A full answer has three parts: the attitude word, a short quote as evidence, and a sentence that explains how the quote shows the attitude. The third part is the one students forget.
This lesson closes the route in reading decisions when distractors look plausible. The choice of attitude itself is taught in understanding writer attitude without over-interpreting.
What are the three parts?
- Word: name the attitude, such as “hopeful” or “doubtful”.
- Evidence: quote the few words that show it.
- Explanation: say how those words show it, using “this suggests”.
Worked example: the school garden
This is an original passage.
For two years the school garden was a patch of weeds. This term, Cikgu Farid cleared it, planted chillies, and began watering each morning. “We will see what happens,” he said, but he had already ordered more seeds.
Question. What is the writer’s attitude towards Cikgu Farid’s project? Explain with evidence.
Weak response. “The writer is hopeful. He ordered more seeds.” The word is right and the evidence is relevant, but nothing links them.
Strong response. “The writer is hopeful about the project. Cikgu Farid ‘had already ordered more seeds’. This suggests he expects the first planting to succeed, even though he speaks cautiously.”
The strong response adds the link and notes the contrast with his cautious words, which shows careful reading.
The mistake: stopping at the quote
The student knows the attitude and copies a line, but the marker cannot tell whether the student understands why the line matters.
| Part | Weak | Strong |
|---|---|---|
| Word | hopeful | hopeful |
| Evidence | “ordered more seeds” | “had already ordered more seeds” |
| Explanation | none | “suggests he expects success” |
One sentence is enough. It should answer “so what does this show about the writer’s feeling?”
Check yourself
The notice read, “The cafeteria will close at 2 pm on Friday. We apologise for any inconvenience.” The notice gave no reason.
Write a three-part answer: what is the tone of the notice?
Answer
Polite and formal. The notice says “We apologise for any inconvenience”, which shows the writer recognises readers may be affected and chooses courteous wording.
The lack of a reason, together with the plain statement of the time, suggests the tone is also brief and matter-of-fact.
What to study next
Use the claim, evidence and explanation revision desk to edit your own answers into the three-part form. Then try the integrated practice.
If you want a teacher to go through your written answers, see online one-to-one English tuition.