Question 3 Paper 1: The STRUCTURE Question

Sample Paper for the 2026 exam.

You can read the extract here.

The extract begins by focusing on the hyena and what Pi’s father had told him about them before in excruciating detail such as that they are “hardy attackers” and “clever”. This foreshadows danger Pi may or may not face later on and an atmosphere of suspense is created. A reader would worry for Pi due to his unfortunate situation. When Pi hopes for the other animals to distract the hyena, a brief moment The focus then returns to the hyena alone and its unruly appearance which slightly reduces the tension due to the narrator’s belittling yet highly insulting description of the beast he seems to fear so much. This can be seen in the simile “like the symptoms of a skin disease” and the phrase “the head is broad and too massive” suggests that alongside his undeniable fear Pi is still criticizing his companion. The enhanced focus seems to decrease the tension as the hyena doesn’t do anything and the pace is slowed. The detailed description allows the reader to immerse themselves into the situation thoroughly.

However, this all quickly changes when the hyena “leapt over the zebra” and starts doing laps around the zebra. This unpredictable behaviour enhances tension due to the suddenness of the hyena’s movement, and the pace is quickened. The reader feels as though they are stuck on the boat with Pi and the hyena. The shorter sentences help create chaos on the boat. Pi then focuses on his own reaction in which he was “seized by fear”, emphasizing the danger he is in. This is also done when Pi describes how fearful he is when he sees “the thing racing my way” due to his wariness of the creatures’ non-obvious cleverness, the reader pities Pi for this.

Towards the end of the extract the tension spikes once more as the hyena stops and “lifted its eyes and rested them on me”. Here the extract meets a climax as the viciously described hyena stares at the protagonist. This tension however quickly dissipates as the tone later becomes more relaxed and the hyena continues to go in circles. The first person narrative that had led throughout enhanced the tension for the entire extract making the reader experience what Pi is themselves in vivid detail.

In the final paragraph “Things ended in typical hyena fashion” suggests that Pi doesn’t recognise the hyena as a threat temporarily as he can assume it next moves. The tone becomes less cautious and Pi seems pitiful for the anguished creature as it shakes and whines in its own skin. The reader is relieved and significantly calmed due to Pi’s temporary safety.

Tilf’s Marking

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Paragraphs Feedback

In the first paragraph, while you effectively identify the initial focus on the hyena and its description, you could improve by more clearly linking how this foreshadowing creates suspense. Consider elaborating on how the details provided set the stage for the reader’s expectations regarding Pi’s fate.

The second paragraph does a good job of discussing the shift in focus to the hyena’s actions and the resulting increase in tension. However, you could enhance your analysis by explicitly connecting the shorter sentences to the chaos they create, rather than just stating their effect. This would strengthen your argument about pace and tension.

In the third paragraph, you effectively identify the climax and the shift in tone. To improve, you could analyze how the change in the hyena’s behavior impacts the reader’s emotions and expectations, rather than just stating that the tension dissipates.

In the final paragraph, you mention Pi’s changing perception of the hyena. To enhance this, consider discussing how this shift in tone affects the overall narrative and what it reveals about Pi’s character development.

What Went Well

You provide a clear analysis of how the writer uses description to create suspense and tension, particularly in the first paragraph.

Your identification of the shifts in focus and their effects on the reader is relevant and shows a good understanding of structural features.

The use of specific examples, such as the simile and the description of the hyena’s actions, demonstrates your ability to connect textual details to your analysis.

Even Better If

To achieve a higher mark, ensure that you make clearer connections between the structural choices and their effects on the reader throughout your essay.

Incorporate more subject terminology related to structure, such as ‘pacing’ and ‘narrative perspective’, to enhance your analysis.

Consider providing a more detailed exploration of how the changes in tone and focus impact the reader’s emotional journey throughout the extract.

Stronger Writing

The extract begins by focusing on the hyena and what Pi’s father had told him about them before in excruciating detail, such as that they are ‘hardy attackers’ and ‘clever’, which not only foreshadows danger but also creates an atmosphere of suspense that grips the reader’s attention from the outset.

Mark 8

AO2 8/8

The essay demonstrates clear understanding of structural features and effectively explains their effects, using relevant examples and subject terminology. However, to reach a higher mark, the analysis could benefit from deeper exploration of how these structures influence the reader’s experience.

I like the way Tilf tries to improve every paragraph and every answer, even if you are already at 100%.

Points Make Prizes

Regular readers will know that the marks = the number of valid explanations.

Here is the annotated version of the answer with the structural techniques in bold italic, the “quotes” in bold, and the explanations in italics:

The extract begins by focusing on the hyena and what Pi’s father had told him about them before in excruciating detail such as that they are “hardy attackers” and “clever”. This foreshadows danger Pi may or may not face later on and an atmosphere of suspense is created. (1 explanation)

A reader would worry for Pi due to his unfortunate situation. When Pi hopes for the other animals to distract the hyena, a brief moment The focus then returns to the hyena alone and its unruly appearance which slightly reduces the tension due to the narrator’s belittling yet highly insulting description of the beast he seems to fear so much. (2 explanations)

This can be seen in the simile “like the symptoms of a skin disease” and the phrase “the head is broad and too massive” suggests that alongside his undeniable fear Pi is still criticizing his companion. (3 explanations)

The enhanced focus seems to decrease the tension as the hyena doesn’t do anything and the pace is slowed. The detailed description allows the reader to immerse themselves into the situation thoroughly. (4 explanations).

However, this all quickly changes when the hyena “leapt over the zebra” and starts doing laps around the zebra. This unpredictable behaviour enhances tension due to the suddenness of the hyena’s movement, and the pace is quickened. The reader feels as though they are stuck on the boat with Pi and the hyena. (5, maybe 6, explanations)

The shorter sentences help create chaos on the boat. Pi then focuses on his own reaction in which he was “seized by fear”, emphasizing the danger he is in. This is also done when Pi describes how fearful he is when he sees “the thing racing my way” due to his wariness of the creatures’ non-obvious cleverness, the reader pities Pi for this. (6 explanations)

Towards the end of the extract the tension spikes once more as the hyena stops and “lifted its eyes and rested them on me”. Here the extract meets a climax as the viciously described hyena stares at the protagonist. This tension however quickly dissipates as the tone later becomes more relaxed and the hyena continues to go in circles. The first person narrative that had led throughout enhanced the tension for the entire extract making the reader experience what Pi is themselves in vivid detail. (7 explanations)

In the final paragraph “Things ended in typical hyena fashion” suggests that Pi doesn’t recognise the hyena as a threat temporarily as he can assume it next moves. The tone becomes less cautious and Pi seems pitiful for the anguished creature as it shakes and whines in its own skin. (8 explanations).

The reader is relieved and significantly calmed due to Pi’s temporary safety.

8 out of 8

You can see how this works at every single grade. My practice papers have answers at every grade, written in the real exams and marked by senior examiners. Each and every one shows you the Points Make Prizes method.

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