Introduction to Narrative and Literary Extracts

Welcome! In this chapter, we are looking at the most "story-like" part of your HKDSE Paper 1 Reading exam. While many parts of the exam focus on facts and news, Narrative and Literary Extracts are taken from short stories, novels, or personal memoirs. Instead of just looking for data or statistics, these texts ask you to understand feelings, characters, and hidden meanings. Whether you choose Part B1 (the easier section) or Part B2 (the more challenging section), mastering how to read a story is a superpower that will help you gain marks in tone, mood, and inference questions.

1. What Makes Narrative Texts Different?

Unlike a news report that tells you "who, what, where, and when" right at the start, a literary extract might be more mysterious. You need to focus on four main elements:

A. Character (The "Who")

The text will describe people. Pay attention not just to what they do, but how they feel and what they say (dialogue). Example: "John's knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel." What this tells us: John isn't just driving; he is likely very angry or very nervous.

B. Setting (The "Where" and "When")

The setting often reflects the mood of the character. A "dark, stormy night" usually suggests something scary or sad is about to happen.

C. Plot and Conflict (The "What")

There is usually a problem or a challenge. In Paper 1, you might be asked to complete a flow-chart or a summary of the events in the story.

D. Tone and Mood (The "Vibe")

Tone is the author’s attitude (e.g., sarcastic, serious, playful). Mood is the feeling the reader gets (e.g., peaceful, tense, gloomy). Key Takeaway: When reading a story extract, ask yourself: "How is the character feeling, and why are they acting this way?"

2. Essential Skills for the DSE Reading Paper

The HKEAA uses specific question types for literary texts. Let's break down how to handle them.

Identifying "Contextual Meaning" (Vocabulary)

The exam often asks you to find a word in a specific paragraph that means the same as a word they provide. Quick Tip: Don't just look for a definition. Look for a word that fits the emotion of the sentence. If the story is about a "terrifying" monster, the synonym might be "ghastly" or "formidable."

Reference Words

You will often see questions like: "What does the word 'it' in line 15 refer to?" Step-by-step: 1. Go to line 15. 2. Read the previous sentence. 3. Replace "it" with your answer to see if the sentence still makes sense.

Inferencing (Reading Between the Lines)

This is often the hardest part for students. An inference is a conclusion you reach based on evidence, even if the text doesn't say it directly. Text: "Sarah looked at the mountain of dirty dishes and sighed deeply." Question: How does Sarah feel? Answer: She feels overwhelmed or tired. (The text didn't say "Sarah was tired," but the "sigh" and the "mountain of dishes" provide the evidence.)

3. Common Question Formats in Parts B1 and B2

In the DSE, you will encounter these formats when dealing with narratives:

True / False / Not Given (T/F/NG)

- True: The text says exactly this (or uses a synonym). - False: The text says the opposite. - Not Given: The text does not mention this information at all. Common Mistake: Don't choose "False" just because the information isn't there. If it's missing, it's "Not Given."

Gap-fill Summary (Cloze)

You may need to summarize a part of the story using words taken from the text. Rule: Always check the word limit (e.g., "Use ONE word only"). If you write two words, you get \(0\) marks, even if the answer is correct!

Matching Comments

You might have to match a character's name to a statement they made or a feeling they had. Look for quotation marks (" ") to find what people said.

4. Understanding Tone and Mood Words

Since literary extracts are about emotions, you should build a "word bank" of common tone words. Here are a few to get you started: - Nostalgic: Thinking fondly about the past. - Sarcastic: Saying the opposite of what you mean to be funny or mean. - Critical: Finding fault with something. - Optimistic: Feeling hopeful about the future. - Detached: Not showing any emotion; acting like an outsider. Key Takeaway: If a question asks for the "tone," it is usually an adjective.

5. Tips for Success: B1 vs. B2

If you choose B1 (Easier): - The vocabulary will be simpler. - Most answers can be found directly in the text. - Focus on getting the sequence of events (plot) correct. If you choose B2 (Harder): - The vocabulary will be "fairly complex" (as per the syllabus). - You will need to explain why a writer used a specific word or image. - Expect more "open-ended" questions where you must explain your answer in your own words.

6. Final Summary Checklist

- [ ] Check the Context: Is this a story, a memoir, or a biography? - [ ] Track Emotions: How do the characters change from the beginning to the end? - [ ] Watch for Figurative Language: If the author says "the wind howled," they are creating a scary or wild mood. - [ ] Read the Instructions: If the question says "from the text," do not use your own words. If it says "in your own words," do not copy the text directly! - [ ] Manage Your Time: You have \(1.5\) hours for the whole paper. Don't spend too long "getting lost" in the story. Look for the answers! Note: For more information on non-fiction texts like news or blogs, please refer to the chapters "News reports and feature articles" or "Blogs, forum posts and social media texts."