S1 English

Trying to help my daughter with her English homework this evening, I was struck by how difficult the questions are.  Given a text from about sldiers and their suffering, we had:

1. How did the writer freel from this experience?  Quote and explain why the quote shows this
2. The writer uses three questions in the text.  Write down the name of this technique.  Quote each one and analyse the effect each question has on the reader
3. Comment on the writer's use of imagery in this sentence: "Icy rain fell mercilessly on us and we lived day and night drenched to the skin and pierced with cold."  Remember - as well as stating the image used you must pin-point the descriptive words.  Decide what impact it has and explain why it has this impact.

First year?  I'd have said this was O-grade stuff at least!

So... in a total volte-face, next time I hear any politician tell us that the exams have been dumbed down, I'm going to have extreme doubts!