Danger of a Single Story
Who delivers the TED talk “The Danger of a Single Story”?
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Who is the author of “Young and Dyslexic?”
Benjamin Zephaniah
In which country does Emma Levine describe the race she watches?
Pakistan
What is a simile? Give an example.
A comparison using “like” or “as” (e.g., “as brave as a lion”).
What should you always do first when approaching an anthology exam question?
Read the question carefully and highlight key words.
What does the writer mean by the phrase “a single story”?
A limited, one-sided narrative that creates stereotypes about people or places.
What positive qualities does the writer link to dyslexia?
Creativity, problem-solving, and alternative ways of thinking.
What role do the children play during the donkey race?
They act as “spotters,” guiding Levine and her team to the race.
Define “anecdote” and explain why writers use it.
A short personal story, used to engage the audience or illustrate a point.
What is the difference between identifying a language device and analysing its effect?
Identifying names the technique (e.g., simile), while analysing explains how it impacts meaning or reader response.
How does her experience with her American roommate illustrate her main point?
The roommate assumed she couldn’t use a stove or speak English, showing how stereotypes shape expectations.
How does the writer contrast the school system’s treatment of dyslexic students with his later success?
At school he was labelled as stupid and unsupported, but later became a successful poet and academic.
How does Levine build tension and excitement in her description?
Through fast-paced narrative, vivid detail, and short, urgent sentences.
What is the difference between metaphor and personification?
A metaphor compares two things directly; personification gives human qualities to non-human objects.
How should you structure a response to a “Compare how” question?
Address both texts, link points directly, use comparative connectives, and discuss effects of language/structure.
What role do power and representation play in the creation of “single stories”?
Those with power control how stories are told, often dominating the image of others.
Identify one rhetorical strategy the writer uses to make his message encouraging to young dyslexics.
Direct address (“We are the architects”), anecdotes, and humour to build confidence.
Explain how the title “The Game of Polo with a Headless Goat” reflects cultural difference and irony.
It refers to an unusual Central Asian sport, capturing both humour and the strangeness of unfamiliar traditions.
How does sentence structure affect tone and pace in writing?
Short sentences can create tension or urgency; longer ones can add description or flow.
Why is it important to consider both writer’s perspective and audience in your answers?
It shows deeper understanding of why the writer used certain techniques and how they expected readers to react.
Evaluate how the writer uses personal anecdotes to highlight larger cultural and political issues.
Her stories about her childhood reading, her roommate, and Mexico make abstract ideas concrete, showing how narratives influence identity and global perceptions.
Analyse how Zephaniah’s tone shapes the reader’s perception of dyslexia as a strength, not a limitation.
His upbeat, motivational tone reframes dyslexia as a source of resilience and creativity, inspiring young readers.
Analyse how Levine’s narrative voice balances humour with critical observation.
She is amused by the chaos but also highlights the danger and unpredictability, giving the reader both entertainment and insight.
Evaluate how rhetorical questions can influence a reader.
They engage the audience directly, provoke thought, and guide readers to the writer’s viewpoint without explicitly stating it.
Evaluate the role of critical commentary in achieving the top band of the mark scheme.
Top marks require more than spotting techniques: you must show insight, weigh effectiveness, and engage with how meaning is constructed.