Sample exam question – WJECPlanning your answer - sample answers

Foundation tier sample questions

Here are two sample responses which address point two of the extract plan:

Sample answer one

My thoughts and feelings are that Francis is narrating so I can see what he is thinking and feeling. From Francis’ point of view we can tell how he is becoming more tense and competitive, but at least he thinks he is playing a fair game. My heart beat was steady, my body poised for action.

My thoughts and feelings are that Larry is manipulating Francis. I feel like part of the plot, because the only other people who realise what is happening are Francis and Larry. Cormier also uses language in a certain way to let me feel like part of the crowd; The plopping of the ball on the table, the soft clunk of the ball on the rubber dimples of our paddles. Cormier also describes the see-saw cycle, hit and return, repeating endlessly, near misses and lunging stabs. My thoughts and feelings are that this sounds like the way the game is being played because it goes back and forth like the ball.

Feedback comments – quite good, but with some aspects that need to be improved

This answer shows an understanding of the way that Cormier involves the reader, but it is clumsily expressed. It is not a good idea to begin any sentences withMy thoughts and feelings are... It refers to the way that Francis’ narration makes the reader feel part of Francis’ and Larry’s secret knowledge about what is going on in the game, but when discussing whether the game is fair, the first quote used to support it is not really relevant to the point. The central part of this response needs some supporting evidence, especially about the way that Francis realised how he is being manipulated by Larry. The quote used to support the point about language reflecting the action is more suitable, but does not include enough analysis.

Sample answer two

In this extract I feel that Cormier involves me in several ways. Francis is narrating so we can see what he is thinking and feeling. From Francis’ point of view we can tell how he is becoming more tense and competitive, but at least he thinks he is playing a fair game; The ball came back to me. I returned. Came again and again I returned.I feel immediately involved in the way that the ball is going back and forth between Francis and Larry. However, I think that it soon becomes obvious that Larry is manipulating Francis – I realised that he was letting me win.

As a reader I feel like part of the plot, because the only other people who realise what is happening are Francis and Larry. Francis says the subtle tender game in which Larry LaSalle was letting me win. Francis repeats his feeling that he is being allowed to beat Larry.

The word subtle shows that Larry is doing it very cleverly, and the watching crowd have no idea what is really going on. Cormier also uses language in a certain way to let me feel like part of the crowd, including onomatopoeic words; The plopping of the ball on the table, the soft clunk of the ball on the rubber dimples of our paddles. Cormier also uses sentences split into short phrases to describe the see-saw cycle, hit and return, repeating endlessly, near misses and lunging stabs. This sounds like the way the game is being played and makes me feel as if I am there.

Feedback comments – much more detailed and focused on the point

This response addresses the point immediately. It allows the candidate to express thoughts and feelings without sayingMy thoughts and feelings are... It shows understanding that, by having Francis as the narrator, Cormier makes the reader feel involved. The discussion about how the game gets under way is aptly supported by quotations, and then moves naturally onto the way that Francis realises that Larry is letting him win.

The use of both quotes about this shows good understanding of the way Cormier builds the feeling that the reader is involved in the secret. The analysis of the word subtle shows understanding of the way a writer uses specific vocabulary to create effects. The quotes at the end illustrating Cormier’s choice of language are also appropriate, as they include the short phrases which echo the ball going back and forth between the two players. There is some apt use of technical language which shows appreciation of the writer’s style. Using I think and I feel shows that the candidate feels involved as a reader, and therefore answers the question well.

Now attempt your own answer to this extract question based on the above plan. Try to complete it in about 20 minutes.