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      Responding to an unseen extract from 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can read and understand an unseen extract from Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ and analyse evidence to support my understanding.

      Key learning points

      1. Use the first reading of an unseen extract to establish key information about plot, character and setting
      2. Next, read the text more closely to consider the meaning of specific words and phrases
      3. Writers use specific words and phrases to create a clear atmosphere

      Keywords

      • Extract - a short passage taken from a text

      • Character - a person in a novel, play, or film

      • Tone - the general mood or feeling of a text

      • Contrast - to compare two people or things in order to show the differences between them

      Common misconception

      That you should immediately start trying to spot language devices when reading an unseen extract.

      It's better to take the time to understand what is happening before starting to think about how the writer creates meaning.

      Teacher tip

      You could ask the students to act out certain moments in the extract to really think about how the character of Alice would be feeling.

      Equipment

      You will need a copy of the extract from 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' which is available in the additional materials.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      A character is .

      a real person
      a person having an adventure
      Correct answer: a person in a story

      Q2.
      The plot of a story is .

      Correct answer: the main events of the story
      where the story is set
      who the characters in the story are

      Q3.
      The setting of a story is .

      Correct answer: where it takes place
      the main events that happen
      the people that are in the story

      Q4.
      If you end a story with a character crying then the most likely mood of the story is .

      anger
      Correct answer: sadness
      jealousy
      uplifting

      Q5.
      A contrast is .

      a similarity between two things
      Correct answer: a difference between two things
      two things that are exactly the same

      Q6.
      Describing a character as a 'poor little thing' is most likely designed to make the audience feel .

      Correct answer: sorry for them
      angry at them
      jealous of them

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      An extract is .

      the whole text
      Correct answer: a small part of a text
      always the first chapter

      Q2.
      'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' was written by .

      JK Rowling
      William Shakespeare
      Correct answer: Lewis Carroll

      Q3.
      The tone of a text is .

      the amount of characters
      Correct answer: the general mood or feeling
      the level of sympathy the audience feels

      Q4.
      In 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', Alice declares she'd like to shut up like a .

      Correct answer: telescope
      piece of paper
      wooden box
      pocket watch

      Q5.
      Your second read through of an unseen extract should .

      establish whether you like the text
      establish key plot and character points
      Correct answer: consider the meaning of key phrases

      Q6.
      By contrasting the 'loveliest garden' with the 'dark hall', Carroll is suggesting that .

      Alice wants to stay in the hall
      Correct answer: Alice wants to get to the garden
      Alice doesn't mind whether she stays or goes

      To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Responding to an unseen extract from 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...