MockStar

For every question, find the evidence in the text before you look at the options. Read feelings from what people do and say, watch the small words, and rule out any option with one extra idea. With two extracts, check each one.

  1. 1Text Evidence10:40
  2. 2Feelings and Motives9:48
  3. 3Evidence and Craft9:54
  4. 4Paired Texts9:51
  5. Now playing: 5Words in Context11:30

Narrative: Words in Context

Methods in this video

Tap a time to jump to where the video teaches that method.

  1. 1

    Check both texts

    When to use it: A two-text question: the stem says both, which extract(s) or which group(s), or the options are A, B, Both and Neither (Selective).

    • Draw two columns and find a line in each text on its own.
    • Finding it in one text doesn't mean it's in both.
    • No line, no tick. Guessing from common sense doesn't count.
    • The line must say exactly what the question asks.
  2. 2

    Put it back in the sentence

    When to use it: The question asks what a word or phrase tells us (The word ... tells us).

    • Don't guess the word. Put it back in the sentence.
    • Read the sentence before and after. Look at what's happening.
    • Choose the meaning that makes the whole sentence work.
  3. 3

    Read feelings from actions and words

    When to use it: The question asks how a character feels, what they think or why they act, and the text doesn't say it directly.

    • When feelings aren't stated, look at what the character does and says.
    • Ask who they are talking to, and why.
    • Look at this moment, not at how the character was first described.
    • Feelings can change. Look at what they do last.
  4. 4

    Find the evidence first

    When to use it: The first step for every story question: find the one or two sentences the question is about, then look at the options.

    • Circle the key words; every one must match. Pick the most specific one as your locator word.
    • Find the echo in the text: the question often uses other words, so look for the idea.
    • The right answer uses other words too. If an option copies the text, take a second look.
  5. 5

    Watch the small words

    When to use it: The evidence or the question has a small word like although, but, no, only, eventually, when or most.

    • What comes after although or but is what matters.
    • No and not turn the meaning around.
    • When, most and main in the question tell you where to look.

Practise exam-style questions with these methods

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