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HANDOUT 1 - Understanding Writer’s Attitude (for IGCSE FLE – new syllabus)

1. Know what “attitude” means in context
●​ A writer's attitude is their feelings, tone, or perspective towards the subject they are
writing about.
●​ Attitude can be positive, negative, neutral, admiring, nostalgic, critical,
appreciative, and so on.
2. Look at the language choices: adjectives, verbs, imagery
●​ Positive or emotive language often reveals admiration or affection.
●​ Vivid descriptions often show enthusiasm or strong feelings.
●​ Tone can be formal/informal, dreamy, enthusiastic, reverent, or distant.
3. Find specific details or examples that show this attitude
●​ Ask: What is the writer trying to make me feel? What kind of picture are they
painting?
4. Use precise quotations when answering
●​ Your answer should always include three well-chosen examples from the text.
5. Explain how each quote supports your point about the writer’s attitude
●​ Don’t just quote—explain what it shows about the writer’s feelings or thoughts.

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HANDOUT 2 – Shorter extracts with sample questions and model answers

🧾 Extract 1:
"The old bookstore sat quietly at the end of the cobbled street, its windows fogged with age,
and the scent of paper and leather drifting out like a gentle memory."
Question: What is the writer’s attitude towards the bookstore? Use one quotation to support
your answer.​
Model Answer:​
The writer’s attitude is nostalgic and affectionate. The phrase “scent of paper and leather
drifting out like a gentle memory” suggests a warm, sentimental connection to the place, as
if it holds personal or historical significance.

🌿 Extract 2:
"Towering skyscrapers loom over the city like silent sentinels, casting long shadows over the
bustling streets below."
Question: How does the writer feel about the city? Use one quotation to support your answer.​
Model Answer:​
The writer’s attitude is slightly ominous or critical. The use of the phrase “towering
skyscrapers loom…like silent sentinels” gives the buildings an imposing, watchful quality,
suggesting a sense of unease or detachment.

🏖️ Extract 3:
"Sunlight danced on the water’s surface as children’s laughter echoed across the bay, and
seagulls circled lazily above."
Question: What is the writer’s attitude towards the setting described? Use one quotation to
support your answer.​
Model Answer:​
The writer’s attitude is joyful and peaceful. The phrase “sunlight danced on the water’s
surface” creates a vivid, happy image, showing that the writer sees the place as beautiful and
full of life.

🎡 Extract 4:
"The fairground, once vibrant and full of cheer, now stood abandoned—rusted rides creaked
in the wind, and candy wrappers fluttered like forgotten memories."
Question: What feeling does the writer convey about the fairground? Support your answer
with one example.​
Model Answer:​
The writer’s attitude is melancholic and reflective. The image of “candy wrappers

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fluttered like forgotten memories” evokes a sense of loss and longing for the joy that once
existed there.

🏰 Extract 5:
"The palace glimmered under the moonlight, every stone carefully placed, a quiet monument
to generations of craftsmanship and pride."
Question: How does the writer feel about the palace? Use one quotation to support your
answer.​
Model Answer:​
The writer’s attitude is respectful and admiring. The phrase “a quiet monument to
generations of craftsmanship and pride” shows appreciation for the skill and tradition
involved in building the palace.

©Abhinandan Bhattacharya_IGCSE_FLE _Workshop Material

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HANDOUT 3 – Longer extracts with sample questions and model responses

📝 Extract 1: The Forest Trail
There’s a hushed dignity to the forest trail in early morning. Mist clings to the undergrowth
like a secret, and the trees, towering and ancient, seem to hold centuries of silence within
their bark. A lone robin flits from branch to branch, pausing just long enough to glance at
passing walkers with curious, glassy eyes. Every crunch of gravel underfoot feels like an
intrusion, a reminder that this world is not ours to own, only to witness. The trail winds
gently past moss-covered logs and overgrown stones, taking its time as though reluctant to
leave this sacred space. It’s a place that makes you walk slower, breathe deeper, and listen
harder. Time doesn’t stop here—but it certainly stretches.
What is the writer’s attitude towards the forest trail? Support your answer with three
details.
Sample Response:
The writer’s attitude towards the forest trail is one of deep reverence, wonder, and quiet
respect. The phrase “a hushed dignity” immediately sets a tone of solemn admiration,
suggesting that the forest holds a powerful, unspoken presence. The description of the mist
that “clings to the undergrowth like a secret” adds a layer of mystery and intimacy, making
the forest feel ancient and sacred, as though it carries stories and wisdom beyond human
understanding. The writer prefers keeping it a secret for fear of natural resources being
destroyed by human intervention. Finally, the statement “not ours to own, only to witness”
powerfully conveys the writer’s belief that nature is not something to be dominated, but
quietly appreciated. The writer subtly mocks man’s assumed notion to conquer all things
rendering them powerless. Overall, the tone is thoughtful and introspective, encouraging the
reader to approach the natural world with humility and mindfulness.
🌊 Extract 2: The Coastal Town
The little coastal town seemed stuck in a sunlit daydream. Pastel-painted houses lined the
harbour like an old postcard come to life, each one gently fading but still proud of its
salt-streaked charm. Fishermen waved from their boats as if they’d known you forever, and
the sea breeze carried the smell of salt and frying batter from the fish shop by the pier.
Nothing moved too fast—seagulls hung in the air like punctuation marks between
conversations, and children played football barefoot in the lane without glancing at the time.
The town’s clock tower chimed cheerfully, even when it was slightly wrong, and no one
really minded. It was a place where moments lingered and people smiled for no reason at all.
In the afternoons, old men played dominoes under striped awnings, their weathered hands
moving slowly as they swapped stories that had grown softer with each retelling. Tourists
strolled lazily along the promenade, licking dripping cones of pistachio and mango gelato.
Flower boxes overflowed from windowsills, spilling bougainvillea and geraniums into the
narrow streets. Cats slept on doorsteps, blinking slowly in the golden warmth. It wasn’t
perfect—but it didn’t need to be. Here, even the silence had a softness to it.

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What is the writer’s attitude towards the coastal town? Use three details from the text to
support your answer.
Sample Response:
The writer’s attitude towards the coastal town is warm, nostalgic, and gently affectionate.
The phrase “pastel-painted houses lined the harbour like an old postcard come to life”
suggests a sentimental view of the town’s charm and simplicity, as though it's frozen in time.
The image of “old men played dominoes under striped awnings” evokes a peaceful,
unhurried lifestyle that the writer seems to admire. Additionally, the statement “even the
silence had a softness to it” highlights a deep appreciation for the town’s calm and
comforting atmosphere. Through these details, the writer paints the town as a haven of
timeless beauty, where the small, ordinary moments of life are treasured and where a slower,
more mindful way of living still exists.

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HANDOUT 4 – STRUCTURING A RESPONSE

When students are structuring a response to a writer’s attitude question, they should keep in
mind the following key elements to ensure a complete, well-rounded answer. These elements
help students stay focused and clearly articulate their analysis.
1. Understanding the Question:
●​ Identify the writer's attitude: Begin by ensuring they clearly understand what
attitude or perspective the writer is conveying (e.g., positive, critical, nostalgic,
neutral, affectionate, etc.).
2. Clear Opening Statement:
●​ Direct response to the question: The first sentence should directly state the writer's
attitude. For example, “The writer’s attitude towards the town is nostalgic and
affectionate.”
3. Use Specific Details or Quotes:
●​ Incorporate textual evidence: Select three strong details from the passage that
directly reflect the writer's attitude. This could include specific phrases, imagery,
metaphors, or similes.
✔​ These details should be quoted directly or paraphrased accurately.
✔​ For example, from the coastal town passage: “pastel-painted houses lined
the harbour like an old postcard come to life” reflects nostalgia.
4. Explanation of Each Detail:
●​ Explain how each detail supports the attitude: After each quoted detail, explain
how it reveals the writer’s feelings.
✔​ For example, in the coastal town passage, the detail about the houses being
“like an old postcard come to life” suggests the writer’s affectionate, almost
wistful view of the town, as something timeless and beautiful.
5. Analysis of Tone and Mood:
●​ Link the attitude to the tone and mood: Reflect on how the tone (e.g., gentle,
critical, joyful) and mood (the feeling the text evokes in the reader) reinforce the
attitude. For example, a nostalgic attitude might be communicated through a gentle,
slow-paced tone and dreamy mood.
6. Conclude Clearly:
●​ Wrap up the response: Conclude by summarizing how the details chosen fit into the
overall attitude. A brief concluding sentence might reaffirm the attitude, tying the
response together.
✔​ For example: “Overall, the writer’s affectionate portrayal of the town
emphasizes the beauty of simplicity and a slower pace of life.”

©Abhinandan Bhattacharya_IGCSE_FLE _Workshop Material