Paper 2 Questions

Question 1

Explain the author’s use of the word ‘impressive’.

Answer 1

Question Requirement: 1) Give the function of the word
2) Give the context of the issue

We have to reflect the author’s negative tone while using the word impressive.

The author intends to express his disbelief/shock/sarcasm towards (context).

Question 2

What does the word “shackles” suggest about (subject).

Answer 2

Question Requirement: 1) Meaning of the word
2) Context of issue

It suggests that the (subject) can be restrictive/enslaving/constraining in (subject).

Question 3

What does “tribal instincts” suggest about people.

Answer 3

It is people’s natural response/ natural tendency / intuition/ primal / basic response.

Question 4

Explain the author’s use of the word ‘arguably’.

Answer 4

The author intends to show that the (context and statement) could possibly/likely be correct/incorrect. Her argument that (statement) can be challenged/debated.

Question 5

What does the word “lingering” suggest about the (subject).

Answer 5

It suggests that the (subject) will be lasting for a long time or slow to end.

Question 6

Explain why the author has put inverted commas round the word ‘astronauts’.

Answer 6

The author intends to show that ‘astronauts’ in the context is not what it purports to be in reality, but in fact are actors portraying the role of astronauts.

Question 7

Why has the author placed ‘but alarming’ inside brackets.

Answer 7

Question Requirement: 1) Function of punctuation mark
2) Context of issue

It is secondary information that the rate at which (context) was taking place is a cause for concern.

Question 8

Explain what the author means by the phrase ‘evolutionary leap’ .

Answer 8

Question requirement: 1) Unpack every meaningful word
2) Context of issue

The author means that the rate of the (context) has been improving at a very fast and sudden speed.

Question 9

What does the word ‘even’ suggest about the (context).

Answer 9

It is unexpected/surprising for (context).

Question 10

Why do the authors use the word ‘mere’.

Answer 10

The author intends to show how small or insignificant someone or something is.

Question 11

What does the author suggest by writing ‘such advances may seep rather than cascade down’.

Answer 11

The author is suggesting that the (context) , albeit advancing at a slow/ gradual / creeping pace rather than an accelerated/ rapid/ swift one.

Question 12

What is the author implying about (subject) by the use of the word ‘‘resignation’ .

Answer 12

The author is implying that the (subject) are accepting of something that is undesirable yet inevitable.

Question 13

Explain the author’s phrase of ‘ what is even worse ‘ .

Answer 13

It is bad enough that (previous context) , it is even more damning that (context).

Question 14

Why do you think the author switches to ‘we’ in the final paragraph.

Answer 14

The author wants the readers to reflect/ponder on (context). / The author wants to include the reader in thinking whether (context).

Question 15

Explain why the author uses the word ‘arbitrary’.

Answer 15

The author uses the word to highlight how random/unpredictable (context).

Question 16

What does the linking phrase ‘Be that as it may’ tell you about the previous paragraph.

Answer 16

The author offers his previous idea regarding (context) as food for thought / as a possibility but certainty not as a hard fact.

Question 17

Why does the author refer to religion and faith in lines…

Answer 17

The author wants to prove that the need for (context) has long been important/entrenched in people’s lives.

Question 18

Explain the author’s use of the word ‘even’ in a phrase ‘even the labelling and packaging’.

Answer 18

The author uses the word to show that everything about the food itself can be questioned/ criticized/ become an issue to such an extreme that smallest details which appear insignificant are questioned.

Question 19

In what ways is the final sentence an effective conclusion to the author’s argument.

Answer 19

It links back to the introduction that started out describing (context).

The final sentence sums up the (context) succinctly.

By switching to the personal pronoun ‘we’ in the final paragraph the author was attempting to connect with the reader to make the issue a shared concern.

Question 20

How does the author in paragraph … illustrate his view that … ?

Answer 20

The author illustrates by using an anecdote of … (context in paragraph linking with the statement).

Question 21

Why has the author written ‘former employee’ in inverted commas.

Answer 21

To express her disapproval/criticism/scorn/judgment regarding the fact that the company was so quick/eager to distance itself from its employee.

Question 22

In which two ways is the final paragraph an effective conclusion to the author’s views about cancel culture?

Answer 22

The use of the word ‘we’ allows the author to connect with and engage readers regarding the shared concern about cancel culture’s limitations/impacts.

It reinforces her earlier argument/provides a warning that cancel culture can have lasting negative impacts, especially for the individual.

The author is also providing thematic unity by reinforcing the message from paragraph 3 that individuals suffer more from cancel culture.

Question 23

Explain the author’s use of the word ‘very’ in line 4.

Answer 23

It is precisely / really / truly those who require us to come to their aid or assistance / to show them empathy who are ignored.

Question 24

Explain the author’s use of the word ‘Surely’ in line 42.

Answer 24

One would expect that / indubitably / it is without a doubt / definitely the case / think it is obvious that not experiencing any empathy is a less desirable prospect than experiencing its downsides.