KEY STAGE 3: English Practice Papers

How to prepare for the Reading paper:

During the Reading paper, you should spend the first 15 minutes reading through all of the extracts that are provided. The rest of the time will require you to use the information you have read, and answer questions.

• In the real test, you will not be permitted to turn over your answer booklet until the 15 minutes reading time is up. The only booklet you will have to look at is the reading material booklet.

Carefully read through the extracts. Don’t rush through them – you have time, so make the most of it!

• I would recommend, as you are reading, to highlight key words and phrases which you think stand out or could be important. This will help you to locate these when it comes to answering the questions.

The reading paper is broken up into the following areas: you will be provided with 3 extracts, of which you will have to answer questions based on each one.

• Remember to divide your time up in order to accommodate all of the questions. You need to spend a sufficient amount of time on each extract (and set of questions), in order to make sure you finish the paper.
• I recommend that you spend approximately 20 minutes on each section. Most people tend to rush through the first set of questions, which could be costly and lose you easy marks! The key to timing is to pace yourself. Keep an eye on the clock!

Like any exam, the number of marks per question vary, and therefore I recommend that you answer the questions that award more marks first. That way, if you do run out of time, you have answered the questions that will give you four or five marks, as opposed to one or two marks.

How to prepare for the Shakespeare paper:

Your English assessments will also comprise a Shakespeare section. In the classroom, you will focus on a Shakespeare play. That play will come up in the exam, amongst other plays you have not studied. You should only answer the questions that relate to the Shakespeare play you have studied.

For the purpose of this book, we have provided two extracts: Romeo and Juliet, Othello and Macbeth. Of course, you might attend a school which these plays are not taught. However, practising a variety of literary texts and getting to grips with the types of questions will only benefit you in the long run. Practise using these questions, and then think about the types of questions that could come up about the play you have studied.

For this paper, you will be provided three extracts – one from Romeo and Juliet, one from Othello, and one from Macbeth. You will need to read the extract that you have studied. There is one question to answer which is in the form of an essay.

If you wish, you can practise all of the questions if you think it will help improve your understanding of Shakespearean literature.

Marks will be awarded for how well you analyse the extract, and demonstrate levels of understanding and interpretation. Of course, marks will also be awarded for grammar, punctuation and spelling. Remember to use the extract to pinpoint key areas you wish to discuss. Use short, relevant quotes to highlight what you are trying to say.

How to prepare for the Writing paper:

The Writing paper of the English assessment is your chance to show off your creative skills and writing ability.

During this part of the exam, you will be provided with two questions – one will require a shorter written answer, and the other a longer written answer.

Although it is quite difficult to revise and prepare for the Writing paper, there are a few things that you can consider:

• The purpose of the text:
  • Are you writing to persuade, argue, entertain, give advice or describe?
• The form of the text:
  • Are you writing a story, a diary entry, a letter or a newspaper article?
• The audience of the text:
  • Who are you addressing your writing to? Is it a parent, a teacher, a head teacher a pupil?

The way in which you style your writing will depend on all of the aforementioned areas. The best way to enhance your writing ability is to practise writing for all of the above areas – purpose, form and audience.

As mentioned, there is a shorter and longer writing task. Therefore, you will need to allocate your time correctly in order to cater for this. Obviously, more time will be required on the longer writing task.

This assessment is not marking you based on how much you write. Instead, it is marking you based on the quality of your written communication. You need to ensure that everything you write is clear, punctual and relevant. It is best to write three strong, detailed paragraphs, as opposed to lots of paragraphs that are not relevant and waffle on.