Provide one textual evidence with reference to paragraph 4 to prove the following: You are ready to come with us.
Provide one textual evidence with reference to paragraph 4 to prove the following: You are ready to come with us.
One valid textual evidence: 'We've been watching you.'
This line, spoken by the radiant gulls, shows they had observed Jonathan's growth and progress over time, confirming that his readiness to move on was genuinely earned rather than sudden or arbitrary.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark for quoting/paraphrasing an appropriate line from paragraph 4 — e.g., 'We've been watching you' or 'You have learned much but there is more' — that logically supports his readiness.
Hint
Look for the line where the radiant gulls explain how they know Jonathan is ready.
Quick Oral Answer
'We've been watching you' is the clearest evidence — it shows the radiant gulls had monitored Jonathan's growth before declaring him ready.
Analysis & Explanation
Concept: This is a text-evidence question — students must quote or closely paraphrase a specific line from paragraph 4 that logically supports the given statement.
Best evidence and why: 'We've been watching you' works because it implies sustained, deliberate observation of Jonathan's development, which justifies their conclusion that he is 'ready'. An equally valid alternative is 'You have learned much but there is more', which acknowledges his accomplishment while confirming the next stage awaits.
Exam trap: A common error is quoting Jonathan's question 'Where?' as evidence — this shows his curiosity, not proof of his readiness, and would not earn the mark.
Common Mistakes
- 1Quoting an irrelevant line (e.g., Jonathan's question 'Where?') that does not actually prove readiness.
- 2Paraphrasing too loosely without staying grounded in paragraph 4's actual wording.
- 3Writing a full explanation instead of directly citing the required evidence, which wastes time for a 1-mark question.
Interesting Facts
The technique of 'textual evidence' questions mirrors real-world critical reading skills tested in international exams like IELTS and the SAT, where quoting exact supporting lines is a core skill.
In the original 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' novella, the guiding gulls are explicitly described as having 'perfect, flawless' wings — reinforcing their symbolic, near-divine status even more than in this adapted extract.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best quote to use as evidence here?
'We've been watching you' is the strongest evidence, as it shows sustained observation justifying the claim that Jonathan is ready.
Can 'You have learned much but there is more' also be used?
Yes, this is an equally valid alternative, as it acknowledges his learning while confirming that a further stage awaits him.