SATs Hints for 2005

It is impossible to guarantee any prediction about exam questions. Often pupils base their revision on the past papers they are shown in lessons. However, examiners often set something DIFFERENT to vary the tests. Analysis of past papers on this basis suggests that you should include certain areas in your revision. For Shakespeare, your FULL revision programme should include the following topics:
  • deteriorating relationships
  • Macbeth's deteriorating state of mind
  • production / direction of the banquet scene

    For the Writing tasks:
  • persuasive writing looks 'due'
  • analytical writing looks 'due'
    Revise ALL the triplet writing types, but make sure you include these two! Note that to get the full four spelling marks on the shorter task you need to use 'complex irregular words'; examples would be chaos or embarrass. In both tasks, you need to use a range of punctuation, so include speech, colons, semi-colons, question marks and exclamation marks in your writing.You also need to vary your sentence structure (see my improve your grade page). Ensure that you achieve logical coherence within and between paragraphs, using words such as 'therefore'/'consequently'/ as a result'/'meanwhile', etc. Include some figurative language, such as similes and do not forget to use a good range of adjectives.Read the questions with care; they should tell you the viewpoint, content, style, purpose, tone and form, mostly explicitly. Think and plan; quality not quantity is the key: one page for the shorter task, no more than three for the longer is recommended by the marking agency.

    For the reading paper:
  • a fiction passage has not come up recently
  • a poem has not come up recently
    Therefore, make sure in particular that you understand how mood, atmosphere and characterisation are achieved in fiction; and how rhyme, rhythm, figurative language, alliteration etc contribute to the surface and subtle meanings of poetry.

    Note the wordings used in the questions: write down means find and copy (do exactly as asked; if you are required to find a word and you quote a sentence, you will get 0 marks). Give means quote or paraphrase.


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