Nonfiction texts - H is for hawk, 127 hours and game of polo with headless goat

Question 1

What is the tone of H is for hawk?

Answer 1

Quite informal and as it’s written in first person it evokes sympathy from the reader. Pathos can be highlighted throughout

Question 2

How is structure used to build tension in H is for hawk?

Answer 2

• “another hinge untied. Concentration. Infinite caution” - short sentences builds tension.
• detached feeling sentances in second para
• syndetic listing (and,and,and) builds tension
• “one, two three” countdown created tension

Question 3

What quote highlight her confusion in H is for hawk?

Answer 3

“It was the wrong bird. This was the younger one. The smaller one. This was not my hawk.” - disjointed sentances creates a sense of confusion.

Question 4

What is the effect of the ellipsis in “ do you think there’s any chance I could take that one instead…”

Answer 4

Highlights her hesitation and and awkwardness.

Question 5

What is the effect of the quote “ a great flood of sunlight drenches us and everything in its brilliance and fury”

Answer 5

Parthetic fallacy gives the bird a god-like image and presents the bird as admirable

Question 6

What is the effect of “like a turkey in a butchers shop”

Answer 6

This simile illustrates the vulnerability of the bird

Question 7

What is the effect of the quote “Oh”

Answer 7

This monosyllabic exclamation, is italicised and isolated on the page. It momentarily suspends the pace of the narrative. Creating a barrier between the two hawks

Question 8

What is the effect of the quote “instead of twittering she wailed” and when she described the noise “like a thing in pain”.

Answer 8

-enhances the contrast with the first bird and highlights how both bird and her are unhappy.
- arguably this bird reflect her and her grief, however the prefers the other bird as she uses it as a coping mechanism to distract her from her grief.

Question 9

What does the writers statement “i didn’t recognise her” give the impression of?

Answer 9

That she has no emotional connection to this bird.

Question 10

What is the effect of the use of italics in “this is my hawk”, “this isn’t my hawk”, “but this isn’t my hawk”.

Answer 10

The repetition of the final two sentances draw attention to the writers feeling of dread and disbelief, highlighting her reluctance to accept the bird.

Question 11

What is the effect of the quote “I come to another drop off.” in 127 hours

Answer 11

There is no emotion as he uses the adjective ‘another’. Very detached tone - he’s done this many times before. Use of short sentance to start off, immediately builds tension.

Question 12

What is the effect of the quote “fear shoots my hands over my head” in 127 hours

Answer 12

Passive voice - he isn’t in control (fear is). Sudden change in tone highlights fear and panic

Question 13

What is the effect of the quote “ the backlit chockstone falling towards my head consumes the sky” in 127 hours

Question 14

How does the structure mirror the quote “walls widening” in 127 hours

Answer 14

As the walls widen the sentances get longer.

Question 15

What is the effect of the quote “if I can step onto it” in 127 hours

Answer 15

This conditional builds tension - isn’t certain he will succeed. Danger

Question 16

What does the repetition of present tense verbs in the 4th para

Question 17

What is the effect of the verb “dangle” in 127 hours

Answer 17

Very precarious, danger , lack of control. Builds tension

Question 18

What is the effect of the implied slowing down of time during the incident?

Answer 18

The references to the slowing down of time and the alliteration used to link how it ‘dilates’ with how his reactions consequently ‘decelerate’ convey sense of horror to the reader.

Question 19

What is the effect of the short sentence “them silence”?

Answer 19

Provides stark contrast with the action and intensity of the incident, makes the reader aware of how isolated and in danger he is

Question 20

What is the effect of the ending “nothing”

Answer 20

This short sentance highlights the danger he is in and leaves the reader imagining what might happen.

Question 21

What is the effect of the tricolon -“heaving …, pushing…., lifting…”

Answer 21

Emphasises the extreme physical effort needed to try to lift the stone.

Question 22

What is the effect of the title “a game of polo with a headless goat”

Answer 22

Juxtaposition of “polo” -sofistication and “a headless goat” - uncultured

Question 23

What is the purpose of “a game of polo with a headless goat”?

Answer 23

It is a travelogue so it is made to relay information and educate yet also she wants to sell books so is also made to entertain. Further as a westerner in Pakistan is she also a bit judgemental/biased towards their culture as she is seeing things through her western lens

Question 24

What is implies when she calls the donkey race “the wacky races”?

Answer 24

We can imply that she views this as quite unusual and maybe even humorous coming from a westerner - quite judgmental

Question 25

What is the effect of the quote “we waited for eternity” in polo with a headless goat?

Answer 25

Hyperbolic statement creates suspense and anticipation for things to begin.

Question 26

What is the effect of “my zoom lens” and wobbly bicycle “ in polo with a headless goat?

Answer 26

Contrast in technology reflects contrast in worlds. She comes from a completely different perspective to the locals on the race.

Question 27

What is the effect of the dialogue “are they coming” … “coming, coming”?

Answer 27

Are they coming - wait ,suspense, excitement
Coming, coming - abiguity - lack of organisation and builds suspense

Question 28

What does the quotes “roaring” and “revved up engines” achieve?

Answer 28

This onomatopoeia builds suspense and gives a sense of rising action

Question 29

What can we imply when she marvels at how the donkeys are going at 40 kph

Answer 29

She later likens the race to f1 without rules. Which highlights the unimpressiveness of the donkeys speeds - she is maybe being a bit patronising.

Question 30

How is a sense of excitement and chaos created during the race?

Answer 30

-Onomatopoeia- of horns, bells, rattles.
-list of active verbs
-

Question 31

What is the effect of the quote “like f1 without rules, or a city centre rush hour gone anarchic; a complete flouting of every traffic rule and common sense”

Answer 31

Slightly judgemental tone- comparing this to the western world. She is unable to view it though an unbiased lense

Question 32

What is the effect of describing the race as survival of the fittest?

Answer 32

Gives a sense of lawlessness.