Common Mistake - Stop Ignoring the Question Keywords
The hidden mistake: ignoring the question's keywords.
You write a decent answer, but it completely misses what the question is actually asking. Instead of answering precisely, you go off on a general tangent.
Example question: "How does Shakespeare present Macbeth as a complex character?"
You: "Macbeth is a brave warrior but later becomes evil."
Examiner: "Okay, but where is the complex part?"
Why This Destroys Marks
Examiners look for precision. If you do not address the key words in the question (for example, complex character), you will not hit the assessment objectives that give you top marks.
Your job is not just to talk about the text - it's to answer the exact question on the page, using those key words to shape every part of your paragraph.
🧠 Quick Recap
- Don't ignore the question's keywords.
- General answers = safe but low marks.
- Precise answers that repeat and explore keywords are what unlock top-band marks.
