Question 3: Understanding the feelings/meanings of the text
Like the first type of question, this
question tests your understanding of the text, but while the first type asks
for information given in the text (e.g. facts that you can quote), this kind of
question asks you for ideas or feelings that are implied by the text (e.g.
attitudes which are not necessarily clearly stated).
You therefore have to infer
meaning, which means reading between the lines, so you need to decide what
someone thinks from how they say things, not just from what they
say.
Inferred meaning
We use this kind of indirect
language everyday, to give our words a certain effect. An example is
when we are sarcastic: "'Mmm, delicious,' she said looking at the
solitary sandwich on the table."
Even without any context (like where
this is happening or who the person is) we know the person does not think the
sandwich is delicious. The clue is in the single adjective "solitary".
It makes us see the sandwich on its own and suggests the person involved would
much rather see several. We might infer the person is hungry or doesn't like
sandwiches.
The key to understanding the attitude of
a text is to consider how the writer feels about the subject.
·
Do they feel good or bad about
this subject?
·
Is it funny or serious?
·
Are they happy or sad?
When inferring
meaning, you might simply know what the writer feels. If it is not clear, then
you need to look closely at detail and similes.
Details
Writers often use indirect language.
Rather than just describing a scene, they might engage readers by describing
how you would see or feel the scene. Feelings will therefore come from the kind
of things being described (e.g. colourful, interesting descriptions with
positive associations or used, broken objects with negative associations).
Similes
Similes and metaphors are common
techniques for suggesting feelings or attitudes. For example, "He
looked like a lion fresh from the jungle". This statement suggests a
positive feeling, because we think of lions as big and strong, the kings of the
jungle. So the writer is impressed by the person being described.
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