Section A
Overview
Paper 1 gives you one passage and one hour, and then asks you five questions about it. Nothing is hidden. The passage is printed in the paper, every question tells you exactly which lines to look at, and the whole of Section A is worth 40 marks, half the paper. What separates a middling answer from a strong one is not knowledge, because there is nothing here to know in advance. It is a habit of reading closely and then writing about what you noticed in a way that shows you noticed it.
This lesson builds that habit. You will learn what literary non-fiction is and why the board chooses it, what each of the five questions is really asking for underneath its wording, and how the reading mark scheme moves a response up from spotting a detail to explaining it to inferring from it. Everything is demonstrated on a practice passage written for this lesson, with the analysis performed in full rather than described.
Objectives
- The passages for the reading section on Paper 1 will be literary non-fiction eg autobiography, biography, letters, memoir and travel/adventure writing.
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Section A. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which genre is NOT named by the 9270 specification as a source of Paper 1 Section A passages? A. Autobiography B. Memoir C. Science fiction D. Travel writing Answer: C
- How many marks are available for Section A of Paper 1? A. 30 B. 40 C. 60 D. 80 Answer: B
- A question begins 'What do you learn about ...'. What should the answer concentrate on? A. A range of supported details and what they imply B. Correcting the writer's opinions C. Retelling the passage in order D. The writer's use of language techniques Answer: A
- Which of these is a structural method rather than a language method? A. A metaphor comparing a boat to an adult B. An adjective chosen for its connotations C. Delaying the arrival of the boat until after a paragraph of waiting D. Sibilance in a description of water Answer: C
- In the published band descriptors for a Paper 1 reading question, which word describes the highest band? A. Assert B. Examine C. Identify D. Mention Answer: B
Work through these questions in the app
Work through these questions in the app
Recommended Books
Practice Mock Questions
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