To find two key details that give the main idea about one of the characters.
Let's practise
'Stop, I've seen enough!' Philip growled at last. Alexander met his father's one-eyed gaze and waited for the verdict. 'Not bad … ' said Philip, and Alexander smiled. Philip hadn't finished, though. 'But not wonderful, either. And I was better when I was your age. A lot better.'
Then he dug his heels in his horse's flanks and cantered off across the courtyard without so much as a backward glance, his men clattering along after him. Alexander watched them go, his smile now a grimace, the sweat cooling on his skin. A cloud passed over the sun and he shivered.
Alexander swallowed his disappointment that time. Philip came to see him train every day and Alexander tried even harder to impress him. But his nerves made him clumsy and Philip was quick to tell him so.
Tony Bradman and Tony Ross: from The Orchard Book of Heroes and Villains (Orchard Books, 2008)
What is the main idea this text tells you about Philip? Give two key details to support your answer.
2 marks
- Read the question. Read it again. What is it asking?
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- What things does Philip do? Make a list.
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Growls at Alexander; tells him whatever Alexander has done isn't good enough; tells him he was better than him at the same age; tells Alexander he is clumsy; doesn't look back when he leaves.
- Based on the evidence, what do you think about Philip as a person?
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He isn't easily pleased; he puts people down; he brags about himself; he makes people feel nervous.
- Give your main idea about Philip and choose two key details to support your answer.
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Philip is a mean, unsympathetic man.
1. Even though Alexander tried really hard in training, Philip was not impressed.
2. He told Alexander that he was better than him at his age which made Alexander feel disappointed.
- Check your answer.