This document provides guidance on answering different types of questions about a reading passage: 1. Understanding questions focus on explicitly stated information and require finding facts or details, summarizing, and determining meanings of words in context. 2. Analysis questions examine how information is presented through literary devices like imagery, linkage between ideas, sentence structure, word choice and tone. 3. Evaluation questions assess the effectiveness and impact of the passage by having the reader express their personal opinion on features like word choice, structure, and tone.

1. Close Reading 1 passage 3 types of question: Understanding Analysis Evaluation

2. Understanding Questions Understanding (what is said) key word in question = explain (a) read the lines indicated (b) use the number of marks as guide (c) use your own words unless asked to quote

3. Understanding -factual questions Locate information from the text Identify key words/phrases Change to own words

4. Understanding - summary use your own words Use bullet points one for each mark

5. Understanding - meaning from context give meaning of word/phrase quote & explain other words /phrase that make meaning clear refer to & explain illustration which makes meaning clear

6. e.g. _________ means _______ Other words phrases “___”, “___” mean _____ which helped me arrive at the meaning. OR _________ means _______ This is explained / illustrated by the example of _________ which helped me arrive at the meaning.

7. Analysis Questions Analysis (How it is said) Key word in question = show how (a) read the lines indicated (b) use the number of marks as guide (c) use your own words unless asked to quote

8. Analysis – Writer’s Language Linkage Imagery Sentence structure Word choice Tone

9. Linkage Link question – marked in 4 parts – 4x½ quote the part of the sentence which refers to/sums up the previous idea explain in your own words what that idea is quote the part of the sentence which introduces the new idea explain in your own words what that idea is

10. e.g. The phrase ‘ ___ ’ sums up the idea from the previous paragraph that ___ The phrase ‘ ___ ’ introduces the new idea ___ which is developed / expanded upon / illustrated in the rest of/next paragraph.

11. Imagery 4 stages to answering questions on imagery: identify the image (figure of speech) say what is being described say what it is being compared to explain the effect of the comparison (just as…so…)

12. The writer uses a simile (metaphor / personification) to describe the way the boy eats by comparing it with the way a pig eats the effect is to suggest that just as a pig eats in a messy and noisy way so the boy eats in a messy and noisy way. E.g.

13. Sentence Structure 2 types of comment you can make Sentence pattern Effect of punctuation within a sentence

14. Sentence Patterns List – say what it is a list of and why Repetition – say what is being repeated and why Climax – often a list in ascending order of importance, with the most important item/idea at the end.

15. Sentence Punctuation Parenthesis - brackets or dashes or commas – to add extra information – say what it is / why it has been included. Ellipsis… - someone or something has been interrupted, a pause or to suggest that something goes on and on and on … Colon: - introduces a list, quotation or explanation/expansion of previous statement.

16. Sentence Punctuation Semi-colon; - separates items/phrases in a list, comes between two statements which are closely related, or balance or contrast one another (antithesis). Inverted commas – indicate a quotation, title of text, direct speech, used when an author wants to distance himself from the opinion offered (so called).

17. Sentence Patterns Anti-climax –the author builds up the expectations which are not fulfilled. Often used for comic effect. Antithesis – balancing opposite ideas together to create a contrast.

18. Word choice and Tone connotations (associations) of words / groups of words reveal the writer’s attitude to the subject. Words to describe tone are: humorous, ironic, mocking, serious, formal, straightforward, argumentative, sarcastic, persuasive, chatty or informal.

19. Evaluation To answer Evaluation questions, you must consider how effectively the writer has presented his information and express your personal response to the text. You can express your judgement by using words like effective, moving, satisfying, exciting, interesting, amusing, humorous, convincing, persuasive, shocking, disturbing, entertaining, enjoyable etc. You might be asked to consider features such as word choice , structure , tone etc.

20. To show how a conclusion rounds off a text consider: The ideas : pick out references to stages in the argument. Is the argument clearly resolved, or is the outcome undecided? The style : does the style remain the same or change? Does the conclusion return to the wording of the opening? You might also discuss word choice and sentence structure . The tone : does the tone remain the same or change from serious to light-hearted or vice versa? The punch line : does it end with a joke or perhaps with a quotation or even introduce a new idea that leaves food for thought?

21. Remember to: Take note of the number of marks and tailor your answer to suit. Follow the instructions given in the question. Use quotations and / or examples to illustrate your answer.