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A step by step guide…A step by step guide…

Question TypesQuestion Types

►There are nine key question types at There are nine key question types at Intermediate Two level. Intermediate Two level.

►There are step by step instructions for There are step by step instructions for how to answer each of these question how to answer each of these question typestypes

►You must be able to recognise these You must be able to recognise these questionsquestions

►You must use the steps to answer them You must use the steps to answer them

Basic Meaning QuestionsBasic Meaning Questions

►These questions test your basic These questions test your basic understanding of the text. understanding of the text. Always answer in your own words as far Always answer in your own words as far

as possible. Remember you do this by:as possible. Remember you do this by:►Changing the wordsChanging the words►Changing the order of the wordsChanging the order of the words►Changing the parts of speech or Changing the parts of speech or ►SimplifyingSimplifying

Pay attention to the number of marks Pay attention to the number of marks awarded for these questions and give an awarded for these questions and give an answer of appropriate length. answer of appropriate length.

Context QuestionsContext Questions

►These questions ask you to show that These questions ask you to show that you understand the meaning of a word you understand the meaning of a word by looking at the words around them – by looking at the words around them – their context.their context. Step 1: Explain the meaning of the wordStep 1: Explain the meaning of the word Step 2: quote words from the context that Step 2: quote words from the context that

suggest this meaningsuggest this meaning Step 3: Explain what is suggested by the Step 3: Explain what is suggested by the

words that you quoted and how this helps words that you quoted and how this helps to suggest the original meaning. to suggest the original meaning.

Word Choice QuestionWord Choice Question

►Word choice questions ask you to Word choice questions ask you to consider why a writer has used a word consider why a writer has used a word or group of words, and what effect or group of words, and what effect they are trying to create.they are trying to create. Step 1: Quote the words that you are Step 1: Quote the words that you are

being asked to consider being asked to consider Step 2: Explain the connotations or Step 2: Explain the connotations or

associated meanings of these wordsassociated meanings of these words Step 3: Highlight the use of any figures of Step 3: Highlight the use of any figures of

speech – metaphor, euphemism, speech – metaphor, euphemism, hyperbole etc hyperbole etc

Structure QuestionsStructure Questions

►These questions ask you to show that you These questions ask you to show that you understand and can recognise the understand and can recognise the writer’s use of punctuation, sentence writer’s use of punctuation, sentence length, and patternslength, and patterns Step 1:Identify the punctuation or structural Step 1:Identify the punctuation or structural

technique technique Step 2: Explain the effect created by this Step 2: Explain the effect created by this

technique and link it to the passage. technique and link it to the passage.

Link QuestionsLink Questions

►These questions ask you to consider the These questions ask you to consider the way that paragraphs or sections of way that paragraphs or sections of paragraphs are linked togetherparagraphs are linked together Step 1: Quote the section of the link sentence Step 1: Quote the section of the link sentence

that refers back to the previous paragraphthat refers back to the previous paragraph Step 2: Explain the idea that it links back toStep 2: Explain the idea that it links back to Step 3: Quote the section of the link sentence Step 3: Quote the section of the link sentence

that refers forward to the next paragraphthat refers forward to the next paragraph Step 4: Explain the idea that it links forward toStep 4: Explain the idea that it links forward to Step 5: Highlight key connective wordsStep 5: Highlight key connective words

Tone QuestionsTone Questions►These questions ask you to identify the These questions ask you to identify the

attitude of the writer towards their attitude of the writer towards their chosen topic. You have to show that you chosen topic. You have to show that you understand how the author feels about understand how the author feels about the subject they are discussing. the subject they are discussing. Step 1: Identify the tone (start by working Step 1: Identify the tone (start by working

out whether it is positive or negative, out whether it is positive or negative, formal or informal and ask yourself what formal or informal and ask yourself what has given you this impressionhas given you this impression

Step 2: Quote words or phrases that Step 2: Quote words or phrases that suggest this tonesuggest this tone

Step 3:Explain why the quotations suggest Step 3:Explain why the quotations suggest the tone you have identifiedthe tone you have identified

Imagery QuestionsImagery Questions

►These questions require you to identify These questions require you to identify an image, the technique used to create an image, the technique used to create it and comment on the effectiveness of itit and comment on the effectiveness of it Step 1: State what technique is being used Step 1: State what technique is being used

(simile, metaphor or personification)(simile, metaphor or personification) Step 2: Identify the literal and figurative Step 2: Identify the literal and figurative

objects in the comparisonobjects in the comparison Step 3: Identify the qualities that the two Step 3: Identify the qualities that the two

things have in common (size, texture, things have in common (size, texture, appearance, temperature, smell etc)appearance, temperature, smell etc)

Step 4: Explain why the comparison is Step 4: Explain why the comparison is effective in the context of the passageeffective in the context of the passage

Contrast QuestionsContrast Questions

►These questions require you to understand These questions require you to understand comparisons and the reasons that the comparisons and the reasons that the Step 1: Explain what two things are being Step 1: Explain what two things are being

contrasted or compared – you may wish to contrasted or compared – you may wish to quote herequote here

Step 2: Identify what is similar about the Step 2: Identify what is similar about the contrasted itemscontrasted items

Step 3: Identify what is different about the Step 3: Identify what is different about the contrasted itemscontrasted items

Step 4: Comment on the effect created by the Step 4: Comment on the effect created by the contrast in terms of the passage as a wholecontrast in terms of the passage as a whole

Evaluation QuestionsEvaluation Questions

►This requires you to give your opinion This requires you to give your opinion on the effectiveness of a technique, or on the effectiveness of a technique, or conclusion of an article. conclusion of an article. Step 1: Give your opinion – effective or Step 1: Give your opinion – effective or

not?not? Step 2: Explain what is effective about itStep 2: Explain what is effective about it

►Look for links to other sections in the passageLook for links to other sections in the passage►Look for links in terms of the meaning the Look for links in terms of the meaning the

writer is trying to convey. writer is trying to convey.

Tag – Answer AnalysisTag – Answer Analysis

►When you get a CR paper back. Tally up the When you get a CR paper back. Tally up the number of marks lost against the reasons why number of marks lost against the reasons why you have lost them in order to give yourself you have lost them in order to give yourself clear targets clear targets QU = question not attemptedQU = question not attempted RPC = Read the passage more carefully RPC = Read the passage more carefully RQ = Read the question more carefullyRQ = Read the question more carefully OW = use your own wordsOW = use your own words ^ = More detail and information is required^ = More detail and information is required NA = not accurateNA = not accurate E = expressed or explained badlyE = expressed or explained badly QC = Quotation and comment requiredQC = Quotation and comment required