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Sutton · FIRST-STAGE SET-STYLE

Sutton SET-style English Paper 1

The Bench by the Window · Original timed practice

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50minutes
50questions
£5total price

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Read original texts closely, weigh evidence and explore how language creates meaning. Topic feedback separates the skills practised in this particular paper.

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English · Inference

A moment at the harbour

The harbour clock had stopped at six. Below it, Priya tested the knot on the little boat twice, although the water was as still as glass. Grandad waited on the quay, holding the brass key to the clock tower.

“No hurry,” he said. “The clock can wait another minute.” Priya smiled, checked that the painter would not snag beneath the boat, and climbed the steps to join him.

Which quality does Priya show most clearly?

Choose one answer.

  1. AImpatience
  2. BCarefulness
  3. CJealousy
  4. DIndifference
  5. EPride
Show answer and explanation

B: Carefulness

Priya tests the knot twice and checks the rope before leaving. These actions show careful attention, even when the water is calm.

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What this paper practises

Spelling: suffixesSpelling: unstressed vowelsSpelling: doubled consonantsSpelling: word meaningSpelling: unusual letter patternsSpelling: word endingsRetrieval: character aimsLanguage: personificationRetrieval: necessary repairsVocabulary in contextInference: initial judgementEvidence and certaintyInference: changed perspectiveRetrieval: decisionsSequence of eventsInference: response to praiseInference: significance of an eventNarrative viewpointInference: endingLanguage: metaphorRetrieval and inference: changes of planEvidence: qualified statementsSyntax: punctuation and explanationLanguage: a repeated ideaSyntax: subordinate and main clausesWhole-text understandingPurpose and audienceRetrieval: paired prioritiesEvidence and inferenceRetrieval: assessing conditionCause and effectLanguage: figurative meaningComparison within a textRetrieval: risksArgument: qualificationComparison: shared themeComparison: presenting peopleComparison: form and methodComparison: functions of questionsComparison: implied and explicit meaningComparison: opening structureComparison: toneComparison: figurative and literal language

Know the format

Independent first-stage Sutton SET-style practice: 50 original questions in 50 minutes, with advisory 5/25/10/10-minute section pacing. This is an Exam Quay paper, not an official paper or a claim about official question counts. Every question is worth one mark; select exactly the stated number of answers. Exact-set scoring is used, with no partial credit or negative marking. Official SET multiple-answer scoring is not reproduced. This does not cover the separate written second stage.

Sutton SET format and official sources ↗

These are original independent practice questions. The question count and 50-minute duration shown here are this paper’s practice specification. Read the collection guide for the official format and the differences. The schools may change their exam arrangements.

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