This answer is based on the Edexcel English Language Anthology Text ‘A Game of Polo with a Headless Goat’, aka donkey racing in Karachi, which is printed here with comments and the Edexcel mark scheme.
Question:
How does the writer try to share her experiences of being at the race?Answer:
The writer, Emma Levine has tried to share her experience of being at a “donkey race in Karachi” in her travel writing piece as mentioned in the blurb.
Levine has made humour a major element since the beginning of the extract. The use of humour is exemplified when the write compares this race to the famous cartoon animations, “Wacky Races”. At this point, she tries to involve the Western culture with that of the Eastern one, by adding a pinch of Western aspect in a quite humorous and indeed an interesting manner. Your point about humour is accurate, though slightly repetitive and a touch vague. To improve: comment on the light-hearted mood of chaos and cartoonish, unreal element. Link to other quotations that show the light-hearted, and positive mood (see mark scheme – in the first bullet point)
Emma shows the time she waits for the race to start with lots and ltos of curiosity and enthusiasm. The dialogues used are evidences to the team’s anxiousness. For instance, when the team discusses, “We’ll open the car boot … that’s no problem.” The dialogues verily highlight the amount of curiosity they have for the race to start. The use of direct speech gives a realistic feel to the situation. The waiting time is again accentuated when the writer adds in, “We waited … brow of the hill, …”. The hyperbole made by the word ‘eternity’ exaggerates and hence emphasizes on the long time they waited for the race. She shares every aspect of the experience. This is very good (see mark scheme, bullet point 4)
As soon as the race starts, the writer gives a descriptive feel in the text, for example: “we spotted two … in their wake”. The description provided suggests to me that it allows readers to picturize the exact scene in their minds. This, ultimately adds to their interest and they easily understand what the writer is sharing with them, her experience. This is a vague comment and I feel the examiner would want something more specific (see bullet points seven, eight and nine below)
Emma also gives a bit of facts and useful information which maybe unknown to some readers, so as to maintain a feel of reality to the text. An exceptional example is where it says: “… the Kibla donkey … 40kph”. The use of beneficial and exotic facts brings up the undoubtedly true point in the readers that the writer has a really good and tight grasp on the subject. This, consequestly, lends credibility to the text. Ultimately, the writer successfully conveys her experience to the readers, in a very interesting and efficient manner. (see bullet point 12 – maybe a comment about how the speed gives a sense of danger – then pick up on language choices that convey chaos/speed/jostling – in contrast with the slow pace from before)
The fact that she chooses “donkey racing” is that her primary audience, the Westerners are obviously unaware of these of types of sports which are part of the old Eastern culture. Also, these people are keen to know about new places, which makes the task of sharing her experience successfully among the readers much easier for Emma Levine. (this is vague. Better to pick out a specific language feature of mood/ structure of the article)
This is a good effort. By using the mark scheme below you can see how to make your answer score more highly with more specific and thorough references to the details of the text.
Mark Scheme
- the passage is essentially chronological in that we enter before the race and follow it through to its conclusion
- the passage begins with pace as the writer is already driving off to film the race without any preamble or explanation to the reader as to who “the lads” are or where they are
- the opening two paragraphs are positive and humorous – the race is compared to the “Wacky Races”; “no problem”, “fired up with enthusiasm”
- hyperbole is used to emphasise the waiting time, “eternity”
- the “wobbly bicycle” adds to the humour and also builds the
tension as the reader continues to wait for the action - use of repetition to build anticipation, “Coming, coming”
- use of complex sentence further builds tension, “Just as I was
…” - the approaching race is described in terms of sight, “their
jockeys perched on top of the tiny carts using their whips energetically”; sound, “horns tooting, bells ringing”; and smell, “a cloud of fumes and dust” - the humour is now replaced by a very serious race with committed followers
- the slow pace of the opening is contrasted now with the speed of the donkeys and their “jostling” for position and is compared to “Formula One without the rules”
- the sense of detached amusement is now replaced by a real interest in the race
- the pace is heightened as the slow start of “inching” into the traffic is soon replaced by, “rush hour gone anarchic”
- the character of one of the “lads” is developed as we come to know Yaqoob and his “nerves of steel” and obvious enjoyment of the race
- use of ellipsis to indicate the editing of parts of the race from the account
- excitement builds as the speed further increases towards the end of the race
- use of an abrupt short sentence, following a complex sentence, to indicate the end of the race and usher in a sudden change in atmosphere
- the situation is no longer humorous or exciting but it has the potential for danger, “volatile”
- The passage comes full circle and ends with humour as Yaqoob admits that he doesn’t have a driving licence
- Structurally the passage entwines three races: the donkey race; the race to get the pictures taken and the spectators who race