2007-2008 F.5 Mock Examination

Suggested answers

Section A: Prose1. Discuss the importance of 'footsteps' in the novel.

● 'Footsteps' is a synecdoche of a mob, whose destructive power is a central idea in the novel.

● 'Footsteps' can be found in France due to the uprising of the revolutionists, but 'echo of footsteps' can be heard as far away as England metaphorically, due to the fact that the events in France directly influences those in England, especially the Manette's family. (Ref. Book 2 'Hundred of people' about Manette's house)

●Discussion of the titles of the chapters: e.g.'Hundreds of people', 'Echoing footsteps', 'The footsteps die out forever'

This adds to the immediacy of the action, as if the footsteps are constantly approaching, and then die out at the end with the conclusion of the story.

● 'Footsteps', since related to the mob, is also intricately linked to unstoppable natural elements like 'the sea', 'fire' and so.

Section B: Prose

2. In the 1935 film version of the novel, Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton are played by different actors. However, in the BBC version, the two characters are played by the same actor. Which choice do you prefer? Can your choice enhance the important theme(s) of the novel?

It is better to have one actor playing both characters because this can enhance the theme of duality and resurrection.

Duality: Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton resemble one another and are like mirror images. However, their personalities and circumstances are different. By having the same actor (provided that he is a good one!), the audience can see the same face, but the two characters are essentially different.

Resurrection: Both characters are recalled to life. Darnay is recalled to life twice by Carton, while Carton is recalled to life by Lucie when he has already had no hope in his life. More importantly, since Darnay and Carton look alike, the self-sacrifice of Carton leads to life in Darnay. In Carton's imaginary speech in the end, we also learn that Darnay's son is also named after Sydney Carton. So though Carton is dead, he is somehow 'recalled to life' through the lives of Darnay and his son.

Practicality: The resemblance of the two characters does not only serve the theme of the novel, but also serves a practical purpose necessary to the advancement in the plot. Darnay can be recalled to life on both occasions due to the resemblance in the appearance of the two. Should the two not be played by the same actor, it would be rather hard for the audience to accept the fact that Darnay can be saved

(For example, is it as believable in the 1935 version when Darnay is tall and handsome while Carton is...?)

Section A: Prose3. After the death of Sydney Carton, you, as a

reporter, interview Mr. Stryver, Charles Darnay and Lucie, and any other character you wish, about Carton. You plan to write a feature article about Carton to find out what kind of person he really was. Write the article.

● Remember to include an interesting title and introduction (remember what you've learnt in the English lessons?)

● Remember to incorporate the interviews into the article, which you are asked to write.

- You must include at least three people, namely Mr. Stryver, Charles Darnay and Lucie.

- Not only can you portray Carton, you can also describe the interviewees through the dialogues and actions (e.g. Showing that Mr. Stryver is a bit arrogant; Lucie fainted when mentioning Carton; Darnay felt regretful because Carton had asked to be his friend but he had not been really enthusiastic about it, Darnay should also be grateful for all the things that Carton had done.)

Section B: PoetrySection B(a)

4. With reference to A Hard Frost and The Shipwreck, answer the following questions.

(i) What do the poems have to say about nature?(8 marks)

●Seasonal changes, the cycle of life -

A Hard Frost: Winter to early Spring;

The Shipwreck: Summer to Winter●The violence/death in/of nature-

A Hard Frost: 'this flounce and filigree of death'

The Shipwreck: the storm and wave killing forty

(ii) Discuss the change in mood and tone in the poems.(8 marks)

A Hard Frost: from -ve to +ve at the end;

From Anger, irritation ('precocious', 'Mockery spring', 'death') to hope and optimism.

Compared to Poem A, The Shipwreck: from +ve to - ve;

From joy and excitement (Exclamation marks, 'Glee') to sadness

(iii) Comment on one poetic technique in poem A.(3 marks)

(iv) Comment on one sound effect in poem B.(3 marks)

Any possible answer + explanation

5. With reference to 5 Ways to Kill a Man and The Soldier, answer the following questions.

(i) Discuss how 'war' is presented in the two poems.(8 marks)

5 Ways to Kill a man The Soldier

1 More than 1 way Just 1 way2 Details the mechanism of war Nil3 Matter-of-fact Patriotic45 We can see the ugliness of war No ugliness of war is mentioned;

We only know about the motherland

A 3rd person account A 1st person account

(ii) Comment on the different tones of the two poems. (8 marks)

5 Ways to Kill a Man The Soldier1 Emotionless Patriotic2 Matter-of-fact Romantic and poetic language3 Pragmatic

(No emotive adjectives)

(iii) Discuss the use of enjambment in poem A.(3 marks)

The different uses of enjambement:

- to mimic an action;

- to put the emphasis on the first words of lines;

- To create suspense or tension.

Illustrate the above with examples.

(iv) Comment on one poetic technique in poem B.(3 marks)

Any possible answer + explanation

Section B: PoetrySection B(b)

i) Discuss how the human qualities and emotions are presented in the poem. (5 marks)

The terms used are mostly -ve

(+ve: pity, mercy vs. -ve: fear, selfish, cruelty, deceit)

The accumulation and growing of these -ve qualities is discussed in the poem.

ii) Describe the poetic technique used to describe Cruelty in stanzas 2 and 3. (3 marks)

Either personification is used and Cruelty is described as a hunter preparing a snare and baits, or metaphor is used and Cruelty is described as a spider knitting its web and preparing the baits.

In any case, Cruelty is described as scheming hunter/predator and Man is the prey.

iii) Comment on the 'Tree' discussed in the poem. (3 marks)

The Tree:

- grows out of -ve emotions;

- is a culmination of selfishness and deceit;

- is a biblical allusion to tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden.

(The Book of Genesis).

Section C: Drama

7. In what ways have you found A Midsummer Night's Dream interesting as a play for dramatic performance?● Define the key terms: what does it mean by 'dramatic performance'? ● Dramatic performance – an actual performance of a drama on stage.● So you should focus on those elements that make MND interesting when it is performed on stage.

● The visual effects e.g. Bottom's transformation into a donkey; Bottom as a donkey falling in love with Titania, the fairy queen;

● Gags, jokes and malapropisms e.g.

Flute as Thisbe describing the soon-to-be transformed Bottom as 'As truest horse' (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 95);

Bottom walking around with a donkey's head while saying that the others want to make an ass of him.

● Play-within-the-play: The audience watches MND, wherein another play Pyramus and Thisbe is simultaneously performed. (The audience watches the audience that watches the play-within-the-play Pyramus and Thisbe) This makes the performance more thought-provoking and interesting and prompts the audience to think about the essence of theatre.

8. You are an Athenian drama expert. Peter Quince has sent you a letter telling you about the details of the preparation of Pyramus and Thisbe and asking you for your advice on how to solve some technical problems. Write a letter of reply to Peter Quince.

Remember to have the proper format (a formal letter – again, do you still remember the English lessons?)

You should include 'Dear Mr. Quince', Subject Re:, 'Yours sincerely' and you own name.

Basically you should focus on Act 3 Scene 1 about the mechanicals' preparation. How can you solve the problems below?

● The fear of Pyramus killing himself on stage in front of the ladies. A prologue is to be added;

● The fear of the lion roaring. Bottom's idea is to name the name of the actor and reveal half the face. Another prologue is to be added;

● Creating moonlight. The decision is to have a man holding a lantern;

● Creating the wall. The decision is to have someone in a costume holding up his fingers to signify the hole that Pyramus and Thisbe talk through.

Customer Wishes

● Describe customer needs and wishes● Explain the requirements

Fulfilling Customer Needs

● Describe the main attributes of the product● Link the product attributes to customer needs

Cost Analysis

● Indicate the financial advantages for the customer● Compare quality and price with those of the

competition

Strengths and Advantages

● Summarize the special features and advantages of the product being introduced

Next Steps of Action

● Explain the steps that now need to be taken