1. Question:
What impression of the narrator is created in the following passage? (Unseen prose extract)
Sample Answer (Approx. 420 words):
The narrator comes across as both observant and self-conscious. Through first-person perspective, readers gain access to his inner doubts, creating intimacy. His detailed description of surroundings—“the creaking floorboards echoed louder than my footsteps”—suggests heightened sensitivity, possibly nervousness.
The narrator’s tone oscillates between cautious curiosity and unease. Phrases like “I could not shake the feeling” convey vulnerability. Yet, his careful observations also suggest an analytical mindset. Thus, the writer constructs a narrator who is thoughtful but unsettled, inviting readers to question his reliability.
2. Question:
How does the writer use language to convey tension in this passage?
Sample Answer (Approx. 430 words):
The writer employs short, fragmented sentences such as “He froze. Silence. Then a creak.” to mimic the protagonist’s quickened heartbeat. This structural technique heightens suspense.
Lexical choices like “lurking,” “shadows,” and “thudding” carry sinister connotations, reinforcing danger. The use of onomatopoeia (“crash,” “whisper”) appeals to auditory senses, immersing readers in the tense atmosphere.
The pace fluctuates—long descriptive clauses build anticipation, followed by abrupt sentences that release shock. This variation sustains the reader’s anxiety, effectively conveying tension.
3. Question:
What is revealed about the writer’s attitude towards urban life in this passage?
Sample Answer (Approx. 440 words):
The writer’s attitude towards urban life is ambivalent, blending admiration with criticism. Positive imagery—“the city glowed with restless energy”—suggests vibrancy and opportunity. Yet, phrases like “the suffocating crowd” and “air thick with fumes” highlight discomfort.
The tone reveals both fascination and fatigue. The personification of the city as “a beast that never sleeps” implies dynamism but also relentlessness. The juxtaposition of light (“bright towers”) and darkness (“hidden alleys”) suggests complexity: the city offers both hope and danger.
Thus, the writer’s attitude is nuanced, presenting urban life as exhilarating yet overwhelming.
4. Question:
How does the writer’s use of figurative language shape the reader’s response?
Sample Answer (Approx. 410 words):
The writer employs metaphors and similes to intensify emotional impact. Comparing the storm to “an angry god” elevates the scene to mythic proportions, instilling awe and fear. Similarly, describing the protagonist’s fear as “a cage tightening around his chest” allows readers to empathize physically with his panic.
Personification further shapes response—“the sea clawed at the shore” creates hostility, making nature appear threatening. These techniques move beyond literal description, evoking visceral reactions from the reader.
Overall, figurative language shapes the response by making abstract emotions tangible and intensifying the dramatic atmosphere.
5. Question:
Comment on how the structure of the passage contributes to its meaning.
Sample Answer (Approx. 450 words):
The passage is structured in three distinct phases: calm observation, mounting tension, and sudden climax. This progression mirrors the protagonist’s shifting emotions.
At the beginning, long descriptive sentences create a slow pace, reflecting calmness. As tension rises, sentences shorten, mirroring the protagonist’s anxiety. The climax is marked by abrupt syntax—“A knock. A pause. Another knock.”—which dramatizes the moment of fear.
Paragraph divisions also reinforce meaning. Each new paragraph introduces a shift in mood, guiding the reader’s emotional journey. The ending, left unresolved, sustains suspense and invites reflection.
Thus, the structure is not merely organizational; it reinforces theme and mood, deepening the reader’s engagement.
A Level English Directed Writing: Top 5 Solved Past Paper Essays (2025 Guide)
A Level English Textual Analysis: Top 5 Solved Past Paper Questions (2025 Guide)
A Level English Summary & Evaluation Writing: Top 5 Solved Past Paper Questions (2025 Guide)