AQA English Language Unit One Understanding and Producing Non-Fiction Texts QUESTION 1

1. AQA English Language Unit One Understanding and Producing Non-Fiction Texts QUESTION 1 • Main menu: • overview of question one • active reading strategies • active reading example • active reading practice • question 1a exemplar • question 1b exemplar • skills checklist • mini-assessment

2. Overview Question 1 is split into two separate parts. Question 1a is straightforward, as it asks you to find four things relating to what you have read. 1b is slightly more tricky and requires you to identify ideas about the text and make 2 inferences (little conclusions) to show your understanding. You are being assessed on finding and understanding information. • Key information • question 1a and 1b are always based on Source One • both parts of the question are worth 4 marks • there are therefore a total of 8 marks available for the whole question • you need to gain a minimum of 6 marks in total to gain a C grade • use active reading strategies to help you later on (see slide 3) • spend about 18mins on both parts of the question, including reading Back to main menu

3. Active Reading Strategies In order to help you understand the information in each source, it is important that you employ a range of active reading strategies. These active reading strategies should be used for question 1. • read the question carefully and highlight key words - make sure you understand what each question is looking for • highlight the topic sentences (see slide 4) • a topic sentence tells the reader the focus of the paragraph • it is often (but not always) the first or second sentence • summarise each paragraph (see slide 4) • in the margin sum up what you think the paragraph is about • do this in only a few words e.g. what to do; where to go; costs • if they are long paragraphs, it might help to summarise sections Back to main menu

4. Active Reading Example The following text is taken from the June 2011 Foundation Level exam. Look at how the reader has been actively involved by highlighting the topic sentence and summarising the content. New York, the most exciting and vibrant city in the world awaits you. You’ll be staying for 3 nights at the Grand Hyatt New York Hotel on 42nd Street. You’ll have time to visit the iconic Empire State Building, walk through Central Park, take a ferry to Staten Island, and even take in a show on Broadway. Naturally, you can shop till you drop in all the famous department stores, getting all your friends and family unique gifts for Christmas. On the way home, there is no luggage limit! Yes, rather than flying back, you are coming home in style on the Cunard ship Queen Mary 2. Things to do in NY Back to main menu

5. Active Reading Practice Activity: read the second paragraph in this source and try to identify the topic sentence and summarise the paragraph focus. You board the QM2 in New York, and set sail from the city that never sleeps, passing the Statue of Liberty, as you settle back into the lap of luxury. For the next 5 nights you will enjoy the pampering and excitement of a Cunard transatlantic voyage. The QM2 commands a certain amount of regal awe. It is 113 feet longer than the original Queen Mary ship with outstanding facilities onboard: 14 bars, 10 restaurants, 8 whirlpools, fitness suites and more. There is an opportunity to down a pint in the Golden Lion Pub, a traditional style English public house. Entertainment, like the opulence of the ship, is also not in short supply. Theatre performances in the Royal Court Theatre, live jazz in the Commodore Club, even a casino, can all be found on board. There is also a computer centre for guests to use with WI-FI spots across the ship. Whatever your taste there is something to entertain everyone. It might have helped to break this long paragraph into two sections. Back to main menu

6. Question 1a exemplar Highlight key words i.e. activities in NY Check source Use your notes to identify 4 main points e.g. ‘visit the iconic Empire State Building’ Use spaces provided to guide answer length Activity: list three other activities that you can do in New York. Back to main menu

7. Question 1b exemplar Highlight key words i.e. learn about QM2 1. Make a Point about the ship 1b e.g. We learn about the size of the Queen Mary 2 . It is ‘113 feet longer than the original’. This suggests that 2. Give short quotation as Evidence the new boat is extremely impressive. 3. Infer to show your understanding (you need min. of 2 points) Activity: Write another Point Evidence Explain paragraph about what we learn about the QM2. Back to main menu

8. Q1 Skills Checklist • What you need to do: • use active reading strategies • make 4 points related to the question • keep focused on key words • write in own words or use quotation Back to main menu

9. Assessment practice November 2012 Time Allowed 18mins Read Source 1, the online article, Love music love food: pop will eat itself and answer the questions. 1 (a) List four things you learn about TinieTempah from the article. (4 marks) 1 (b) What are TinieTempah’s feelings about food? (4 marks) Back to main menu