Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

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

Loading...

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...