A quiz-style activity to help learners develop the ability to identify and analyse specific language and structural features in C19th prose fiction extracts. This resource has been designed with Edexcel's new 9 -1 GCSE English Language specification in mind.
Look at the short extract below:
Tongues of flame darted round the bed: . . . I rushed to his basin and ewer₁; fortunately, one was wide and the other deep, and both filled with water. I heaved them up, deluged the bed and its occupant, flew back to my room, brought my own water–jug, baptised the couch afresh, and by God’s aid,
succeeded in extinguishing the flames which were devouring it.
From Jane Eyre
What specific language features have been used in this passage of text? Choose all that apply
Answer
Metaphor
Hyperbole
Personification
Simile
Descriptive language
Question 4
Question
Complete the answer to the following exam-style question about the short extract from Jane Eyre that you have just looked at by choosing the correct option from each drop-down menu.
In these lines, how does the writer use language and structure to show the reaction of Jane to the fire?
It is clear from the very start of the extract that Jane is horrified by the fire. The [blank_start]metaphor[blank_end] combined with the [blank_start]personification[blank_end] 'tongues of flame' in the opening sentence indicates that Jane feels [blank_start]threatened by[blank_end] the fire in the same way she would feel threatened by a wild creature but instead of fleeing the danger she takes immediate action to fight it.
The passage moves from her [blank_start]immediate sense of horror[blank_end] to her purposeful actions as she finds water from wherever she can to put out the flames. She [blank_start]moves[blank_end] from Mr Rocherster's room where she had found th e'basin and ewer . . . filled with water' back to her own room. The [blank_start]verbs[blank_end] used in this section , 'rushed' and 'flew' convey the sense of [blank_start]urgency[blank_end] and her understanding of the danger that she and Mr Rochester is in however, there is no sense of panic here; she is acting speedily rather than hastily.
The passage [blank_start]build to a climax[blank_end] when Jane returns with the water from her own room and 'baptise(s)' the bed with it. The [blank_start]religious[blank_end] language in the final part of the passage make it clear that Jane feels the fire has been started [blank_start]as an act of evil[blank_end] and a further reference to being aided by God [blank_start]connotes[blank_end] that Jane and Mr Rochester are innocent victims with Jane presented very much as a saintly saviour who defeats evil.
The initial metaphor and personification of the fire as a savage beast deliberately trying to harm and destroy is [blank_start]revisited[blank_end] at the very end of the passage with the use of [blank_start]teh verb[blank_end]' devouring' to describe how the the flames were acting. It develops the idea and reinforces the impression that the [blank_start]intention of teh fire[blank_end], and whoever started it, was to destroy.
In the short extract below from The War of the Worlds by H.G Wells, the writer is making use of alliteration (words close to one another which all begin with the same consonant sound) in order to create particular effects.
Read the passage and then choose the explanation of the way in which the writer has used alliteration which you think best matches the effect it has.
EXTRACT:
At sight of these strange, swift and terrible creatures, the crowd along the water’s edge seemed to me to be for a moment horror –struck. There was no screaming or shouting, but a silence. Then a hoarse murmur and a movement of feet – a splashing from the water.
Answer
The main use of alliteration comes from teh repetition of the 's' sound (sibilance) and is being used in a number of ways. Firstly it is used to convey the atmosphere of stunned silence at the sight. Secondly it is used to recreate the sound of the lapping waves, further adding to the atmosphere.
The alliteration comes on the 's' sound and is used throughout the extract to create a sense of calm, quite resignation to the fate that awaits the people concerned.
The repeated use of the 's' sound is done to recreate the lapping waves so that the reader understands that the scene is taking place at the water's edge.