Question 1: Identify one example of personification in the passage and explain its effect.

Answer: The mansion 'looms like a silent sentinel' – it attributes human qualities to the mansion, emphasising its imposing presence and creating an eerie atmosphere.

Question 2: What is the significance of the phrase 'a world suspended between reality and memory' in terms of tone?

Answer: It suggests a mysterious, nostalgic tone, hinting at the mansion's haunting past and the boundary between the past and present.

Question 3: Which stylistic technique is demonstrated by the phrase 'whispered secrets of a bygone era', and what is its purpose?

Answer: It is an example of metaphor, evoking the idea that the mansion holds hidden stories, enhancing its mysterious quality.

Question 4: Describe how the use of adjectives such as 'damp', 'shattered', and 'blackened' contributes to the overall atmosphere.

Answer: These adjectives create a bleak, decayed environment, reinforcing themes of neglect and the passage of time.

Question 5: Identify the technique used in 'creaking shutters whispered secrets' and analyse its effect on the reader.

Answer: It employs personification and auditory imagery, creating a sense of mystery and making the setting feel alive and haunting.

Question 6: How does the structure of the paragraph contribute to building atmosphere?

Answer: The gradual increase in descriptive detail and sensory imagery immerses the reader and heightens the sense of eeriness and melancholy.

Question 7: See worksheet

Answer: b) The detailed imagery creates a vivid, atmospheric setting.

Question 8: What effect does the overall tone of nostalgia and mystery have on the reader's perception of the mansion?

Answer: It evokes curiosity and a sense of wonder, making the mansion seem both intriguing and haunting.

Question 9: Write a brief paragraph analysing how the author’s choice of vocabulary influences the mood of the passage.

Answer: Students should discuss vocabulary such as 'damp', 'decay', 'whispered', and 'melancholy' to explain how these words contribute to a mood of mystery, decay, and nostalgia, creating an atmospheric and evocative setting.