SIGNPOST OF OWN WORD QUESTIONS

• The obvious signpost is that the question asks you to use your own words

• A more subtle sign post might be a quotation from a passage; it can be a single word, an
expression or a whole sentence

Look for the signposts and answer the own word questions attached to the short passages below.

PASSAGE 1

When Jennifer stepped from the car, she was horrified at the scene of devastation before her.

In your own words, explain how Jennifer felt when she stepped from the car, and the reason why
she felt this way

PASSAGE 2

The rush hour traffic crawled along the road, smoke billowing from exhaust pipes.

In your own words describe the rush hour traffic.

PASSAGE 3

The creepers grew in profusion around the house, and even coiled round the window sills.

Explain in your own words what the writer tells us about the creepers by telling us that they grew
in profusion and coiled around the window sills.

PASSAGE 4

Speeding downhill on a bicycle is an experience which is both exhilarating and terrifying

The writer describes the experience of speeding downhill on a bicycle as both exhilarating and
terrifying. Explain in your own words what this means

EXERCISE 2

Out of all the huts the villagers were reluctantly emerging – the children first: they were inquisitive
and unfrightened.

The lieutenant barked out “Attention. All of you. Listen to me. Anyone who shelters him is a traitor
too.’ Their immobility infuriated him. He said, “You ‘re fools if you still believe what the priests tell
you.

1. The children were inquisitive and frightened. In your own words, explain the effect the
arrival of the lieutenant had on children [2]

2. What had infuriated the lieutenant? Answer in your own words. [1]
EXERCISE 3

The hunter feared and admired the animals he pursued for their strength, speed and superior
powers of sight, hearing and scent. Later this respect became a kind of worship. As the man tamed
and farmed certain species, however, a relationship of mutual affection developed.

1. In your own words, explain the three reasons for man’s fear and admiration for the
animals he pursued. [3]

2. What happened ‘as man tamed and farmed certain species’? Answer in your own words.
[3]

COMBINING INFORMATION

In a combining information question, you will be required to give more than one piece of
information in order to answer the question properly.

SIGNPOSTS OF COMBINING INFORMATION

• The most obvious signpost of a question which requires you to give more than one answer is
the question which asks for two reasons
• A more subtle type of combining question is that the question asks you to answer fully. The
word fully suggests that there are two separate answers, or it might mean the answer
requires sufficient depth or it might mean you are required to elaborate on your basic
answer
• Another signpost of combining questions is the number of marks allocated to any answer. A
question carrying two or more marks is more difficult than a question which carries only one
mark.

Read the passages and answer the combining question which follows.

PASSAGE 1

Huge waves pounded the stone walls built to keep the sea at bay, smashing free huge blocks of
marble and flinging them aside like pebbles, until the walls cracked and then collapsed.

1. Huge waves pounded the sea walls. Explain fully the comparison used by the writer to show
the strength of these waves [2]

PASSAGE 2

Coral animals, the remarkable little creatures that build coral reefs, are responsible for creating the
largest structures made by life on earth, big enough, in some cases, to dwarf even the most
ambitious buildings constructed by humankind.

Explain fully why the writer describes coral animals as remarkable. [2]
PASSAGE 3

Ayesha was on her way to visit her friend Rama, who was in the hospital, having just undergone
major surgery. Ayesha and Rama were both teachers in the same school. They had started teaching
there on the same day and, having started out as colleagues, they become close friends. Yes, it was a
matter of urgency for Ayesha to see Rama that day.

Give two reasons why it was a matter of urgency for Ayesha to see Rama that day? [2]

PASSAGE 4

It has now become abundantly clear that, it schemes for the protection of the environment are not
initiated and controlled by local people, they stand little chances of success. It is vitally important to
ensure that the wealth of expertise that still remains in the living memory is not lost

What will be the two results, according to the writer, ‘ if schemes for the protection of the
environment are not initiated and controlled by local people? [2]