PHRASES AND CLAUSES
PHRASES:
No finite verb!
Adverbial phrases
Adjectival phrases
Present participle phrases
Past participle phrases
Noun phrases
CLAUSES:
Has finite verb
Main clause
Sub-ordinating clause: noun, adverbial, adjectival
REMEMBER THE BASICS!!
NOUN- naming word
VERB- doing word
ADJECTIVE- describes noun
ADVERB- describes verb
ADVERBS:
Of time (WHEN)
Of place (WHERE)
Manner (HOW)
Reason (WHY)
Degree (TO WHAT EXTENT)
Condition (WHICH/CONDITION)
Consequence (IF…THEN)
RED MEANS CLAUSES ONLY
, HOW TO GET 100% FOR A COMPREHENSION:
STEP 1: Read the comprehension
STEP 2: Read the questions
STEP 3: understand the question: THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART!
STEP 4: answer the question
To get all the marks allocated to a question, I use the action word key word system. Take a
highlighter and highlight the ACTION WORD in one colour (what the question wants you to do, eg.
Describe, evaluate, contrast state etc.) and the KEY WORDS in another colour (what the question is
about and important words.)
NOTE: the word “diction” or “verbal” means QUOTE!!!
See the example below:
QUESTION EXAMPLE:
Describe the intention of the advertisement using both verbal and visual elements. [4]
How to get 4 marks: DESCRIBE what you see, literally (visual elements) and QUOTE (verbal element.)
[2] and then state the intention of the advert and link it.
EXAMPLE OF ANSWER:
1. In the advertisement, there is a picture of a man with a TV plug going into his arm on a
hospital bed[1]. On the advertisement it reads, “Self-medication”[2]. The purpose of this
advertisement is to make people aware[3] of the fact that people in society are addicted to
TV, and use it as a self-medicated drug as seen in the Image. [4]
QUESTION EXAMPLE:
1. Describe the satire used by the author in line 21. Refer to diction in your answer. [3-4]
HOW TO ANSWER:
Define satire (humour + serious message) if you don’t understand the satire. If you do, state what it
is we find funny and state the serious message. (Make sure this is in line 21). DICTION MEANS
QUOTE! Quote out of line 21 (not too many words) that support your answer.
This action word key word system makes sure you answer every aspect of the question and don’t
leave things out by mistake. Often you will notice that the number of words highlighted is the same
as the mark allocation.
NOTE: all of the above examples are out of context as the comprehension or advertisement are not
included and are merely showing how to tackle the question.
PHRASES:
No finite verb!
Adverbial phrases
Adjectival phrases
Present participle phrases
Past participle phrases
Noun phrases
CLAUSES:
Has finite verb
Main clause
Sub-ordinating clause: noun, adverbial, adjectival
REMEMBER THE BASICS!!
NOUN- naming word
VERB- doing word
ADJECTIVE- describes noun
ADVERB- describes verb
ADVERBS:
Of time (WHEN)
Of place (WHERE)
Manner (HOW)
Reason (WHY)
Degree (TO WHAT EXTENT)
Condition (WHICH/CONDITION)
Consequence (IF…THEN)
RED MEANS CLAUSES ONLY
, HOW TO GET 100% FOR A COMPREHENSION:
STEP 1: Read the comprehension
STEP 2: Read the questions
STEP 3: understand the question: THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART!
STEP 4: answer the question
To get all the marks allocated to a question, I use the action word key word system. Take a
highlighter and highlight the ACTION WORD in one colour (what the question wants you to do, eg.
Describe, evaluate, contrast state etc.) and the KEY WORDS in another colour (what the question is
about and important words.)
NOTE: the word “diction” or “verbal” means QUOTE!!!
See the example below:
QUESTION EXAMPLE:
Describe the intention of the advertisement using both verbal and visual elements. [4]
How to get 4 marks: DESCRIBE what you see, literally (visual elements) and QUOTE (verbal element.)
[2] and then state the intention of the advert and link it.
EXAMPLE OF ANSWER:
1. In the advertisement, there is a picture of a man with a TV plug going into his arm on a
hospital bed[1]. On the advertisement it reads, “Self-medication”[2]. The purpose of this
advertisement is to make people aware[3] of the fact that people in society are addicted to
TV, and use it as a self-medicated drug as seen in the Image. [4]
QUESTION EXAMPLE:
1. Describe the satire used by the author in line 21. Refer to diction in your answer. [3-4]
HOW TO ANSWER:
Define satire (humour + serious message) if you don’t understand the satire. If you do, state what it
is we find funny and state the serious message. (Make sure this is in line 21). DICTION MEANS
QUOTE! Quote out of line 21 (not too many words) that support your answer.
This action word key word system makes sure you answer every aspect of the question and don’t
leave things out by mistake. Often you will notice that the number of words highlighted is the same
as the mark allocation.
NOTE: all of the above examples are out of context as the comprehension or advertisement are not
included and are merely showing how to tackle the question.
