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English
English @ Kings
Overview of the course
English Language
Paper 1
Macbeth
Jekyll and Hyde
A Christmas Carol
The English Language exam consists of two papers. Paper One consists of: a
retrieval question, a language question, a structural question, an evaluation
question and a fiction writing task.
Paper Two consists of: a retrieval question, a summary question, a language
question, a comparative question and non fiction writing task.
Paper 2
Short stories
Power and Conflict poetry
Unseen poetry
Tips for parents
Useful links and revision tips
 Kahoot revision
English Literature
The English Literature exam consists of two papers. The papers will be based on
your study of five components: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (X Band) /
A Christmas Carol (Y Band), Macbeth, AQA Anthology of Short Stories: Telling
Tales, AQA Poetry Anthology: Power and Conflict section and Unseen
Poetry. Both exam papers will assess your ability to show an understanding of the
writers use of language, methods and style, as well as a secure knowledge of
the texts we have studied.
English @ Kings
Paper 1
Revise for exams with past papers
and use the mark schemes to assess
performance.
Videos
Question One
Question Two
Question Three
Question Four
Practise Exam Question One
Practise Exam Question Two
Practise Exam Question Three
Practise Exam Question Four
Practise Exam Question Five
Question Five
Descriptive
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The extract
It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.
With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony, collected the instruments of life
around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my
feet. It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the
panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the halfextinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard,
and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.
How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch
whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form? His limbs were
in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! -- Great God!
His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair
was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these
luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed
almost of the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his
shrivelled complexion and straight black lips.
The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human
nature. I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life
into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had
desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had
finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled
my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of
the room'.
From chapter 5
Question 1:
Read lines 7-13.
List for things from this part of the text about
Frankenstein’s creature.
[4 marks]
A.
B.
C.
D.
Paper One
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The extract
Question 2:
It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.
With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony, collected the instruments of life
around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my
feet. It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the
panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the halfextinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard,
and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.
How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch
whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form? His limbs were
in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! -- Great God!
His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair
was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these
luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed
almost of the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his
shrivelled complexion and straight black lips.
The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human
nature. I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life
into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had
desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had
finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled
my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of
the room'.
From chapter 5
Take a detailed look at this extract from lines 1-6 of the source:
It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the
accomplishment of my toils. With an anxiety that almost
amounted to agony, collected the instruments of life around
me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing
that lay at my feet. It was already one in the morning; the rain
pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly
burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I
saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard,
and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.
How does the writer use language to describe the weather?
[8 marks]
You could write about:
•
Individual words and phrases
•
Language devices
•
Sentence structures
Paper One
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The extract
It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.
With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony, collected the instruments of life
around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my
feet. It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the
panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the halfextinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard,
and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.
How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch
whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form? His limbs were
in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! -- Great God!
His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair
was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these
luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed
almost of the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his
shrivelled complexion and straight black lips.
The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human
nature. I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life
into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had
desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had
finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled
my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of
the room'.
From chapter 5
Question 3: Answer the question based on the
whole source.
This extract is taken from the climax of the novel.
How has the writer used structure to interest the
reader?
[4 marks]
You may write about:
• What the writer focuses on at the start
• How and why this focus changes throughout
the extract
• Other structural devices
Paper One
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IT WAS on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils. With an
anxiety that almost amounted to agony, collected the instruments of life around me, that I might
infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet. It was already one in the
morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out,
when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature
open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.
How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with
such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form? His limbs were in proportion, and I had
selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! -- Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the
work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of
a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery
eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his
shrivelled complexion and straight black lips.
The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human nature. I had
worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body.
For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far
exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and
breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had
created, I rushed out of the room, continued a long time traversing my bed chamber, unable to
compose my mind to sleep. At length lassitude succeeded to the tumult I had before endured;
and I threw myself on the bed in my clothes, endeavouring to seek a few moments of
forgetfulness. But it was in vain: I slept, indeed, but I was disturbed by the wildest dreams. I
thought I saw Elizabeth, in the bloom of health, walking in the streets of Ingolstadt. Delighted
and surprised, I embraced her; but as I imprinted the first kiss on her lips, they became livid
with the hue of death; her features appeared to change, and I thought that I held the corpse of
my dead mother in my arms; a shroud enveloped her form, and I saw the grave-worms crawling
in the folds of the flannel. I started from my sleep with horror; a cold dew covered my forehead,
my teeth chattered, and every limb became convulsed: when, by the dim and yellow light of the
moon, as it forced its way through the window shutters, I beheld the wretch -- the miserable
monster whom I had created. He held up the curtain of the bed and his eyes, if eyes they may be
called, were fixed on me. His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a
grin wrinkled his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out,
seemingly to detain me, but I escaped, and rushed down stairs. I took refuge in the courtyard
belonging to the house which I inhabited; where I remained during the rest of the night, walking
up and down in the greatest agitation, listening attentively, catching and fearing each sound as if
it were to announce the approach of the demoniacal corpse to which I had so miserably given
life.
Question 4:
You should base your answer on lines 14 to 37.
A student said: “The writer makes it just like you are
inside the room with Dr Frankenstein, experiencing
everything he is experiencing”.
To what extent do you agree?
[20 marks]
You may write about:
• Write about your impressions of Dr Frankenstein
• Analyse how the writer has created these
impressions
• Back up your answer with quotations from the text.
Paper One
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Question 5:
Write a descriptive passage based on this picture.
Paper One
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English @ Kings
Paper 2
Revise for exams with past papers
and use the mark schemes to assess
performance.
Videos
Practise Exam Question One
Practise Exam Question Four
Practise Exam Question Two
Practise Exam Question Five
Practise Exam Question Three
Practise Question Insert
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Question One
Question Two
Question Three
Question Four
Question Five
Question Five
Continued
Question
One
Paper One
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Question
Two
You need to refer to both Source A and Source B for this question:
Use details from both sources. Write a summary of the differences between
Eddie and Henry.
8 Marks
Paper One
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Question
Three
You now need only refer only to Source B, the letter written by Henry to his
father.
How does Henry use language to influence his father?
12 Marks
Paper One
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Question
Four
For this question, you need to refer to the whole of Source A together with the whole of Source B, the
father’s letter to a family friend.
Compare how the two writers convey their different attitudes to parenting and education.
In you answer, you could:
• Compare their different attitudes
• Compare the methods they use to covey their attitudes
• Support your ideas with references to both texts.
16 Marks
Paper One
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Question 5:
‘Teenagers are obsessed with social media
networking sites which have a completely
negative effect on their lives. Social
networking sites should be banned.’
Write an article in which you agree or
disagree with this statement.
Purpose
Audience
Form
Paper Two
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English @ Kings
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Plot overview:
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Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis
Stevenson is a narrative about the complexities of science and
the duplicity of human nature. Dr Jekyll is a kind, wellrespected and intelligent scientist who meddles with the
darker side of science, as he wants to bring out his 'second'
nature.
He does this through transforming himself into Mr Hyde - his
evil alter ego who doesn't repent or accept responsibility for
his evil crimes and ways. Jekyll tries to control his alter ego,
Hyde, and for a while, Jekyll has the power. However, towards
the end of the novel, Hyde takes over and this results in their
deaths.
Character summaries: main
characters
Character summaries: supporting
characters
Themes
Quotations
Practise questions
Edward Hyde
A small, deformed, disgusting man somewhat younger
than Dr. Jekyll who is apparently devoid of a profession.
Lanyon, Utterson and Enfield all describe witnessing
something indefinably evil and horrific in Edward Hyde's
face. He is often compared to animals, implying that he is
not a fully evolved human being. Despite these
descriptions, Hyde is generally civilized in his interactions
with others, most notably Utterson and Lanyon. Dr. Jekyll
describes Hyde as "pure evil," who menaces society at
night, trampling a girl in the street and murdering Sir
Danvers Carew. We learn at the end of the story that
Edward Hyde and Dr. Henry Jekyll are in fact the same
person.
Dr. Henry Jekyll
A prominent middle-aged doctor described as both tall
and handsome. He is also extremely wealthy with a
fortune well over two million dollars. All that know him
describe him as respected and proper. However, as the
novel progresses, we subtly witness his hypocritical
behavior, which Stevenson claimed was Jekyll's fatal flaw.
The doctor's belief that within each human being there
exist forces of good and evil leads to his experiments that
try to separate the two. Although presented as a scientific
experiment, Jekyll undertook this task to allow himself a
release from the respectable guise of Dr. Jekyll. In the
book, Jekyll's voice is only heard in the concluding chapter,
only after being described through the lens of Utterson,
Lanyon, Poole, and Enfield.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
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Character summaries
Mr Utterson
The narrator of the book, Utterson is a middle-aged lawyer, and a man in
which all the characters confide throughout the novel. As an old friend
of Jekyll, he recognizes the changes and strange occurrences of Jekyll
and Hyde, and resolves to further investigate the relationship between
the two men. He is perhaps the most circumspect, respected, and
rational character in the book, and it is therefore significant that we view
Hyde's crimes and Jekyll's hypocrisy through his observant, but generally
sympathetic perspective.
Richard Enfield
Mr. Utterson's cousin, a younger man who is assumed to be slightly
more wild than his respectable and sedate relative. While initially it is
assumed that Enfield will play a large role in this novel as it is he who is
witnesses Hyde's initial crime, Enfield only appears in two scenes. In
both, he walks past Hyde's mysterious door with Mr. Utterson.
Dr. Lanyon
A former friend and colleague of Dr. Jekyll. Ten years before the events in
the novel, he suspended his friendship with Dr. Jekyll because of a
disagreement over scientific endeavors. Lanyon is highly respected,
rational, and values truth and goodness above all else.
Sir Danvers Carew
A highly respected and prominent member of English society
who Edward Hyde brutally murders. Carew is described as
"silver haired" and "gentle."
Mr Guest
Mr. Utterson's law office clerk who discovers the handwriting
similarity between notes from Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll.
Richard Poole
Dr. Jekyll's faithful butler. When fearful for his master's life, Poole
seeks out Mr. Utterson's assistance. The two men discover
Edward Hyde dead in Dr. Jekyll's cabinet and then, from a letter
written by Dr. Jekyll's hand, learn of the doctor's fantastic
experiments.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
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Some of the
themes
Nature and the supernatural
Stevenson shows the binary
opposites of the supernatural and
nature in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
The idea of the supernatural is
evident in Dr Jekyll's experiment
and the release of Mr Hyde into
the world. In contrast, nature or
the natural order is implicit in Dr
Lanyon's horrified response to
Jekyll's experiment.
Duality of human nature
Stevenson writes about the duality of human nature – the idea that
every single human being has good and evil within them. Stevenson
describes how there is a good and an evil side to everyone's
personality, but what is important is how you behave and the
decisions you make. The choices people make determine whether a
person is good or not.
In Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dr Jekyll is a well-respected, intelligent
scientist who secretly has a dark, immoral side to his personality. This
side of his personality is not active, however, he decides to activate it
through his experiments. This side becomes active through the
persona of Mr Hyde - a criminal man who commits cruel acts of
violence against others. Through this change in Jekyll's character,
Stevenson shows the duality in human nature - the idea that
everyone is capable of good and evil deeds.
Scientific development
In the Victorian era, religion was
important to communities and
individuals. Many people believed
that God created the universe and
he was the sole creator, therefore
the principles and the word of the
Bible must be followed.
Due to the society's interest in
religion, people were afraid of
scientific developments and feared
what this would do to mankind.
Charles Darwin wrote the Origins
of the Species in 1859. It was a text
that shook Victorian society and
was condemned and banned due
to its theory that God had not
created the universe as outlined in
the Bible. Consequently, people
were cautious of science and its
developments.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
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‘Dr Jekyll grew pale to the very lips
and there came a blackness to his
eye.’
‘In something less than a fortnight, he was dead.’
‘my shoulders are broad enough to
bare the blame.’
‘He came out of his seclusion.’
Quotations
'The two hands are in many points identical;
only differently sloped.'
'My devil had been long caged and he
came our roaring.'
'The drug is wanted bitter bad.'
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
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Practise question
Starting with this extract, how does Stevenson present Mr Hyde as a frightening outsider?
Write about:
• how Stevenson presents Mr Hyde in this extract
• how Stevenson presents Mr Hyde as a frightening outsider in the novel as a whole.
[30 marks]
‘Common friends!’ echoed Mr Hyde, a little hoarsely. ‘Who are they?’
‘Jekyll, for instance,’ said the lawyer.
‘He never told you,’ cried Mr Hyde, with a flush of anger. ‘I did not think you would have lied.’
‘Come,’ said Mr Utterson, ‘that is not fitting language.’
The other snarled aloud into a savage laugh; and the next moment, with extraordinary
quickness, he had unlocked the door and disappeared into the house.
The lawyer stood awhile when Mr Hyde had left him, the picture of disquietude. Then he began
slowly to mount the street, pausing every step or two and putting his hand to his brow like a
man in mental perplexity. The problem he was thus debating as he walked was one of a class
that is rarely solved. Mr Hyde was pale and dwarfish; he gave an impression of deformity
without any nameable malformation, he had a displeasing smile, he had borne himself to the
lawyer with a sort of murderous mixture of timidity and boldness, and he spoke with a husky
whispering and somewhat broken voice, – all these were points against him; but not all of these
together could explain the hitherto unknown disgust, loathing and fear with which Mr Utterson
regarded him. ‘There must be something else,’ said the perplexed gentleman. ‘There is
something more, if I could find a name for it. God bless me, the man seems hardly human!
Something troglodytic, shall we say? Or can it be the old story of Dr Fell? Or is it the mere
radiance of a foul soul that thus transpires through, and transfigures, its clay continent? The last,
I think; for, O my poor old Harry Jekyll, if ever I read Satan’s signature upon a face, it is on that of
your new friend!’
Complete the exam style
question and ask your
teacher to mark it.
Challenge yourself!
Mark Scheme
Pages 9 -11
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
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English @ Kings
Macbeth
Character summaries: main
characters
Plot Overview
The play opens as three witches plan a meeting with the Scottish nobleman Macbeth, who at that moment
is fighting in a great battle. When the battle is over, Macbeth and his friend Banquo come across the
witches who offer them three predictions: that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of
Scotland, and that Banquo's descendants will become kings.
Banquo laughs at the prophecies but Macbeth is excited, especially as soon after their meeting with the
witches Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan, in return for his bravery in the battle. He writes
to his wife, Lady Macbeth, who is as excited as he is. A messenger tells Lady Macbeth that King Duncan is on
his way to their castle and she invokes evil spirits to help her slay him. Macbeth is talked into killing Duncan
by his wife and stabs him to death. No-one is quite sure who committed this murder and no-one feels safe,
but Macbeth is crowned king.
Now that Macbeth is king he knows the second prediction from the witches has come true, but he starts to
fear the third prediction (that Banquo's descendants will also be kings). Macbeth therefore decides to kill
Banquo and his son, but the plan goes wrong - Banquo is killed but his son escapes. Macbeth then thinks he
is going mad because he sees Banquo's ghost and receives more predictions from the witches. He starts to
become ruthless and kills the family of Macduff, an important lord. Macbeth still thinks he is safe but one
by one the witches' prophecies come true, Lady Macbeth cannot stop thinking about Duncan, becomes
deranged and dies. A large army marches on Macbeth's castle and Macbeth is killed by Macduff.
This is just the basic story and there are lots of extra characters and details you can include. However, do
not fall into the trap of retelling the story in your essay - you will get no marks for it because the examiner
already knows what happens. Instead, use the plot to support your work and ideas. Let's have a look at how
you can do this next.
Character summaries: supporting
characters
Themes
Quotes
Practise questions
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Lady Macbeth:
Macbeth:
Macbeth’s wife, a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power
and position. Early in the play she seems to be the stronger and
more ruthless of the two, as she urges her husband to kill Duncan
and seize the crown. After the bloodshed begins, however, Lady
Macbeth falls victim to guilt and madness to an even greater
degree than her husband. Her conscience affects her to such an
extent that she eventually commits suicide. Interestingly, she and
Macbeth are presented as being deeply in love, and many of Lady
Macbeth’s speeches imply that her influence over her husband is
primarily sexual. Their joint alienation from the world, occasioned
by their partnership in crime, seems to strengthen the attachment
that they feel to each another.
Macbeth is a Scottish general and the thane of Glamis who is led
to wicked thoughts by the prophecies of the three witches,
especially after their prophecy that he will be made thane of
Cawdor comes true. Macbeth is a brave soldier and a powerful
man, but he is not a virtuous one. He is easily tempted into
murder to fulfil his ambitions to the throne, and once he commits
his first crime and is crowned King of Scotland, he embarks on
further atrocities with increasing ease. Ultimately, Macbeth proves
himself better suited to the battlefield than to political intrigue,
because he lacks the skills necessary to rule without being a
tyrant. His response to every problem is violence and murder.
Unlike Shakespeare’s great villains, such as Iago in Othello and
Richard III in Richard III, Macbeth is never comfortable in his role
as a criminal. He is unable to bear the psychological consequences
of his atrocities.
Macbeth
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Character summaries
Banquo:
is Macbeth's close friend and ally. He knows about the witches and their predictions
but doesn't take them seriously at first. Later he thinks more about it, but he is
never tempted in the way Macbeth is. However, he starts to realise how interested
Macbeth is and then gets suspicious of him. Banquo is also presented as a very brave
and completely loyal soldier - even when Macbeth tempts him Banquo makes it
clear he wants to keep his 'allegiance clear' to the king.
Duncan:
is the king at the start of the play. He is presented as a strong ruler. For instance,
when he finds out the first Thane of Cawdor is a traitor, he immediately executes
him and puts Macbeth in his place. He is also perceptive, and knows that you can't
always tell who is a traitor. He is respected by everyone. However, he perhaps leads
Macbeth into thinking about murder - Duncan announces that his son, Malcolm, will
become the next king, and this starts Macbeth thinking of ways he might become
king himself.
Macduff:
is the lord who first finds Duncan's body and who eventually kills Macbeth. He is
seen as completely loyal to Duncan and his country. He is brave, swearing to
investigate the murder and he doesn't go to see Macbeth crowned. This implies
Macduff is already suspicious. He then goes to England to raise an army and his
family are murdered on Macbeth's orders. He convinces Malcolm to join his attack
against Macbeth. He kills Macbeth in the final battle because he is not 'of woman
born' (he was born by caesarean section) - it's as if he has some magical power
because only he can kill Macbeth.
The Witches:
introduce the play and control the mysterious forces of the world.
They know the future and seem to put Macbeth under their spell.
Their magical words are well-known, such as 'Double, double toil and
trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.
The Murderers:
there are two of these (but a third, unknown murderer joins them when
they attack Banquo). They are men who have nothing to lose and will set
their 'life on any chance'. In other words, they are desperate and ready for
anything.
Malcolm:
is Duncan's son and is named as the Prince of Cumberland, so will inherit
the throne from his father. However, when his father is murdered he runs
away to England. He returns later and is convinced by Macduff to join the
attack against Macbeth.
Macbeth
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
False appearances
This important theme is introduced in the witches' chant of
"Fair is foul and foul is fair". There are frequent verbal
paradoxes in the play emphasising this duality, such as
"when the battle's lost and won". This suggests that
something may be good for some people, but bad for
others. To Macbeth, the promises of the witches seem
good, but this is deceptive: actually, they will destroy him.
When Duncan visits Macbeth's castle, he is deceived by the
tranquil atmosphere "This castle hath a pleasant seat; the
air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself".
As king and queen, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth put
on a false front.
Malcolm uses false appearance to test Macduff, first
claiming he is thoroughly wicked to see if Macduff would
support such a person.
Some of the
themes
Bravery
Courage is a theme throughout the play. In the second scene, where
the battle is described, Macbeth's courage is praised to the skies. He is
"Bellona's bridegroom", a metaphor which compares him to Mars, the
god of war.
The first time Macbeth shows fear in the play is when the witches
speak to him: "Why do you start and seem to fear things that do sound
so fair?" asks Banquo. Macbeth is afraid of his own nature, which has
conjured up the "horrid image" of regicide.
When he starts to reconsider killing the king, it is his courage which
Lady Macbeth challenges, asking if will "live a coward?".
Macbeth does come across as truly valiant, however. We cannot help
but admire him for fighting to the last: "I'll fight till from my bones my
flesh be hacked".
Guilt
The idea of guilt appears when:
•
In the murder scene, we see Macbeth tormented by
guilt.
• Macbeth shows his guilty conscience with the idea of
blood-stained hands. Macbeth refers to his own hands
as "hangman's hands“.
• He has arranged Banquo's murder, Macbeth is tortured
by guilt even more.
• In Act 5, we see Lady Macbeth destroyed by the strain
as her guilt becomes revealed for all to see.
• Macbeth meets his nemesis, Macduff, Macbeth finally
faces his guilt.
The nature of the ideal king
The first example is Duncan, who is a good man but not a perfect king.
Macbeth pays tribute to his personal qualities when he considers in his
soliloquy that Duncan has done nothing to deserve his fate. However, as
a king, Duncan has the fatal flaw of being over trusting and gullible.
Furthermore, Banquo would clearly have made a good king, and
Macbeth is jealous of his "royalty of nature", acknowledging his courage
and wisdom.
By contrast, Macbeth is unfit to be a king. He is dishonest and
unscrupulous, happy to blame others for Duncan's murder. He is even
responsible for the killing of Macduff's wife and children. Macbeth
becomes the worst sort of king, a tyrant, whose cruelty drains the life
blood from his country.
Macbeth
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“Yet do I fear thy nature, It is too full o’ th’ milk of human
kindness to catch the nearest way.”
“To know my deed, ’twere best not
know myself.”
“Look like the innocent flower, but be
the serpent under ‘t.”
“Be bloody, bold, and
resolute. Laugh to scorn the
power of man, for none of
woman born shall harm
Macbeth.”
“Here’s the smell of the blood still.
All the perfumes of Arabia will not
sweeten this little hand. “
“Let fall thy blade on
vulnerable crests; I bear a
charmed life, which must not
yield to one of woman born.”
Quotations
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
Macbeth
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Practise question
The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
Starting with this speech,
explain how far you think
Shakespeare presents Lady
Macbeth as a powerful woman.
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe topfull
Of direst cruelty; make thick my blood,
Complete the exam style
question and ask your
teacher to mark it.
Challenge yourself!
Stop up th’access and passage to remorse
Write about:
• how Shakespeare presents
Lady Macbeth in this speech
• how Shakespeare presents
Lady Macbeth in the play as a
whole.
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose nor keep peace between
Th’effect and it. Come to my woman's breasts,
And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers,
Wherever in your sightless substances
Mark Scheme
Pages 9 -11
You wait on nature's mischief. Come, thick night,
[30 marks]
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,
To cry ‘Hold, hold!’
Macbeth
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A Christmas Carol – Y Band
A Christmas Carol Overview
A Christmas Carol is a novella by Charles Dickens about Ebenezer
Scrooge, an old man, who is well-known for his miserable ways.
On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by a series of ghosts, starting
with his old business partner, Jacob Marley. The three spirits which
follow, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and
Christmas Yet to Come, show Scrooge how his mean behaviour has
affected those around him. At the end of the story he is relieved to
discover that there is still time for him to change and we see him
transformed into a generous and kind-hearted human being.
Character summaries: main
characters
Character summaries: supporting
characters
Themes
Quotes
Practise questions
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Character summaries
Scrooge:
Scrooge is the main character of Dickens's novella and is first
presented as a miserly, unpleasant man. He rejects all offerings of
Christmas cheer and celebration as 'Humbug!'.
On Christmas Eve he is visited by the ghost of his old business
partner, Jacob Marley, who warns that he will be visited by three
ghosts. Each of the ghosts shows him a scene that strikes fear and
regret into his heart and eventually he softens.
By the end of the story, Scrooge is a changed man, sharing his
wealth and generosity with everyone.
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come:
The final Ghost is frightening and eerie. It doesn't say a word to Scrooge,
but glides along and points out scenes to him.
The spirit first shows Scrooge a funeral scene, with businessmen
wondering about the money that the dead man has left. The Ghost then
takes him through dark alleyways to a scene of three people picking
through the belongings of the deceased. Scrooge recognises that his
own death could be met this way.
Next the Ghost takes him to the Cratchit household where Scrooge is
upset to realise that Tiny Tim has died.
Finally the Ghost shows him a tombstone engraved with the name:
Ebenezer Scrooge. Clutching at the spirit's robes, Scrooge pledges to
change his ways if he can avoid this solitary death. The Ghost disappears
and leaves Scrooge clutching at his bed curtains.
Ghost of Christmas Past:
The Ghost of Christmas Past is the first spirit to visit Scrooge after the ghost
of Marley. It arrives as the clock chimes one. It is an ephemeral spirit that
appears to be both old and young at the same time with light streaming
from the top of its head.
It takes Scrooge to scenes from his own past, showing him visions of his own
childhood, of his young adulthood and of happier times. The final scene he
presents is one that Scrooge cannot bear to witness: his lost love, Belle, with
her family.
Scrooge turns on the ghost and demands to be shown no more. He attempts
to extinguish the ghost's light with its own cap, wrestling it to the ground.
However, the light that shines from the ghost cannot be put out.
Ghost of Christmas Present:
The Ghost of Christmas Present is a huge and vibrant character who appears as the
bell, once again, strikes one. It appears in Scrooge's room, surrounded by a feast.
The generous nature of this ghost is reflected in the abundant vision of food.
Scrooge is more humble in the presence of this second spirit and is willing to learn
any lessons the ghost will show.
It shows Scrooge visions of the world on Christmas Day, including heart-warming
scenes of celebration at the homes of Bob Cratchit and Scrooge's nephew, Fred.
Before it leaves Scrooge, the Ghost shows him two 'yellow, meagre' children who
are hiding under its cloak. These are called Ignorance and Want and are a warning
to Scrooge to change his ways.
A Christmas Carol
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Bob Cratchit:
Bob Cratchit is Scrooge's clerk and works in unpleasant conditions without
complaint. He obeys Scrooge's rules and is timid about asking to go home
to his family early on Christmas Eve.
When the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to visit the Cratchits
on Christmas Day, he sees Bob Cratchit carrying his sickly son Tiny Tim, and
later raising a toast to Scrooge for providing the feast.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows the Cratchits in a future where
Tiny Tim has died and here we see how sensitive Bob Cratchit is. His love
for his son is shown through his grief.
In the end, when Scrooge changes his ways for the better, Bob Cratchit is
delighted. He welcomes Scrooge's new-found generosity and friendship.
Fred:
Fred is Scrooges Nephew. Throughout the novella Fred’s
qualities are:
Cheerful
Generous
Kind-hearted
Tiny Tim:
Tiny Tim is one of Bob Cratchit's sons. He walks with a crutch and has 'his
limbs supported by an iron frame'. Despite his physical difficulties, he is a
positive and generous child. He thinks of others and is well-loved by his
family.
Scrooge is affected by the child and when he is shown the Cratchit family
Christmas by the Ghost of Christmas Present, he worries whether Tiny Tim
will live. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows a possible future in
which Scrooge's fears are realised and Tiny Tim has died.
At the end of the novella, after Scrooge changes his character, we learn
that he becomes like a second father to Tiny Tim.
A Christmas Carol
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Redemption is the idea of being saved from sin or
evil. In Scrooge we see a man who is transformed
from a greedy, selfish miser into a generous and
good-natured character by the end.
He is shown the error of his ways by the ghosts that
visit him and is redeemed by his own willingness to
change. The moral message of the novella is that all
human beings have the opportunity to behave in
kinder ways towards each other.
How is the theme of redemption shown in the
novella?
In A Christmas Carol Dickens shows the theme of
redemption through:
Scrooge beginning as miserable and miserly
Scrooge seeing the error of his ways
Scrooge transforming and redeeming himself
Christmas is a Christian celebration of the birth of Christ,
though it also encompasses Greek, Roman and pagan
traditions of giving gifts and feasting around the Winter
Solstice. It is a time when families and friends come
together to share food and exchange gifts.
Dickens wrote this novella before Christmas 1843. The
story of Scrooge takes place on Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day and uses the ideas of generosity and
compassion that we associate with Christmas to highlight
the transformation of the main character. We see Scrooge
change from a miserly man, contrasting with the spirit of
Christmas, to someone who is full of joy.
Some of the
themes
Social injustice
Dickens felt strongly that Victorian society ignored the poverty
of its underclass. On the one hand were the rich who enjoyed
comfort and feasting at Christmas, and on the other were
children forced to live in dreadful conditions in workhouses.
How is the theme of social injustice shown in the novella?
In A Christmas Carol Dickens shows the theme of social
injustice through:
•Scrooge refusing to give money to the poor
•the characters of Ignorance and Want
•thieves dividing up Scrooge's belongings
A Christmas Carol
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“A merry Christmas,
Uncle! God save you!
Cried a joyful voice.”
“self-contained, and solitary as
an oyster”
“Hard and sharp as flint”
“but he was a tightfisted hand at the
grindstone, Scrooge!”
“The fog and frost so
hung about the black
old gateway of the
house”
Quotations
"Many can't go there;
and many would
rather die."
"Merry Christmas!
What right have you
to be merry? What
reason have you to be
merry? You're poor
enough."
A Christmas Carol
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Practise question
Starting with this
extract, how does
Dickens present Scrooge
as an outsider to
society?
Write about:
• how Dickens presents
Scrooge in this extract
• how Dickens presents
Scrooge as an outsider
to society in the novel as
a whole.
[30 marks]
External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. No
warmth could warm, nor wintry weather chill him. No
wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was
more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to
entreaty. Foul weather didn't know where to have him.
The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could
boast of the advantage over him in only one respect.
They often ‘came down’ handsomely, and Scrooge never
did.
Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with
gladsome looks, ‘My dear Scrooge, how are you? When
will you come to see me?’ No beggars implored him to
bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was o’clock,
no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the
way to such and such a place, of Scrooge. Even the
blindmen's dogs appeared to know him; and when they
saw him coming on, would tug their owners into
doorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails
as though they said, ‘No eye at all is better than an evil
eye, dark master!’
But what did Scrooge care? It was the very thing he liked.
To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning
all human sympathy to keep its distance, was what the
knowing ones call ‘nuts’ to Scrooge.
Complete the exam style
question and ask your
teacher to mark it.
Challenge yourself!
Mark Scheme
Pages 9 -11
A Christmas Carol
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English @ Kings
Power and Conflict
Kamikaze
By Beatrice Garland
Ozymandias
By Percy Bysshe Shelley
Extract from, The Prelude
By William Wordsworth
My Last Duchess
By Robert Browning
Storm on the Island
By Seamus Heaney
London
By William Blake
The Charge of the Light Brigade
By Alfred Lord Tennyson
Exposure
By Wilfred Owen
Bayonet Charge
By Ted Hughes
Remains
By Simon Armitage
Poppies
By Jane Weir
War Photographer
By Carol Ann Duffy
Tissue
By Imtiaz Dharker
The Emigree
By Carol Rumens
Checking Out Me History
By John Agard
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English @ Kings
Unseen poetry
How to annotate
unseen poetry
Part One
How to annotate
unseen poetry
Part Two
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English @ Kings
Short stories
The Darkness Out There
By Penelope Lively
My Polish Teacher’s Tie
By Helen Dunmore
A Family Supper
By Kazuo Ishiguro
Korea
By John McGahern
Odour of Chrysanthemums
By DH Lawrence
English Literature Paper 2 – Section
2 hours 15 minutes
It’s worth 60% of your GCSE Literature.
Choice of two questions – you will answer one only.
You will be required to write in detail about two different
stories from Telling Tales.
One of the stories will be named in the question.
The other you can choose.
Chemistry
By Graham Swift
Invisible Mass of the Back Row
By Claudette Williams
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The Darkness Out There
by Penelope Lively
1. Which details in the first three lines tell us that this is a rural setting?
2 Minutes
2. Does the writer want us to think that the place is pleasant? How do you know?
3 Minutes
3. What work do Pat and Sandra
do?
1 Minute
4. How does the description of Pat contrast with the description of Sandra?
4 Minutes
5. How had Sandra become involved in the voluntary work in the first place?
3 Minutes
Let’s have a look at what you need to
consider to get that level
Challenge Yourself!
• Level 5 - I can explain how Mrs
Rutter is presented and how her
character develops.
• Level 6 - I can discuss and justify
how Mrs Rutter is presented and
how her character develops.
• Level 7 - I can evaluate the
impact of how Mrs Rutter is
presented and how her character
develops and changes.
Short Stories
Home
In your books,
develop a diagram
showing the
structure of ‘A
Family Supper’
A Family Supper
By Kazuo Ishiguro
Structural Analysis: ‘Ishiguro leaves
numerous clues to suggest that the
father is planning to kill his children.’
Do you agree? Respond with reference
to the text.
Writer’s Intentions: What is the
significance of the ghost story present
in the text?
Evaluation: How effectively does
Ishiguro present the relationships
between the characters throughout the
story?
How does Ishiguro build tension in the
story? Think about how he reveals
information to the reader.
Short Stories
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Chemistry
by Graham Swift
Read from line 13, which begins ‘As it moved it seemed that it followed an actual existing line…’ to the end of the paragraph.
Compare what the narrator says here to lines 191 – 194.
How might these two ideas be connected?
In the final sentence of this paragraph the narrator tells us, ‘I wanted to be told simple, precise facts’. Why?
The story is told from the point of view of a ten year old boy. How does this affect our understanding of the narrators version of
events?
Re-read lines 72 – 89.
How does the narrator connect the death of his father to the death of his Grandmother here?
How does the narrator present this time in his life in these lines?
What happens to change this?
Finally think about line 143, which begins, ‘I don’t think Grandfather practised chemistry’ and compare it to line 146. Is
this a deliberate contradiction?
Also read lines 177 – 179. What might the image of gold here symbolise?
Short Stories
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Invisible Mass of the Back Row
by Claudette Williams
Key questions after reading:
1.Summarise the story in 140 characters.
2.What qualities describe Hortense?
3. Why does Hortense not like Lorna?
4. Why is teacher Edwards different to the others?
5. Why does Lorna say that Hortense is often on the back row?
6. What impression do you get of the school in Jamaica?
7. What details indicate that the lunch women are more pleasant
than Miss Henderson and the inspector.
8. What are the main activities for the students at the school in
England?
9. How does the writer use physical description to create
character?
10. Why are the historical references relevant? Research what Short Stories
you need to.
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Korea
By John McGahern
Four students were asked what they thought was the most important
theme of ‘Korea’. They replied:
It’s about the ways in
which young people
grow up and move on,
leaving old people
behind them.
What evidence do you think
these four students could give
to support their ideas?
What do you think the main
theme(s) of the story are?
It’s about the end of a
simple, rural way of
life and a man who
cannot accept that his
own importance is
diminished.
It’s about how a father
is prepared to help his
own son to be killed so
that he can claim the
insurance money and
have a better life.
It’s about the ways
youth and innocence die
and are often murdered
by forces that are
inherently evil and allpowerful.
Short Stories
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Odour of Chrysanthemums
By DH Lawrence
Themes, Symbols and Motifs – What’s the difference?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Death
Grief
Relationships
Change
Isolation
Marriage
•
•
•
•
•
Fire
Ice
Darkness
Suffocation
Chrysanthemums
The Challenge: Foreshadowing.
Find the quotations about John’s clothes and
Annie’s hair, what could they foreshadow?
Short Stories
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My Polish Teacher’s Tie
By Helen Dunmore
Question Time
 Can personal identity change? How?
 What do you think is the most important aspect of Carla’s identity?
 Does this change at any point in the story?
 Who initiates these changes? Is this important?
 What is the significance of this quotation in relation to Carla’s
identity?
 ‘he sang a song I knew. It went through me like a knife through
butter. A Polish song. I knew it, I knew it.’
 How would you describe the relationship between Carla and her
Polish heritage? Find three quotations that demonstrate this.
Short Stories
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English @ Kings
Tips for parents
In the time leading up to the exams its can be an extremely stressful time for your child. To help you and your
child at this important time, here are a few tips that you can use to help aid with effective revision.
Click on this link, to
download the
quotation sheet to
help your child.
Encourage you child to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
attend revision sessions after school.
create revision tools, such as mind mapping.
use the revision guides that are available to consolidate their knowledge. Some of the revision guides that are
available have been listed for you: CGP English Language Revision, CPG English Literature Revision, AQA
English Language Revision and AQA English Literature Revision.
use the websites that are available to consolidate their knowledge.
practise mock questions in a timed environment.
find and memorise quotes from each short story, poem and novel to ensure they have a large amount of
evidence to include in their work.
attempt questions that they find difficult then to ask their teacher for feedback.
You can also quiz your child quickly and regularly such as: give me a quote about Macbeth.
Click on this link, to
download the
spellings sheet to
help your child.
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English @ Kings
Useful links and revision tips
BBC BITESIZE
SPARK NOTES
AQA Website
(Language)
AQA Website
(Literature)
SHMOOP
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English @ King’s
Kahoot Revision
Quiz codes
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (6106974)
Macbeth (1412202)
A Christmas Carol (5021558)
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