Helping low ability pupils approach the iGCSE English exam

1. Approaching the Core Paper:
Comprehension and Effect
LO: Develop our skills at
answering all questions
within the Core Exam
Paper
Grade D/C Grade E Grade G/F
Use synonyms and
inferences to answer all
types of comprehension
questions
Be able to select words
required to answer a basic
literal comprehension
question
Understand that there are
three types of
comprehension question
and be able to recognise
the wording of each type
BLP Skills: noticing,
inferring, explaining
Quick Starter
5 facts on how
to tackle
questions on the
core paper

2. A New Tutor, By Gerald Durrell
The consul’s home was situated in the maze of narrow, smelly
alleyways that made up the old quarter of the town. It was a
fascinating area, the cobbled streets crammed with stalls that were
piled high with gaily-coloured bales of cloth, mountains of shining
sweetmeats, ornaments of beaten silver, fruit and vegetables. The
streets were so narrow that you had to stand back against the wall
to allow the donkeys to stagger past with their loads of
merchandise. It was a rich and colourful part of the town, full of
noise and bustle, the screeches of people bargaining, the cluck of
hens, the barking of dogs, and the wailing cry of the men carrying
great trays of fresh hot loaves on their heads. Right in the very
centre, in the top flat of a tall, rickety building that Ieant tiredly over
a tiny square, lived the Belgian consul. He was a sweet little
man, whose most striking attribute was a magnificent beard and
carefully waxed moustache.

3. From this piece of reading you could be asked to
answer short questions like…
• Give three details about the consul’s flat (3 marks)
• How would you answer this question?
1. Look at the number of marks. How many pieces
of information do you need?
2. Go back to the text with your highlighter
3. Find the piece(s) of information you need and
highlight them.
4. Write them onto your answer sheet in sentences.
5. THERE IS NO NEED TO WRITE IN YOUR OWN
WORDS!

4. A New Tutor, By Gerald Durrell
The consul’s home was situated in the maze of narrow, smelly
alleyways that made up the old quarter of the town. It was a
fascinating area, the cobbled streets crammed with stalls that were
piled high with gaily-coloured bales of cloth, mountains of shining
sweetmeats, ornaments of beaten silver, fruit and vegetables. The
streets were so narrow that you had to stand back against the wall
to allow the donkeys to stagger past with their loads of
merchandise. It was a rich and colourful part of the town, full of
noise and bustle, the screeches of people bargaining, the cluck of
hens, the barking of dogs, and the wailing cry of the men carrying
great trays of fresh hot loaves on their heads. Right in the very
centre, in the top flat of a tall, rickety building that Ieant tiredly over
a tiny square, lived the Belgian consul. He was a sweet little man,
whose most striking attribute was a magnificent beard and carefully
waxed moustache.

5. From this piece of reading you could be asked to
answer short questions like…
• Give three details about the consul’s flat (3
marks)
• You might answer like this:
• The consul’s flat is situated in a ‘maze of
narrow, smelly alleyways’ in the old
quarter of town. He lives in the top flat
overlooking a tiny square.

6. From this piece of reading you could be asked to
answer short questions like…
• Choose three phrases used by the writer which convey
the rich and colourful nature of the area in which the
consul lived.(6 marks)
• How would you answer this question?
1. Look at the number of marks. How many pieces
of information do you need?
2. Go back to the text with your highlighter
3. Find the phrases you need and highlight them.
4. Write them onto your answer sheet. You will need
the phrase and then an explanation in full
sentences.

7. A New Tutor, By Gerald Durrell
The consul’s home was situated in the maze of narrow, smelly
alleyways that made up the old quarter of the town. It was a
fascinating area, the cobbled streets crammed with stalls that were
piled high with gaily-coloured bales of cloth, mountains of shining
sweetmeats, ornaments of beaten silver, fruit and vegetables. The
streets were so narrow that you had to stand back against the wall
to allow the donkeys to stagger past with their loads of
merchandise. It was a rich and colourful part of the town, full of
noise and bustle, the screeches of people bargaining, the cluck of
hens, the barking of dogs, and the wailing cry of the men carrying
great trays of fresh hot loaves on their heads. Right in the very
centre, in the top flat of a tall, rickety building that Ieant tiredly over
a tiny square, lived the Belgian consul. He was a sweet little man,
whose most striking attribute was a magnificent beard and carefully
waxed moustache.

8. A New Tutor, By Gerald Durrell
The consul’s home was situated in the maze of narrow, smelly
alleyways that made up the old quarter of the town. It was a
fascinating area, the cobbled streets crammed with stalls that were
piled high with gaily-coloured bales of cloth, mountains of shining
sweetmeats, ornaments of beaten silver, fruit and vegetables. The
streets were so narrow that you had to stand back against the wall
to allow the donkeys to stagger past with their loads of
merchandise. It was a rich and colourful part of the town, full of
noise and bustle, the screeches of people bargaining, the cluck of
hens, the barking of dogs, and the wailing cry of the men carrying
great trays of fresh hot loaves on their heads. Right in the very
centre, in the top flat of a tall, rickety building that Ieant tiredly over
a tiny square, lived the Belgian consul. He was a sweet little man,
whose most striking attribute was a magnificent beard and carefully
waxed moustache.

9. From this piece of reading you could be asked to
answer short questions like…
• Choose three phrases used by the writer which convey the
rich and colourful nature of the area in which the consul
lived.(6 marks)
• You might answer like this:
• Phrase: maze of narrow, smelly alleyways 1 mark
• Explanation: this suggests that the area is full of cramped
streets in which it was very easy to get confused and lost
1 mark

10. Comprehension Qs: When a question is asking you to
put information in your own words they are looking
for synonyms
Now have a go at these three questions, concentrating on choosing your synonyms carefully
These types of questions have similar wording. Look
at the questions below. Which key words in each
question show you that you need to find a synonym?
a) Using your own words, explain what the writer
means by ‘frantic haste’ 2 marks
b) In your own words, explain what the writer means
by ‘incessant fusillade’ 2 marks
c) Explain what humane service means. Do not copy
from the text. 2 marks

11. Comprehension Qs: When a question is asking you to
put information in your own words they are looking
for synonyms
Now have a go at these three questions, concentrating on choosing your synonyms carefully
a) ‘frantic haste’ = desperate hurry
b) ‘incessant fusillade’ = continuous volley/firing of
shots
c) ‘humane service’ = doing something for the good of
others

12. Summarising Questions:
• Re-read the whole passage. Write a summary of
Gerald’s thoughts and feelings about
• the Belgian consul.
• Write a paragraph of about 50–70 words.
7 marks
We did this yesterday. Remember what you need to
look for. You will then know what you need to
include.

13. Summarising Questions:
• He thought he was sweet (and welcoming)/friendly
• 2. He noticed his moustache and beard/of striking/unusual
appearance.
• 3. He thought he was conceited.
• 4. He thought he was shocked by his French accent.
• 5. He was afraid that he was going to shoot him.
• 6. He thought he was committing murder.
• 7. He thought he was taking part in a feud.
• 8. He was surprised to see tears in his eyes.
• 9. He realised that he had a sensitive nature.
• 10. He thought that his actions were humane/those of an
animal/cat lover.

14. Chilly
Understand that there are three
types of comprehension question
and be able to recognise the wording
of each type
Red Hot!
I can use synonyms and inferences to
answer all types of comprehension
questions
Warming Up
I am able to select words required to
answer a basic literal comprehension
question
ProgressCheck!
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