1. ‘U’ is for UNDERSTANDING!
Higher Close Reading
‘U’ is for UNDERSTANDING!

2. Using Your Own Words
These questions require you to explain an idea, point or argument from the passage in your own words.
THINK!! What skills are being tested in this type of question?
What is the biggest challenge you’ll face in ‘own words’ questions?
How can you get better at explaining concepts in your own words?

3. Using Your Own Words
Quoting is not permitted at all. Even using a slight variation of a word used by the writer (e.g. changing ‘happy’ to ‘happiness’ or ‘trained’ to ‘training’) is not allowed. We’re testing your VOCABULARY!
Quoting from the passage means you’ll get ZERO MARKS. Don’t even quote then explain in your own words. There should be NO WORDS from the passage in your answer!

4. Structuring your ‘U’ answers
Answers should be brief and to the point.
Look at the marks on offer – 2 marks = 2 points; 4 marks = 4 points…
Use bullet points or numbers to help structure your answer. ‘Note form’ is acceptable – we just want to see you are able to understand the main ideas.

5. Example 1 “our need for ritualized idol worship”
“our desire to admire the powerful”
“celebrity-watching can be inspiring, or at least help us muster the will to tackle our own problems.”

6. Example
The writer believes that a key similarity is that both celebrity fans and religious people like to be part of a group who all believe the same things.
The writer believes that celebrities and religious figures are both able to help us find strength to deal with difficulties that we face.

7. Example 3 Both help us get through difficult times
Believers like to be part of a community
People have a need to look up to those who are in some way ‘higher’ than them

8. CHECK! Did you use bullet points or numbers?
Did you avoid these words: “kill”, “economy”, “jobs”, “happy”?
If so, there’s a good chance you have the marks!

9. CHECK! Did you use bullet points or numbers?
Did you avoid these words: “seduced”, “product”, “appears”, “new”?
If so, there’s a good chance you have the marks!

10. Q 3 It is now much simpler to obtain a divorce, especially for women.
Children from poor backgrounds can’t rely on friends and family for support
If parents put their children first, their employers somehow penalise them for this.