Preparing for the English Language PPE

Monday 23rd February

Whilst listening…

…use your last PPE exam and answer paper (from November) to allow you to see the structure of the paper.

It will also allow you to see what you need to do differently (or continue to do) in the next PPE on the 23rd February!

A Reminder of Timings

• You have two hours to complete the exam • Q1 = 50 minutes • Q2 = 25 minutes• Q3 = 45 minutes

TOP TIP! Note down the times that you will have needed to completed each question by!

Q1

• 20 marks • 250 – 350 words

• You will read a text and then use the ideas from this to create a specific type of text

STEPS1. Read the question carefully 2. Make sure you know what the type of text is3. Base your response on what you have read but you need to

use your own words

Q1: Addressing the bullet points

1. Colour code the bullet points (buy a triangular highlighter!)

2. Read through the text and highlight or underline the relevant points that match one of the three bullet points

3. You can name the bullet points 1,2 and 3

NUMBER THE BULLET POINTS1, 2 + 3

FOR EXAMPLE!

Q1: Bullet Point 3

1. Bullet points 1 and 2 are slightly easier to answer

2. Bullet point 3 requires you to read between the lines

3. You must address all 3 bullet points in your writing

4. You should aim to find 6 things for each bullet point

Q1: Reading the text

1. You will read the text twice2. Firstly you will circle factual detail e.g. names,

dates, countries, times…3. When you read the text for the second time

you will highlight the information for the three bullet points (use your triangular highlighter!)

4. This process should take you 15 minutes

For example…For thousands of years mankind has been on a quest to conquer nature. Undeterred by its power and indomitable force, we keep taking risks with our own lives in the name of adventure and exploration. Mount Everest has an elevation of 29,035 feet (8850 meters). Situated in the Himalayas, on the borders of China and Nepal, Mount Everest is the highest point above sea level on earth. Every year many intrepid adventurers attempt to climb to its summit but not all make it. Many underestimate the challenge of climbing Everest and fall victim to the inhospitable terrain and the physical demands of climbing at altitude. Too often, expeditions are halted because of the lack of preparation and arrogance of climbers who think they know better. On Everest the weather can change without any warning. In a matter of minutes a soft haze of sunshine can become an impenetrable freezing fog, making it almost impossible for climbers to navigate. Fog on Everest becomes a living, breathing, ghostly white matter, suffocating climbers, creating a cold burn at the back of the throat. As well as entangling victims in its suffocating mist, climbers are disabled by a white blindfold that can take hours to clear. This fog is a creation of Everest; a web of entrapment, a reminder that she is in control.

Q1: Writing the answer

1. You will have 25 minutes to write your answer

2. You will get marks for developing your ideas but you must stay true to the original text

Q1

What does development mean?

• Adding an emotional response• Developing the idea beyond the text BUT

linked with the text

Q2

• 10 marks • 200 – 300 words

• You will select four powerful words or phrases from each paragraph (you will look at two paragraphs in total)

Q2: Steps…

1. Draw a box or a circle around the two paragraphs that they have asked you to look at

2. The question wants you to look at words and phrases that are powerful and interesting (they advise you to look for examples of imagery)

3. Reread the two paragraphs and highlight or underline the four powerful words or phrases in each paragraph – 8 IN TOTAL

For example…

For example…

Q2: Structuring your answer

1. Write the quotation in quotation marks followed by a dash (-)

2. Give a dictionary like definition of the word or phrase you have written

3. Then, infer from the language used 4. Now move onto your next choice and repeat

the same process

For example…

• ‘entangling’ – this word means to be caught up in something or to find it difficult to escape.

• This word is powerful as it suggests that the mist is capturing the climbers. It is interesting as it personifies the mist and gives an image of the climber being trapped.

This is a 42 word answer. You are told to write 200-300 words. I would need to ensure that for each of the 8 words/phrases I discussed that the word count would be around 35-37 words (to meet the word count)

Q2: Sentence starters…

• The word … means …• This word implies…• This shows…• This suggests…• The imagery created is of…

Q3: The Summary Question…

• 45 minutes• Q3B = 200-250 words

• You will read a text and find 15 points from the text (Q3A) and then write a summary, including all 15 points, using your own words

Q3A

1. Before reading the passage, read the question so that you know what you are looking for

2. Underline the key thing that you are looking for 3. Read the passage and highlight or underline any

relevant information 4. Number them as you highlight so you can keep

count of how many you have found 5. Aim to find at least 15 points – it is best to find

more and chose your best 15

For example…

For example…

Q3A

6. Check that you have not expressed the same point in two different ways as this will only get you credit once 7. Write a final bullet pointed list of your best 15 points 8. Write a one bullet pointed sentence per point you have highlighted 9. Try to write these in your own words 10. Keep within the box provided!

For example…

• This…

• Becomes…

Q3B: The Summary

1. Read through your bullet points from Q3A2. Check that you have 15 different points 3. Your summary should be in the present tense,

in the third person, formal and concise 4. Write 200 – 250 words – the marker will stop

marking after 250 words so YOU MUST include all 15 bullet points in your total word count

Q3B: The Summary

5. Don’t add unnecessary explanations however avoid sounding list like 6. Tick off each bullet point as you write 7. Use your own words 8. Use connectives