NATIONAL 5CLOSE READINGPRACTICE QUESTIONS

THE BASICSYou should answer using bullet

points

You must read the question carefully

Unless told to answer in your own

words you should always quote

IN YOUR OWN WORDSOne bullet point per mark

Use your own words as far as your

possibly can

Quoting will get you ZERO marks

QUESTION 1 It is only teenagers that do it

It damages linguistic skills

QUESTION 2 It is too interested in looking after its

own interests

It is more concerned with quantity of

viewers than quality of programmes

It is spending money it doesn’t have

QUESTION 3 Both “endured” cold living conditions

Both were on their own/single

Both were poor

Both had their lives altered for the better

Both found husbands

(any 4 of the above)

CONTEXT ‘___________’ means ____________

The word/words ‘_______________’

helped me understand this because

it/they suggest(s) _____________________

QUESTION 4 ‘Vacillated’ means that he was indecisive

The word ‘hesitation’ helped me

understand this because it suggests that

he swithered between two different

positions

QUESTION 5 ‘Monstrous verbosity’ means to use

unnecessarily complex language

The words ‘a primitive earth-breaking

implement’ helped me understand this

because they suggest that they wouldn’t just

use a single simple word to describe

something

LINKINGThe word(s) ‘_______________’ link back to

what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was __________________.

The word(s) ‘_______________’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which is _______________________________.

QUESTION 6The words ‘his work’ link back to what

was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was his plays, characters and poetry.

The words ‘the man himself’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which is information about his life and personality.

QUESTION 7The word ‘appearance’ links back to

what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was her ‘beauty’.

The words ‘the character’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which is that she was an inspiring person.

QUESTION 8 The words ‘the resource question’ link

back to what was discussed in the previous paragraph, which was about paying for healthcare for the elderly.

The words ‘only half the story’ link to what is coming up in the next paragraph, which focuses on bigger questions about what it means to be “old”.

The other mark is for actually recognising that this is a linking question!!!

SENTENCE STRUCTUREKnow the different types

Know the punctuation

Be as clear as possible

QUESTION 9Several rhetorical questionsThis shows that even he doesn’t really

know why he does itLong, complex listThis explores the range of reasons not

to enjoy hillwalking and reinforces the point made by the questions

QUESTION 10Very long, complex list is usedThis is used to demonstrate the huge

range of ‘new ways of living’ (or ways in which we are ‘separating ourselves from our planet’)

WORD CHOICEQUOTE AND EXPLAIN

Think about meanings AND

connotations

QUESTION 11“web”This suggests that Cowell sees us as

his prey OR that we are manipulated the way a spider manipulates a fly in its web OR that once drawn into reality TV it is nearly impossible to escape

QUESTION 12“changed the world”Suggests that he had a huge influence

QUESTION 13“begging letters” – implies

unpleasant/unwanted attention Journalists “rifling” through her bins –

suggests invasion of privacy/indiscriminate searching and/or unpleasant/unwanted attention

TONEUnderstand different types of tone

Think of how the words used – and the

way in which the sentences are written

– might create a specific mood (similar

to word choice questions)

QUESTION 14Sad / gloomy / pessimistic / concerned

I would also accept dismissive

QUESTION 15The word “may” is used twiceThis makes clear that they are unsure

of the chances of being able to fully explore the tomb

QUESTION 16Attitude is positive / admiringThe word “reassure” confirms that

the writer believes her story to be positive

IMAGERY _________ is being compared to __________

This is effective because just as

‘__________’ suggests ____________________

So to ____________________________________

QUESTION 17Afrikaans is being compared to a drug It is effective because just as ‘drugs’

suggests something damaging and destructive

So too ‘Afrikaans’ could potentially do terrible damage to the educational changes of Africans

QUESTION 18 It is effective because just as

‘hysteria’ suggests panicSo too the response to texting was

irrational and over-the-top

QUESTION 19Fame is being compared to a

photographThis is effective because just as a

photograph cannot be changedSo too being famous makes it

incredibly difficult for people like JK Rowling to change their career path