Help with English GCSE exam tomorrow.
Here are some tips for your GCSE exam tomorrow (I'm doing it too)
I'm ok with english so i'm going to do well hopefully. Good luck ;)
There are two sections to this exam SECTION A and SECTION B
SECTION A:
40 marks
This section is testing your reading skills.
Expct four questions, 10 marks each
Spend time reading/re-reading. Prove to the examiner you've read it in your answer use quotes!
Steps on answering Question 1-4
• Read the passage (with no pen)
• Read the questions and circle/highlight the keywords
• Rule off those lines you are told to use for example: Read lines 1 - 17
• Re-read the lines asked, underlining and making notes. Write up your answer. Move one the routins for other answers.
Always refer to the extract givin and if it asks for your view, argue BOTH for and against, then a conclusion (that's at least 3 paragraphs)
SECTION B
40 marks
This section is testing your writing skills.
You'll answer 2 questions
B1: Description
B2: Personal or story writing
On B2 you'll have a choice ONLY DO ONE
Remember:
Accurate basic puncuation: full stops, commas, apostrophes, question marks ect. (Without comma's you can only get about an E grade)
A PAGE AT LEAST.
DO NOT WRITE ABOUT MORE THAN 2 SETTINGS.
DO NOT WRITE ABOUT A LONG TIME IN A CHARACTERS LIFE - ONLY COVER A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME
THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE CHOICE YOU MAKE AND THE SYLE OF WRITING DEMANDED BY THAT CHOICE
Tips:
• Imagine you are a camera - keep yourself out of this peice or writing.
• Camera's can 'see' the complete view, therefore begin in your description with "little bits" of the scene
• Camera's can Zoom in. Now "Zoom in" your description of seprate little bits.
• A precise, stong vocabulary
• When you "Zoom" in be exact and detailed. Do not be general.
Example:
a)The trees were.... NO
The oak trees... YES
b)The flower were colourful. NO
The marigolds were brilliant orange added colour to the scene YES
c) The dogs raced around the... NO
An Old English sheepdog playfully pounched on the children's football. YES
• Do not jsut describe what can be seen, but also sound, smells textures, tastes.
• Use at least one comparision
e.g 1)The branches of the trees looked like fingers reaching out to grab people.
2) She stood in the way as if made of stone
• And avoid "ings"
My hands are tired so hope you like it.
