Solved Example

The question has been taken from the Feb/March 2018 paper 22:

Question 2

Re-read the descriptions of:

(a) the forest in paragraph 4, beginning ‘Soon he was surrounded by ancient forest ... ’

(b) Bo’s reaction to the sudden noise in paragraph 8, beginning ‘Was it minutes or hours later?’

Select four powerful words or phrases from each paragraph. Your choices should include imagery.

Explain how each word or phrase is used effectively in the context.

Write about 200 to 300 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.

Paragraph 4:

Soon he was surrounded by ancient forest, footsteps muffled by centuries of discarded leaves. Myths of terrifying forest guardians suddenly seemed much more plausible as the endless acres of trees stood watch, stern sentinels of the trail. The silence was spellbinding as Bo crept onwards, down an almost subterranean tunnel of primeval greenery. Forwards, always forwards, an intruder in a magical

garden.

Paragraph 8:

Was it minutes or hours later? A sharp crack, loud as a gunshot, snapped him to attention. Ears straining, Bo quivered, listening for ravenous forest monsters ready to devour him in one gulp; or maybe a rogue bear or wild boar, hungry for hiker meat? Bo lifted the tent flap and peered into the gaping throat of the darkness, ready to be swallowed.

Continuous Writing:

      The author describes the forest in a way which displays its ancient, yet mystical, aura. The phrase "centuries of discarded leaves" is used to denote the the way in which the leaves have accumulated over a period of time, in the absence of human intervention. An alliteration is used in the phrase "stern sentinels" to signify that the trees act as soldiers, on the lookout for trespassers. This effect is further enhanced with the use of personification in the same phrase. "Silence was spellbinding" is another phrase used by the writer to showcase the tranquility and stillness of Bo's surroundings. To explain that the forest has existed long before humanity, "primeval greenery" is used to indicate the forests age and continuity. Hence, the author clearly explains the forest in which Bo is hiking. 
      Later on in the passage, the author describes Bo's reaction to the sudden noise in an exaggerated and overdramatic manner. For instance, in the phrase "loud as a gunshot", a simile is used to showcase Bo's fear and the startling intensity of the noise. "Ravenous forest monsters" is used to denote the imaginary creatures which Bo fears. To further enhance Bo's fear and dramatic acts, "devour him in one gulp" is used to indicate that the creatures can wolf him down easily. This is done with the help of visual imagery. The author uses a humorous tone in the phrase "ready to be swallowed" to indicate that Bo is accepting his fate of being consumed. Thus, the author vividly displays Bo's behaviour following the noise.