Welcome to the Year 8 English Page! Click on the buttons below to access materials to support your revision and study.
If you have any questions, please contact: lroutledge@rodingvalley.net OR cflynn@rodingvalley.net
We are excited to inform you about the upcoming Year 8 exam, which will focus on the first chapter of Thomas Hardy's short story, "On the Western Circuit." This exam is an excellent opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the text and their analytical skills. Students will have read chapter 1 in preparation for this.
During the exam, students will receive an extract from Chapter 1 of "On the Western Circuit." They will be expected to analyse a key character introduced in this chapter. The analysis will require students to explore the character's traits, motivations, and significance within the narrative.
1. Character Traits: Students should identify and describe the key character's personality traits. Are they kind, selfish, ambitious, or conflicted? Providing specific examples from the text will strengthen their analysis.
2. Motivations: Understanding what drives the character's actions is crucial. Students should consider questions like: What does the character want? What are their goals, and how do these influence their decisions?
3. Context and Significance: Students should also think about how the character fits into the broader themes of the story. What role do they play in the narrative? How do they interact with other characters, and what does this reveal about the society in which they live?
- Read the Extract Carefully: Students should pay close attention to the language and descriptions used in the extract. Noting specific quotes can help when constructing their analysis.
- Practise Writing: Encourage students to practise writing analytical paragraphs. They can focus on one character trait or motivation at a time, using evidence from the text to support their points.
- Discuss Themes: Engaging in discussions about the themes of the story, such as love, class, and societal expectations, can provide deeper insights into the character's role.
Use PEARL paragraphs in the exam
Using your ‘On the Western Circuit booklet’, practise writing PEARL paragraphs. Select a section from the text and write about how Hardy presents a character.
Point: In the opening chapter of On the Western Circuit, the character….is presented as …
Evidence: This is evident when they state that "..."
Analysis: The way in which Hardy writes this suggest that ... because
The use of __________ (technique) is effective here because ...
Furthermore, the verb/noun/adjective ________________ has connotations of ... suggesting that ...
Reader reaction: The reader wonders/questions/feels ... because ...
Link: The writer does this in order to show their _______ (feeling/opinion) about a particular contextual issue.
We encourage parents to support their children in preparation for this exam by discussing the story and helping them articulate their thoughts. This collaborative effort can enhance their understanding and boost their confidence.