Writer's Effect: IGCSE (First Language English) June 2018.

 Text

Paragraph 5

At the canteen, workers, already packed in like sardines, formed an overall sea of blue. Dad navigated our way to the brown foodstuffs on offer. What would be my ‘something’ to accompany my chips? Wittily, I requested salad. Dad’s shoulders sank. The canteen staff chuckled. Baked beans were duly slopped onto my plate.

 

Paragraph 7

After only 20 minutes, Dad said, ‘Andrew, we’d better get your card.’ Nodding dumbly, I trailed blindly after him through a maze of corridors. Finally, we reached the holiest place in the entire company, the Accounts Department, occupied by The One with Absolute Power (the clerk who put together the pay packets). Sufficiently important in the company, Dad was granted an audience. I was told to not say anything stupid as we entered the sanctum. The One issued my number, chiding me for not visiting her immediately after I’d arrived and warning of perilous doom awaiting mortals who failed to clock in on time.

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Questions

Question 2 Re-read the descriptions of:

(a) Andrew’s first experience of the canteen in paragraph 5, beginning ‘At the canteen … ’

(b) the visit to the Accounts Department in paragraph 7, beginning ‘After only 20 minutes..’

Select three powerful words or phrases from each paragraph.

Your choices should include imagery. Explain how each word or phrase is used effectively in the context.

Write about 200 to 300 words

 

 

 Sample Answers

In paragraph 5, the author employs various literary devices to convey the unfavourable condition of the canteen.

One striking example is the simile "packed like sardines," which effectively communicates the extreme overcrowding in the canteen. This simile generates a vivid mental image, making readers feel suffocated and uncomfortable, as if they are right there in the cramped space alongside Andrew. The author's use of this simile accomplishes the dual purpose of emphasizing the crowded conditions and evoking a visceral response in the reader.

Furthermore, the metaphor "an overall sea of blue" adds depth to the description. By comparing the multitude of people in the canteen to a vast, open sea, the author accentuates the overwhelming number of individuals present, all clad in blue attire. This imagery amplifies the sense of unfavourable conditions, as it suggests an almost unmanageable crowd, contributing to the reader's understanding of Andrew's experience.

Additionally, the author's use of inverted commas when writing "something" in reference to Andrew's food is noteworthy. These punctuation marks serve to distance the reader from the food, implying that it is far from appetizing. The use of inverted commas suggests an ironic or sceptical tone, indicating that the food quality is less than desirable. Consequently, this technique effectively communicates that all the food in the canteen is equally unappealing, further enhancing the unfavourable portrayal of the canteen's conditions.

 

In paragraph 7, the author employs a variety of literary techniques to create a sense of a religious journey within the office environment.

The metaphor "maze of corridors" is particularly effective in conveying the complex and confusing nature of the office layout. By likening the corridors to a maze, the author makes readers feel as though they are navigating a perplexing puzzle. This metaphor serves to immerse the reader in the office's disorienting environment, reinforcing the sense of a journey fraught with challenges. Moreover, the author's use of hyperbole becomes evident when describing the account department as "the holiest place." This exaggeration serves to emphasize the significance and power associated with this department. By likening it to a religious sanctum, the author underscores the idea that it holds authority over something as vital as workers' salaries. This hyperbolic language effectively communicates the department's importance, drawing a parallel between it and sacred places of worship.

Furthermore, the capitalization of "The One" when referring to the person with absolute power in the department accentuates their authority and control. This capitalization is akin to the reverence shown to religious supreme leaders, highlighting the individual's dominance in decision-making and regulation within the office. This technique effectively conveys the hierarchical structure and power dynamics within the workplace.

 

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