Year 8 January Exams English Revision

You will complete two exams in English: English Reading Exam (1 hour) – this is based on an unseen extract.

English Writing Exam (45 minutes) – you will be given a picture and asked to describe it OR to write a story.

Reading Exam: 1 hourYou will be given an unseen extract. You will be asked four questions:Question Timin

gWhat does the question ask? How should I answer?

1 5 mins List four things you learn about __________

Make sure you answer the question!

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Name: ___________________English class: ______Teacher: __________________

2 15 mins

How does the writer use language to _____________?

You could include the writer’s choice of:

o words and phraseso language features and

techniqueso sentence forms

Read and annotate the extract

Choose evidence that helps you answer the question

Use PEE

Pick out and fully analyse key words

Use the modal verbs: could, may and might to explore different interpretations

3 15 mins

How has the writer structured the text to interest you as a reader? You could write about:

o what the writer focuses your attention on at the beginning

o how and why the writer changes this focus as the Source develops

o any other structural features that interest you.

Comment on what happens when.

Use sentence starters such as:

o At the beginning of the extract…

o Towards the middle of the extract…

o At the end of the extract…

4 25 mins

Focus this part of your answer on the second half of the Source.

A student, having read this section of the text said: ‘This part of the story is ________________________’

To what extent do you agree?

In your response, you could:

o write about your own impressions of _______

o evaluate how the writer has created ________

o support your opinions with quotations from the text

Read and annotate the extract

Choose evidence that helps you answer the question

Use PEE

Pick out and fully analyse key words

Use the modal verbs: could, may and might to explore different interpretations

Writing Exam: 45 minutesYou will be given a picture and asked to either:

write a description of the picture OR write a story

What am I aiming to show?You will be given a mark out of 24 for content and organisation and a mark out of 16 for technical accuracy. This will be added together to give you a total mark out of 40.Content and organisation (24 marks)

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Communication is convincing and compelling throughout Tone, style and register matched to purpose, form and audience Extensive and ambitious vocabulary Range of techniques – similes, metaphors, personification, alliteration,

pathetic fallacy, etc Ideas are organised into paragraphs Paragraphs are fluently linked with a range of connectives both within and

between paragraphsTechnical accuracy (16 marks)

Accurate use of full stops, capital letters and commas throughout Full range of punctuation used accurately - …():;!? -,. Full range of sentence lengths and structures Uses Standard English (no slang) Accurate spelling Extensive and ambitious vocabulary

Using more ambitious vocabularySynonym challengeA synonym is a word that means the same as another wordComplete the table by adding as many synonyms as you can think of. The first column has been done for you.happy sad hot cold angry calm

blissfulcheerycontentdelightedecstaticeuphoricexultantgleefuljovialjoyfuljubilantrapturous

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Vocabulary bank Smell words – acidic, aromatic, spicy, musty, fetid, rancid, sweet, putrid, pine,

acrid, mint, pungent, floral, noxious, repulsive, foul Sound words – thunder, crackle, scream, rustle, plop, tinkle, wheeze, crunch,

jungle, throb, howl, caterwaul, snarl, bark, bang, rasp Taste words – ripe, velvety, sharp, fiery, silky, syrupy, tangy, gritty, fizzy,

sour, peppery, bitter, brackish, zesty, foul Touch words – blunt, jagged, clammy, viscous (sticky), leathery, coarse,

smooth, greasy, fleecy, treacly, damp, feathery, rubbery, abrasive, slippery, gluey

Sight words – sleek, crumbling, ancient, lustrous, radiant, lacklustre, dismal, dazzling, drab, luminous, picturesque, leaden, panoramic, resplendent, ominous

white –snowy, silvery, bleached cold – frosty, bitter, wintry, icy excited – eager, ecstatic, thrilled, animated, energised joyous – blissful, jubilant, exuberant, delighted, merry screams – shrieks, yells, cries, yelps, squeals, squawks

thrilled

Superb similesA simile is _________________________________________________________

Complete these similes:

The moon glowed like ________________________________________________Raindrops dripped down the window pane like ______________________________Smoke floated on the air like __________________________________________The air smells as fresh as ____________________________________________The rose petals are as delicate as ______________________________________The surface of the water is as smooth as _________________________________The icicles pointed downwards like ______________________________________Dewdrops glistened on the flowers like ___________________________________The fog covered the city like __________________________________________The clouds are as fluffy as ___________________________________________The girl sings as sweetly as ___________________________________________The traffic moved as slowly as _________________________________________The crows cackled like _______________________________________________The children scuttled across the beach like _______________________________The road wove its way up the mountain like ________________________________The sea sand lay across the path like ____________________________________The water streamed down like _________________________________________Snow drifted to the earth like _________________________________________Clumps of snow stuck to the branches like ________________________________Her angry words spewed out like________________________________________The rain tapped on the roof as steadily as _________________________________The wind rushed through the house like ___________________________________Wildflowers dotted the landscape like ____________________________________The child ate like ____________________________________________________His stomach rumbled like ______________________________________________

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The soft breeze on her face was as gentle as _______________________________Snow topped the mountain like __________________________________________

Perfect personificationPersonification is when human qualities are given to things that are not human. It is a very effective descriptive writing technique.

Underline the example of personification in each sentence.

1. The wind sang her mournful song through the falling leaves.

2. The strawberries seemed to sing, "Eat me first!"

3. The rain kissed my cheeks as it fell.

4. The daffodils nodded their yellow heads at the walkers.

5. The water beckoned invitingly to the hot swimmers.

6. The snow whispered as it fell to the ground during the early morning hours.

7. The china danced on the shelves during the earthquake.

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spilled sugar sharp needles Christmas decorations a beating drumtiny crabs a fairy’s kisses polished diamonds whipped cream

a mirrorgiant’s tears a famished wolf wispy feathers a grey blanketan express train a bridal veil a lustrous pearl a lark fine silkdemented witches distant thunder newly washed linen a golden halo

8. The car engine coughed and sputtered when it started during the blizzard.

Practice assessmentYour school or college is asking students to contribute some creative writing for its website.

Write a description suggested by this picture:

OR Write a story which begins: I guessed that something was wrong as soon as I …

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Personification examples to use/adapt: The sun smiled proudly like a queen surveying her kingdom. The wind sang softly as it waltzed through the trees. The first rays of morning tiptoed through the glistening white meadow. The tree branches moaned quietly. The blizzard swallowed the town.

(24 marks for content and organisation16 marks for technical accuracy)

[40 marks]

Example of excellent descriptive writing

Now look at this example. Label all the features that make it an effective description.

Clouds crawl majestically across a black velvet sky studded with tiny diamond-like stars. Like a delighted queen surveying her magical kingdom, the pearly moon smiles proudly. Anticipation simmers. The air is ripe with excitement. Despite the icy chill that pierces the night like a knife, crowds have gathered on the old market square. Welcome to Wonderland!

The first stall offers a range of tasty treats: warm mince pies that melt in the mouth; striped candy canes in a myriad of colours; hot turkey sandwiches that smell divine; gingerbread reindeer with sparkling antlers; and luscious hot drinks like sweet, syrupy nectar. The temptation proves too much.“I want that one!” a child yelps excitedly as he points to a gigantic chocolate snowman.“Just a minute Ben,“ his Dad replies.But Ben’s excitement is insuppressible. His hand flies towards the snowman, snatching frantically at the plastic casing. He grabs it and tugs violently, sending scores of chocolate treats cascading to the ground. Disaster! Ben’s Dad is furious. The stall-holder is livid. Ben’s in trouble…serious trouble.“How could you be so stupid?” his Dad roars. Ben is silent and shame-faced; words have escaped him.

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alliterationeffective adverb effective simile

Don’t forget to vary sentence length and structure:Different sentence starters:

With an adverb (ly word) – surreptitiously, suddenly, cautiously, proudly

With a connective: Even though…, Despite…, Whilst…, As…,

With a simile The moon smiled proudly, like a queen surveying her kingdom. Like a queen surveying her kingdom, the moon smiled proudly.

Far from the commotion and chaos of the food stall, an elderly couple stroll towards the candle stall. The smell is heavenly: cinnamon, vanilla, spiced orange, heather and saffron. Spoilt for choice, they gaze in wonder at the tiny flames that dance and flicker. Their eyes feast on the sumptuous selection before they eventually make a choice. Hand in hand, they wander on, clutching their precious purchase.

Meanwhile, at the Christmas jumper stall, an argument is brewing. One jumper, two sisters…who will win? They scowl at each other menacingly.“Sorry girls, that’s the last one I’m afraid.” The stall-holder tries to tempt the girls with an alternative design. It’s futile. Their minds are made up.“Perhaps you could share it?” the elderly stall-holder suggests.“Not a chance,” replies their Mum.The stall-holder shrugs sympathetically whilst the innocent jumper sits patiently on its hanger. This battle has only just begun.

On the other side of the market a group of amateur singers are warming up for their much-anticipated performance. Clutching their music, they begin to sing their joyful, jubilant carols. Ribbons of sweet music spiral through the night sky.

The royal moon is elated and content. Her smile widens. ‘Merry Christmas’ she whispers to herself. ‘Merry Christmas everyone.’

Practice assessmentYour school or college is asking students to contribute some creative writing for its website.

Write a description suggested by this picture:

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ORWrite a story which begins: The last thing I wanted to do that day was…

(24 marks for content and organisation16 marks for technical accuracy)

[40 marks]Practice assessmentWrite a story about an old man as suggested by this picture:

OR Write a story about a character who makes a mistake.

Write a description suggested by this picture:

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OR Write a story which begins: As the mist cleared, I saw…

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