Paper 1 – Mr Fisher
Question 1
1. Mr Fisher lived alone.
2. Mr Fisher lived in the centre of town.
3. Mr Fisher did not own a car.
4. He lived in a small terraced house.
Question 2
The writer uses adjectives to convey Mr Fisher’s views on stories in the past. “When books were
golden, when imaginations soared…”. The adjective “golden” suggests that his views of them are
that they are precious and should be recognised. This would contrast the minds of todays readers
which would feel that they aren’t as treasurable and are old and outdated. Alternatively, his views
could be that they are much better than today’s books and he wishes that they were consistent
through the years. The phrase “imaginations soared” is used cleverly by the writer to show that back
then they had to really think about the content in the books in which why they were so good. This
connotes to the reader that writers then used to work really hard and had very good ideas. Also, the
repetition of the word “when” implies that Mr Fisher is reminiscing the past and can remember a lot
as the stories were so good.
The writer also uses similes to portray Mr Fishers views on the stories and books of the past. “…
stories which ran like gazelles and pounced like tigers and exploded like rockets, illuminating minds
and hearts.” The simile “ran like gazelles” shows the frantic but gracefulness of the books where as
the simile “pounced like tigers” shows the thrill and danger in them. Also, the simile “exploded like
rockets” conveys the excitement. All these three link together to form the intriguing content of the
olden day books and how full of joy as well as thrill were in them. This shows that Mr Fishers views
that the books and stories were more exciting and interesting than the ones that are written today.
The phrase “illuminating minds and hearts” connotes he feels that they really affecting people and
made them feel better after reading. Alternatively, he could feel that they inspired people to write
this way today and help the children he teaches to write in the way in which he describes.
Question 3
At the start of the source, the writer uses simple sentences. “Mr Fisher lived alone in a small
terraced house in the centre of town. It had been a disappointing term at St Oswald’s.” The use of
these short sentences could be purposely done by the writer so that he can emphasis the boring
black and white life of Mr Fisher and how he doesn’t do much. It can alternatively suggest the
‘disappointing’ atmosphere and how the children are not excited to learn like they had used to in the
olden days. This can make readers feel as if Mr Fisher may not like his job and that he feels like he is
unable to teach the children and make them realise the fun old stories. It also makes readers feel
sorry for Mr Fisher as he tries so hard. This then makes readers want to find out if it will be a
different type of day at St Oswald’s.
The focus then shifts to Mr Fisher telling the class about the stories back in the day. “In those days,
there were heroes; there were dragons and dinosaurs; there were space adventures and soldiers of
fortune and giant apes.” The continuous use to semi colons “;” connotes the excitement of Mr Fisher
and how much he enjoys reading older books than today. This would make readers feel that maybe
Mr Fisher isn’t boring and only seems this way as of the limited reaction from his pupils. It can
alternatively mean that, as he’s listing so many things, that he’s every excited and passionate in what
Question 1
1. Mr Fisher lived alone.
2. Mr Fisher lived in the centre of town.
3. Mr Fisher did not own a car.
4. He lived in a small terraced house.
Question 2
The writer uses adjectives to convey Mr Fisher’s views on stories in the past. “When books were
golden, when imaginations soared…”. The adjective “golden” suggests that his views of them are
that they are precious and should be recognised. This would contrast the minds of todays readers
which would feel that they aren’t as treasurable and are old and outdated. Alternatively, his views
could be that they are much better than today’s books and he wishes that they were consistent
through the years. The phrase “imaginations soared” is used cleverly by the writer to show that back
then they had to really think about the content in the books in which why they were so good. This
connotes to the reader that writers then used to work really hard and had very good ideas. Also, the
repetition of the word “when” implies that Mr Fisher is reminiscing the past and can remember a lot
as the stories were so good.
The writer also uses similes to portray Mr Fishers views on the stories and books of the past. “…
stories which ran like gazelles and pounced like tigers and exploded like rockets, illuminating minds
and hearts.” The simile “ran like gazelles” shows the frantic but gracefulness of the books where as
the simile “pounced like tigers” shows the thrill and danger in them. Also, the simile “exploded like
rockets” conveys the excitement. All these three link together to form the intriguing content of the
olden day books and how full of joy as well as thrill were in them. This shows that Mr Fishers views
that the books and stories were more exciting and interesting than the ones that are written today.
The phrase “illuminating minds and hearts” connotes he feels that they really affecting people and
made them feel better after reading. Alternatively, he could feel that they inspired people to write
this way today and help the children he teaches to write in the way in which he describes.
Question 3
At the start of the source, the writer uses simple sentences. “Mr Fisher lived alone in a small
terraced house in the centre of town. It had been a disappointing term at St Oswald’s.” The use of
these short sentences could be purposely done by the writer so that he can emphasis the boring
black and white life of Mr Fisher and how he doesn’t do much. It can alternatively suggest the
‘disappointing’ atmosphere and how the children are not excited to learn like they had used to in the
olden days. This can make readers feel as if Mr Fisher may not like his job and that he feels like he is
unable to teach the children and make them realise the fun old stories. It also makes readers feel
sorry for Mr Fisher as he tries so hard. This then makes readers want to find out if it will be a
different type of day at St Oswald’s.
The focus then shifts to Mr Fisher telling the class about the stories back in the day. “In those days,
there were heroes; there were dragons and dinosaurs; there were space adventures and soldiers of
fortune and giant apes.” The continuous use to semi colons “;” connotes the excitement of Mr Fisher
and how much he enjoys reading older books than today. This would make readers feel that maybe
Mr Fisher isn’t boring and only seems this way as of the limited reaction from his pupils. It can
alternatively mean that, as he’s listing so many things, that he’s every excited and passionate in what
