Example Questionsl
1. Analyse the writer’s use of language in the first sentence of the extract (lines 1-2) to effectively convey Neil’s state of mind. (3)
- an analyse language question is asking you to identify a language technique- this can be imagery, word-choice, an element of sentence structure...- give a quote as evidence and fully analyse in answer to the question.
eg.
‘In Neil, so canny about admitting happiness, all the hindrances had vanished, one by one, like the early mists over the loch. ‘
Analyse the writer’s use of language in the first sentence of the extract (lines 1-2) to effectively convey Neil’s state of mind.
Comments should focus on the effect of word choice, imagery, tone and /or structure to communicate Neil’s frame of mind.
•Positioning of “In Neil” centres the focus directly on him…
•Parenthesis of “so canny about admitting happiness” shows his guard has slipped…
•Knowing tone / word choice of “canny” to suggest his instinctive sense of care / self-protection…
•Word choice of “all the hindrances” to suggest a multitude of problems…
•Word choice of “vanished” suggests almost unexpected / unusual disappearance…
•Parenthesis of “one by one” suggests the many, many concerns affecting Neil
•Simile of “like the early mists over the loch” suggests problems lifting…
For 3 marks analyse at least 2 examples.
2. Show how word choice is used in lines 7-17 to express Neil’s initial perception of Duror as a ‘hindrance’. (2)
identify word-choice and comment on connotations in relevance to question.
e.g.
'Among those hindrances to happiness had been the big gamekeeper. He could not forget Duror’s quiet, inconceivable hatred; and all last night he had felt that his and Calum’s argument over the trapped rabbit would in some way be sensed by the gamekeeper, strengthening his vow to have them driven from the wood. In the morning sunlight, however, that fear of their desperate pity being detectable in the dead fur and glazed eyes seemed ridiculous. Duror would come to the ride, pick up the rabbit, and put it into his bag, without even thinking about them. Indeed, according to what Mr. Tulloch had said, the gamekeeper had enough to worry him in that his wife had been an invalid for many years. If they kept out of his way, they would not be troubled by him; and how much more out of the way could they be than at the top of this ninety-foot larch?'
identify sentence structure technique, give quote and fully analyse.
e.g.
10 Mark Final Question.
e.g.
5. Discuss how well the presentation of Neil’s character in this section reflects his development as a character in the rest of the novel. (10)
Comments should explore the connotations of word choice relating to Duror as a threatening presence at the start of this section, before Neil considers otherwise. Possible references that could be developed include:
•“quiet, inconceivable hatred”
•“sensed”
•“strengthening his vow”
•“driven from the wood”
3. Referring closely to lines 18-26, explain clearly in your own words Neil’s interpretation of the Runcie-Campbell household and his course of action towards them in response.
understanding question- find information and explain in your own words.
e.g 'Another hindrance had been the constant sight of the mansion house chimneys, reminding him of their hut, which to him remained a symbol of humiliation. But this morning he remembered what Mr. Tulloch had said about the lady: she was rich and high in rank, but she was also generous and just; and her son, the thin boy in the red cap, had waved to them and shouted in a friendly voice. Those people represented the power of the world, and so long as he was humble it would be benignant. He and Calum would be humble. In spite of his bitterness, humility and acquiescence in public had always been his instinctive defence: so far it had been successful enough.'
Comments must use details from the passage to infer and show clear understanding of the following two aspects:
•Neil understood the Runcie-Campbells to be the authoritative, wealthy ruling class, conceding that they could be kind
•He felt resentful, but chose to be quietly obedient and act respectfully according to his lower class
2 aspects for 2 marks
4. Analyse the effect of sentence structure in lines 27-39 in revealing Neil’s thoughts as they develop. (3)
identify sentence structure technique, give quote and fully analyse.
e.g.
'The greatest and most persistent obstacle was, of course, the fear of what would become of his brother if he were to die. Though he was a healthy man, except for his rheumatism in wet weather, he could meet with any of a number of likely accidents: a fall from a tree, for instance; a wound from axe or rutter, followed by lock-jaw; pneumonia after a day’s soaking on the hill; even an adder bite. Once, when suffering from a suppurating finger caused by a splinter from a fence stop, he had been chafed by Mr. Tulloch for looking so solemn and frightened over what, by manly standards, was a trivial injury. He had confided in the forrester, who had listened with a smile of sympathy, and assured him there was no need to worry about Calum, who would always find a place at Ardmore. Neil had learned that even kindness made promises it could not fulfill, but he had been grateful to Mr. Tulloch and afterwards his heart had been lighter. In the larch tree this morning, when he examined that promise anew, he found it fresh and sound.'
Comments could deal with features of sentences structure such as the type of sentence, repetition, punctuation, parenthesis, listing, climax etc. to show Neil’s thought process unfolding.
•Parenthetical “of course” suggests the obviousness of his situation, a return to a familiar problem…
•Parenthesis of “except for his rheumatism…” seems perhaps an irrelevant statement, could indicate digression or a self-reflexive moment…
•Use of colon in “a number of likely accidents:” to lead on to the list / expansion of possible problems
•Use of semi-colon to support the list of “a fall from a tree, for instance; … even an adder bite” showing the range of his worries
•Positioning of “once” suggests a recount, a memory…
•Parenthesis of “when he examined that promise anew” suggests his concentrated thought / internal scrutiny…
•Finality of “found it fresh and sound” is conclusive.
10 Mark Final Question.
Rubric for final question is very simliar to at Nat 5- just with an additional analysis section:
- •2 marks for comparative statement- identifying commonality.
- •2 marks for referring to the passage given in answer to the question (basic comment (1) detailed/insightful comment (2) )
- • 2 marks for referring to the second text/another part of your text in relation to the question. (basic comment (1) detailed/insightful comment (2) )
- •Repeat stage 3.
- •Repeat stage 3.
e.g.
5. Discuss how well the presentation of Neil’s character in this section reflects his development as a character in the rest of the novel. (10)
The above rubric for the final question should be followed to assign marks. The key focus to be developed in the candidates’ response is how reflective the extract is of Neil’s overall character development throughout the whole novel.
Aspects of character could include:
•His socialist / radical / egalitarian tendencies, shown in his outburst after the deer drive, his requests to Tulloch to leave, his anger and resentment in the incident at the beach hut, and his final refusal to assist LRC at the end
•His forced acceptance of the status quo, as above; his restriction – threats to Calum that he would go get drunk in the pub etc. Other angry / frustrated outbursts
•His devotion to / protection of his brother, given other details that he has denied himself opportunities e.g. marriage, travel, work, to mind his brother; his attempt to have Calum excused from the deer drive, his instinctive defence of Calum in the pub
•His uneasiness in nature / sense of threat and isolation, evident when working in the woods esp. when visited by Duror and at the start of the storm; his preference for Lendrick / society of the café / pub
•His moroseness / intense seriousness – many examples of Neil brooding / in deep thought throughout
•His latent romanticism / sentimentality / humanity, shown in extract through the song; evident in the vision of the life he never had travelling the world as the captain of a ship, his own lost relationships, the conviviality of Lendrick
•His guardedness of his own emotion, etc.
Aspects of character could include:
•His socialist / radical / egalitarian tendencies, shown in his outburst after the deer drive, his requests to Tulloch to leave, his anger and resentment in the incident at the beach hut, and his final refusal to assist LRC at the end
•His forced acceptance of the status quo, as above; his restriction – threats to Calum that he would go get drunk in the pub etc. Other angry / frustrated outbursts
•His devotion to / protection of his brother, given other details that he has denied himself opportunities e.g. marriage, travel, work, to mind his brother; his attempt to have Calum excused from the deer drive, his instinctive defence of Calum in the pub
•His uneasiness in nature / sense of threat and isolation, evident when working in the woods esp. when visited by Duror and at the start of the storm; his preference for Lendrick / society of the café / pub
•His moroseness / intense seriousness – many examples of Neil brooding / in deep thought throughout
•His latent romanticism / sentimentality / humanity, shown in extract through the song; evident in the vision of the life he never had travelling the world as the captain of a ship, his own lost relationships, the conviviality of Lendrick
•His guardedness of his own emotion, etc.
For the 1st point, one would lay out an answer as follows:
This section of the novel clearly shows that while Neil has to accept his inferior status, his beliefs are more socialist, and he realises that he is being treated unfairly. This is reflective of Neil's overall character development throughout the novel as it is also shown in his reactions to the deer drive, and later in the incident at the beach hut. (2 marks)
In this section, Neil states: 'Another hindrance had been the constant sight of the mansion house chimneys, reminding him of their hut, which to him remained a symbol of humiliation' Word-choice of 'humiliation' clearly shows Neil's embarrasment at the lowly nature of his lodgings and the contrast between the words 'mansion' and 'hut' clearly show that this is a result of the huge class divide. The word' constant' shows us that this divide, and his annoyance as result of it, was always with Neil. (2 marks)
Neil's socialist tendencies are also shown through his reactions to the deer drive. The narrator states: 'Since the deer drive he had been bitter and rebellious... he had burst out into a passionate denunciation of the lady and what she stood for.' The phrase 'passionate denunciation' suggests the force of Neil's beliefs against the heirarchy of social class and word-choice of 'bitter' and 'rebellious' clearly shows his socialist views. (2 marks)
These tendencies are again shown in the scene at the beach hut, when Neil states: 'Is the lady like the rain, and the thunder and lightning, that we should be forced to flee from her as well?' The imagery comparing LRC to the storm shows us that Neil does not believe that LRC's power over them is natural. He does not believe that they should have to be scared of her. The rhetorical question makes us question the fiarness of the situation and reinforces his views. (2 marks)
This is furthered in the same scene when looks at the children's toys left lying in the hut and comments to Calum that : 'They're lying here rotting... and many a child in Lendrick would be glad to have them'. Again, this clearly show's Neil's socialist beliefs. Word-choice of 'rotting' highlights the waste of the upper-classes and the phrase 'many a child' shows us the extent of the class- divide, emphasisng the inequality of the situation. (2 marks)
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