Understanding the conventions of travel writing

Description

A set of quiz-style tasks to allow learners to deepen their understanding of the ways in which the conventions of travel writing are applied.
Sarah Holmes
Quiz by Sarah Holmes, updated more than 1 year ago
Sarah Holmes
Created by Sarah Holmes about 9 years ago
1773
3

Resource summary

Question 1

Question
Which of the following forms of texts are considered travel writing?
Answer
  • Guide books
  • Travel diaries
  • Nature journals
  • Some forms of autobiography
  • Adventure and exploration literature
  • Transcipts of speeches
  • A serialised novel
  • An epic poem

Question 2

Question
Travel writing does not reveal anything about the author, focusing instead on lavish descriptions of people and places.
Answer
  • True
  • False

Question 3

Question
Which of the following are the main conventions used in travel writing? Choose all that apply.
Answer
  • Often has a clear plot as in a novel or short story.
  • Narratives are often non-linear and include the writer’s memories and/or reflections.
  • Combines literary and documentary features
  • Figurative devices used to allow the reader to experience the people and places described.
  • Draws generalised, universal conclusions from particular, individualised experiences.
  • Is always funny
  • Tries to persuade the reader to visit the people and places described themselves
  • Presents stereotypes of nations and nationalities.

Question 4

Question
Read the short extract from Bill Bryson's Notes on A small Island. What thing of universal significance does Bryson's visit to Studland beach cause him to reflect on.
Answer
  • How anyone came up with the idea of turning sand into glass
  • How the Egyptians built the pyramids
  • Why people the world over enjoy visiting beaches
  • What makes up sand
  • Why sand exists at all

Question 5

Question
Choose from the drop-down menus to annotate these two paragraphs to show how language is being used for effect by Bill Bryson
Answer
  • Personified as possessing power
  • Metaphor for power
  • Active verbs develop personification
  • Passive verbs develop personification
  • Simile emphasises determination
  • Metaphor emphasises deterioration
  • Hyperbole for comic effect
  • Understatement for comic effect
  • Three-part list for emphasis
  • Three-part list to exaggerate
  • Semantic field of magical trickery
  • Semantic field of awed wonder
  • Comic exaggeration
  • Comic understatement
  • Simple sentence for impact
  • Compound sentence for impact

Question 6

Question
Drag and drop the annotations to show how figurative language is being used by Bryson in the final paragraph of the extract from Notes from a Small Island.
Answer
  • Personification suggests joy
  • Personification suggests childishness
  • Simile is comforting
  • Simile is invigorating
  • Personification conveys beauty
  • Personification conveys dominance
  • Metaphor connotes pleasure
  • Simile connotes pleasure
  • Personification connotes more joy
  • Personification connotes end of joy

Question 7

Question
What do we learn about Bill Bryson in this text? Choose all the statements that apply.
Answer
  • He is modest about his own intelligence
  • He take a humourous approach to life
  • He can laugh at himself
  • He enjoys the great outdoors
  • He is a grumpy old man
  • He is American
  • He is a well-known writer
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