📖 The Geologist and the Handful of Gravel
📖 The Geologist and the Handful of Gravel
A geologist does not look at a mountain. She picks up one stone, holds it to the light, and reads an entire chapter of history from its layers and crystals. The tourist walks past saying: “nice mountain.” The geologist walks away knowing exactly how old the sea was that deposited it.
In AQA Q2, the tourist answer names the mountain (“the writer uses descriptive language”). The geologist answer holds one word to the light and stays there until the meaning comes out. That is one-word focus. It is the single most reliable habit separating Grade 5 from Grade 7.
English Language glossary
- What is one-word focus and how many sentences does it require?
- <strong>One-word focus</strong> means selecting the most interesting single word from a phrase and writing at least two distinct analytical sentences about it before moving on.<br><br><strong>One sentence</strong> identifies a connotation (Level 3 at most). <strong>Two or more sentences</strong> mine multiple layers (register, alternative choices, contradiction) and reach Level 4.<br><br><strong>The rule:</strong> if you can only write one sentence about a word, you have not yet zoomed in far enough. The examiner is looking for evidence that you have held the word to the light — turned it over, read its layers, asked why this word and not another.
The principle: once you have selected a word, you should be able to write at least two distinct analytical sentences about it before moving on. If you can only write one sentence, you have not yet zoomed in far enough.
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 9
The one-word focus principle says you should write at least two sentences about a single word before moving on. Why?
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