The First Note
Text 1: Solo, by Rowan Bell
An original short story extract.
The hall seemed to hold its breath. Mara stood beneath the lamps, her violin tucked under her chin, and looked out at the rows of waiting faces. At the back, her brother raised both thumbs. She drew the bow across the strings. The first note trembled, thin as a thread, then opened into the room. She had practised it so often that her fingers knew where to go, but tonight each note seemed brighter than the last.
By the second phrase, the tightness in her shoulders had loosened. The melody climbed, turning and lifting, and she followed it without looking at the music. A warm ripple of sound moved out towards the far wall. When the final note faded, Mara lowered her violin. For a moment, nobody moved. Then the applause rushed towards her. She laughed, breathless, and bowed so low that a strand of hair fell across her face.
How does Rowan Bell use language and structure to convey Mara’s feelings during the performance?
You may find it helpful to consider the opening image, how Mara’s experience changes during the performance, and the ending.
Use relevant subject terminology to support your answer.
146 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE English Language 3.2 Section A: Reading meaning and effects – content, covering 3.2.3 Impact of language, structure and grammar. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.