Castles Text A

The most technically perfect in Britain has few equals.

Dare we say it, an absolute cracker of a castle with classic proportions and perfect symmetry. The last hurrah of Edward I’s massive building programme in North … just a shame he never got round to finishing it! With finances stretched to the limit and the Scots now increasingly effective in their resistance to the English monarch, his vice-like grip on Wales was beginning to slip. Edward or ‘Longshanks’, on account of his extraordinary height, was forced to focus his attention elsewhere and the rest is, quite literally, history… Technically perfect and constructed according to an ingenious ‘walls within walls’ plan, Castle was the 13th-century hi-tech equivalent of a spaceship landing unceremoniously on today. You can usually complain if a neighbour’s extension plans are a bit on the large side. Seven centuries ago the problem was resolved rather differently. The population of was forcibly moved 12 miles (19 km) away to Newborough to make way for Edward’s new castle. Want to create a fuss? You’d probably be better off keeping your head down…or risk losing it!

Source http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/beaumaris-castle/?lang=en [Accessed 3 May 2015] © Crown copyright (2015) Text B

“Waste of time - boring visit with moody employees” Reviewed 6 October 2010

If you want to have a fun day out then do not bother with [this castle]. I was immediately annoyed about having to pay for parking, then further annoyed by being rushed through the dingy admissions room by a bored, moody lady. It was a quiet Friday and yet she obviously found her book and flask of tea more interesting than helping paying customers.

Inside the castle there was a mish mash of boring artefacts of a family who clearly like to show off their wealth. Nothing was of interest. Nothing was explained – and the guides (if you could find them) were little help. One older woman in particular was very abrupt and rude to me and elderly father.

If you want an enjoyable day out – don’t bother going there.

Source http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g504035-d261433- r82337486-Bamburgh_Castle-Bamburgh_Northumberland_England.html [Accessed 3 May 2015] © TripAdvisor Reading

Read carefully the website on Beaumaris Castle (Text A).

1. Is the following statement true or false?

True False Those that had lived in Llanfaes were forced to move 19 km away.

2. In your own words, summarise why Beaumaris Castle is such a great castle.

This is a summarising question. You must select information from the text and convey it in your own words. Do not just copy from the text.

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Read carefully the review “Waste of time – boring visit with moody employees” (Text B).

3. List three problems with the visit to this castle.

This question tests your ability to retrieve information using deduction and inference skills.

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4. Who is the intended audience for this webpage?

a. families b. children c. the castle’s employees d. tourists

This question tests your ability to use deduction skills to identify the intended audience of a text.

5. What is the meaning of ‘dingy’ as used in the text?

a. extreme b. drab c. uninteresting d. dull

This is a context question. You can identify the correct meaning of a word by reading and understanding the surrounding text.

Read both pieces in order to answer the following questions.

6. How do the writers try to engage the readers’ interest in the pieces? Which piece do you find more interesting and why?

This is an analysis question which asks you to look at the language writers use to convey the meaning effectively.

You need to comment on: • the writer’s choice of words; • the details the writer has chosen to include; • the types of sentences and paragraphs used.

You are also asked to evaluate the texts by comparing and contrasting styles of writing/information given.

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Writing

7. ‘Visiting historical and heritage sites is a waste of time.’ Do you agree? What is your opinion? Write about 200 words.

Remember to give your opinion and to give reasons.

8. Write a letter to a friend describing a time when you visited a place of importance. Write 200-300 words.

Oracy

9. In a small group discuss the advantages and disadvantages of going on school trips to historical places.

Ensure that everyone has a chance to give his/her opinion and that you listen carefully to everyone.