Homework, 17th March

Hi,

This week I would like you to read the speech that I have put in your homework folder and write down all the literary devices you find in it (I'm talking about things like rhetorical questions, alliteration, etc.). 

It is due tomorrow (Friday). 

Good luck!

Homework, 3rd March, 2016

This week I would like you to read the two reviews in your homework folder and write me a paragraph of around 5 lines explaining which you think is the best and why. Make sure you think about all the things we have talked about in lessons with regards to what a review should include:

* A brief summary of the plot, including details about the main characters
* What is good about the thing being reviewed 
* What the weaknesses are
* An explanation of who the target audience is

Homework, 25th February, 2016

We are looking at reviews in English for the next few weeks. For this week's homework, I would like you to read the following review and answer the comprehension questions on it. Good luck!

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, Thursday, 11th February, 2016

I did not set any homework today but fear not, there will be half term homework, which I will set tomorrow, so watch this space!

Article writing

Over the last few weeks, we've been learning how to write articles. Below is the checklist of things that an article needs to have, and below that is an example of the kind of article you need to be able to write:

Article One	Yes	No
Does it have a headline/title?
Does it have subheadings?
Is it divided into paragraphs?
Is the content interesting?
Does it have quotes?

Moat School to get international airport

Ms King, head teacher at the Moat School in Fulham, unveiled plans to build a brand new, five terminal international airport next to the Food Tech room yesterday. The airport would cost around £7 billion to construct, would be paid for out of petty cash, and would rival Heathrow, currently the largest airport in London.

Perfect space

‘There is a whole area there,’ Ms King told journalists, ‘that currently doesn’t get any use – it is just going to waste. So we thought, what better use for it than an international airport?’ She went on to say that the airport could become a major hub for international holidaymakers and business travellers alike and that it would be made of glass and stuff which would look awesome.

State of the art

Several architects submitted designs for the airport, but there was one, put forward by London-based company Pinel, Broughton and Bell, which stood out from the rest. ‘It incorporates state-of-the art features,’ said head architect James Broughton, ‘with durable, yet stylish materials. And there will be pictures of tigers on the wall, because tigers are cool.’

Concerns

Not everyone is on board with the plan, however. Local resident Baz Bazinga is worried that the building of the airport will cause disruption. ‘It’s going to take them years to build, and there will be lots of trucks and diggers making a noise.’ There was also some concern from parents, who wondered if the school really needed an international airport. ‘We just think that there are more appropriate things the money could be spent on,’ said one parent, who wished to remain anonymous, ‘like books and computers and stuff.’

Opening

Unperturbed by the concerns, Ms King has promised that the building of the airport will go ahead as planned, with Friday, January 26^th, 2056 pencilled in for the grand opening.

Homework, 7th January, 2016

Happy New Year!

I have been blitzing the students with reading and spelling tests this week, so we haven't had a chance to actually start learning about how to write articles, so there is no homework this week. Fear not, however: it will be back next week!

Christmas holiday homework

A girl from your town recently won X Factor. Write an article for you local newspaper about her. It should be between 300 and 400 words long.

I am not going to give you any more help than this – you will learn how to write articles next term, then you will write a new version of the article and compare it with this one so you can see the progress you have made. 

Merry Christmas!