Question 1: Identify one example of a synonym used in the extract that conveys a similar meaning to 'despair'.

Answer: hues of despair (suggests colour, tone, emotion)

Question 2: Find an antonym present or implied in the extract that contrasts with the mood described.

Answer: vibrant life / colourful world (contrast to dull grey, gloom)

Question 3: What technique does the author use when describing the sky as 'a dull grey' to reinforce her mood?

Answer: b) Imagery

Question 4: Annotate the phrase 'her footsteps echoed' to explain how sound imagery contributes to the mood.

Answer: The phrase suggests loneliness and emptiness, as echoing footsteps indicate a deserted environment, enhancing the mood of solitude.

Question 5: Identify a word in the extract that functions as an antonym to 'colourless' and explain its significance.

Answer: vibrant; it highlights the contrast between her inner desire for vitality and the dull surroundings.

Question 6: Explain how the author’s choice of words creates a melancholic tone.

Answer: Words like 'despair', 'dull', 'somber', 'loneliness', and 'gloom' evoke sadness and introspection, establishing a melancholic atmosphere.

Question 7: Select and explain one synonym of 'loneliness' used or implied in the extract.

Answer: deserted streets (implies solitude and emptiness)

Question 8: Describe how the author contrasts her mood with her external environment using vocabulary.

Answer: The author uses words like 'despair', 'dull', and 'loneliness' to depict her internal gloom, contrasted with the 'vibrant' life she desires, emphasizing her emotional disconnect from the world around her.

Question 9: Based on the extract, suggest a synonym for 'silent' that could enhance the mood if substituted.

Answer: quiet

Question 10: Create a brief annotation explaining how the contrast between colours enhances the theme of longing in the extract.

Answer: The contrast between the dull grey sky and the vibrant world symbolises her yearning for happiness and vitality amid her current despair, emphasising the theme of longing for better times.