GCSE Lit Exam Extract Questions

Extract Questions
Higher Tier Extracts With close reference to the extract, show how ---------- creates mood and atmosphere here. Look closely at how --------- speaks and behaves here. How does it affect your feelings towards him/her? Look closely at how --------- speaks and behaves here. What does it reveal of his/her state of mind? How does -------- suggest ---------s feelings in this extract? Look closely at how ---------- and ----------- speak and behave here. What does it reveal about their relationship? Look closely at how ---------- speaks and behaves here. What impressions would an audience receive of his/her character? Look closely at how --------- speaks and behaves here. How might it affect an audiences feelings towards him/her? Foundation Tier Extracts: What are your thoughts and feelings as you read this extract? Remember to give reasons for what you say, and to support your answer with words and phrases from the text. What do you think of the way ----x---- speaks and behaves here? Give reasons for what you say, and support your answer with words and phrases from the text. What impressions of ---x---- do you have when you read this extract? Give reasons for what you say, and support your answer with words and phrases from the text. What does this extract show you about ----x-----s feelings? Give reasons for what you say, and support your answer with words and phrases from the text. What are your thoughts and feelings about ----x----here? Give reasons for what you say, and remember to support your answer with words and phrases from the text.

1. The Extract Questions

How to approach an extract

Before you start, check the focus of the question(s), then highlight or underline relevant details (words/phrases, rather than big chunks ) covering key relevant parts of the extract. Feel free to write all over the extract. Its useful to ask yourself why this particular extract has been chosen: it may be a turning point in the story, or it may reveal something new or significant about a character, for example. This could be a starting point for your answer. Be specific - for example, if the question is about how the writer creates mood and atmosphere, say straight away what the mood and atmosphere is, or if it is about a character, make a clear point about the character in question. Tackle the key areas of the extract, selecting and highlighting detail. DONT FORGET THE QUESTION! Make sure you go right to the end of the extract there will be a good reason why it starts and ends where it does. If its relevant, you may make brief reference to other parts of the text - to put the extract in context - but YOUR MAIN CONCERN IS THE EXTRACT. In the play extract, make full use of the stage directions, and analyse them as closely as you do the dialogue - look really closely at how the characters speak. Always support what you say with reference to the text of the extract.

What should you be looking for?

Why has Steinbeck chosen particular words/phrases and what is their impact on the reader/audience? Try to identify technical features (similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia, consonance, sibilance, personification) and always try to explain what the technical feature contributes to the readers understanding.

Extract Tips
Try to consider the shape (structure) of the text. Look at the length of the sentences and the order in which information is presented. Try to consider why the author/playwright has chosen to write in this way.

Extract Tips
Use short quotations from the extract to support the points you make. Always stick very closely to the text. Always work through it systematically. Dont re-tell the story. Dont just explain what is happening. Focus on how the text is written and how the events are being presented to us.

Starting an extract answer

Either establish when/where this is happening and why it is important. In this passage, the reader is made aware that George and Lennie will never be able to realise their dream. Or respond directly to the question The atmosphere in this extract is tense and full of anxiety.

Dealing with the Poetry Question

Use the bullet points to help you organise your essay; Begin straight away by talking about meaning you dont need a long introduction; The mood is the feeling or atmosphere that you get from the poem; Comment on metaphors/similes etc when talking about how it is written; Be confident - put your personal opinion across; Use plenty of quotations to back up what you say. Refer to the poet by their surname.