Professional Documents
Culture Documents
June 2004
(a) ‘Snobbish, self-centred and patronising …’ Consider the role and characterisation of Emma
Woodhouse in the light of this criticism of her.
(b) Write a critical appreciation of the following passage, relating it to Austen’s methods and
concerns in the novel as a whole.
“Harriet,” cried Emma, collecting herself resolutely, “let us understand each other
now, without the possibility of further mistake. Are you speaking of—Mr. Knightley?”
From Chapter 47
November 2004
(a) How important are social and class distinctions to the meaning and effect of the novel as a
whole?
(b) Write a critical appreciation of the following passage, giving particular attention to Austen’s
handling of dialogue.
“How much I am obliged to you,” said he, “for telling me to come today! If it had
“Ah! well—to be sure. Yes, I see what she means” (turning to Mr. Knightley), “and
I will try to hold my tongue. I must make myself very disagreeable, or she would not
have said such a thing to an old friend.”
Chapter 43
June 2005
(a) ‘It is his kindness and good sense that separate him from the other men in the novel.’ Discuss
the role and characterisation of Mr Knightley in the light of this comment.
(b) Write a critical appreciation of the following passage from Emma, relating it to Austen’s
methods and concerns in the novel as a whole.
Presently Mr. Knightley looked back, and came and sat down by her. They talked at
November 2005
(a) ‘The novel is structured around Emma’s progress into moral and emotional maturity.’
Discuss this comment on the novel Emma.
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(b) By close reference to the language and tone of the following passage from the first chapter of
Emma, discuss its significance to the novel as a whole.
Mr. Knightley shook his head at her. Her father fondly replied, “Ah! my dear, I
June 2006
(a) ‘Emma’s view of Harriet is that she was not clever but she had a sweet, docile, grateful
disposition.’
Consider Harriet’s relationship with Emma in the light of this comment.
(b) Write a critical appreciation of the following passage, relating it to Austen’s methods and
concerns in the novel as a whole.
November 2006
(a) ‘Had she intended ever to marry him, it might have been worth while to pause and consider,
and try to understand the value of his preference, and the character of his temper.’
Discuss the significance of the relationship between Emma and Frank Churchill in the light of this
comment.
(b) Discuss the effects of the language, tone and dialogue in the following passage.
Soon afterwards Mr. Elton quitted them, and she could not but do him the
(a) Emma tells Mr Knightley that ‘such a girl as Harriet is exactly what every man delights in.’
Discuss the role and characterisation of Harriet Smith in the light of this comment.
(b) Paying close attention to the language, tone and narrative techniques, discuss the following
passage, showing what it contributes to your understanding of Austen’s methods and concerns.
From that moment, Emma could have taken her oath that Mr. Knightley had had
‘I must have asked Miss Fairfax, and her languid dancing would not have
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agreed with me, after yours.’
Volume 2, Chapter 8
(a) Mr Knightley says of Emma: ‘I am not to be talked out of my dislike of her intimacy with Harriet
Smith or my dread of its doing them both harm.’
Discuss the significance of the relationship between Harriet and Emma in the light of Mr
Knightley’s comment.
(b) Paying close attention to the details of the writing, discuss the following passage, showing what
it contributes to your understanding of Emma, Mr Elton and their relationship.
It would be impossible to say what Emma felt, on hearing this — which of all her
(a) Compare and contrast the roles and characterisation of Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax.
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and narrative techniques, discuss the following
passage, showing what it contributes to your understanding of Austen’s methods and concerns.
She was just as determined when the morrow came, and went early, that
She will be extremely sorry to miss seeing you, Miss Woodhouse, but your kindness will
excuse her.’
Volume 3, Chapter 8
(a) Discuss Austen’s presentation of different attitudes to social class and status in
Emma.
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and narrative methods, discuss the
following passage, showing what it contributes to Austen’s presentation of Emma.
The hair was curled, and the maid sent away, and Emma sat down to think and
be miserable
(a) Emma says to Harriet: ‘I could not have visited Mrs Robert Martin, of Abbey-Mill
Farm.’
In the light of this comment discuss the significance of social class and status in the
novel Emma.
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(b) Paying close attention to Austen’s methods of characterisation, discuss the following
passage, showing what it contributes to your understanding of Mr Knightley’s role in
the novel.
Mr. Knightley, a sensible man about seven or eight-and-thirty, was not only a
(b) Paying close attention to the effects of the writing, discuss the following passage and
show what it contributes to your understanding of Austen’s methods and concerns.
Although in one instance the bearers of not good tidings, Mr. and Mrs. Weston’s
(a) A critic has said that Mr Knightley is ‘too dull and severe to be a fit husband for
Emma Woodhouse’.
In the light of this comment, discuss Austen’s presentation of the role and
characterisation of Mr Knightley.
(b) Paying close attention to the effects of the writing, discuss the following passage and
show what it contributes to your understanding of Austen’s methods and concerns.
“The evil of the distance from Enscombe,” said Mr. Weston, “is, that Mrs.
(a) What, in your view, is the significance of the relationship between Frank Churchill
and Jane Fairfax to the novel’s meaning and effects?
(b) Paying close attention to the effects of the writing, discuss the following passage and
show what it contributes to your understanding of Austen’s methods and concerns.
After tea, Mr. and Mrs. Weston, and Mr. Elton sat down with
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November 2017 (1)
(b) Paying close attention to the effects of the writing, discuss the following passage and
show what it contributes to your understanding of Austen’s methods and concerns.
“I merely asked, whether you had known much of Miss Fairfax and her party at
Weymouth.”
(b) Paying close attention to the effects of the writing, discuss the following passage and
show what it contributes to your understanding of Austen’s methods and concerns.
(b) Paying close attention to the effects of the writing, discuss the following passage and
show what it contributes to your understanding of Austen’s methods and concerns.
“I merely asked, whether you had known much of Miss Fairfax and her party at
Weymouth.”
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Measure 4 Measure
June 2006
(b) What might be the thoughts and feelings of an audience as the following passage
unfolds?
Angelo: How now, sir! What’s your name, and what’s the matter?
Act 2, Scene 1
November 2006
(b) With close attention to the language, tone and imagery, discuss what you learn
about Angelo at this point in the play.
Enter Angelo.
Angelo: When I would pray and think, I think and pray
(b) Write a critical appreciation of the following passage, commenting in particular on its
dramatic importance in the play.
November 2007
(a) Lucio refers to “The wanton stings and motions of the sense”.
Consider the presentation of sexual desire in Measure for Measure.
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(b) Write a critical appreciation of the following passage, commenting in particular on
how it contributes to your understanding of Isabella and Claudio.
June 2008
(a) Discuss Shakespeare’s use of deception and disguise in Measure for Measure.
(b) How satisfying as the ending to the play do you find the following passage? You
should pay attention to the language and tone in your answer.
November 2008
Mistress Overdone: Well, well! there’s one yonder arrested and carried to prison
was worth five thousand of you all.
Pompey: Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to prison; and
there’s Madam Juliet. [Exeunt.
Act 1, Scene 2
June 2016 (1)
(a) ‘There are doubts about his morals and his leadership.’
How far and in what ways do you agree with this comment on the Duke?
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and action, discuss the following passage,
showing its significance to the play as a whole.
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June 2016 (2)
(a) Discuss some of the dramatic effects created by Shakespeare’s use of deception
and disguise in Measure for Measure.
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and dramatic action, discuss the following
passage, showing what it contributes to your understanding of Angelo.
(a) What, in your view, does the Duke’s disguise as a friar contribute to the play’s
meaning and effects?
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and dramatic action, consider what might
be the thoughts and feelings of an audience as the following passage unfolds.
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and action, consider what might be the
thoughts and feelings of an audience as the following passage unfolds.
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and action, discuss the following passage,
showing its significance to the play as a whole.
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[The city gate.
Enter at several doors DUKE, VARRIUS, Lords;
ANGELO, ESCALUS, LUCIO, PROVOST, Officers,
and Citizens.]
Duke: My very worthy cousin, fairly met!
Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you.
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and action, discuss the following passage
and its significance in the play.
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and action, discuss the following passage
and show what it contributes to your understanding of Lucio and the Duke.
Lucio: It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal from the state
and usurp the beggary he was never born to. Lord Angelo
dukes it well in his absence; he puts transgression to’t.
(a) Compare and contrast the roles and characterisation of Lucio and Claudio.
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and action, discuss the following passage
and its significance in the play.
Isabella: I thank you for this comfort. Fare you well, good father.
[Exeunt severally.
Act 3, Scene 1
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November 2017 (1)
(a) The Duke describes Angelo as ‘a man of stricture and firm abstinence’.
How far and in what ways does Shakespeare’s presentation of Angelo support the
Duke’s comment?
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and action, discuss the following passage,
showing what it contributes to your understanding of Claudio and Isabella.
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and action, consider what might be the
thoughts and feelings of an audience as the following passage unfolds.
But, O,
how much is the good Duke deceiv’d in Angelo! If ever he
return, and I can speak to him, I will open my lips in vain,
or discover his government.
Act 3, Scene 1
(a) The Duke describes Angelo as ‘a man of stricture and firm abstinence’.
How far and in what ways does Shakespeare’s presentation of Angelo support the
Duke’s comment?
(b) Paying close attention to language, tone and action, discuss the following passage,
showing what it contributes to your understanding of Claudio and Isabella.
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