English Language Paper 2 reading

Question 1

Is this the fiction or the non-fiction paper?

Answer 1

The non-fiction paper.

Question 2

What does non-fiction mean?

Answer 2

Real life. Not made up.

Question 3

How many questions are there on this paper?

Answer 3

5 (4 reading and 1 writing)

Question 4

How many texts do you have to read?

Answer 4

Two

Question 5

What makes the second text different than the first?

Answer 5

It was written in the 19th century.

Question 6

What years does ‘the nineteenth century’ include?

Answer 6

1800 - 1899

Question 7

What three things can you use to make predictions about a text BEFORE you read it?

Answer 7

1) read the title
2) read the explanation box
3) think what background knowledge you already have about this subject

Question 8

What two things can you do DURING reading a text?

Answer 8

Ask yourself questions if you get confused, and summarise each paragraph in one or two words.

Question 9

What can you do AFTER you have read a text, to help you remember the basic idea?

Answer 9

Summarise what the writer said in one sentence: ‘So basically, they’re saying that…’

Question 10

How long do you have to read both texts in the exam?

Answer 10

15 minutes maximum (to read both of them).

Question 11

What does question 1 ask you to do?

Answer 11

Find four true statements.

Question 12

What TWO THINGS does question 2 ask you to do?

Answer 12

Compare what happens in both texts, and make inferences.

Question 13

What is an inference?

Answer 13

A guess that uses evidence (e.g. a quotation).

Question 14

What kind of paragraph do you use for question 2?

Answer 14

WWH (focus on inference, no key words needed!)

Question 15

What does question 3 ask you to do?

Answer 15

Analyse language (the techniques and words the writer chooses).

Question 16

What kind of paragraph should you use for question 3?

Answer 16

What

Where

How

Why

Question 17

What TWO THINGS does question 4 ask you to do?

Answer 17

Compare the writers’ viewpoints, and the words and techniques they use to get their viewpoint across.

Question 18

What kind of paragraph should you use for question 4?

Answer 18

A WWHW comparagraph.

Question 19

What goes into a comparagraph?

Answer 19

1) Comparison
2) WWHW text 1
3) On the other hand
4) WWHW text 2
5) Comparison

Question 20

What technique is this an example of: ‘Stop acting like this is somebody else’s problem.’

Answer 20

Imperative (command)

Question 21

What technique is this an example of: ‘But without homework, how can students still succeed?’

Answer 21

Rhetorical question

Question 22

What technique is this an example of: ‘Revision builds knowledge, confidence and success.’

Answer 22

Tricolon (list of three)

Question 23

What technique is this an example of: ‘revision will change your life overnight.’

Answer 23

Hyperbole (exaggeration)

Question 24

Which word type are these four words:

television, hope, prayer, Nigel

Answer 24

Nouns (the names of people, places, objects and ideas)

Question 25

Which word type are these four words:

slim, over-the-top, worried, grey

Answer 25

Adjectives (they describe people, places, objects or ideas)

Question 26

Which word type are these four words:

swim, twist, over-think, consider

Answer 26

Verbs (actions you can do with your mind, feelings or body)

Question 27

Which word type are these four words:

I, you, we, they

Answer 27

Pronouns (they take the place of people)

Question 28

Which word type are these four words or phrases:

without thinking, slowly, not very well, confidently

Answer 28

Adverbs (they describe how actions are done)