S5 - In Mr Sharpe's Absence

Hello all,

As I said last week, I will be covering a different class for Tuesday's class, and you will have someone else for the day.

Remember that you had some creative homework - to complete a newspaper report on the distasteful happenings of "Playing Sandwiches" by Alan Bennett - which should have been a helpful revision tactic to embed the basic plot and characters in your mind. This can be handed in at the English base into my tray.

With just days (13 lessons!) left until the exams, you can use this time well. If I were you, I'd be looking at some of the questions below and practicing answering them:

1. Read the question and underline any key terms - what is being asked of you? Should you be talking about setting, character, structure and/or theme?
2. Decide what you would need to answer it - no fewer than 5 quotes and PEE paragraphs for each
3. Write a skeleton plan for each question: a full introduction and link, then the PEE notes for each paragraph, and a full conclusion.
4. Bring the evidence of the work you complete to Wednesday's class, and I'll go over them with you
5. Keep a note of any questions or areas where you are unsure for further discussion on Wednesday.

Questions

Choose a text which has a surprise ending.

Briefly say what happens in the story and then go on to show why the surprise ending makes a good finish to the story. In your answer you should refer to such features as: the plot of the story, its structure, character, or any other appropriate feature

Choose a text which has an important turning point that changes things for one of the characters.

Show how the story builds up to the turning point and say why it is important for the character. In your answer you should refer to such features as: structure, character, or any other appropriate feature.

Choose a text which deals with a topic of importance to society.

Say what you learned about the topic from your reading and whether you felt sympathy for the people involved. In your answer you should refer to such features as: theme, character, or any other appropriate feature.

Choose a text in which one of the main characters has to make a decision.

Explain what the decision is and show how it is important for the rest of the story. In your answer you should refer to such features as: turning point, character, or any other appropriate feature.

Choose a text which deals with a subject which interests you, or amuses you, or makes you sad.

Say what the subject is and why it has aroused this feeling in you.In your answer you should refer to such features as: the ideas, characters, plot, or any other appropriate feature.