2.1 Written Text 91098
Past exam questions
Exam questions from previous years.
Please note that the NCEA exam changed a few years ago to focus on "written text". Previously the exam separated texts as "extended text" and "short text".
Please note that the NCEA exam changed a few years ago to focus on "written text". Previously the exam separated texts as "extended text" and "short text".
Instructions
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Write an essay on at least ONE written text that you have studied. The text(s) can be any of the following:
If you choose to write about more than one text, the texts may be:
Choose ONE of questions (1-8). Make sure your chosen question suits the text(s).
Write an essay on at least ONE written text that you have studied. The text(s) can be any of the following:
- Novel
- Non-fiction
- Print media
- Drama
- Short story
- Poetry / song lyric
- Digital / online text.
If you choose to write about more than one text, the texts may be:
- The same type (eg two poems)
- A combination of different types (“intertextual studies” – eg a poem and a short story).
Choose ONE of questions (1-8). Make sure your chosen question suits the text(s).
Sample paper
- Analyse how a main character OR individual matures and takes action in a text (or texts) you have studied.
- Analyse how the growth OR breakdown of a relationship(s) affects the climax in a text (or texts) you have studied.
- Analyse how the writer(s) has influenced your opinion of a choice made by a character OR individual in a text (or texts) you have studied.
- Analyse how the setting of a text (or texts) you have studied influenced your understanding of the ideas in the text (or texts). (Note: Setting may include reference to time, place, historical or social context, or atmosphere.)
- Analyse how an idea is developed in a text (or texts) you have studied.
- Analyse how the writer(s) has created impact in a section of studied text (or texts).
- Analyse how symbols are used to develop an idea in a text (or texts) you have studied.
- Analyse how techniques of a genre or text type make a text(s) particularly effective for you. (Note: Genres and text types may include short story, novel, types of poetry and song, drama script, print or non-fiction texts.)
2011 NCEA exam
Previously, the NCEA exam was in two parts - an extended written text paper; and a short written text paper. Since 2012, the papers have been combined and students are now only asked about written texts.
Extended written texts:
Write clearly and coherently about ONE extended written text you have studied. The text can be any of the following:
Short written texts:
Write clearly and coherently about TWO short written texts you have studied. The text can be any of the following:
Extended written texts:
Write clearly and coherently about ONE extended written text you have studied. The text can be any of the following:
- Novel;
- Drama script;
- Hyperfiction;
- Non-fiction
- Analyse how symbolism was used to convey an interesting idea in an extended written text.
- Analyse how an important scene or event showed the writer's purpose in an extended written text.
- Analyse how the writer developed a key relationship in an extended written text
- Analyse how the writer used techniques to surprise or engage you in an extended written text.
- Analyse how an extended written text was structured to develop an important idea.
- Analyse how an internal and/or external conflict was explored in an extended written text.
Note: "Internal conflict" means conflict within a character, and "external conflict" means conflict between a character and other individual(s) or group(s) - Analyse how the unique experience of a character or individual was presented in extended written text.
- Analyse how an important event at the beginning shaped outcomes in an extended written text
Short written texts:
Write clearly and coherently about TWO short written texts you have studied. The text can be any of the following:
- Short stories;
- Poetry (or song lyrics);
- Print media (or blogs);
- Short hyperfiction
- Analyse how language techniques supported the development of a strong idea or ideas in at least TWO short texts.
- Analyse how symbols were used to represent aspects of character in at least TWO short texts.
- Analyse how the writer(s) created and maintained tension through conflict in at least TWO short texts.
- Analyse how setting was used to support an interesting idea or ideas in at least TWO short texts.
- Analyse how a similar idea has been developed in different ways across at least TWO short texts.
- Analyse techniques the writer(s) used to attract and maintain readers' interest in at least TWO short texts.
- Analyse how imagery created strong emotion in readers in at least TWO short texts.
- Analyse how characters or individuals changed in response to an important event or events in at least TWO short texts.
2012 NCEA exam
- Analyse how the strong personal voice of a narrator or writer helped you to understand a theme in the written text(s).
- Analyse how the language used intensified the message of the written text(s).
- Analyse how a main character or individual in the written text(s) was influenced by another for a particular purpose.
- Analyse how a section of the written text(s) showed purposeful development of a theme.
- Analyse how a writer purposefully created first impressions of a character or individual in the written text(s) to deceive or surprise the reader.
- Analyse how a conflict was used to explore a theme in the written text(s).
- Analyse how the beginning and / or ending of the written text(s) demonstrated the writer’s purpose.
- Analyse how the structure or organisation of the written text(s) affected your understanding of the theme(s).
2013 NCEA exam
- Analyse how a significant event illustrated one or more key themes in the written text(s).
- Analyse how the setting was central to your understanding of the writer’s purpose in the written text(s).
- Analyse how symbolism was used to reinforce an idea in the written text(s).
Note: “Idea” may refer to character, theme, or setting. - Analyse how the age or life experience of a character or individual influenced their understanding of the world around them in the written text(s).
- Analyse how language features were used to stir readers’ emotions in the written text(s).
- Analyse how the structure was used to build to a climax in the written text(s).
- Analyse how disappointment or loss affected the relationships of a character or individual in the written text(s).
- Analyse how the choices made by the writer influenced your reactions to one or more important themes in the written text(s)
2014 NCEA exam
- Analyse how shifts in power were used to illustrate one or more themes in the written text(s).
- Analyse how language features were used to reveal the attitudes of one or more characters or individuals in the written text(s).
- Analyse how structure was used to reveal the writer’s purpose in the written text(s).
- Analyse how setting was used to develop your understanding of one or more themes in the written text(s).
Note: “Setting” may refer to physical places as well as social and historical contexts. - Analyse how language features were used to shape your reaction to one or more ideas in the written text(s).
Note: “Ideas” may refer to character, theme, or setting. - Analyse how one or more significant events were used to comment on an aspect of society in the written text(s).
- Analyse how cruel or kind behaviour was used to show one or more ideas in the written text(s).
Note: “Ideas” may refer to character, theme, or setting. - Analyse how the ending created a satisfying outcome in the written text(s)
2015 NCEA exam
- Analyse how one or more important events were used to highlight the idea of control or manipulation in the written text(s).
- Analyse how the beginning and / or end of the written text(s) emphasised the writer’s purpose.
- Analyse how the use of “opposites” or contrasts helped you understand one or more themes in the written text(s).
- Analyse how ideas were used to comment on the nature of society in the written text(s).
Note: “Ideas” may refer to character, theme, or setting. - Analyse how language features were used to develop one or more settings for a particular purpose in the written text(s).
Note: “Setting” may refer to physical places as well as social and historical contexts. - Analyse how the use of something unexpected developed your understanding of one or more themes in the written text(s).
- Analyse how the ending reinforced or challenged your ideas about one or more characters in the written text(s).
- Analyse how language features revealed the writer’s purpose in the written text(s).
2016 NCEA exam
- Analyse how the experiences of one or more characters were used for a particular purpose.
- Analyse the connection between the setting and one or more themes.
Note: Setting may refer to physical places as well as social and historical contexts. - Analyse how language features were used to reinforce or challenge a point of view.
- Analyse how supposedly insignificant events or details revealed one or more significant themes
- Analyse how structure developed your understanding of the text.
Note: “Structure” may refer to the order, organisation, or conventions of a text. - Analyse how the strengths and / or weaknesses of one or more characters reinforced a message
- Analyse how one or more ideas in the text served as a warning to readers.
Note: “Ideas” may refer to character, theme, or setting - Analyse how language features were used to explore the difference between appearance and reality.
2016 NCEA exam
- Analyse how one or more relationships between characters or individuals were used to develop the writer's purpose in the written text(s).
- Analyse how language features were used to appeal to your imagination in the written text(s)
- Analyse how one or more significant events were used to illustrate a change in one or more characters in the written text(s)
- Analyse how the ending was used to settle one or more conflicts in the written text(s)
- Analyse how the structure was used to support one or more important ideas from the beginning to the end of the written text(s)
- Analyse how setting(s) helped you understand one or more characters in the written text(s)
Note: "Setting" may refer to physical places as well as social and historical contexts - Analyse how one or more themes in the written text(s) can be applied to wider society
- Analyse how symbolism was used to support one or more ideas in the written text(s)
Note: "Ideas" may refer to character, theme or setting
2017 NCEA exam
- Analyse how one or more minor characters influenced the development of a main character.
- Analyse how language features were used to create a vivid setting.
- Analyse how humour was used to highlight an idea.
Note: “Idea” may refer to character, theme, or setting. - Analyse how one or more important events represented a turning point for a character.
- Analyse how language features were used to capture the reader’s imagination.
- Analyse how the text was structured to reveal a surprise.
- Analyse how one or more ideas were used to comment on an aspect of human nature.
Note: “Ideas” may refer to character, theme, or setting.
Mock exam questions
The following exam questions have been used in the mock exams from various schools.
2013
- Analyse how a main character or individual matures and takes action in a text (or texts) you have studied.
- Analyse how the growth or breakdown of a relationship(s) affects the climax in a text (or texts) you have studied.
- Analyse how the writer(s) has influenced your opinion of a choice made by a character or individual in a text (or texts) you have studied.
- Analyse how the setting of a text (or texts) you have studied influenced your understanding of the ideas in the text (or texts),
Note: Setting may include reference to time, place, historical or social context or atmosphere. - Analyse how an idea is developed in a text (or texts) you have studied.
- Analyse how the writer(s) has created impact in a section of studied text (or texts).
- Analyse how symbols are used to develop an idea in a text (or texts) you have studied.
- Analyse how techniques of a genre or text type make a test(s) particularly effective for you
Note: Genres and text types may include short story, novel, types of poetry and song, drama script, print or non-fiction texts)