Home > Subjects > English > English level 1 > 1.3 Unfamiliar texts > Achievement criteria
- Subject: English
- AS: 90851
- Level: 1
- Credits: 4
- External
1.3 Read and show understanding of unfamiliar texts
Achievement criteria
In this achievement standard you will read a range of written texts that you have not studied before. You will answer a number of questions on each text to test your understanding of ideas, style, and language used to communicate the author’s purpose in each text. All questions will provide the opportunity for achievement, achievement with merit and achievement with excellence.
On this page: Achievement | Achievement with Merit | Achievement with Excellence
Achievement
Show understanding of significant aspects of unfamiliar written text(s) through close reading, using supporting evidence.
Make sure you:
- separate the resource booklet from the answer booklet for easy access
- show a basic understanding of the meaning of the text
- read each question carefully before you start to write
- follow the directions carefully (go to the line number, use your own words if stated)
- correctly name or describe features of content, style, and language features
- quote and/or identify relevant evidence from the text clearly (avoid copying large amounts by underlining the relevant part)
- focus on the text not your general knowledge
- answer all questions as much as you can
- read a range of texts throughout the year and think carefully about purpose, audience and use of language.
Achievement with Merit
Show convincing understanding of significant aspects of unfamiliar written text(s) through close reading, using supporting evidence.
Make sure you:
- draw conclusions based on the text
- write more than one statement of explanation for each answer
- develop your answer to each part of the question thoroughly and logically
- clearly explain the effect or purpose as to why the identified features of content, style, and language features work in the text
- quote accurately and clearly from the text
- understand the purpose of the text (persuade, entertain, convey emotion, or inform)
- identify the intended audience of a text
- answer all parts of the question in detail.
Achievement with Excellence
Show perceptive understanding of significant aspects of unfamiliar written text(s) through close reading, using supporting evidence.
Make sure you:
- have an appreciation of the text as a whole and can relate some of the ideas to the wider world
- show your understanding of how effective the features in the text are
- evaluate and give reasons explaining how well the identified features of the text work
- understand the less obvious messages in the text such as how the style emphasises certain aspects of the text
- clearly state how and why the identified features of content, style, and language features work together in the text and connect to the wider world
- use terminology confidently to discuss language features in the text
- use a range of specific detail from the text to discuss complex ideas
- have detailed answers to show a full and deep understanding of the text
- make significant connections between the features of content, style, and language
- make mature observations and respond personally to the text
- make conclusions about how the language has been used to fulfil the purpose and reach the intended audience
- build on previous statements and avoid repetition.
