Reading Beyond the Set Texts · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Building your own shelf

English · English Thinking · ages 17-18
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. What is a usable reading note?

    • A neat copy of the blurb
    • Page refs, short quotes, and your own response
    • A star rating out of five

  2. What makes a second text worth choosing?

    • It argues with your set text
    • It has the brightest cover
    • It is the longest book available

  3. The best way to find wider reading is typing into a search engine and hoping.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. How do you record why a text matters to your argument?

    • Copy the whole chapter
    • Memorise the cover
    • Write one line on how it feeds your argument

  5. Where should you look first for a further text?

    • The bibliography of your set text
    • A random shelf in any shop
    • The advertisements

  6. A summary with no quotes, page numbers, or response will serve you well months later.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. Your notes are summaries with no page numbers and no responses. What is the sharpest fix?

    • Rewrite them prettier
    • Delete them and start hoping
    • Revisit each text for exact pages, short quotes, and your verdict

  8. Two candidates: one agrees with your set text, one argues with it. Which do you pick, and why?

    • The agreer, because essays need harmony
    • The arguer, because the clash gives you a question
    • Both, because longer lists impress
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_ZegdyfwUov-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Building your own shelf W1-mt_ZegdyfwUov-s1

  1. Page refs, short quotes, and your own response · References plus quotes plus response still work months later.
  2. It argues with your set text · Disagreement gives you a live question to write on.
  3. False · Trusted bibliographies, teachers, and catalogues beat blind hoping.
  4. Write one line on how it feeds your argument · One line of purpose forces the key choice early.
  5. The bibliography of your set text · Good sources point at further good sources.
  6. False · A summary alone rots fast, while quotes plus responses stay usable.
  7. Revisit each text for exact pages, short quotes, and your verdict · References plus evidence plus response turn rot into material.
  8. The arguer, because the clash gives you a question · The clash, named precisely, becomes your essay's engine.
Worksheet · LightMySky