English Literature Examination

An Inspector Calls

AO1• Respond to texts critically and imaginatively;

select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations. (12.5%)

AO2• Explain how language, structure and form

contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings. (12.5%)

The examination

The examination is 45 minutes longThere is a choice of two questions – you only do

oneThe first question is based on an extract printed

in the examination paperThe second question does not have an extract so

it requires you to decide on which part of the play you will use

Last summer, the results for this examination were extremely disappointing, resulting in a very large number of boys having to resit in January

Obviously, this makes life difficult as the boys have to sit an examination a year after they began to study the text; six months after the initial examination and without lesson time to prepare

What went wrong . . . ?

We recalled a selection of examination responses from the board to see exactly why our students did not achieve their potential

We found the marking to be fair and accurate – the problems lay in some rather basic errors on the part of the students

Advice

Boys who chose the extract question achieved better marks than those who chose the open question

45 minutes is not long enough to waste time flicking through your clean copy of the play

45 minutes is not enough time to write about the whole play

Advice cont.

However, you do need to focus on the extract

The exam board’s advice is to only bring in references to two other parts of the play, perhaps what immediately precedes the extract and what follows

Use the question to guide you

Advice cont.

This is a play text and must be written about as

a drama performance – consider and quote from the stage directions, for example

Consider dramatic tension, dramatic irony, who is on stage at any moment, lighting, structure of scenes, impact on an audience, etc.

Advice cont.

Keep a focus on the question and the extract – avoid going off on a tangent. It is obviously essential to refer closely to the text, using quotations to support your point.

Make sure quotations are relevant and analysed / explored in detail.

Important

Quality of Written Communication is assessed in this paper. Candidates are expected to:

• ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation

and grammar are accurate so that meaning is clear; • present information in a form that suits its purpose; • use a suitable structure and style of writing.