Answering the ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’ question, parts (a) and (b). I will post (c) and (d) shortly!

Right everyone, you did very well yesterday attempting these questions. Please just remember a few simple points:

1. PEE is always your friend on this exam. EVERYTHING you write should take this format. If you aren’t writing in PEE, you’re not doing it right.
2. Do not OVERTHINK this. This is a comprehension exercise. The examiner wants you to read a short extract and answer some pretty simple questions about it.
3. There are no RIGHT or WRONG answers. The examiner is testing your ability to read a piece of writing and then given your opinion on it based on what you have JUST READ. You should, therefore, be able to attempt these early questions, even if you have not read the book before. Good job you have though! You will need it in the later questions.
4. You should write about 3 paragraphs for each of these sub-questions. Leave space in case you have time to go back and write more.
5. Have confidence! You are all capable of answering this well. Trust me!

Answering part (a):

In part (a), it should always ask you what we learn about a particular character in the extract. DO NOT refer to parts outside the extract as you will not be marked for them. You should spend just over a minute per mark. I am going to do that right now to prove it can be done. Here goes…

Q. What do we learn about the characters of Stapleton in this extract?

One thing we learn about Stapleton is that he is very passionate about the moor. We know this because he says, ‘It’s a wonderful place the moor’. This is slightly unusual because the moor is a barren and unwelcoming place and it is unusual that somebody should be so enthusiastic about it. This suggests a slightly unusual and unpredictable quality about Stapleton.

The second thing which we learn about Stapleton in this extract is that he is very committed to any study or project that he is involved with. We know this because he says that he has ‘explored every part of the country round.’ This makes him sound very committed and tenacious. This part of the extract also makes him sound a bit big headed because he goes on to say that ‘few people know the moor better than him’ which some people might see as being a bit big-headed.

Another thing which we learn about Stapleton is that he is very confident in his own ability. We know this because after describing how dangerous the moor is, he claims that he can ‘find his way to the very heart of it and return alive.’ This, again, comes across as a little arrogant, and also makes us question why he is so comfortable in a place where everyone else fears to tread.

Lastly, we learn that Stapleton is not very tolerant of the wildlife on the moor. He calls one of the moor ponies ‘miserable’, implying that he finds it annoying. This shows that he is perhaps not the most caring or tolerant man.

There we go people. That took me SIX minutes! I timed it! Just to prove it can be done, and that I wouldn’t expect you to do anything which was impossible. That is basically how your answer should look. It’s just PEE over and over again. Not rocket science. J

Now onto part (b). Part (b) should ask you a question about how the author has used LANGUAGE. I will attempt this one and show you just how easy it is!

Here we go:

Q. How has language been used to create a sense of danger?

The first way in which language has been used to create a sense of danger is through the use of adjectives to describe it. Stapleton calls the moor ‘barren and mysterious.’ These words are both very important in creating a sense of danger for different reasons. ‘Barren’ makes it sound like it is empty and exposed, like you could die if you got trapped out there. ‘Mysterious’ makes it sound unpredictable, like you don’t know what is going to happen to you next.

The second way in which language has been used is through the way parts of the landscape are described. The author describes ‘jagged crests of granite’. This adjective creates a sense of danger because it makes it sound like you would hurt yourself very easily if you weren’t looking where you were going. This makes us fear for the safety of the main characters.

Another way in which a sense of danger is created is by the image painted where it says ‘one step yonder means death to man or beast.’ The image ‘false step’ is important because it makes it sound like you could easily meet your doom simply from not concentrating. Secondly, the use of the noun ‘beast’ creates a sense of danger, because it makes it sound like even a strong animal could not escape the mire, so what chance would a human have?

Lastly, the sense of danger is completed by the description of ‘something brown’ rolling down the hills. The way the author has chosen to keep this image vague creates a sense of danger because it makes the reader feel like anything could happen, and that mysterious forces or objects are at play on the moor.

Done! 5 minutes! Ok, you might take a little longer, but I completed A and B in 11 minutes, and they would both score pretty well I reckon. Just remember:

*ALWAYS use evidence.

*ALWAYS explain yourself

*ALWAYS answer the question directly. ‘One way in which language is used to create a sense of danger…’ etc

and lastly…

*DON’T over think it! These are simple questions, just testing your ability to read and pass on your opinions. There is not big method to this, so relax and get your points on the paper.

I will post more stuff on here at least by early afternoon tomorrow so that you have all day and evening to revise. I know that’s what you’re all doing because you’re such awesome students.

I’m off to the prom now, see ya!