40 Most repeated questions

in English Checkpoint
Exam
Prepared by: Mr. Shoaib
English teacher, Junior Section
Pakistan International School of Damascus, Syria.
Q1: What is the effect of using short sentence / single
word sentence?
• It creates suspense.
• It creates dramatic effect.
• It emphasizes a point.
Note: short / incomplete / simple / one-word sentences
are used to suggest fast-moving action.
Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly. Get
back to the text and check what effect this short sentence
is creating.
Q2: How does the writer convey dramatic effect?

• The writer uses a one-word sentence.

• The writer uses a one-line / one-sentence paragraph.
• The writer uses a short sentence.
Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly. Get back
to the text and check what kind of feature is used there.
Q3: Why does the writer use long sentence here?

• to build up descriptive detail .

• to create a slow, relaxing pace.
Q4: Why is a semi-colon ( ; ) used ?

• to join two closely related clauses / ideas together.

• to give more / further information.
• It’s used instead of a connective.
• to separate items on a list
Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly.
Get back to the text and check why the semi-colon is
used there.
Q5: Why does the writer use a dash in the given
line?
• to add extra information

• to show interruption
Q6: why paragraphs are used in this text?

• change of scenery / setting / scene

• direct speech
• change of speaker
• change of topic / idea / subject
Note: One of the above given answer is possible.
Q7: Give one word that introduces a contrasting
idea.
• However
• But
• Although
• Actually (this word is also used for surprising idea /
feeling)
Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly. Get
back to the text and check which of the above mentioned
word is used for this purpose.
Q8: Give an example of a passive verb form from the
given paragraph.
• Passive verb = verb to be + past participle (verb 3)
Note: ‘Verb to be’ can be in any of its form, i.e. be, is, am, are, was,
were, been, being.
Example:
• is eaten
• will be given
• Has (also) been taken
• was being completed
• has to be made (waterproof)
Q9: Why are passive verb forms used in this text?

• The focus is not the people but the actions.

• We don’t know who did it.
• For more formal style.
Q10: Why has a colon ( : ) been used?

• to introduce a list
• to add further information
• to introduce a direct speech
• Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly.
Get back to the text and check which of the above
mentioned use of colon is given in the text.
Q11: Give structural features of an information
text / informative article.
• The text has an introductory paragraph
• The writer uses subheadings
• Has organized ideas into separate paragraphs
• It is written in the third person
• It uses topic sentences
• It is written in a formal style
• It’s written in chronological order
• It does not offer opinions.
Q12: What is the viewpoint in the given Text?

• First person (if first person pronouns - I, we, me, ours, us - are
used)
• Second person (if second person pronouns – you, yours – are
used)
• Third person (if third person pronouns – he, she, they, it, his,
her, them – are used)
Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly. Get back
to the text and check which of the above mentioned viewpoint
is used for this purpose.
Q13: Why does the writer use an exclamation mark (
! )?
• to show the feelings or emotions of the speaker.
For example: surprise / pride / amazement
Q14: Give structural features of a persuasive text /
persuasive article / argumentative article.
• rhetorical questions
• opinions
• personal anecdotes
• personal pronouns
• emotive language
• Hyperbole
• Triplets (rule of three)
Q15: What is the effect of using the pronouns ‘we’
and ‘you’ in the text?
• They make the text more personal.
• The text talk directly to you.
Q16: What effect is the writer trying to create by
using this language feature (figurative language)?
• The writer wants to emphasise…
• The writer wants to convey…
Q17: Why does the writer use italics
(italics)?
• to add extra emphasis
• To grab the reader’s attention towards a certain point.
Note: Don’t write the phrase ‘a certain point’. Get back to the text and
mention clearly that point which is grabbing your attention.
Q18: Why does the writer use ellipsis (…)?

• to show a list.
• to create an informal tone.
• To indicate the omission of words.
• to show an incomplete thought/idea.
• The conversation is interrupted / not finished.
• It shows parts of conversations (by different people).
Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly. Get
back to the text and check why the ellipsis is used there.
Q19: What literary technique does the writer use?

• Figurative language (simile, metaphor, alliteration,

oxymoron, etc.)
Note: Don’t write any of the figurative language
randomly. Get back to the text and check which
figurative language is used in the given lines.
Q20: Give features of a newspaper article.

• a headline/title/heading
• a catchy headline / catchy title / catchy heading / assonance in the headline /
rhyme in the headline
• a subheading / subtitle / a strapline
• the story is summarised in the first paragraph
• quotations / direct speech / interviews / sources
• short paragraphs. (Do Not write ‘paragraphs’ alone)
• facts, statistics, information
• expert (others) opinions
• rhetorical questions.
Q21: Explain ways in which the writer tries to get the reader’s
attention in the given paragraph.

• challenging the reader (by asking questions)

• use of (rhetorical) questions
• use of direct speech / direct address of the reader
• pronoun ‘you’ / second person
• repetition
Q22: Why is the phrase ‘…………’ in inverted
commas?
• It’s used figuratively not literally.
Q23: What techniques does the writer use to
emphasise the sentence ?
• The writer uses a short/snappy sentence.
• The writer uses a one-sentence paragraph / a
separate paragraph for one sentence.
• It is placed by itself / one line paragraph.
• The sentence begins with a conjunction / connective.
Q24: What is the mood in the text?

• Dangerous
• Stressful
• Calm
• Peaceful
Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly.
Get back to the text and check what is your feeling as a
reader after reading this text.
Q25: Give features of a review.

• intended audience.
• summary of the plot.
Q26: Why does the writer separate the direct speech into
two parts?

• It gives the second part a strong impact.

• It makes the second part stand out.
• It delays telling the reader.
• It adds emphasis to the second part.
Q27: What is the effect of the given sentence on the
reader?
• It creates a scary atmosphere.
• It creates a calm atmosphere.
• It creates a peaceful atmosphere.
• It creates a suspenseful atmosphere.
Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly. Get back
to the text and check what effect is created by the given
sentence.
Q28: Why does the writer use questions?

• To build up suspense.
• To interest the reader.
• to engage interest
Q29: Give one word from the text that is an example of a pun.
Explain in your own words how this pun is effective.

Example answer:

‘heights’.
Heights refers to both the level of achievement /
success, and the distance above the ground.
Note: Homographs, homophones and homonyms are
used as a pun.
Q30: How does the given sentence differ in tone
from the rest of the paragraph / text?
• It’s positive.
• It ends happily.
• It’s dangerous.
• It’s stressful.
• It’s calm.
• It’s peaceful.
Q31: How does the mood in the text
change in the given lines?
Example answers:
• The mood changes from dangerous to calm.
• The mood changes from calm to dangerous.
• The mood changes from stressful to peaceful.
• The mood changes from peaceful to stressful.
Q32: How has the writer structured the text in the
given lines?
• The writer begins the paragraph each time with
‘…………….’
• The writer repeats the phrase ‘…………….’.
• The writer uses a new / different paragraph to
describe the different events / memories.
Q33: Give some features of autobiographical writing
as shown in this extract.
• written in the first person
• written in the past tense
• refers to named people
• refers to the writer’s memories
• describes an event / a specific time/place in the
writer’s life.
Q34: The writer uses grammatical structures to
show time passing quickly. Give grammatical
structures the writer uses to do this.
• short / incomplete / simple / one-word sentences (to suggest fast-
moving action)
• sequence of short paragraphs in chronological order
• sequence of numbers (to indicate the speed / of time passing quickly)
• ellipses/dashes (to suggest time passing / incomplete actions)
• verbs (in participle form) describing action/motion (piercing, rising,
• surfacing, cutting).
Q35: Whose viewpoint is the story told from? / Who
is the narrator in the story?
Example answers:
• Mira / Mira’s viewpoint.
• Prox’s viewpoint
Note: Here you need to find out the narrator of the
story. Usually the narrator is using “I” for himself, or he
can be the main character of the story that is written in
3rd person viewpoint. The reader knows the thoughts of
the main character.
Q36: What effect is created by the writer in this
paragraph?

• Mystery
• Suspense
• Scary
• Dramatic
Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly. Get back
to the text and check what effect the writer has created in the
given paragraph.
Q37: Give ways in which the writer tries to get the
reader’s attention.
• challenging the reader
• use of (rhetorical) questions
• use of direct speech / direct address of the reader
• use of pronoun ‘you’ / second person
• repetition
Q38: What type of text is this?

Information text / informative Review

article Travel writing / magazine
Newspaper report realistic fiction.
Discussion text / persuasive article
Biography
Autobiography
Fantasy
Science fiction

Note: Don’t write any of the above answer randomly. Get back to the
text and check its features.
Q39: Give some literary features the writer uses to
create an atmosphere.
• simile
• short sentences
• metaphors
• visual imagery
• repetition
• alliteration
• personification
• use of pronouns
• use of contractions.
Q40: Why does the writer begin a new paragraph?

• to introduce direct speech / a quotation.

• to shift focus from setting the scene to introducing a
person.
• change of action / time.
 Good Luck!
Regards,
Mr. Shoaib