote a word/ expression from the link sentence that links forward to this.

7. Word choice
1.What does the word mean? 2.What does the word suggest/ things you associate with the word. 3. Link to the question you have been asked.

8. Imagery
SIMILE…METAPHOR…PERSONIFICATION??? ‘Just as….so too’

9. Tone
Look for clue words/ punctuation in the surrounding lines. Possible tones are- (TONE BANK)

10. Structure Sentence structure-
1.Is the sentence abnormally long/ short?
2. It there any unusual punctuation?
3. Is the sentence inverted? (word order)
Passage structure-
How are the paragraphs set out?
Effective ending? Does it link back to introduction?

11. Evaluating Questions
Assess the effectiveness- Did a particular techniques enhance the passage? Impact upon it in a negative way? Be prepared to use PEE- POINT! EVIDENCE! EVALUATE!

12. Stay Calm!
Remember the questions are there to test how well you can read for information and Test your awareness of literary techniques and their effectiveness.