Read the extract and answer the following questions.
Extract:
The first indication of impending disaster came at about 6 p.m., with an ominous silence. The wind dropped, and the sky immediately grew dark. Then came a growing roar, and an enormous cloud towered aft of the ship. With horror, I realised that it was not a cloud, but a wave like no other I had ever seen. It appeared perfectly vertical and almost twice the height of the other waves, with a frightful breaking crest.
(We’re not afraid to die together..
If we can all be together)
Question (i)
What was the first indication of impending disaster for the narrator?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
The first indication of impending disaster for the narrator was an ominous silence when the wind dropped and the sky grew dark.
Step-by-step explanation:
- To answer this question, we need to identify the words and phrases that the narrator uses to describe the first indication of impending disaster in the extract. We can use bullet points to list them:
an ominous silence
The wind dropped
the sky immediately grew dark
- We can then use these points to write a complete sentence that summarizes the first indication of impending disaster for the narrator. We can use simple words and connect them with conjunctions like "and" or "when". We can also use bold formatting to highlight the key words. For example:
- The first indication of impending disaster for the narrator was an ominous silence when the wind dropped and the sky grew dark.
Question (ii)
How did the narrator realise that the enormous cloud was not a cloud but a wave?
- (a) He saw it moving towards him
- (b) He heard a growing roar
- (c) He felt a sudden jolt
- (d) He smelled a salty spray
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
(b) He heard a growing roar
Step-by-step explanation:
- To answer this question, we need to recall what the narrator says about how he realised that the enormous cloud was not a cloud but a wave in the extract. We can use quotation marks to indicate the exact words that he says. For example:
- He says that "Then came a growing roar".
- We then need to compare this statement with the four given options and choose the one that matches it best. We can use a process of elimination to rule out the options that are different from what he says. For example:
- Option A is different because he does not mention anything about seeing the wave moving towards him.
- Option C is different because h e does not mention anything about feeling a sudden jolt.
- Option D is different because he does not mention anything about smelling a salty spray.
- We can then conclude that option B is the correct answer because it is the same as what he says about how he realised that the enormous cloud was not a cloud but a wave. We can use bold formatting to indicate our choice.
- The correct answer is B. He heard a growing roar.
Question (iii)
What did the narrator compare the wave with in terms of its height and shape?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
The narrator compared the wave with a cloud in terms of its height and shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
- To answer this question, we need to locate the information that is directly given in the extract. We can use skimming and scanning skills to find the relevant part of the text quickly. For example:
- Skimming is reading quickly to get the main idea or gist of a text.
- We can skim the extract and see that it is about how the narrator faced a huge wave while sailing on his ship.
- Scanning is reading quickly to find specific details or facts in a text.
- We can scan the extract and look for keywords or phrases related to the question, such as "compare", "height", or "shape".
- We can then use these skills to find the answer in the third sentence of the extract. We can use quotation marks to indicate the exact words from the text. We can also use bold formatting to highlight the key words. For example:
- The answer is given in the third sentence of the extract: "Then came a growing roar, and an enormous cloud towered aft of the ship".
Question (iv)
How does the extract show that the narrator was in a state of horror and fear?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
The extract shows that the narrator was in a state of horror and fear by using words and expressions that convey his emotions and reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
- To answer this question, we need to infer how the extract shows that the narrator was in a state of horror and fear from his actions and words in the extract. We can use clues such as verbs, adverbs, or expressions to help us. For example:
- The narrator uses words like "ominous", "frightful", and "horror" to describe what he saw and felt.
- The narrator uses expressions like "with horror, I realised" and "like no other I had ever seen" to show his shock and disbelief.
- The narrator uses punctuation marks like exclamation points and dashes to show his urgency and intensity.
- We can then use these clues to write a complete sentence that explains how
- the extract shows that the narrator was in a state of horror and fear. We can use simple words and connect them with conjunctions like "and" or "by". We can also use bold formatting to highlight the key words. For example:
- The extract shows that the narrator was in a state of horror and fear by using words and expressions that convey his emotions and reactions.
