National 5 Close Reading Practice Questions

National 5Close ReadingPractice Questions

The Basics • You should answer using bullet points • You must read the question carefully • Unless told to answer in your own words you should always quote

In your own words • One bullet point per mark • Use your own words as far as your possibly can • Quoting will get you ZERO marks

Question 1 • It is only teenagers that do it • It damages linguistic skills

Question 2 • It is too interested in looking after its own interests • It is more concerned with quantity of viewers than quality of programmes • It is spending money it doesn’t have

Question 3 • Both “endured” cold living conditions • Both were on their own/single • Both were poor • Both had their lives altered for the better • Both found husbands (any 4 of the above)

Context • ‘___________’ means ____________ • The word/words ‘_______________’ helped me understand this because it/they suggest(s) _____________________

Question 4 • ‘Vacillated’ means that he was indecisive • The word ‘hesitation’ helped me understand this because it suggests that he swithered between two different positions

Question 5 • ‘Monstrous verbosity’ means to use unnecessarily complex language • The words ‘a primitive earth-breaking implement’ helped me understand this because they suggest that they wouldn’t just use a single simple word to describe something

Linking • The word(s) ‘_______________’ link back to what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was __________________. • The word(s) ‘_______________’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which is _______________________________.

Question 6 • The words ‘his work’ link back to what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was his plays, characters and poetry. • The words ‘the man himself’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which is information about his life and personality.

Question 7 • The word ‘appearance’ links back to what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was her ‘beauty’. • The words ‘the character’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which is that she was an inspiring person.

The other mark is for actually recognising that this is a linking question!!! Question 8 • The words ‘the resource question’ link back to what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was about paying for healthcare for the elderly. • The words ‘only half the story’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which focuses on bigger questions about what it means to be “old”.

Sentence Structure • Know the different types • Know the punctuation • Be as clear as possible

Question 9 • Several rhetorical questions • This shows that even he doesn’t really know why he does it • Long, complex list • This explores the range of reasons not to enjoy hillwalking and reinforces the point made by the questions

Question 10 • Very long, complex list is used • This is used to demonstrate the huge range of ‘new ways of living’ (or ways in which we are ‘separating ourselves from our planet’)

Word Choice • QUOTE AND EXPLAIN • Think about meanings AND connotations

Question 11 • “web” • This suggests that Cowell sees us as his prey OR that we are manipulated the way a spider manipulates a fly in its web OR that once drawn into reality TV it is nearly impossible to escape

Question 12 • “changed the world” • Suggests that he had a huge influence

Question 13 • “begging letters” – implies unpleasant/unwanted attention • Journalists “rifling” through her bins – suggests invasion of privacy/indiscriminate searching and/or unpleasant/unwanted attention

Tone • Understand different types of tone • Think of how the words used – and the way in which the sentences are written – might create a specific mood (similar to word choice questions)

Question 14 • Sad / gloomy / pessimistic / concerned • I would also accept dismissive

Question 15 • The word “may” is used twice • This makes clear that they are unsure of the chances of being able to fully explore the tomb

Question 16 • Attitude is positive / admiring • The word “reassure” confirms that the writer believes her story to be positive

Imagery • _________ is being compared to __________ • Thisis effective because just as ‘__________’ suggests ____________________ • So to ____________________________________

Question 17 • Afrikaans is being compared to a drug • It is effective because just as ‘drugs’ suggests something damaging and destructive • So too ‘Afrikaans’ could potentially do terrible damage to the educational changes of Africans

Question 18 • It is effective because just as ‘hysteria’ suggests panic • So too the response to texting was irrational and over-the-top

Question 19 • Fame is being compared to a photograph • This is effective because just as a photograph cannot be changed • So too being famous makes it incredibly difficult for people like JK Rowling to change their career path

National 5 Close Reading Practice Questions