Category: Revision

  • How to do Critical Commentary for IB

    The IB critical commentary paper for English tests your understanding of how writers use language to create effects on the reader. It also tests your understanding of features of genre, audience and purpose, as well as your ability to compare. The exam is two hours long. You can learn this to help you remember: Form…

  • To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes for Exam Revision GCSE English Literature

    One page of key quotes to learn for the English Literature exam on To Kill a Mockingbird, for AQA or the WJEC GCSE. Simple! Finches: ‘stripped of everything but their land’ ‘related by blood or marriage’ a ‘tired old town’ Atticus ‘read to us, played with us’ and treated us with ‘courteous detachment’. Boo is…

  • De-stress for Your Exams: Calm Sounds

    My daughter gets really stressed sometimes. So I made her this, to help her relax and stay calm. ‘Counting Sheep’ runs up to a hundred. If you think stressful thoughts, re-start the track. See how long it takes you to get up to 100. It’s excellent for wiping your mind clean, running up through the…

  • How to Write Exam Essays: Some of the Best Tips as Used At Eton College

    A friend of mine at Eton College kindly passed on this beautiful advice as used by the English Department there. Want to find out how to write an essay in exam conditions? Look no further. The first paragraph… • Open your essay by stating your understanding of the question. English essay questions often allow the…

  • Best Revision Tips: Step By Step

    1. Start early. It gives you more time to fill in the gaps. 2. A revision checklist is essential. Some teachers give these out. If yours don’t, find out the code of the exam you’re taking. Ask your class teacher for this. Go to your exam board website (click on the logo for the board you want). From these sites, download the specification, past…

  • How to Write an Essay: List of Useful Phrases, Complex Connectives

    Useful words and complex vocabulary for essays in all subjects from GCSE B-A* up to A-Level A* grade or University. 1 In Addition(1) besides this (as well as this), (2) furthermore (also), (3) also, (4) as well as, (5) on top of this, (6) foremost (most important, e.g. the foremost reason for the outbreak of…

  • How to Revise GCSE and IGCSE English Language and English Literature Past Papers and Mark Schemes for GCSE

    Use the links below to download GCSE and IGCSE past papers, mark schemes and model answers for the relevant exam board, subject and tier: higher (H) or foundation (F).Students should practise in timed conditions. Important: they should use the mark scheme and mark their own work so they become familiar with what the examiners are…