READING SKILLS

-1/100 for missing / wrong name, set, and set number

-1/100 for wrong stationery use (Pencil /pen for paper, pencil for MC questions)
-1/100 for missing quotation marks / wrong capitalization for ‘Quote’ questions
-Spelling and grammar are crucial for key words in the answer key
Factual  Quote a word / phrase:
Questions o “What…?” = Noun phrase = No verb; Not a complete
sentence
Find / Provide / o “What…?” = Verb phrase = No subject / noun; Not a
Quote = Factual complete sentence
Question; o Quote = Add quotation marks and copy the exact letter case
Directly copy o No other words  X The narrator / character / writer “…”
words and  Quote an example of (a literary device):
phrases from the o Add quotation marks and copy the exact letter case
passage o Simile / Metaphor: Simile: Best to include both the target
(What we are talking about) and the source (What we are
comparing the target to)
 According to … / Give / Find / Provide / Name / ... evidence:
o Justify = Explain answer = Add subject / noun, eg. the
writer said “…”
o Check for pronouns, verbs, and form (singular VS plural)
Reorganisation /  IN YOUR OWN WORDS, give / find / provide / name:
Reinterpretation o Use a synonym
Questions  What made the character / author / writer / speaker feel…
o “What…?” = Noun phrase = No verb; Not a complete
USE YOUR sentence
OWN WORDS /  Fill in each blank with one word // Find a word / phrase which has
Find synonyms / a similar meaning / same meaning / opposite meaning / that
antonyms matches the following meaning:
o Pay attention to the form, part of speech, plurality, tense,
and associated prepositions and articles of the word /
phrase, eg. “ordains” =/= “ordained”; “the will” =/= “a
will”
o Replace the word in the text with your answer for
answer-checking
Reference  What does (pronoun / word / phrase) refer to?
Questions o Identify the part of speech of the pronoun / word / phrase.
o Read the sentences / paragraph immediately before and
What does after the reference word to find what it refers to.
(pronoun / word / o What … refer to =/= What … means  List the person(s) /
phrase) refer to? thing(s) / place(s) the passage is talking about; X men’s
o Noun phrase = No verb; Not a complete sentence =
Convert the verb to a gerund (-ing form). // Add “the fact
that…”, “the idea that…”, “what…”, “when…”, “who…”,
“where…”, “why…”, and “how..” before your answer to
make it a noun phrase
o Replace the word in the text with your answer for
answer-checking
Inference  What is the (character’s / author’s / writer’s / speaker’s) (attitude
/ tone / feeling)?
Answers are not Attitudes Tone = Attitude towards a
directly stated in subject; Refer to adjectives,
the text. word choice, punctuation and
sentence structure
Supportive, approving, Aggressive, apprehensive,
encouraging, disapproving, critical, melancholic, desperate, indifferent,
skeptical, doubtful, objective, questioning, etc.
matter-of-fact
Feelings Mood = Atmosphere of a piece
and the effect that the text
creates for the audience; Refer to
setting, imagery, and diction
annoyed, irritated, depressed, Uplifting, warm, welcoming,
anxious, worried, disappointed, desolate, gloomy, scary, tense,
pessimistic, horrified, bored, solemn, quiet
embarrassed
 Why did the character / author / writer / speaker …
o Refer to the character’s / author’s / writer’s / speaker’s
intention
 Why did (the author / writer) (say / ask)…?
o Refer to writing purposes, eg. to show … / suggest /
emphasize / inform / entertain / warn / impress, etc.
 Why did the character laugh / cry / sigh?
o Refer to the character’s / author’s / speaker’s emotions.
Literary Devices  Identify an example of a (literary device):
Literary device Structural Device
Identify an Simile Iambic trimeter / Iambic

2
example of tetrameter / Iambic pentameter
(literary device) Metaphor Rhyming couplets
and explain its Juxtaposition End rhyme
effectiveness. Rhetorical question Anaphora (Words repeat at the
beginning of successive clauses,
phrases, or sentences)
Parallelism
Personification
Alliteration / Assonance / Sibilance
Hyperbole
Irony
 Irony: (“Supposedly” / “Is meant to”) Expected event + “but” /
“while” + (“Turns out that”) Unexpected event
 What is X compared to? = Simile / Metaphor: Include both the
target (What we are talking about) and the source (What we are
comparing the target to) + Identify similarity
o Make sure that the target and source align, ie. both are
people / places / things / actions
 Visual Imagery: Explain the use of simile, metaphor, and
personification (Refer to above)
 Sound Imagery: Explain the use of alliteration and onomatopoeia
(Refer to above)
o The speaker uses alliteration / onomatopoeia to convey the
sound of …
 Repetition = To emphasise + idea
 Comment = Identify + Explain its effectiveness = Focus on the
writer’s / author’s / speaker’s intention
 Theme = Abstract idea, universal lesson.
o Eg. Love, death, loss, importance of self-knowledge,
contrast between ideals and reality, the dangers of power,
the appreciation of nature, etc.

3
 SPCC/EL&L DEPT/FORM 1/POETRY/2014-15

Name: _____________________ Set: ____ ( ) Date: _______________

Form 1: Appreciating sensory details and imagery
Useful language for poem analysis
1. Speaker, Tone and Voice
The author’s thoughts, feelings and attitude towards a subject. Pay attention to voice,
adjectives, word choice, punctuation and sentence structure to identify the tone of the
poem.
Positive Negative Others
Appreciative Aggressive Apologetic
Calming Angry Bold
Cheerful Annoyed/ irritated Cautious
Comforting Anxious/ agitated Firm
Committed Apprehensive Ironic
Content Bitter Mysterious
Delightful Confused Nostalgic
Devoted Cruel/ harsh/ hurtful Regretful/ remorseful
Ecstatic Defeated Religious
Elated Depressed/ melancholic Sarcastic
Enthusiastic Desperate Secretive
Excited Devastated Sentimental
Joyful Direct Unconcerned
Loving Disappointed
Optimistic Furious
Passionate Guilty
Reserved Hostile
Sincere Hopeless
Supportive Indifferent/ apathetic
Sympathetic Lonely
Warm Pessimistic
Resentful
Threatening
Troubled
Worried
Melancholy
Questioning
 SPCC/EL&L DEPT/FORM 1/POETRY/2014-15

2. Mood, Setting and Atmosphere

The atmosphere of the piece and the emotional effect that the text creates for the
audience. Pay attention to the setting, imagery, diction, and sound of the poem.
Positive Negative Others
Harmonious Anxious Solemn
Hopeful Apprehensive Quiet
Idyllic Bleak
Light-hearted Confining
Peaceful Dark
Pleased Desolate
Serene Distressed
Uplifting Gloomy/ somber
Warm Grim
Welcoming Heavy
Lonely
Melancholic
Pensive
Scary/ eerie/ spooky
Tense

Warm-up
Imagine you are speaking to your parents. Fill in the table according to the situation.
If your parents are: What do they say? How do you feel? How do you
respond?
Praising you Good job Denis! Proud, relieved, Thanks, it was
Etc.. happy, etc.. nothing, etc..

Scolding you Bad Denis, no Ashamed, regret, I’m sorry.

dinner for you, etc. indignant, etc… It was my brother!
Etc..
Worried about you What’s going on Ambivalent, I’m fine, no need
with you? concerned, to worry, etc..
surprised.
Tone is:_________________________________________________________
Mood is:________________________________________________________
Tone and mood do not always have to be the same.
For example, your parents tone may be happy / appreciative / supportive , but your
resulting mood may be proud or embarrassed. Changing the tone would change the mood.