Comprehension: Fiction Set 12
Comprehension: Fiction Set 12 is a further unseen fiction extract for 11+ practice, again testing retrieval, inference, vocabulary in context and language analysis in the GL Assessment / CEM / CSSE style, this time built around a scene of two characters in disagreement. Extracts featuring dialogue and disagreement ask pupils to infer feelings from what is said as well as what is described, which is a slightly different skill from a single character's internal thoughts.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Read the whole extract first to establish who the characters are and what they disagree about, before answering any questions.
- Notice both what is said aloud and what is described about how it is said, such as a character's tone, expression or actions, since both carry meaning.
- When a question asks about a character's feelings, use evidence from their exact words as well as any description around the dialogue.
- Be careful not to assume a character is right just because they speak more, or last; look for evidence in the text rather than personal opinion.
- For questions comparing the two characters, note specific differences in what each one says, wants, or how calmly they behave.
- Match the length of your answer to the marks available, and always explain the effect of evidence you quote rather than simply repeating it.
Worked example
Extract: 'You promised we'd leave by nine,' said Ellie, arms folded, not looking at her brother. 'I know what I said,' Theo replied, still hunting through the drawer, 'but I can't find the tickets, and shouting at me isn't going to make them appear.' Question: What does this exchange suggest about how each character is feeling? (4 marks)
- Identify Ellie's feelings from her words and actions: 'you promised', combined with 'arms folded, not looking at her brother', suggests frustration and a sense of being let down.
- Identify Theo's feelings from his words: 'I know what I said... shouting at me isn't going to make them appear' suggests he feels defensive, perhaps a little guilty, but also irritated by Ellie's manner.
- Notice that neither character directly says 'I am angry' or 'I am guilty'; both feelings are shown through word choice and body language instead.
- Consider the relationship between the two reactions: Ellie's frustration and Theo's defensiveness are feeding off each other, which is typical of an escalating disagreement.
- Final answer: Ellie feels frustrated and let down, shown by 'you promised' and her closed body language, while Theo feels defensive and irritated, admitting his mistake but pushing back against being blamed, and together their reactions show a disagreement building rather than settling.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1What had Theo promised, according to Ellie's line?Show answer
Answer: That they would leave by nine.
Q2'Arms folded, not looking at her brother.' What does this stage description of Ellie suggest about her mood?Show answer
Answer: It suggests she is annoyed, closed-off or unwilling to be easily reassured.
Q3True or False: Theo denies that he made a promise about leaving by nine.Show answer
Answer: False - he says 'I know what I said', which admits he did make the promise.
Q4What does Theo's line 'shouting at me isn't going to make them appear' suggest about how he feels about Ellie's tone?Show answer
Answer: It suggests he feels she is being unfair or unhelpful by getting angry, rather than helping him solve the problem.
Q5Give one word to describe Theo's likely feeling, based on the fact that he admits his mistake but still pushes back at Ellie.Show answer
Answer: Defensive (also acceptable: irritated, or a mix of guilty and frustrated).
Q6Why might a writer choose to show a disagreement through short exchanges of dialogue rather than one character explaining both points of view?Show answer
Answer: Short, back-and-forth dialogue lets each character's feelings and reasoning come through in their own words, which feels more realistic and lets the reader judge the disagreement for themselves.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Extract: 'You promised we'd leave by nine,' said Ellie, arms folded, not looking at her brother. Explain what this line and the description around it suggest about how Ellie feels. (3 marks)
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
Explain how the writer presents the disagreement between Ellie and Theo as one that is getting worse rather than better. (4 marks)
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 4 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the comprehension: fiction set 12 worksheet pack - 11 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 12 of 11+ English Workbook 1, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
Next topics
Not quite what you needed?
Tell us what is missing on comprehension: fiction set 12, or which topic to write up next. Every request is read, and we reply to every one.
Build a full practice pack.
This topic is one of hundreds in the library - pick the ones a student needs and generate a printable PDF in minutes.