Year 11

Exam Preparation
iGCSE – Paper 2 (Extended)

Focus: Question 2 – Language and effect

 Question 2…
Will always ask you to:
• Read particular descriptions and refer to your specific
sections
• Comment on the effect and use of language created

You must explain thoroughly and clearly:

• What effects are created
• How effects are created
• Impact of the use of language
 For Example
Referring you to
Re-read the descriptions of: specific section

(a) O’Neill’s fall in paragraph 3;

(b) Dean Potter in paragraph 5.
Select words and phrases from these
descriptions, and explain how the writer has
created effects
by using this language.
Question KEY WORDS [Total: 10]
 Paragraph 3
Potter doesn’t wait for his partner to reach the safety of the permanent
metal peg at the top of the first stage, but instead starts climbing
straight away. This is a risky procedure, but it’s the fastest way to climb. Start
Five minutes later, the two are already 200 feet up, and my neck is sore of fall
just from watching them. As I back away from the Nose to get a better
view, I hear it – a horrible scrabbling of hands and feet on rock,
followed by a desperate yell: “Falling!” Looking up, I see O’Neill
dropping through space, arms flailing, legs splaying like a manic puppet
out of control. Suddenly, he jerks to a stop. This puppet now looks as
though someone, out of pity, has cut all of his strings except one, and
he hangs there, stunned, after plunging more than 25 feet. I can’t
believe he hasn’t hit the bottom.

Q: Select words and phrases from these descriptions,

and explain how the writer has created effects by using
this language.
 What not to do!
• It makes you want to read on.
• It creates a good effect.
• The writer uses effective language and this hooks the
reader.
• The descriptions are very vivid and the writer uses lots of
different vocabulary making you want to read on.

• DO NOT FEATURE SPOT!

• DO NOT WRITE EMPTY PHRASES!

• You will get no marks if you do not explain clearly how and
why effect is created – don’t just say it is – explain HOW it
is!
 Select words and phrases that create
effect from paragraph 3
• Potter doesn’t wait for his partner to reach the safety of the
permanent metal peg at the top of the first stage, but instead
starts climbing straight away. This is a risky procedure, but it’s
the fastest way to climb. Five minutes later, the two are
already 200 feet up, and my neck is sore just from watching
them. As I back away from the Nose to get a better view, I
hear it – a horrible scrabbling of hands and feet on rock,
followed by a desperate yell: “Falling!” Looking up, I see
O’Neill dropping through space, arms flailing, legs splaying like
a manic puppet out of control. Suddenly, he jerks to a stop.
This puppet now looks as though someone, out of pity, has
cut all of his strings except one, and he hangs there, stunned,
after plunging more than 25 feet. I can’t believe he hasn’t hit
the bottom.
 Effective words and phrases – points
you to O’Neill’s fall:
• Potter doesn’t wait for his partner to reach the safety of the
permanent metal peg at the top of the first stage, but instead
starts climbing straight away. This is a risky procedure, but it’s
the fastest way to climb. Five minutes later, the two are
already 200 feet up, and my neck is sore just from watching
them. As I back away from the Nose to get a better view, I
hear it – a horrible scrabbling of hands and feet on rock,
followed by a desperate yell: “Falling!” Looking up, I see
O’Neill dropping through space, arms flailing, legs splaying like
a manic puppet out of control. Suddenly, he jerks to a stop.
This puppet now looks as though someone, out of pity, has
cut all of his strings except one, and he hangs there, stunned,
after plunging more than 25 feet. I can’t believe he hasn’t hit
the bottom.
Words/Phrases How words/phrases are effective – what effect do they create? How and why? What is the
impact? Any linguistic devices? Impact?
risky procedure

horrible scrabbling of
hands and feet on rock

desperate yell

“Falling!”

dropping through space

arms flailing, legs

splaying like a manic
puppet out of control

jerks to a stop

This puppet now looks

as though someone, out
of pity, has cut all of his
strings except one

hangs there, stunned

plunging more than 25

feet
 Paragraph 5 – Focus: Dean Potter
The intensity is startling. Potter is normally a very calm person, slow
talking and sometimes painfully shy. One man who knows him well, his
promotions manager, calls him ‘a gentle giant’. In Patagonia, he has a
different nickname: Tarzan. Potter says that’s because of the
monosyllabic way he speaks Spanish when he’s on an expedition in
Argentina. Maybe, but the name seems to capture a lot of Potter’s
other qualities too. With his wide-set brown eyes, prominent and
slightly battered-looking nose, tumbling mane and barrel chest, he
could be the original Tarzan come back to life: a brooding inhabitant of
the wild who is occasionally roused to fantastic bouts of action and
daring stunts.

Select words and phrases from these descriptions, and

explain how the writer has created effects by using this
language.
 Only focus on Dean Potter – don’t be
side-tracked! opinion –
self/others
The intensity is startling. Potter is normally a very calm
person, slow talking and sometimes painfully shy. One man appearance
who knows him well, his promotions manager, calls him ‘a
gentle giant’. In Patagonia, he has a different nickname:
Tarzan. Potter says that’s because of the monosyllabic way
he speaks Spanish when he’s on an expedition in Argentina. behaviour
Maybe, but the name seems to capture a lot of Potter’s
other qualities too. With his wide-set brown eyes, prominent
and slightly battered-looking nose, tumbling mane and
barrel chest, he could be the original Tarzan come back to Physical
life: a brooding inhabitant of the wild who is occasionally features
roused to fantastic bouts of action and daring stunts.
Linguistic Choice Consider
Imagery? Speech
devices? vocabulary contrasts

Select words and phrases from these descriptions, and

explain how the writer has created effects by using this
language.
Words/Phrases How words/phrases are effective – what effect do they create? How and
why? What is the impact? Any linguistic devices? Impact?

normally a very calm person,

slow talking and sometimes
painfully shy
‘a gentle giant’

Tarzan

monosyllabic way he speaks

Spanish
of Potter’s other qualities too.
With his wide-set brown eyes,
prominent and slightly battered-
looking nose, tumbling mane and
barrel chest he could be the
original Tarzan come back to life

brooding inhabitant of the wild

occasionally roused to fantastic

bouts of action and daring stunts.
 Now write your response to the
question in full sentences/paragraphs:

• Re-read the descriptions of:

• (a) O’Neill’s fall in paragraph 3;
• (b) Dean Potter in paragraph 5.
• Select words and phrases from these
descriptions, and explain how the writer has
created effects
• by using this language.

Complete this in your book

 Mark Criteria – Guidance to the
examiner
This question is marked for the candidate's ability to select effective or unusual words
and for an understanding of ways in which the language is effective. Expect candidates
to select words that carry specific meaning, including implications, additional to
general and to ordinary vocabulary.

Alternative acceptable explanations should be credited. Mark for the overall quality of
the answer, not for the number of words chosen.

The following notes are a guide to what good responses might say about the words
they have chosen. They are free to make any sensible comment, but only credit
comments that are relevant to the correct meanings of the words and that have some
validity. Responses could score full marks for excellent comments on comparatively
few words from each part of the question. Do not take marks off for inaccurate
statements. It is the quality of the analysis that attracts marks.
 (a) O’Neill’s fall in paragraph 3
There is a definite shift here in the passage: the first part outlines the dangers of the climb, but
also gives us some assurance that they know what they’re doing – owing to the jargon/experience
so far. O’Neill’s fall is, however, unexpected and the sheer sense of helplessness is the
overwhelming feel to this description.

Scrabbling of hands and feet on rock is an ominous early sign of trouble though some good responses could infer that
Nature is tougher than humans here. Also scrabbling is the antithesis of the very controlled and fast ascent mentioned
earlier.

Links with desperation/plummeting down that comes with desperate yell: ‘Falling!’ Good responses may expand on
this echoing in the valley and comment on the use of the exclamation mark.

Dropping through space: image of an astronaut in a different dimension – something quite peaceful about it –
compared to arms flailing, legs splaying – completely out of control/vulnerable.

Like a manic puppet: This key image has connotations of being controlled (some might mention the symbiotic
relationship required so that Potter is the ‘controller’).

Out of pity, has cut all of his strings except one again suggests that O’Neill is at the mercy of Nature/Potter (or both).

Suddenly, he jerks to a stop is an obvious, deliberate pause in the passage – sense of ‘is he still alive?’

Plunging suggests rapid downwards movement, such as diving.

 Dean Potter in paragraph 5
The key image, a gentle giant contrasts with what we expect him to be like (after the ‘bass
boom’ of his voice as he shouts O’Neill into action). It could also be contrasted with the
comparison of him to Tarzan where any mention of the wild man of the jungle/living in
the middle of nature and danger/unafraid of anything/out of civilisation or other
associations with the character that may link with the way Potter lives his life should be
credited.

• Wide-set brown eyes and tumbling mane could be linked to a lion (king of the jungle, like Tarzan)
although it does suggest a gentleness/softness about him.

• The slightly battered-looking nose and barrel chest are in contrast and suggest
toughness/strength/resilience.

• Brooding inhabitant of the wild gives us the feeling that he is at home in this habitat/hostile
environment he has adopted, waiting for more opportunities to challenge himself. Some responses
may concentrate on brooding and wild and give credit if these make some sense as a
• description of Potter.

• Roused to fantastic bouts of action/daring stunts contrast his ordinary life with sudden hero type
action – some may even pick up on pop star heroes commanding the attention of/throwing
themselves into the crowd.
Peer Assess/Annotate