The detail is . . . The phrase is . . . The word is . . .

1. LQ: How do we tackle the reading iGCSE questions? The LOCATE & RETRIEVE question! WARNING! If you quote anything longer than ONE WORD you will get NO MARKS! If it says ‘phrase’ or ‘detail’ then you can quote up to 4 WORDS – but no more! LOW answer: ‘froze the very blood’<- 0 marks because it is MORE than one word MEDIUM answer: ‘froze’ <- 1 mark but could have started with a phrase from the question! This would make you look more intelligent to the examiner who is marking the rest of your paper. HIGH answer: The word is ‘froze’<- 1 mark for a PERFECT answer – and you have shown the examiner you know EXACTLY what they are looking for!  Example: What word does the writer use to describe the chilling effect that Jekyll’s changing face had on Utterson and Enfield’s inner feelings? (1) The detail is . . . The phrase is . . . The word is . . . Begin your answers by pointing out what TYPE of evidence you have found!

2. LQ: How do we tackle the reading iGCSE questions? The EXPLAIN question! Means you need to use the word BECAUSE in your explanation TWICE (2 marks!) Do NOT use a quote here – they only want YOUR words in the explanation. LOW answer: He was scared and didn’t want to go in. <- 0 marks because it is too basic and doesn’t explain in ANY DETAIL  MEDIUM answer: Poole stopped because he was scared by what he had seen in Jekyll’s cabinet and scared of going back in. <- 1 mark for giving at LEAST ONE explanation of WHY. Could have gained more marks by using ‘because’ twice and rephrasing the question in more detail. HIGH answer: Poole stopped and ‘mopped his brow’ before reaching the door because he was already shaken up by what he had seen in his master’s cabinet. He also ‘mopped his brow’ because he was aware that he would have to face the scene again by showing Utterson.<- 2 marks for a PERFECT answer – this is a DETAILED answer that uses ‘because’ twice and begins by rephrasing the question  Example: Explain in your own words why Poole stopped and ‘mopped his brow’ before he reached Dr Jekyll’s door (2) Poole stopped and ‘mopped his brow’ because . . . Begin your answers by REPHRASING the question!

3. LQ: How do we tackle the reading iGCSE questions? The QOUTE/INFERENCE questions! This is a DIFFERENT kind of ‘EXPLAIN’ question. You have to explain what the language in the QUOTE SUGGESTS! LOW answer: There have been fires there<- 0 marks because it is BASIC and only repeats what the quote has said  MEDIUM answer: Means that many different fires have been made by people there<- 1 mark but could give an even DEEPER, MORE DETAILED explanation of the language using one of the SENTENCE STARTERS. HIGH answer: This language could imply that many different men have spent the night by the river, leaving a mess behind.<- 2 marks for a PERFECT answer – uses a sentence starter and explains EVERYTHING that the language could imply!  Example: Explain what the writer means by the following phrases: - ‘an ash pile made by many fires’ Begin your answers in a way that shows you are making an INFERENCE This language could imply that . . . The writer seems to be suggesting . . . These words create a ________ impression because . . .

4. LQ: How do we tackle the reading iGCSE questions? The SUMMARY question! You must write SEVEN points/ sentences in your paragraph DO NOT use QUOTES! This means you have to find and write, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, the key points/events etc. from these lines. LOW summary point: He ‘set off down this tunnel where he had been working’<- 0 marks because the student used a QUOTE! A summary requires you to restate things IN YOUR OWN WORDS MEDIUM summary point: He went back down a tunnel to fetch his boss’s sandwich tin. <- maybe 1 mark? This is a bit RISKY because it does include THREE WORDS from the extract. Say ‘get’ instead of ‘fetch’ HIGH summary point: First, he went back down into a tunnel to get his boss’s lunch tin. <- 1 definite mark for a PERFECT answer – yes, it does say ‘tin’ but that’s it – the rest is in their OWN WORDS.  Example: Re-read lines 37-53. Write a summary of what happened to Obed while he was down in the mine.(7) Begin your sentences in a way which helps you make simple, clear points First, . . . Next, . . . After that, . . .