Tackling an Unseen Non-fiction extract - Skiing to the North Pole
The first three questions in the IGCSE English Language exam paper require you to respond to an unseen piece of non-fiction writing. There are 11 marks available, which are divided into three questions. With a little exam technique and good time management, these tasks provide you with an opportunity to get some good marks in the bag before you go on to tackle the more demanding, high-tariff tasks to follow.
This post, and the audio notes which accompany it, will provide you with a step by step guide so that you’ll know exactly what to expect, and how to do well in the first 10-15 minutes of the exam.
You can download the questions with task guidance and exemplary answers here.
introduction
In this brief recording, I’ll give you an overview of the exam and the importance of hitting the ground running to secure as many marks as possible in the early part of the exam. I’ll also explain the kind of extracts you can expect to find in the exam and how to prepare for this part of the assessment process.
The non-fiction extract we will be looking at today is from a TED talk by Ben Saunders in which he describes his unaccompanied journey to the North Pole. You will be provided with a copy of the extract in your lesson. You can also download a copy of the text here. Here is an audio version of the extract":
tackling Question 1
This question is worth two marks and is assessed for AO1 - it will require you to read one section of the extract and then find two words or phrases which show you understand the material.
Now have a go at this task yourself and then check to see whether you would have secured full marks.
tackling question 2
This question is worth 4 marks and is assessed for AO1 - it will require you to read one section of the extract and then write a brief summary of the relevant content IN YOUR OWN WORDS, focusing upon the subject matter given in the question.
Now have a go at this task yourself and then compare your answer to the exemplar provided. How many marks do you think you would have secured?
tackling question 3
This question is worth 5 marks and is also assessed for AO1 - this time you will read the section indicated and write a brief summary of the content, using BRIEF QUOTATIONS from the text to EVIDENCE your claims. Again, you must focus only on the specific question asked.
Now have a go at this task yourself and go on to compare your response to the exemplar answer. Did you use the same evidence to support your ideas? How many marks do you think you would have secured?
time management & exam technique
You can have a comprehensive understanding of the text and a first class brain, but if you don’t manage your time effectively or fail to read the questions carefully under the pressure of timed-condition assessment, it’s very easy to throw away a lot of marks. In this final recording, we’ll take a quick look at ways to deal with the pitfalls of examinations.