This is a revision (practice) powerpoint covering many of the skills required for English Language Paper 2. There is also an unseen poem which links thematically, so there’s a bit of Paper 2 Lit interleaved. There are three non-fiction texts, rather than two, so that there’s a greater breadth of reading during the revision period. The powerpoint ends with an exam-style paper 2 writing task.

This is a simple and straightforward activity originally created for use as cover with a mixed-ability year 7 class but also suitable for upper primary. There is a very short extract describing the hound from Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles” and 7 questions which could be used for homework or cover or to structure a guided reading activity.

This is a multiple choice quiz with 18 questions (answers provided). It could be used for homework or revision. Alternatively, it could be used for pre-teaching to identify gaps in knowledge or understanding so that the subequent lesson can be more sharply focused. For less confident students, the questions could be used to structure a guided reading session.

This is a multiple-choice quiz with 26 questions on “The Farmer’s Bride” by Charlotte Mew. Could be used for homework or revision. Alternatively, this could be used to check students’ understanding of the poem prior to teaching so that the subsequent lesson can be more precisely focused on gaps. Answers are provided.

This is a grid of activities for students who are studying Shelagh Delaney’s “A Taste of Honey”. Originally planned as a cover activity, it could also be used as half a term’s homework or for revision if the students are studying the play for GCSE.

Originally planned for KS3 students as part of a reading unit on the natural world, this could be used with much less confident readers at KS4, perhaps as part of a catch-up or intervention series. The text used is from “Nature Near London” (1905 so public domain) by Richard Jefferies. Alongside the short excerpt are some questions which can be used to diagnose gaps in reading skills and comprehension.

This is a straightforward multiple-choice quiz (answers provided) focusing on the description of Fred from Stave 1 and how his characterisation contrasts that of Scrooge. Useful for homework or could be used as a starter to identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge so that subsequent teaching can be more sharply focused.

This is a comprehension activity based on the first description of the Artful Dodger from “Oliver Twist”. There are 8 questions and suggested answers are provided. This could be used in class or set as homework or left as a cover activity. Alternatively, the questions could be used to structure a guided reading activity.

This is a multiple-choice quiz with 19 questions (answers provided) based on a description of setting from “David Copperfield”. This could be used for revision of reading skills at KS4 or could be part of a unit on Dickens at KS3. Alternatively, the questions could be used to structure a guided reading session or, as flipped learning, to identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge and understanding so that subsequent teaching can be more sharply focused.

This was planned for a group who are working to try to raise their grades from 3 to 4/5. The powerpoint uses two short extracts from “Dracula” by Bram Stoker. The focus is on questions 2 (language analysis) and 3 (analysis of structure). There are opportunities for independent work and suggested models at the relevant level.

This is an excerpt from a speech given by Dickens on 5th November 1857. There are ten questions with suggested answers provided. This could be used in class, for cover or as homework. Alternatively, the questions could be used to structure a guided reading session. Competing this activity will give students a sound understanding of Dickens’ viewpoint and so this activity could usefully be used alongside the Ghost of Christmas Past and the description of Scrooge’s schooldays.

This is a straightforward powerpoint intended for revision which reminds students of five of Delaney’s key methods in the play. These are: the symbolism of the flower bulbs, the symbolism of the light bulb, the proximity of the church clock, the proximity of the gasworks and the Boy’s quotations from “Othello” (contrasted with Jo’s reading of fairy tales). Each of the methods has a few questions to encourage recall and then suggested answers and ideas are provided on the next slide.

A simple and straightforward powerpoint, animated as it was used in a revision session. The powerpoint has a recap slide with suggested answers. (These may not match your students, in which case they’ll need editing). There are 4 suggested tasks. 3 are very straightforward; the final one is more challenging and closer to the task that students will encounter in the exam. The weather task asks students what is wrong with the sample paragraph. The answer is that it doesn’t express a clear viewpoint.

A revision powerpoint on language analysis useful for English Language GCSE preparation. The powerpoint uses a short extract from a public domain text and this is provided - together with the question - on the final two slides so that you can print it out. The powerpoint asks students to consider their choice of evidence and then goes through how to use that evidence in an answer that clearly explains how the evidence shows what it does.

This powerpoint was planned for a mixed-ability year 7 class as part of a unit of work on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The focus is on the meaning of Puck’s final speech and the ideas that Shakespeare is expressing through that speech. A suggested (short) response to the writing prompt is provided on the final slide. The homework is a multiple-choice quiz on the extract, to be used after the lesson, intended to embed the pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the speech. Answers to the quiz are provided.

This is a straightforward comprehension activity using an extract written by Nathanial Hawthorne (in the public domain). There are 8 questions (answers provided). These could be used as a cover activity for children working on myths and legends. The questions could be used to structure a guided reading activity. Alternatively, it works well as a homework activity.

This was planned as a cover activity for a year 7 class working through a unit on myths and legends. It could also be set as a homework or the activities could be used to structure a guided reading/guided writing session. The extract used is in the public domain.

This is a straightforward activity using an extract from the public domain, introducing Hercules. There are six questions (suggested answers provided) intended to support children in comprehension, thoughtful reading and building reading fluency. Created as a cover activity for a mixed-ability year 7 class but also good for key stage 2. Useful as part of a unit of work on myths and legends.

This is a single powerpoint slide that could be printed off or displayed. The task asks the children to read two extracts from Kenneth Grahame’s “The Reluctant Dragon” (public domain). There are then two activities - one to test basic comprehension and the second requiring more evaluative thinking. Planned for a mixed-ability year 7 group but would also work for KS2. Useful as part of a unit on myths and legends.

A simple powerpoint that can be used for first teaching of the poem but which would also work as cover or as a homework activity. Easily adaptable to set more or fewer tasks from the grid. Could also be extended to explore what aspects of Dunbar’s life and experience could have inspired the poem.