Hey guys, I know this is an old thread, but I'm just going to leave this here for future students reference :
QUESTIONS ABOUT CONCLUSIONS : i.e, how effective do you find this paragraph as a conclusion to the ideas before/ the passage as a whole
Look for : 1) A word or idea that sums something up
2) Significant sentence structure such as identifiable rhythm created by alliteration, lists or climax.
3)Any phrase or idea that is dramatic and/or memorable
4)Any Imagery
5)A reference to the beginning of the passage or the title reminding the reader of the subject matter
QUESTIONS ABOUT TONE : i.e, identify the writers tone
The chances are the tone will be sarcastic or humorous in the exam - though it may be ironic, sardonic(mocking), bitter, angry, despairing, nostalgic etc. Once you identify the tone show how it is created by treating the question as a word choice, sentence structure, or language.
QUESTIONS ABOUT SENTENCE STRUCTURE :
1)Lists, emphasizing [range, variety, extent, or number] of [example]
2) Repetition - ALWAYS used for emphasis
3)Long sentence followed by a shorter sentence - the dramatic impact is usually on the second sentence (climax/anticlimax)
4) Unusual word order (inversion)
5)Prepositional phrases (in spite of, before, after etc.) at the beginning of sentences can guide the reader through stages in the argument or indicate a time sequence
6)Questions - rhetorical - invite the reader to think and share the writers opinion or could suggest reflection or confusement
7)Use of Imperatives (commands) reinforce a point being made
8)Parallelism! Look for a balance in sentences or in a paragraph where a similar grammatical structure can be identified - this can make sentences easier to process.
QUESTIONS ABOUT LANGUAGE : These questions primarily want you to consider the writers :
1) Word choice
2) Sentence structure
3) Tone
4) Imagery (if present)
QUESTIONS ON WORD CHOICE :
1) Identify a word that the writer uses to a particular purpose. Example : "Grotesque".
2) Show how this purpose is achieved by stating connotations : Example : "negative connotations of being disgusting and horrible"
3) Link to the context : Example : "The writer uses this to show how drugs cheats in the Olympics are disgusting and horrible to show his major dislike of them."
IMAGERY, metaphor, simile, personification, onomatopoeia etc. ALWAYS INCLUDE THE LITERAL ROOT. ALWAYS. Can't stress that enough. ALWAYS. Example : "The silver dart flew through the air" (referring to Concord) -
1) you HAVE to mention something along the lines of "a dart is a streamlined, pointed object that can easily fly through the air"
2) and THEN link that to Concord - "which is similar to Concord as"
3) and THEN say how they are similar - "Concord is also streamlined and pointed at the tip and also flies through the air"
4) and THEEEEEEN state the writers intention - "which is used by the writer to emphasize Concord's supreme ability to fly and to show his love of it"
QUESTIONS ON COMPARISON (HIGHER ONLY) : These are usually the last question in the Higher paper, and the example from 2012 (Higher) is
-----"Consider the attitude displayed by each writer towards the Olympic Games.
Identify key areas of agreement and disagreement in their points of view. You should support your answer by referring to important ideas in the passages.
You may present your answer to this question in continuous prose or in a series of developed bullet points."------
Stick closely to the instructions in the question about whether to write about similarities OR differences OR both. For example, if it is about similarities and you spot a difference, IGNORE IT.
The key to this question is to focus on MAJOR ideas spread across paragraphs. Don't focus on minor points!
Planning is also key to these questions. Look at these questions BEFORE starting the paper and leave time whilst doing the other questions to jot down the important ideas in the paragraph beside it, or make a table. If you plan well and do this, this question shouldn't take too long.
These answers are not marked according to length of according to the number of points made. You will have to identify at least two or three of the most important points for a minimum of three marks. The final marks will depend on HOW WELL you DEVELOP these points by REFERRING to the passage to support these points.