Therapy – Reading Passages (Extended)
IGCSE English
Question 2C– Finding Words and Phrases
I can find FOUR POWERFUL words/phrases linked to the KEY WORD in each
paragraph.
If you want to pick up marks in Question 2 it is really important that you identify the
CORRECT word or phrases. The exam board tells you WHAT to look for and so if you
read the question properly, it will give you a head start. For example:
The Question:
Re-read the descriptions of:
(a)
(b)
The rats and fleas in paragraph 3 beginning, “Rats were very
prevalent in London”.
The symptoms of the plague in paragraph 5 beginning, “Those
who remained alive”.
Select four powerful words or phrases from each paragraph. Your
choices should include imagery. Explain how each word or phrase
selected is used effectively in context.
Write about 200 to 300 words.
10 marks are available for the content of your answer.
We are only looking at paragraph 3 in this session. You need to find FOUR
words/phrases to do with the rats and fleas in paragraph 3.
TASK: See if you can highlight 4 words/phrases about the rats and fleas THEN check
the answer on the next page.
Paragraph 3 – THE RATS AND FLEAS
Rats were very prevalent in London at a time when waste, both domestic and human,
was left on the streets. The putrid stench of human waste attracted the curious and
hungry rats. Their sinewy bodies frantically scurried through the mounds of rancid
waste. Upon their oily bodies they carried a miniscule enemy, unable to be seen by the
naked eye. Silent yet bold, these deadly fleas jumped enthusiastically from the bodies of
their couriers on to those of the unsuspecting people living near by and released their
deadly cargo. These invisible assassins were responsible for wiping out a fifth of the
whole population as if implementing a horrific master plan. Once the infection was
unleashed there was no stopping it.
© Copyright The PiXL Club Ltd, 2013
by Rachel Johnson
Commissioned by The PiXL Club Ltd.
This resource is strictly for the use of member schools for as long as they remain members of The PiXL Club. It may not be copied, sold nor transferred to a third party or
used by the school after membership ceases. Until such time it may be freely used within the member school.
All opinions and contributions are those of the authors. The contents of this resource are not connected with nor endorsed by any other company, organisation or
institution.
Therapy – Reading Passages (Extended)
IGCSE English
TOP TIPS
 Read the question properly – take your time
 Check the words you are highlighting are to do with the topic in the question.
 There will be many choices – choose the 4 that you think are the most powerful.
 ‘Powerful’ means that the word or phrase communicates an image or an idea
about the rats/fleas REALLY clearly.
WARNING: Do not select random words/phrases that have nothing to do with the
topic.
The Answers
Paragraph 3 – THE RATS AND FLEAS
Rats were very prevalent in London at a time when waste, both domestic and human,
was left on the streets. The putrid stench of human waste attracted the curious and
hungry rats. Their sinewy bodies frantically scurried through the mounds of rancid
waste. Upon their oily bodies they carried a miniscule enemy, unable to be seen by the
naked eye. Silent yet bold, these deadly fleas jumped enthusiastically from the bodies of
their couriers on to those of the unsuspecting people living near by and released their
deadly cargo. These invisible assassins were responsible for wiping out a fifth of the
whole population as if implementing a horrific master plan. Once the infection was
unleashed there was no stopping it.
SOME IDEAS FROM THE MARKSCHEME
•
(Rats) “sinewy bodies frantically scurried” – suggests lean yet muscular, a
creature that has some strength. The words “frantically” and “scurried” suggest they
are desperate due to the speed with which they are doing things. Both words imply
excitement in contrast to the desperation of the sufferers of the plague.
•
(Fleas) “miniscule enemy” – miniscule meaning small/tiny yet they are the enemy
of the people because they cannot be seen. The two words contrast as it seems
strange that an enemy can be so small yet cause such devastation.
•
(Fleas) “deadly cargo” – image of the transport industry (courier/cargo) and yet it
is ‘deadly’, not to the rats but to the innocent people the fleas attack. It also gives a
sense of an organized attack.
•
(Fleas) “invisible assassins” – ‘invisible’ links with the idea of ‘miniscule’ both
words to do with their size yet the word ‘assassins’ makes the fleas sound like
brutal killers, deliberately waging an attack on London.
© Copyright The PiXL Club Ltd, 2013
by Rachel Johnson
Commissioned by The PiXL Club Ltd.
This resource is strictly for the use of member schools for as long as they remain members of The PiXL Club. It may not be copied, sold nor transferred to a third party or
used by the school after membership ceases. Until such time it may be freely used within the member school.
All opinions and contributions are those of the authors. The contents of this resource are not connected with nor endorsed by any other company, organisation or
institution.