Homework, January 16th, 2017

Read the review below. It is very similar to the one you read last week, but different. Once you have read it, answer the comprehension questions that follow. This is due tomorrow (Tuesday, January 17th). 

Spectre Review

What’s it about?

If you’ve ever seen a Bond movie, then you’ve basically already seen Spectre. In case you’re not sure what I mean, however, I’ll give you a quick recap: he gets his mission from M (which is, predictably, to bring down some evil organisation or other), goes to visit Q to get some snazzy gadgets, including an Aston Martin (surprise, surprise), then there are some fight scenes, some car chases, some explosions and some encounters with beautiful women.

What’s good about it?

If you are a die-hard fan of Bond films, and don’t mind seeing the same thing you’ve already seen a hundred times, then you will enjoy this. It’s well directed, the action sequences are spectacular (especially the opening scene where Bond fights a villain in a helicopter), Daniel Craig is very good as James Bond, and, overall, it keeps you watching.

What could be improved?

Personally, I was expecting something a little more original; a Bond movie that gave me everything I wanted to see in a Bond movie, but that also gave me something new. Perhaps some more information about Bond’s past, or a strong female character who doesn’t fall in love with him and tells him to leave her alone. Essentially, a Bond movie to make me think. Spectre certainly doesn’t do this, except to make me think about how much like all the other movies in the series it is, which ultimately makes it repetitive and predictable.

Overall recommendation

I think I’ve already made it clear that this is a film that will appeal to fans of James Bond who are happy to sit through what is basically just a twenty-first century version of a Bond classic, such as Goldfinger or From Russia With Love. If you want to be made to think, however, and really want to get to know the characters, my advice would be not to bother with Spectre.

1. According to the review, if you have ever seen a Bond movie, then you have basically already what?

2. Who gives Bond his mission?

3. What word is used to describe the gadgets he gets from Q?

4. Who, according to the article, will enjoy the film?

5. What word is used to describe the action sequences?

6. What was the reviewer expecting?

7. What does Spectre certainly not do?

8. What two words are used at the end of the third paragraph to describe the film?

9. Which two other Bond movies are mentioned in the final paragraph?

10. You shouldn’t bother with Spectre if you want to be made to what?

Extension questions.

11. What is the writer’s overall problem with the film?

12. Why do you think the writer includes the words ‘surprise, surprise’ after mentioning the Aston Martin?

13. What does the writer mention that tells us that he/she might think the film is sexist?

Homework, 9th January, 2017

Happy New Year!

This half term you will learn how to write film reviews. We will learn about the main features of review writing over the next few lessons, but to start you off, I would like you to read the example below and answer the comprehension questions that go with it. 

As always, this is due tomorrow (Tuesday). 

Spectre Review

What’s it about?

Daniel Craig returns as the world’s most famous spy in this action adventure which sees James Bond take on the forces of Spectre, a sinister organisation which seeks to rule the world by placing agents in high ranking government and corporate positions around the world. The action lurches from a fight in (and out) of a helicopter in the skies above Mexico City, to a car chase along the streets of Rome, to a plane crash on the side of a mountain in Switzerland, to an escape from a secret desert lair, and finally to a climactic scene at MI6 headquarters in London. This film is aimed very much at adults with a child-like sense of adventure and, obviously, will appeal to fans of previous Bond movies.

What’s good about it?

There is lots to admire in Sam Mendes’s second outing as Bond director, especially the beautiful shots of the various exotic locations. The action is also well-handled, with several edge-of-your seat moments, and the dialogue never slows the movie down. Fans of classic Bond films, such as Dr No and Goldfinger, will also appreciate the reintroduction of many of the elements that were missing from the previous Daniel Craig-era films, including Moneypenny, the Aston Martin, an exploding watch, and lots more besides.

Weaknesses

At two and a half hours, the film is a little long, with the final half an hour in particular dragging. In addition to this, if you are looking for something gritty and realistic, this is certainly not the film for you.

Worth watching?

Overall, I would say yes. It is a classic Bond film, but also stands up well next to other action films. The spectacular action sequences definitely make this one to see in the cinema, so my advice would be to catch it while you can.

 Spectre review comprehension questions

1. Who, according to the review, is returning as the world’s most famous spy?

2. What genre is the movie?

3. What negative adjective is used to describe the organisation Spectre?

4. Complete the sentence: ‘The action ___________ from a flight in (and out) of a helicopter …’

5. What word could have been used instead of it?

6. Why do you think the writer chose to use that particular word instead of an alternative?

7. Who, according to the review, will this film appeal to?

8 .Complete the sentence: ‘There is lots to __________ in Sam Mendes’s second outing as Bond director …’

9. Which of the following sentences do you think makes sense as an alternative?

a)    Sam Mendes has not done a very good job directing this film.

b)   There is lots to get angry about in Sam Mendes’s second outing as Bond director …

c)    This is Sam Mendes’s second Bond film, and it is fair to say he has done a good job as director.  

10. What word is used to describe the locations?

11. Write down the three things that are listed at the end of the second paragraph.

12. What, according to the review is wrong with the final half an hour of the film?

13. What two positive things are mentioned about the film in the second sentence of the final paragraph?

14. Why might you not want to wait for this film to come out on DVD?

Homework, 5th December, 2016

Read the letter and answer the question that follows, using the writing frame to help you. This is due tomorrow (Tuesday). 

Mark Quillfeldt

12 Amberley Crescent

Putney

SW1 7EG

4^th November 2015

Sunrise Café

12-15 Fulham Palace Road

Fulham

SW6 6EG

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to you because I am interested in applying for the position of barista in your establishment. I believe I would be ideal, for the reasons given below. 

Firstly, I am an excellent communicator and am very good at interacting with customers. Secondly, I am calm and cope extremely well under pressure. Thirdly, I am hard working, energetic, and am punctual. I have outstanding leadership skills, but I am also able to work effectively as part of a team. 

In terms of experience, I spent three years working in a branch of Starbucks in Putney, where my duties included making and serving drinks, cleaning and washing dishes, managing the stock, which involved signing off on deliveries and making sure the stock cupboard was always full. During this time, I was promoted to the role of manager, which involved me making sure nothing went wrong, managing the staff and overseeing the general running of the café. I also have several relevant qualifications, including a GCSE in Food Technology and a health, hygiene and food safety certificate. 

For these reasons, I am sure you will agree that I am the perfect candidate for the job and I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Yours faithfully

Mark Quillfeldt

You are going to answer the following question using the writing frame below. You can write in pen or pencil on the sheet, or you can write your whole answer out on a separate piece of paper.

How does the writer try to persuade the manager of the Sunrise Café to give him a job? 

The writer uses positive adjectives (describing words) to describe himself such as:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

He also mentions that he possesses ______________________________and can work _______________________________________________________

In addition to this, the writer tells us about his previous experience. For example, he spent three years ______________________________________

and two years ___________________________________________________

Homework, 28th November, 2016

Read the Top Gear complaint letter and answer the reading comprehension questions that go with it. 

This is due on Tuesday, 29th November. 

Charlotte Simpson

122 Evergreen Terrace

Springfield

SP1 8YH

14^th December, 2014

The Editor

Top Gear Magazine

13 Sunrise Road

London

W4 8GH

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to express my disapproval about an article I read in your magazine last week. The article was about the poor quality of the roads in Mexico.

As someone with Mexican heritage myself, I have to say I found the article to be extremely offensive, as it was very negative about Mexicans. Instead of focussing on the roads, the main argument of the article seemed to be that Mexicans are bad drivers because they are stupid, and, while this might be true about some Mexicans, it is equally as true about some English drivers, and is certainly not true of all Mexicans. To suggest that it is, actually borders on racism, because you cannot make judgments about an entire race of people based on the behaviour of a few.

I think it would be a very good idea for your journalist to rewrite the article in a more positive light, focussing more on the poor quality of the roads and the fact that not a lot of money is spent on maintaining them which is, after all, what the article was supposed to be about.

I hope you will take my suggestion on board and, if you wish to contact me regarding this issue, please use the address above.

Yours faithfully,

Charlotte Simpson

1. Scan through the article and underline the following words:

Disapproval     Quality     Heritage

Negative     Focussing        Rewrite

2. Complete the sentence: ‘I am writing to express my _____________ about an article I read in your ______________ last week.

3. What was the article about?

4. What group of people did the article apparently offend?

5. The article seemed to focus on the idea of them being bad drivers rather than what?

6. Complete the sentence: ‘To ___________ that it is, actually borders on _______________ because you cannot make _______________ judgments about an entire race of people based on the ________________ of a few.’

7. What does the writer of the letter suggest that journalist who wrote the article do?

Now, if you want to really challenge yourself, have a go at the following, slightly harder questions:

8. Why are the first and last paragraphs quite a bit shorter than the others?

9. Why would the writer of the letter be more offended by the fact that it is negative about Mexicans than if it was negative about, say, Italians?

10. Look at the second paragraph. The purpose of it is to explain why the writer is complaining. What is the purpose of the third paragraph?

11. In what ways do you think the letter is effective in getting its point across? Think about the language the writer uses, the details she mentions and how the letter is laid out.

Homework, 21st November, 2016

Read the extract from The BFG and answer the comprehension questions that go with it. 

This is due on Tuesday, 22nd November. 

Homework, 14th November, 2016

Hi,

This week I would like you read the extract from The BFG and answer the comprehension questions that go with it. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to publish the extract here, but you have everything you need in your homework folder.

This is due tomorrow (Tuesday, 15th November).

Homework, 7th November, 2016

Read the informal letter and answer the questions that follow. 

This is due tomorrow (Tuesday, 8th November). 

 Samwise Fair

67 Rake Street

Chelsea

SW5 8UG

1^st November, 2016

Dear Nan and Grandad,

How long has it been? Three years? How have you been? Grandad, how have you been after the greenhouse fell down? Have you managed to get a new one yet? Nan, have you got any new knitting projects on the go?

I am writing to you to tell you what I would like for Christmas. I feel a bit bad about this because I haven’t seen you for so long, but mum and dad said you really wanted to get me something. So, what I would like is a memory foam pillow. I need one because I have been having trouble with my neck, and apparently memory foam is good for this. You can buy them on Amazon for around £25.99. If you could get me one of those, that would be great. If you can’t find one, or if it’s a little bit too expensive, then you can get me some Lego. You might be thinking that I’m a bit too old for that, but there are Lego sets for all ages now. I would love anything from the Star Wars range. Some of the stuff is quite expensive, but there are cheaper sets you can get for around £10. Again, you can get these on Amazon, or in most toy shops. They even have specialist Lego shops, which are quite fun to visit if you fancy a day out of the house.

Anyway, I have to go now because I’ve got loads of revision to do for my exams, which are coming up soon. I’m really looking forward to seeing at Christmas.

Lots of love,

Samwise

Questions

1. Who is the letter written to?

2. What happened that may have caused Grandad an injury?

3. What is the purpose of the letter?

4. How do we know this?

5. Why does Samwise need a memory foam pillow?

6. How much does one cost?

7. What does Samwise suggest as a day out for Nan and Grandad?

8. According to the last paragraph, what is coming up soon?

If you’re feeling brave, have a go at the following questions, which are a little more difficult because you have to make inferences from what is written in the text:

9. How do we know that Nan likes knitting?

10. How do we know that Samwise likes Star Wars?

11. How can tell that Samwise is probably older than, say, ten?

12. How can we tell that Nan and Grandad might not get out of the house much?