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The extract question aims to show off your close-reading skills by zooming in on the extract they've given you. You should spend no more than twenty minutes on your response.
The extract question aims to show off your close-reading skills by zooming in on the extract they've given you. You should spend no more than twenty minutes on your response.
In your extract response, you will be required to:
In your extract response, you will be required to:
- Respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations;
- Explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings.
It is usually based on one of the following topics:
It is usually based on one of the following topics:
How to approach the extract question:
How to approach the extract question:
Read and explode the question using a highlighter.
Read and explode the question using a highlighter.
For example:
Next, read the extract and complete the following:
Next, read the extract and complete the following:
- Identify where in the novel the extract comes from;
- Think why was this extract chosen?;
- Highlight and annotate key parts that answer the question's focus.
Start writing your response:
Start writing your response:
- Always begin by saying where in the novel the extract can be found.
- Embed at least 8 quotations with "...".
- Write at least one side of A4.
Watch this video explanation on how to annotate an extract.
Watch this video explanation on how to annotate an extract.
Example Questions
Example Questions
Example Answers
Example Answers
This responds to the final example question above.
This responds to the final example question above.
In this extract, most of the ranch men are returning from a trip to the local brothel. Curley's wife has just threatened Crooks with his life; Steinbeck describes the reaction of Lennie, Candy and Crooks after she has left.
In this extract, most of the ranch men are returning from a trip to the local brothel. Curley's wife has just threatened Crooks with his life; Steinbeck describes the reaction of Lennie, Candy and Crooks after she has left.
To begin, Crooks is described as wearing metaphorical "layers of protection", almost resembling an imaginary suit of armour prepared for battle. The need for "protection" suggests he has to defend himself against those around him; while the plurality of "layers" indicates the extent of this mistreatment as he requires sturdy enough protection to shield him from consistent and repetitive abuse and neglect. This presents Crooks as a victim who is forced to lead a laborious life as he is forced to defend himself against not only his colleagues, but wider society.
To begin, Crooks is described as wearing metaphorical "layers of protection", almost resembling an imaginary suit of armour prepared for battle. The need for "protection" suggests he has to defend himself against those around him; while the plurality of "layers" indicates the extent of this mistreatment as he requires sturdy enough protection to shield him from consistent and repetitive abuse and neglect. This presents Crooks as a victim who is forced to lead a laborious life as he is forced to defend himself against not only his colleagues, but wider society.
Moreover, it seems this abuse has had a detrimental effect on Crooks' confidence as he "avoided the whole subject now" of Curley's wife. His apprehension and reluctance to discuss this significant character hints at the threats and risks she poses to his wellbeing. More specifically, the use of the adverb "now" implies that he has experienced the dire consequences of his previous participation in defamatory discussions regarding Curley's wife, resulting in him being scared into altering his behaviour. Furthermore, he feels it's safer for Curley's wife to be "avoided" at all costs, to the extent that he refers to her by the noun "subject" rather than her identity.
Moreover, it seems this abuse has had a detrimental effect on Crooks' confidence as he "avoided the whole subject now" of Curley's wife. His apprehension and reluctance to discuss this significant character hints at the threats and risks she poses to his wellbeing. More specifically, the use of the adverb "now" implies that he has experienced the dire consequences of his previous participation in defamatory discussions regarding Curley's wife, resulting in him being scared into altering his behaviour. Furthermore, he feels it's safer for Curley's wife to be "avoided" at all costs, to the extent that he refers to her by the noun "subject" rather than her identity.
This is only part of the response. Can you complete the rest?
This is only part of the response. Can you complete the rest?
WJEC bears no responsibility for the example answers to questions taken from its past question papers which are contained in this publication.
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