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Section A - Reading

Question 3: Inference and


Deduction
Approaching and
answering Question 3

Question 3: Inference and


Deduction
8 marks
15 minutes, including active reading time
You need to briskly analyse the language of
the text to answer the question
Discuss four or five points where the reader
(i.e. you!) is able to read between the lines

Describe the thoughts and feelings of the narrator


in the blank boxes

Text

We were on a mission. As we turned


into our road from the alleyway, a
quiet buzzing sound drifted over us.
We knew we were on our way.
I jerked upright, the drifting aimless
thoughts pushed away and replaced
with a consuming anger at what had
happened. I screamed at the wind.
Swearing and yelling blind.
I had had friends before but there
was no one with whom I could speak
with such honesty as I could with
Amolak.
I was already unhappy with what I
was seeing. I'm causing this to
happen, I kept thinking. This pig has
been hand-fed for six months,
fattened up - for me.
I am being transported to that place,

Inference /
Deduction

Match-up. Develop and


explain
Text

Inference /
Deduction

We were on a mission. As we turned


into our road from the alleyway, a
quiet buzzing sound drifted over us.
We knew we were on our way.

Trust

I jerked upright, the drifting aimless


thoughts pushed away and replaced
with a consuming anger at what had
happened. I screamed at the wind.
Swearing and yelling blind.

Fear and apprehension

I had had friends before but there


was no one with whom I could speak
with such honesty as I could with
Amolak.

Frustration and anger

I was already unhappy with what I


was seeing. I'm causing this to
happen, I kept thinking. This pig has
been hand-fed for six months,
fattened up - for me.

Excitement

I am being transported to that place,

Guilt

1
.

Highlight the key words in the question.


Usually, the question asks you to explain some
thoughts and feelings of a first-person narrator.
Be aware, however, that you may be asked to
infer and deduce in a different way. PAY
CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE QUESTION.

Explain some of the thoughts and


feelings Claire Francis has during the
storm.
Explain some of the thoughts and
feelings Christopher Ondaatje has about
his experience of Lake Victoria.
Explain which parts of Pete Boardmans
story of the return to Camp 6 you find
tense
and exciting.

2
.

Ferry Across the Lake: Explain some of the


thoughts and feelings Christopher Ondaatje has
about his experience of Lake Victoria.

Actively read the text:

You are looking


for particular parts of the text which youve been
asked to write about in the question.
Next, go through the text,

sections

highlighting

that will help you answer the question.

annotate

You might like to


the article very briefly
with ideas that will help you answer the question.

IN
GROUPS

FERRY ACROSS THE LAKE: On his journey to the source of the Nile, Christopher
Ondaatje crosses part of Lake Victoria
Admire
s this
place

Thinking
about the
past and
connecting
it to the
present

From a past paper

3
.

Writing up ideas
Now youre ready to write up
your ideas, you need a clear introductory
sentence introducing your response, as usual. Use the
question to help you do this; turn it into a statement.
You then need to

talk about each

section

youve highlighted. The question will tell


you what to write about; dont stray from this!

Pepper your points

with short quotes


that help you explain your response. Do not copy
large chunks of the text.

IN
GROUPS

3
.

Connective

Firstly
Secondly
Thirdly
As well as
this
Furthermore
Moreover
Finally
Lastly
Likewise
Similarly

The author / language in


the text
Builds
Connotes
Contrasts
Conveys
Creates
Demonstrates
Describes
Depicts
Emphasises
Evokes
Exaggerates
Expresses
Gives the
impression
Gives a sense

Highlights
Informs
Implies
Indicates
Narrates
Realises
Recognises
Refers to
Reflects
Reveals
Signifies
Suggests
Shows
Tells

The reader
(or we)
Is made
aware
Is informed
Is told
Learns
Discovers
Realises

USEFUL WORDS &


PHRASES

A sample response from Question 3 (Explain some of the thoughts and feelings
Christopher Ondaatje has about his experience of Lake Victoria.)
In this extract, Christopher Ondaatje describes his visit to Lake Victoria. He experiences various
thoughts and feelings during his journey.
Firstly, in the opening paragraph, the author gives us the impression that he is thinking about both the
present and the past. He describes his location and what he can see before him, and reveals that
Mwanza is a vibrant African city that is growing and busy. Implying that this place is a living city, he
states that it seemed to grow as we watched. Furthermore, he shows an awareness of the lake being
much older and having played a role in the great explorations of the past. This conveys to the reader
the fact that Ondaatje has a sense of the lakes history and its importance as a landmark for previous
travellers.
The second paragraph suggests to us that our narrator is overcome by the beauty of nature. He
portrays where he is as an idyllic spot and then goes on to describe the sounds of the birds, the
beauty of the sunrise and the sound of the lake. His senses are informing his feelings here; what he
sees and hears are all conveyed very positively and he claims waking here would be a good way to
start every morning.
However, as Ondaatje describes the travellers wait to catch the ferry to cross the lake, the language
he uses hints that he is no longer in control of the situation. Passengers have to rely on the local
system, which is not very reliable, and there is doubt that they will even get on the ferry. The previous
idyllic setting is now contrasted by the discomfort of the day getting hotter and hotter. The
description of conditions on the ferry shows the passengers discomfort only gets worse, calling the
setting hot as hell and getting hotter. Moreover, worse than the discomfort he feels is his knowledge
that a similar ferry sank or went down a year or so earlier with loss of life. Ondaatjes anxiety is shown
in that he realises there is no system of controlling the amount of weight taken on by the ferry and that
it is also an old ferry which he depicts as decrepit. The thought of this past tragedy and the
disorganisation he is witnessing causes him to worry and feel anxious.
Lastly, in the the final paragraph, the writer describes the sound and movement of the ferry; again he
is impressed by what he can see of nature but there is also a sense of disbelief that the heavily laden
ferry is managing to move. When he sees the teeming mass of a crowd waiting to board on the other

A sample response from Question 3 (Explain some of the thoughts and feelings
Christopher Ondaatje has about his experience of Lake Victoria.)

In this extract, Christopher Ondaatje describes his visit to Lake Victoria. He experiences
various thoughts and feelings during his journey.
Firstly, in the opening paragraph, the author describes his location and what he can see
before him, and reveals that Mwanza is a vibrant African city. This suggests that he
likes and admires this busy place he also describes it as huge and beautiful. The lake
makes him think about the past and how the mighty lake was important to past
explorations.
Secondly, Ondaatje tells us that he finds the place an idyllic spot with a spectacular
sunrise which implies that he finds the setting beautiful. He uses his senses when he
describes the sounds of the birds and the scenery around him and he finds the setting
peaceful and calming. He even says he would like to wake up in this place every
morning.
When Ondaatje describes the travellers wait to catch the ferry to cross the lake, we are
made aware that he is uncomfortable and frustrated. The ferry is late and the weather is
getting hotter and hotter which makes things worse. When he is on the actual ferry the
author seems to become more uncomfortable when he describes it as hot as hell and
getting hotter. Hell has very negative connotations, so we can infer that he is not
enjoying himself. Moreover, Ondaatje tells us that in the past a ferry went down which
suggests to us that he is perhaps worried and anxious.
Lastly, at the end of the text the writer describes the sound and movement of the ferry
and he says that somehow the craft stayed afloat which reveals that he cannot believe

Text 24: Explain which


parts of A Walk in the
Woods you find tense and
exciting.

IN PAIRS

Question 3: Inference and Deduction


Sample Mark Scheme

Text 23: Explain some of


the thoughts and feelings
Joe Simpson has while
trapped on a mountainside.

ON YOUR
OWN

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