Year 10 English Mid-year Exam Study Guide

Year 10 English Mid-year Examination Study Guide 2025

Format

• Time allowed: 1 ½ hours

• Section A: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Essay (45 mins)

• Section B: Reading Comprehension Questions and Summary Writing (45 mins)

Section A: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Essay

• Time: Spend no more than 45 minutes.

• Task: Write an essay based on a character from the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

• Assessment Criteria:

  • References to the text

  • Understanding of the text

  • How the writer (Shakespeare) achieves effects (techniques)

Section B: Reading Comprehension Questions and Summary Writing

• Time: Spend no more than 45 minutes overall.

• Tasks:

  • Short answer questions (25-30 mins)

  • Summary writing question (15-20 mins)

To Revise: Midsummer Night’s Dream

• Re-read and watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

• Know quotes about the main characters:

  • Oberon

  • Puck

  • Bottom

• Focus on what Shakespeare is doing, not what the characters do:

  • Language

  • Structure

  • Form

• Identify techniques:

  • Dramatic Irony

  • Metaphors

  • Similes

  • Personifications

• Themes:

  • Love

  • Appearance vs. reality

  • Order vs. chaos

• Practice writing PETAL paragraphs and memorizing quotes (phrases that suit the characters).

Reading Comprehension and Summary Writing

• Use the two practice questions (available on Canvas in Week 1 of holidays).

• Use the mark scheme (available Week 2 of the holidays) to check your work.