13+ Comprehension: Winchester College, Prose Practice Papers & In-Depth Guided Answers: Volume 2

Are you seeking the perfect exam preparation material for Winchester College's 13+ entrance exams?

This essential resource includes four bespoke comprehension papers designed to mirror the school's unique exam style. Accompanied by model answers and thorough explanations, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the skills necessary to excel in these critical assessments.

Accolade Press equips students with the tools and strategies required to secure top marks in the competitive environment of Winchester College's 13+ exams. Accolade Press ensures students have every tool at their disposal to emulate these point-scoring techniques and tactics.

• Four comprehension papers crafted to reflect the distinctive style of Winchester College, ensuring thorough preparation for exams in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
• A diverse range of extracts to ensure a range of skills are tested.
• Comprehensive model answers provided for every question, frequently accompanied by alternative solutions to illustrate how students can achieve high marks through various approaches.
• Detailed explanations accompany each model answer, not only clarifying how the responses fulfil examiners' expectations but also guiding students through complex concepts and vocabulary found in the answers.
• Authored by a skilled tutor with an exceptional history of success in 13+ admissions.

Sample Extract:

Paper One

This passage takes place during the unveiling of a highly-anticipated portrait by the controversial artist, Victor Duval, whose latest artwork has sent shockwaves through high society.

* * *

The gallery was a seething, rustling, whispering hive of anticipation. Myriads of eyes were darting about, glancing from the glistening chandeliers to the illustrious faces that populated the marvelous affair. It was the unveiling of Victor Duval's latest masterpiece, a portrait that promised to redefine portraiture and spark a new era in the art world.

In the center of the hushed pantheon was the towering form of Victor Duval himself. His signature pose exuded half-veiled impudence, contrasting sharply with the refined elegance of the audience. His eyes, as they met those of his onlookers, seemed to hold a secret, daring jest. Whatever confidence was lacking in the others, Duval seemed to have appropriated it all for himself.

As the hour of the revelation drew near, one could feel the suspense hanging in the air, dense and palpable. It was almost as if the gallery were a lover's chamber, in which every breath held unspoken passion, unuttered desire. The tension was electrifying.

So, when Duval finally approached the veiled portrait, you could hear the collective intake of breath, forming a symphony of restrained excitement. The artist's hand moved toward the gossamer silk that teasingly hid the object of their collective desire.

The corner of his lips curled into a sardonic smile as he lifted the fabric. And there it was – the ardent form of Lady Anabella, the very embodiment of grace, charm and power in society. But Duval had chosen to paint her in an unflattering, distorted, and undeniably grotesque light. The artist had taken upon himself to create a caricature of Anabella's elegant countenance, and this was the result – a monstrous, almost inhuman visage that both entranced and repelled.

The uproar was immediate.

Genre boundaries, fiercely guarded, seen to have been violated with savage disregard for the feelings of a captive audience. Scandal! Pandemonium!Who dared paint the unspeakable, the grotesque? Whose hand could grasp the brush that stroked against the unwritten rules of decorum, that smudged the image of a high society lady?

Shouts of indignation rang through the decadent chamber – sharp, strident notes in an orchestra of ire. But amidst the cacophony, Victor Duval stood unmoved, imperturbable as a rogue poet. He had, no doubt, anticipated this reaction, perhaps even craved it, and allowed himself to bask in the chaos his creation had unleashed.

The art world trembled with the aftershocks of the scandal as the reactions, both in the press and from the public, oscillated between incomprehension, outrage, and admiration. Victor Duval’s act of artistic rebellion had struck a chord in the hearts of the daring for whom rules were made to be challenged, for the bored who longed for something to inspire, and for the free spirits who craved a visceral connection with the art beyond the superficial and decorative.

And thus, a legend was born – a genius in the form of a vandal; an enfant terrible, whose streak of dissidence sent waves across the art world, leaving society breathless.

Extract from Vladimir Ivanov’s 'Victor Duval: Art and Scandal'

Questions

1. What was the anticipation for in the gallery? [1]

2. What material was used to cover the portrait? [1]

3. What do the following words mean in the context of their appearance in the extract:

3a. Impudence [2]

3b. Palpable [2]

3c. Entranced [2]

3d. Pandemonium [2]

4. The atmosphere in the gallery is likened to a lover's chamber. What is the effect or purpose of this simile? [3]

5. Find another example of a simile within the passage. [2]

6. The author writes, "He had, no doubt, anticipated this reaction, perhaps even craved it." Why do you think the author believes Duval's intentions were to create scandal, and what evidence from the extract supports this claim? [5]

7. Analyse the use of language in the passage to explore how the author creates a vivid picture of the scandal Victor Duval provokes. Use quotations from the extract, and try not to use the quotations from your answer to question 6. [10]

Model Answers

1. What was the anticipation for in the gallery? [1]

The anticipation in the gallery was for the unveiling of Victor Duval's latest masterpiece. 

2. What material was used to cover the portrait? [1]

A gossamer silk was used to cover the portrait.

3. What do the following words mean in the context of their appearance in the extract:

a. Impudence [2]

'Impudence' refers to the quality of being bold, disrespectful or shamelessly daring. In the context of the extract, it describes Duval's half-veiled daring attitude towards the audience.

b. Palpable [2]

'Palpable' means capable of being perceived or sensed, particularly by touch. In this extract, the word is used to describe the suspense and tension in the air, which is so intense it can almost be felt physically.

c. Entranced [2]

'Entranced' means to be deeply fascinated, captivated, or mesmerized. In this extract, it describes the effect of Duval's grotesque portrayal of Lady Anabella on the audience.

d. Pandemonium [2]

'Pandemonium' refers to a scene of wild disorder, noise, or confusion. It is used to describe the uproar that follows the unveiling of the controversial portrait.

4. The atmosphere in the gallery is likened to a lover's chamber. What is the effect or purpose of this simile? [3]

The simile comparing the atmosphere in the gallery to a lover's chamber evokes a sense of underlying passion, intimacy, and unspoken desire. This simile intensifies the atmosphere, emphasizing the tension and heightened emotions as the audience awaits the unveiling of the artwork. The comparison also suggests a feeling of anticipation mingled with excitement, pleasure, and a touch of vulnerability, creating a rich and vivid scene.

End of Sample