How can I get better at commenting on passages from my set texts?

This is one of the most difficult questions in the exam, because it requires both linguistic knowledge and a literary appreciation of the text. In question 2a of Section B in the current format of A2 Latin, you are asked to answer a question about a specific passage which you are given in Latin. The question usually asks how the poet achieves a certain effect. The first trick here is to have prepared the text in the right way. A memorisation of the translation, for example, whilst perhaps just good enough to get you through the translation question, will not furnish you with enough knowledge to comment intelligently on a passage of Latin. By contrast, If you really understand how the words fit together, then you will be able to make points about the grammar and style even if you do not know a lot of technical words (eg. "alliteration" etc.). It is important not to be too general in answering these questions: that will suggest to the examiner that you are not well acquainted with the Latin that is in front of you. Quote from the Latin as evidence for every point that you make. It is important to go beyond giving some kind of summary of the passage. Sentences of the kind "Virgil says that..." are not fully engaging with the question. Your job as commentator here is to draw the link between the Latin that you quote and the effect that it has. If you neglect to do this for any point in your answer, then you will not get the full benefit of your observation.To do as well as you possibly can, you should aim to go into the exam knowing the significance of each part of your set text. A tutor can be useful in helping you to identify this.If you have spent time with the text and are familiar with it, then the rest will be a question of technique.