Explorers Or Boys Messign About?

Question 1

Meaning

Answer 1

Article meant to ridicule men for crashing a helicopter

Question 2

Structure

Answer 2

Listing
Continuous references to the tax payer
Balance between childlike imagery and evidence of competence
Negative impressions at start and finish

Question 3

Listing

Answer 3

-Listing creates an insight into the large scale of rescue, which is ironic as they only had to rescue two people
- the royal navey the raf the British coast guard

Question 4

References to taxpayer

Answer 4

-makes the reader personally offended

Question 5

Balance between childlike imagery and evidence of competence

Answer 5

There is a lot less evidence of competence than childlike imagery and suggestions

Question 6

Negative impressions at the start and finish

Answer 6

It is structurally significant that these points are made at the beginning and end of the article so that the readers get a negative first impression at the start and then a lasting, lingering negative impression at the end of the article.

Question 7

Language

Answer 7

Verbs suggesting incompetence
Comical imagery
Childlike imagery
Contrast with experts
Evidence of competence

Question 8

Verbs suggesting incompetence

Answer 8

‘plunged’ - this verb suggests that the men were not in control
‘plucked’ - this word comes shortly after ‘plunged’ and heightens the sense that the men were desperate. The repeated ‘p’ sounds (plosive) create a harsh tone suggesting that the writer is being a little sarcastic/judgemental of the men and their expedition
“scrambled’ - the verb ‘scrambled’ (to describe the men getting into the liferaft’ has connotations of clumsiness/desperation and suggests lack of competence and skill

Question 9

Comical imagery

Answer 9

‘ended in farce’ - ‘farce’ highlights the comical and amateurish nature of the men
‘the drama began’ - ‘drama’ suggests that it was a spectacle rather than a professional expedition
• ‘known as Q’ - the nickname of ‘Q’ reminds readers of the gadget expert from James Bond and suggests that the men are trying to replicate the adventures of the film hero - but without success

Question 10

Child like imagery

Answer 10

‘boys’ - this word is inappropriate as a description of grown men in their 40s and so belittles and ridicules them. The fact that it is in the title adds emphasis to this and suggests they are incompetent and childish
‘messing about’ - this is a phrase associated with childish play that doesn’t achieve anything. Again this ridicules their mission and suggests that it was not worthwhile/that it was simply childish
• The fact that Mr Brooks had to call his wife and ask her to ‘call the emergency people’ questions his masculinity and independence. The phrase ‘emergency people’ is also vague/non-technical suggesting that he had a child-like voice when calling his wife.
• This is also seen when his wife said that they would probably get their “bottoms kicked’. This reinforces the image of the men as naughty children that need to be punished.

Question 11

Contrast with experts

Answer 11

-Verbs used to describe experts were deciphered dispatched… but the men were scrambled and plucked…
-surveying uncharted waters, vs messing around
-all enhance the tax payers annoyance

Question 12

Evidence of competence

Answer 12

There is a list of places all around the world that the men have gained experience and this impression list of exotic and remote locations does inspire respect:
‘Congo’
‘Zambezi’
‘Himalayas’
‘Everest base camp’
• The reference to qualifications (mechanical engineer and pilot) also suggests they are experienced
-The list of their qualifications is buried in the middle of the article and quickly followed by the phrase ‘despite their achievements..’ which belittles the achievements
• Mr Smith ‘claims’ to have been flying since the age of 5. The inclusion of the word ‘claims’ is significant as it encourages the reader to question the credibility of his statement and wonder if it is actually true.