PLEASE WRITE YOUR NAME CLEARLY IN THIS BOX
The Latymer School
ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
ENGLISH PAPER
Part 1 Reading
(30 minutes)
Read the extract provided and answer the questions which follow using full
sentences where appropriate. Please be careful about spelling and
punctuation in your answers.
The marks for each question are indicated, and are there to help you. Find as
many points as you can, in order to gain maximum marks.
Part 2 Writing
(30 minutes)
The writing section of the paper will ask you to continue the story using a
similar tone and style to the writer of the extract. You should allow 15 minutes
for this task.
You will be told when you have 30 minutes left.
DO NOT OPEN THIS PAPER UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO
Write your answers in the spaces provided after each question. If you run out of space for
an answer use the space provided at the end of this booklet, numbering your
answer carefully.
Reading Section – 30 minutes
1. Identify two similes from the first six lines of the passage.
i.
ii.
[2 marks]
2. Find one piece of evidence from the first paragraph and then explain in your own words
how the writer makes the dragon sound fast and powerful. (Use this sentence starter to help
you and write in full sentences)
The writer makes the dragon sound fast and powerful by
[1 mark for the identifying the correct phrase
and 2 marks for explaining the effect of the phrase. A total of 3 marks available]
3. The word ‘phalanx’ means a body of troops in close formation. On line 6, the writer uses
this word to describe the swans. What image of the swans does this connote for the reader?
The word ‘phalanx’ makes the swans seem
[1 mark]
4. In paragraph 3, what evidence is there to suggest that the guests have been to one of Bilbo’s
parties before?
[1 mark]
5. Decide whether the following statements are true or false and put a tick in the correct box.
True False
Gandalf has organised the firework display
The hobbits were surprised by the dragon
The tree branches were made of silver
[3 marks]
6. Using the information in the paragraph that begins, “That is the signal for supper!”
identify 3 phrases that show that the hobbits are excited about the feast.
i.
ii.
iii.
[3 marks]
7. Why do you think that 144 guests are invited?
[1 mark]
8. Using the information in the paragraph that begins, ‘All the one hundred and forty-
four guests expected a pleasant feast,’ identify two phrases that the writer
has used to make the hobbits sound small.
i.
ii.
[2 marks]
9. The word ‘dainties’ means a luxurious delicacy. What information does the writer
use to suggest that the guests knew that the party was going to be a grand event
before they had even arrived?
[1 mark]
10. Look again at this description of Bilbo.
‘Bilbo left his place and went and stood on a chair under the
illuminated tree. The light of the lanterns fell on his beaming face; the
golden buttons shone on his embroidered silk waistcoat.’
Think of 3 different adjectives of your own that you could use to describe Bilbo here.
i.
ii.
iii.
[3 marks]
11. Write down the meaning of the following words. (They are underlined in the passage).
i. Glittering
ii. Astonished
iii. Embattled
[3 marks]
12. Look again at the following two images and explain in your own words the effect created by
them.
Image Effect
There were rockets like a
flight of scintillating birds
singing with sweet voices.
their leaves opened like a
whole spring unfolding in a
moment
[2 marks for each explanation
4 marks available in total]
Writing Section – 30 minutes
Take care with spelling, punctuation and paragraphing and try to
be neat. 5 of the 15 marks for this task are specifically for
spelling, punctuation and grammar.
There are 10 marks available for the content. You will be marked
on how creative you have been and how well you have managed
to imitate the tone and style of the passage.
Task
The extract finishes with Bilbo having revealed one of the three things
that he wishes to tell the guests at his party.
“I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am. Tonight, I have three things to tell you all dear friends. First of all, I must
tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and
admirable hobbits.”
A tremendous outburst of approval reverberated around the room, which both delighted and encouraged Bilbo to continue.
Continue Bilbo’s speech in which you explain what you think he wants
to reveal to his assembled guests in his speech.
You might want to include:
The way in which the hobbits Both dialogue and description
respond Why these two revelations are
A description of the setting important
How excited Bilbo is
Specimen paper 2019 entry
