Question 1: What clues in the extract suggest the setting is in the past? Provide two examples.

Answer: References to 'ancient windswept landscape' and 'crumbling stone walls' suggest an old, historical setting.

Question 2: Identify one word or phrase that creates an eerie or tense atmosphere. Explain how it contributes to the mood.

Answer: ‘whispered secrets long buried’ creates an eerie atmosphere by implying hidden histories and unresolved mysteries.

Question 3: What does the phrase 'cast a pale amber hue' suggest about the time of day and mood?

Answer: It indicates dawn and creates a calm yet slightly ominous mood.

Question 4: From the extract, what can you infer about Eleanor’s feelings towards her surroundings?

Answer: She seems contemplative and anxious about the future, sensing impending trouble.

Question 5: Identify and explain the use of a literary technique used to describe the landscape.

Answer: Imagery is used with phrases like 'windswept landscape' and 'crumbling stone walls' to vividly depict the setting.

Question 6: What does the phrase ‘the shadows of a distant village’ suggest about the protagonist’s perspective?

Answer: It suggests a sense of longing or hope for a connection beyond her immediate environment.

Question 7: How do the descriptive words in the extract help establish the historical setting? Mention two specific words or phrases.

Answer: Words like 'ancient', 'crumbling', and 'damped earth' evoke a sense of age and decay consistent with historical fiction.

Question 8: Analyse the tone of the extract. Which words or phrases contribute most to the tone?

Answer: The tone is contemplative and foreboding, created by phrases like 'weighed with foreboding', 'secrets long buried', and 'stories that history dared not forget', which evoke mystery and anticipation.

Question 9: Create your own descriptive paragraph of a similar setting, using at least three literary techniques to create atmosphere. Follow this checklist: - Use vivid imagery - Incorporate personification or symbolism - Establish a mood or tone Write about a deserted castle, an abandoned street, or a ruined village.

Answer: Student responses will vary. The key is to demonstrate effective use of imagery, personification or symbolism, and mood setting in their description.