Narrative Text Compre (post WA2 practice) - Trail Hiking

1) With reference to Paragraph 2, what was Ben’s attitude towards the hike? [1 m] INFERENTIAL

• Ben was apoplectic.

• Ben was reluctant.

• Ben was indifferent.

• He was eager.

Answer explanation

Response takes into account the writer's references to Ben's reactions :

"Let's stay here another night," he said/ 'Ben is ready to wave the white flag'/'Forlorn'/ "We'll freeze out there,' he pleaded.

Not accept : Apoplectic.

Ben was not angry

Not accept: Indifferent

Ben did care and was unwilling to proceed with the hike.

2i) With reference to Paragraph 2, identify a phrase that shows the writer was very surprised when Ben requested to stay another night at the lodge. [1 m] VIC

• 'completely taken aback (by this)'

• 'taken aback (by this)'

• 'I was completely taken aback by this.'

• 'I looked to the woods, too.'

Answer explanation

Response must include the word 'completely'.

A key word in the question is 'a phrase'

Remember not to write a sentence for your response !

2ii) With reference to Paragraph 2, identify a word that shows the writer was determined about the hike. [1 m] VIC

• 'kidding'

• 'white flag'

• 'forlorn'

• 'resolutely'

Answer explanation

'resolutely' conveys the writer's purposeful, unwavering manner.

Not accept: 'kidding'

This response only shows that the writer's disbelief that Ben wanted to delay the start of the hike.

Not accept: 'white flag'

Ben (not the writer) was ready to wave the white flag.

Ben was ready to give up the hike.

Not accept: 'forlorn'

Ben was forlorn. He pitifully sad or wretched.

3) In Paragraph 3, the writer started off his hike.

Explain how the language used in Paragraph 3 emphasises how heavy the writer’s backpack was. Support your ideas with three details from Paragraph 3. [3 m] QUOTE + EXPLAIN

• ‘hoisted my pack effortfully’ indicates that it took a lot of energy to lift the backpack off the ground.

• ‘took a backward stagger under the weight’ shows that the bag was so heavy the writer almost fell backwards.

• ‘braced to handle the sudden load’ conveys that the writer had to tense his body up/ get ready/ prepare his body to carry the heavy load

• ‘tightened the bag belt’

Answer explanation

No marks awarded if the relevant/accompanying explanation for a quote is not given.

No marks award for this question if more than 3 QUOTE + EXPLAIN responses are given.

Reason: Question contains key words 'three details'

4) What does ‘immediately taxing’ (line 16) suggest about the hike on Frosty Mountain? [1 m] INFERENTIAL

• It was challenging/difficult/tough/hard

• It was treacherous

• It was tedious/requires a lot of energy/ a lot of effort.

• It was precipitous.

Answer explanation

Not accept 'treacherous' or 'precipitous'.

'taxing' means physically or mentally demanding.

5) ‘The sun was shining, and the sky was a hearty blue, but everything at ground level was brown – brown trees, brown earth, frozen brown leaves – and the cold was unyielding. I trudged perhaps a hundred feet up the hill, then stopped, bug-eyed, breathing hard, heart pounding alarmingly. Ben was already falling behind and panting even harder. I pressed on.’ (lines 16 – 20)

Which words or phrases in the given sentence match the description below?

5i) Description: eyes were bulging

Answer explanation

Spelling and punctuation for this response must be correct.

5) ‘The sun was shining, and the sky was a hearty blue, but everything at ground level was brown – brown trees, brown earth, frozen brown leaves – and the cold was unyielding. I trudged perhaps a hundred feet up the hill, then stopped, bug-eyed, breathing hard, heart pounding alarmingly. Ben was already falling behind and panting even harder. I pressed on.’ (lines 16 – 20)

Which words or phrases in the given sentence match the description below?

5ii) Description: continued moving forward

Answer explanation

Do not accept:

'press on'/'press un'/'pressed'

5) ‘The sun was shining, and the sky was a hearty blue, but everything at ground level was brown – brown trees, brown earth, frozen brown leaves – and the cold was unyielding. I trudged perhaps a hundred feet up the hill, then stopped, bug-eyed, breathing hard, heart pounding alarmingly. Ben was already falling behind and panting even harder. I pressed on.’ (lines 16 – 20)

Which words or phrases in the given sentence match the description below?

5iii) Description: pulse went through the roof

Answer explanation

Do not accept:

'heart pounding' (lacks intensity)

'pounding alarmingly' ('pulse' in the description is matched by the word 'heart in the given sentence')

'pounding' (vague)

6) ‘I was hopelessly out of shape – hopelessly.’ (lines 21 – 22)

 

What is the intended effect of repeating the underlined word? [1 m] LUFI

• It's giving low-key bussin' mogging.

• To emphasise that his fitness level was very poor.

• To convey that he did not feel enervated.

• To indicate that he sought redemption.

7) Explain in your own words what was the ‘hardest part’ (line 25) for the writer to come to terms with. [2 m] IYOW

• Coming to terms

• Coming to terms with the persistent dispiriting discovery that there is always more hill.

• Constantly realising/ finding out that there is more hill to climb which is demoralising/ disappointing.

• persistent dispiriting discovery

Answer explanation

Not accept: 'Coming to terms with the persistent dispiriting discovery that there is always more hill.'/ 'Coming to terms'/ ' persistent dispiriting discovery.

Remember to note key words in the question ('in your own words')