1. The reading exam –
Don’t read the texts first. Read the questions first
Take all your answers straight from the text
Use bullet points
Don’t write too much – just the answer/s
Points allocation = number of answers (usually)
Answer every question
You’ll lose most marks for slackness

2. Language of Influence – How writers use language
Adjectives (positive and negative) – great, delicious, fun, terrible, cold, boring
Hyperbole (exaggeration) - “It must be hotter than the Sun today.”
Rhetorical question (A question that doesn’t demand an answer) – “Are you crazy?”
Personalisation – (Use of the words You and Your)
Simile and metaphor (descriptive devices) he is like a dog, she is a cat
Onomatopoeia – words that sound like what they describe – “Boom, whoosh”
Alliteration – Dunkin’ Donuts
Bias
Implied or explicit

3. Purposes of texts
News story = inform (what, where, when, why, how)
Opinion piece in a magazine or paper = persuade
Cook book = instruct
Fire evacuation poster = instruct
Fold-out booklet at Disney World = inform
Novel/story = describe
Practical tips on golfing = advise

4. Styles of texts
Formal
Informal
Semi formal