Edexcel IGCSE English Language A

Questions and Answers

What are the thoughts and feelings expressed in 'A Passage to Africa' by George Alagiah?

Sympathizes for the Somali people, news crews become apathetic, we don't deserve the comfortable lives we have.

How does George Alagiah show sympathy for the Somali people in 'A Passage to Africa'?

By contrasting the suffering in the feeding centre with their attempts to retain dignity, using a clinical tone, and employing triplets.

How does George Alagiah depict news crews becoming apathetic in 'A Passage to Africa'?

Through the use of similes, a dismissive tone, and language choice depicting predatory behavior.

How does George Alagiah suggest we don't deserve the comfortable lives we have in 'A Passage to Africa'?

By contrasting the comfort of our living rooms with the frank description of the feeding centre, using rhetorical questions and short sentences. Signup and view all the answers

What are the thoughts and feelings in 'The Danger of a Single Story' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie?

Stereotyping is dangerous, we are all guilty of stereotyping, and stories can be empowering. Signup and view all the answers

How does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie show stereotyping is dangerous in 'The Danger of a Single Story'?

Through a cautionary tone, juxtaposition of stories and realities, repetition, and parallel structure. Signup and view all the answers

How does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie illustrate that we are all guilty of stereotyping in 'The Danger of a Single Story'?

Using collective pronouns, empathetic language choices, personal anecdotes, and ethos for self-critique. Signup and view all the answers

How does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie convey that stories can be empowering in 'The Danger of a Single Story'?

By juxtaposing great possibilities, using contrast, an optimistic tone, collective pronouns, and emphasizing the importance of African stories. Signup and view all the answers

What are the thoughts and feelings in 'The Explorer's Daughter' by Kari Herbert?

Respect for the narwhal, respect for the hunter, and feeling conflicted. Signup and view all the answers

How does Kari Herbert show respect for the narwhal in 'The Explorer's Daughter'?

Through a literary style that creates a beautiful image and language choice that highlights their intelligence. Signup and view all the answers

How does Kari Herbert demonstrate respect for the hunter in 'The Explorer's Daughter'?

By emphasizing the danger of hunting through language choice, using factual language, suspenseful verbs, and similes. Signup and view all the answers

How does Kari Herbert express her conflict in 'The Explorer's Daughter'?

By juxtaposing man and narwhal as equals, using triplets to create panic, and transitioning between literary and factual styles. Signup and view all the answers

What are the thoughts and feelings in 'Young and Dyslexic? You've Got It Going On' by Benjamin Zephaniah?

Frustration with the old education system, the view that dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence, and seeing dyslexia as an advantage. Signup and view all the answers

How does Benjamin Zephaniah show frustration with the old education system in 'Young and Dyslexic? You've Got It Going On'?

Through use of anecdotes, dialogue, blurring of stereotyping lines, and pathos. Signup and view all the answers

How does Benjamin Zephaniah illustrate that dyslexia is not a measure of intelligence in 'Young and Dyslexic? You've Got It Going On'?

Using a simple sentence, language of academia, and an allusion to a famous novel. Signup and view all the answers

How does Benjamin Zephaniah convey that dyslexia is an advantage in 'Young and Dyslexic? You've Got It Going On'?

Through the use of a colon, a defiant tone, and parallel sentence structure. Signup and view all the answers

What are the thoughts and feelings in 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place' by Aron Ralston?

Confidence, lost control, and panic. Signup and view all the answers

How does Aron Ralston show confidence in 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place'?

Through mathematical language, expert terminology, dependent clauses, an assured tone, and active voice. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Thoughts and Feelings in Non-Fiction Texts

"A Passage to Africa" by George Alagiah

Alagiah showcases sympathy for the Somali people through a stark contrast between their suffering and dignity.
Uses a clinical tone to highlight the harsh reality of the feeding center.
Employs triplets to create an impactful description of the dire situation (e.g., "simple, frictionless, motionless deliverance").
Critiques the apathy of news crews with a simile likening their indifference to a drug craving.
Dismissive language ("old stuff") illustrates the disinterest of media in ongoing crises.
Depicts a predatory behavior with terms like "ghoulish," "hunt," and "trampled."
Contrasts comfortable lifestyles in the West with graphic descriptions of suffering in Somalia.
Rhetorical questions and short sentences amplify the emotional weight of the narrative.

"The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Argues that stereotyping is harmful and highlights collective responsibility in these narratives.
Cautionary tone warns against oversimplifying complex narratives and promotes awareness of fuller realities through juxtaposition.
Repetition and parallel structure emphasize key themes and strengthen the argument.
Empathetic language establishes a connection with readers, enhancing relatability and understanding.
Personal anecdotes bolster her credibility and connect her experiences to broader societal issues.
Contrasts positive possibilities with limiting stereotypes, fostering an optimistic outlook.
Emphasizes the importance of diverse African stories, marked by the use of colons for added significance.

"The Explorer's Daughter" by Kari Herbert

Expresses profound respect for the narwhal, emphasizing its beauty and intelligence through literary imagery.
Acknowledges respect for the hunter while exploring the inherent dangers of hunting through careful language choice.
Suspense is built using active verbs, enhancing the tension of the narrative.
Juxtaposition of man and narwhal presents them as equals and underscores the complexity of the situation.
Transitions from romanticized prose to factual language reflect the tension between emotion and reality.

"Young and Dyslexic? You've Got It Going On" by Benjamin Zephaniah

Conveys frustration with outdated education systems that stigmatize dyslexia.
Argues dyslexia does not equate to low intelligence, using simple sentences for clarity.
Alludes to cultural references (e.g., "The Go Between") to challenge perceptions about dyslexia.
Positions dyslexia as an advantage through a defiant tone and parallel sentence structures that reinforce the message.
Utilizes anecdotes and dialogue to personalize the narrative, making it engaging and relatable.

"Between a Rock and a Hard Place" by Aron Ralston

Communicates a sense of confidence through precise mathematical language and expert terminology.
Displays feelings of lost control using passive voice, illustrating a shift in agency.
Indicates panic through descriptive language and vivid imagery, capturing the urgency of his situation.

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Description

Explore the non-fiction themes of thoughts and feelings as presented in George Alagiah's 'A Passage to Africa'. This quiz delves into the author's portrayal of sympathy towards the Somali people and the contrast to the comfortable lives we lead. Perfect for students studying Edexcel IGCSE English Language A.

Edexcel IGCSE English Language A - Non-Fiction Themes