past papers

AN INSPECTOR CALLS

Question 1 – Character

How does Priestley present Gerald Croft in An Inspector Calls?

You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.

(Total for Question 1 = 30 marks)

Mark Scheme – Question 1

How does Priestley present Gerald Croft in An Inspector Calls?

Total: 30 marks

Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should reward points that are clearly based on evidence from the play. Evidence of a degree of personal response must be given. This is not an exhaustive list.

AO1 – 15 marks

Reward responses that explain how Priestley presents Gerald Croft. Points may include:

• Gerald is introduced as a well-dressed, confident and respectable young man from a wealthy family. The stage directions describe him as ‘an attractive chap about thirty’, suggesting that he appears successful and socially confident.

• Gerald is presented as a suitable partner for Sheila because he comes from a wealthy upper-class family. His engagement to Sheila also connects the two powerful families, the Birlings and the Crofts.

• At the beginning, Gerald appears polite and charming. His easy manner helps create the impression that he is a respectable gentleman.

• Gerald is presented as being concerned with social class and status. His family background and business connections make him an important member of the upper-class society represented in the play.

• Gerald initially tries to avoid discussing Eva/Daisy's connection with him. However, when questioned by the Inspector, he eventually admits that he knew her, showing that even respectable-looking characters may have secrets.

• Gerald explains how he met Eva/Daisy at the Palace bar. He is presented as someone who has power over her because of their difference in social position.

• Gerald describes Eva/Daisy as ‘young and fresh and charming’. His language shows that he is attracted to her appearance and youth.

• Gerald helps Eva/Daisy by finding her a place to stay at his friend's flat. This can make him appear kind and helpful, although his relationship with her is still unequal because he has greater social and financial power.

• Gerald admits that he and Eva/Daisy had a relationship, but he makes it clear that he did not love her in the same way. His admission shows that he was selfish in the relationship, as he eventually ended it when it became inconvenient for him.

• Gerald says that he ‘didn’t feel about her as she felt about me’. This shows that he understood that Eva/Daisy had stronger feelings for him but still chose to end the relationship.

• Gerald can be seen as more honest than some of the other characters because he eventually admits his involvement with Eva/Daisy when questioned by the Inspector.

• Gerald's behaviour can be viewed as both helpful and selfish. Priestley therefore presents him as a complicated character rather than simply good or bad.

• Gerald's relationship with Sheila is also important because the Inspector's investigation exposes problems beneath what initially appears to be a happy and respectable engagement.

AO2 – 15 marks

Language

• ‘attractive chap’ – the adjective ‘attractive’ creates a positive first impression of Gerald and suggests that he is confident and socially successful.

• ‘easy well-bred young man-about-town’ – the phrase ‘well-bred’ emphasises Gerald's upper-class background and social status.

• ‘young and fresh and charming’ – the list of positive adjectives shows Gerald's attraction to Eva/Daisy's youth and appearance.

• ‘I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me’ – this shows the difference between Gerald's feelings and Eva/Daisy's feelings. It also suggests that he is emotionally detached.

Form

• Stage directions are used to establish Gerald as an attractive and respectable upper-class man. His appearance and manner create a positive first impression for the audience.

• As a play, Gerald's relationship with Eva/Daisy is revealed through dialogue and the Inspector's questioning. The audience gradually learns that the respectable Gerald has a hidden relationship with a working-class woman.

Structure

• Gerald is first presented as a respectable fiancé at the Birling celebration. Priestley then gradually reveals his secret involvement with Eva/Daisy, changing the audience's view of him.

• The revelation of Gerald's relationship comes after Sheila's involvement with Eva/Daisy has been exposed. This build-up of revelations shows that more than one member of the privileged family has contributed to Eva/Daisy's suffering.

• Gerald's confession is delayed until the Inspector's questioning. This helps Priestley show how the Inspector forces apparently respectable characters to reveal the truth about their behaviour.

• Priestley presents Gerald as a mixture of kindness and selfishness. Although he helps Eva/Daisy for a time, he eventually ends the relationship. This makes the audience question whether his actions were genuinely selfless.

Overall interpretation

A strong response may argue that Priestley presents Gerald as charming, wealthy and respectable on the surface, but morally imperfect underneath. Through Gerald, Priestley shows how members of the upper classes can use their social and financial power over people from lower social classes.

Question 2 – Theme

Explore the theme of hypocrisy in An Inspector Calls.

You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.

(Total for Question 2 = 30 marks)

Question 2 – Theme

Explore the theme of hypocrisy in An Inspector Calls.

You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.

(Total for Question 2 = 30 marks)

Indicative content

Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should reward points that are clearly based on evidence from the play. Evidence of a degree of personal response must be given. This is not an exhaustive list but the following points may be made:

(AO1)

• At the beginning of the play, Mr Birling appears to be a successful and respectable businessman, but his actions towards his workers show that he does not always behave in the caring way that his public position suggests. He says that ‘a man has to make his own way’, showing his belief in individual success rather than responsibility for others.
• Mr Birling is hypocritical because he presents himself as an important and respectable public figure, while his treatment of his workers is selfish. He proudly describes himself as a ‘hard-headed practical man of business’, but he has dismissed Eva Smith because she asked for higher wages.
• Mr Birling claims that there is ‘no reason why a man should not look after himself’, but the Inspector's investigation begins to show the harmful consequences of this attitude. This creates a contrast between Birling's words and the effect of his actions on Eva.
• Mr Birling's concern for his workers is shown to be false when he admits that Eva was dismissed because she helped organise a strike for better wages. His concern is mainly for his business and profits.
• Mr Birling also presents himself as a respectable family man, but he is more concerned with protecting his family's social position than understanding the suffering of Eva. His repeated references to his position and reputation reveal his hypocrisy.
• Mrs Birling appears to be a respectable woman who is involved in charitable work. However, she uses her position in the charity organisation to judge Eva rather than genuinely help her.
• Mrs Birling's treatment of Eva is particularly hypocritical because she belongs to a charitable organisation, but refuses to help a young woman who is in serious difficulty. She admits that the committee had refused Eva's request for help.
• Mrs Birling judges Eva because she uses the name ‘Mrs Birling’. Mrs Birling describes this as ‘gross impertinence’, showing that protecting the family's name is more important to her than Eva's situation.
• Mrs Birling also describes the people she believes the charity should help as ‘girls of that class’. This shows her prejudice towards working-class people and contrasts with the charitable image she presents.
• Gerald also shows hypocrisy because he appears to be a respectable gentleman from a wealthy family, yet he has been involved in a secret relationship with Eva. He knows that his behaviour is not acceptable but keeps it hidden from Sheila.
• Gerald's relationship with Eva shows the difference between his respectable public image and his private behaviour. He presents himself as a gentleman while taking advantage of the power and social difference between himself and Eva.
• Sheila is different from her parents because she gradually recognises the hypocrisy and selfishness around her. She accepts that she behaved badly towards Eva and says, ‘I know I’m to blame’. This suggests that Priestley presents self-awareness as the opposite of hypocrisy.
• The Inspector exposes the hypocrisy of the Birling family by making them face the consequences of their actions. He does not allow them simply to maintain their respectable appearance.
• Priestley may use the theme of hypocrisy to criticise wealthy members of society who appear respectable but ignore the suffering of poorer people.

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(AO2)

• Language: Mr Birling's phrase ‘a man has to make his own way’ presents his selfish belief in individual responsibility. The confident statement makes his attitude sound like a general truth, even though his actions show little concern for Eva.
• Language: The phrase ‘hard-headed practical man of business’ presents Birling as proud of his business success. The adjective ‘hard-headed’ suggests that he values money and practical business decisions rather than compassion.
• Language: The dismissive word ‘nonsense’ in ‘community and all that nonsense’ shows Birling's lack of respect for ideas about social responsibility. This makes his later attempts to protect his respectable image appear hypocritical.
• Language: Mrs Birling's description of Eva as ‘girls of that class’ shows her prejudice. The word ‘class’ emphasises the social divide between Mrs Birling and Eva.
• Language: The phrase ‘gross impertinence’ shows Mrs Birling's anger that Eva used the Birling name. This suggests that she is more concerned about social status and respect than helping someone in need.
• Language: Gerald's description of his relationship with Eva reveals the contrast between his respectable public identity and his private actions. His polite and controlled manner helps him maintain the appearance of a respectable gentleman.
• Contrast: Priestley contrasts the wealthy Birlings with Eva Smith. The family's comfortable lifestyle is placed against Eva's poverty and suffering, highlighting the hypocrisy of people who have the power to help but choose not to.
• Contrast: Sheila's changing attitude is contrasted with her parents' refusal to accept responsibility. Sheila becomes increasingly honest about her actions, while her parents continue to defend themselves.
• Form: Priestley uses the morality play/drama to expose the characters' behaviour. The Inspector acts as a figure who questions their actions and forces them to confront the difference between how they see themselves and how they actually behave.
• Structure: The Inspector gradually reveals each character's involvement with Eva. This structure allows the audience to see how the family's respectable appearance is slowly destroyed by their actions.
• Structure: The movement from the family's happy celebration at the beginning to the Inspector's questioning creates a strong contrast. Priestley uses this change to show how quickly a respectable-looking family can be exposed.
• Structure: The repeated questioning of the family makes the audience compare what the characters say about themselves with what they have actually done. This helps Priestley expose hypocrisy.
• Priestley's message: Through the hypocrisy of Mr Birling and Mrs Birling, Priestley suggests that people should not simply appear respectable or charitable; they should take real responsibility for how their actions affect others.

MACBETH

Question 3 – Character

How does Shakespeare present Malcolm as an important character in Macbeth?

You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(Total for Question 3 = 30 marks)

Question 3 – Character

How does Shakespeare present Malcolm as an important character in Macbeth?

You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(Total for Question 3 = 30 marks)

Indicative content

Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should reward points that are clearly based on evidence from the play. Evidence of a degree of personal response must be given. This is not an exhaustive list but the following points may be made:

(AO1)

• Malcolm is presented as an important character because he is King Duncan's eldest son and heir. At the beginning of the play, Duncan names him ‘Prince of Cumberland’, showing that Malcolm is expected to become king.
• Malcolm is shown as a loyal and obedient son. When Duncan announces Malcolm as his heir, Malcolm responds respectfully and accepts his father's decision.
• Malcolm's position as Duncan's heir creates a problem for Macbeth. After hearing that Malcolm has been named heir, Macbeth sees him as an obstacle to his ambition: ‘That is a step / On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap’.
• Malcolm is important because his presence helps reveal Macbeth's growing ambition. Macbeth does not openly attack Malcolm at this point, but his thoughts show that he is already thinking about overcoming anyone who stands between him and the throne.
• Malcolm is presented as brave and responsible through his actions in the battle. He fights against the rebellion and helps to restore order in Scotland.
• Duncan trusts Malcolm and gives him an important role in the events of the opening of the play. This helps establish Malcolm as someone who is worthy of his father's trust.
• After Duncan's murder, Malcolm shows caution and intelligence. He does not immediately trust the people around him and decides to flee to England. This can be seen as sensible because he suspects that the murderer may try to kill him too.
• Malcolm's decision to leave Scotland can also show that he understands the danger created by Macbeth's ambition. His escape protects Duncan's line of succession.
• Malcolm is important because his escape creates a contrast with Macbeth. Macbeth uses violence and murder to gain power, while Malcolm seeks safety and later works to restore the rightful order.
• Malcolm can be seen as representing the legitimate royal family. His position as Duncan's son makes Macbeth's rise to power appear unnatural and wrong.
• Shakespeare presents Malcolm as important to the future of Scotland. His survival means that Duncan's family still has a chance to regain the throne.

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(AO2)

• Language: Duncan's title ‘Prince of Cumberland’ establishes Malcolm's importance and identifies him as the next heir to the throne.
• Language: Macbeth's metaphor ‘a step / On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap’ presents Malcolm as an obstacle between Macbeth and the crown. The word ‘o'erleap’ suggests that Macbeth is already considering overcoming Malcolm.
• Language: Macbeth's use of ‘Stars, hide your fires’ shows that he wants to hide his dark intentions. Malcolm therefore becomes important because Macbeth's ambition is partly connected to Malcolm's position as heir.
• Language: Duncan's praise of Malcolm helps create a positive impression of him. Duncan's trust in his son contrasts with Macbeth's betrayal of Duncan.
• Form: Shakespeare uses dialogue and dramatic action to establish Malcolm's role as Duncan's heir. His position is made clear early in the play so that the audience understands why Macbeth sees him as a threat.
• Form: Malcolm's role as the rightful heir helps Shakespeare develop the theme of kingship. Malcolm represents legitimate succession, while Macbeth represents the dangerous desire to gain power unlawfully.
• Structure: Malcolm is introduced as Duncan's heir before Macbeth kills Duncan. This is important because the audience already knows that Malcolm stands between Macbeth and the crown.
• Structure: After Duncan's murder, Malcolm's decision to flee changes his role in the play. He moves from being a prince at Duncan's court to becoming a possible restorer of the rightful order.
• Contrast: Shakespeare contrasts Malcolm with Macbeth. Malcolm is the rightful heir to the throne, while Macbeth becomes a murderer who wants the crown for himself.
• Contrast: Duncan's trust in Malcolm contrasts with Macbeth's secret ambition. This makes Macbeth's actions appear even more disloyal.

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(AO4)

• In Shakespeare's time, the king was believed to have been given his authority by God. Malcolm's position as Duncan's rightful heir therefore makes the idea of Macbeth taking the throne especially wrong.
• Succession was very important in a monarchy. Malcolm being named ‘Prince of Cumberland’ establishes him as Duncan's chosen successor.
• Killing a king was considered a serious crime and an attack on the natural and political order. Macbeth's desire to remove the people standing between him and the throne would therefore shock a Shakespearean audience.
• Shakespeare may use Malcolm to show the difference between legitimate leadership and selfish ambition. Malcolm is connected to Duncan's rightful line, while Macbeth wants power for himself. 

Question 4 – Theme

Explore the theme of deception in Macbeth.

You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 = 30 marks)

“Explore the theme of suffering in Macbeth.”

Question 4 – Theme

Explore the theme of deception in Macbeth.

You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 = 30 marks)

Indicative content

Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should reward points that are clearly based on evidence from the play. Evidence of a degree of personal response must be given. This is not an exhaustive list but the following points may be made:

(AO1)

• Deception is important from the beginning of the play. The Witches create uncertainty because they appear to speak in contradictory ways: ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’. This suggests that things may not be what they seem.
• The Witches deceive Macbeth by giving him predictions that appear positive but do not clearly explain the dangers involved. They tell him he will be ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and ‘king hereafter’.
• Macbeth begins to believe the Witches because one of their predictions quickly comes true. When he is made Thane of Cawdor, he begins to consider becoming king.
• Banquo is more cautious than Macbeth. He warns Macbeth that the Witches may be using ‘honest trifles’ to deceive them and later ‘betray’s / In deepest consequence’.
• Macbeth begins to deceive himself as well as others. Although he knows that murdering Duncan is wrong, his ambition encourages him to consider the murder.
• Lady Macbeth uses deception when she encourages Macbeth to hide his true intentions. She tells him to ‘look like th’ innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t’.
• Lady Macbeth understands that they must appear innocent while secretly planning Duncan's murder. This makes her an important character in the theme of deception.
• Macbeth also accepts the need to deceive Duncan. He tells Lady Macbeth that they must ‘make our faces vizards to our hearts’, meaning that they must hide their true feelings.
• Duncan himself is deceived by Macbeth. He trusts Macbeth and visits his castle as a guest, unaware that Macbeth is planning to kill him.
• Duncan's trust makes Macbeth's deception particularly serious because Macbeth is Duncan's subject, kinsman and host. Macbeth is expected to protect Duncan rather than betray him.
• Macbeth deceives the other characters by pretending to be loyal to Duncan while secretly planning his murder.
• The theme of deception therefore shows the difference between appearance and reality. Characters may look loyal, innocent or trustworthy while hiding their true intentions.

(AO2)

• Language: The paradox ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ immediately introduces the idea that appearances cannot always be trusted.
• Language: The contrast between ‘fair’ and ‘foul’ suggests that good and evil may become confused. This prepares the audience for the deception that follows.
• Language: The metaphor ‘look like th’ innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t’ shows Lady Macbeth's advice to Macbeth. The ‘flower’ suggests innocence, while the ‘serpent’ suggests hidden evil and danger.
• Language: The image of the ‘serpent’ has biblical associations with evil and temptation. This would make Lady Macbeth's advice particularly powerful for a Christian audience.
• Language: Macbeth's phrase ‘make our faces vizards to our hearts’ uses the image of a mask. It suggests that Macbeth wants to hide his real thoughts behind a false appearance.
• Language: The Witches' phrase ‘honest trifles’ is an oxymoronic idea: something can appear honest while actually being used to deceive. Banquo therefore recognises the danger of trusting appearances.
• Form: The Witches create an atmosphere of mystery and uncertainty. Their presence at the beginning of the play immediately makes the audience question what is true.
• Structure: Shakespeare introduces deception very early through ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’. This idea continues as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth hide their plans from Duncan.
• Structure: The audience knows that Macbeth is planning Duncan's murder while Duncan does not. This creates dramatic irony and makes Duncan's trust in Macbeth particularly tragic.
• Contrast: Macbeth's public appearance as a loyal subject contrasts with his secret plan to murder Duncan. Shakespeare uses this contrast to show how deception allows Macbeth to hide his ambition.

(AO4)

• Shakespeare's audience was strongly influenced by Christian beliefs and would have associated the Witches with evil, temptation and the supernatural.
• The image of the serpent would have reminded a Shakespearean audience of the Biblical serpent in the Garden of Eden, associated with temptation and deception.
• In Shakespeare's time, killing a king was seen as a terrible crime because the king was believed to have been chosen by God. Macbeth's deception of Duncan therefore makes his actions especially shocking.
• A king was also expected to be protected by his subjects and guests were expected to be treated with loyalty and hospitality. Macbeth's decision to deceive Duncan while Duncan is his guest breaks these important expectations.

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“Explore the theme of suffering in Macbeth.”

You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(Total for Question = 30 marks)

Indicative content

Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should reward points that are clearly based on evidence from the play. Evidence of a degree of personal response must be given. This is not an exhaustive list but the following points may be made:

(AO1)

• Suffering is introduced at the beginning of the play through the violent battle. The Captain describes Macbeth and Banquo fighting bravely against the enemy, showing that war causes physical suffering and death.
• The Captain describes the battle as ‘bloody’, immediately creating an image of violence and suffering.
• Macbeth is initially presented as a brave soldier, but his experiences of violence may also prepare the audience for the suffering that follows after Duncan's murder.
• Macbeth experiences mental suffering when he begins to think about murdering Duncan. He understands that Duncan is his king, relative and guest, so he struggles with the decision.
• Macbeth's inner conflict shows that suffering is not only physical. He suffers from fear, guilt and anxiety before committing the murder.
• Lady Macbeth also shows emotional pressure when she realises that Macbeth may not be willing to carry out the murder. She becomes frustrated because she wants power but must persuade Macbeth to act.
• Macbeth's suffering increases when he imagines the murder before it happens. He asks, ‘Is this a dagger which I see before me?’, showing that his disturbed state of mind is affecting what he sees.
• Immediately after killing Duncan, Macbeth suffers from guilt and fear. He believes that he will never sleep peacefully again: ‘Macbeth does murder sleep’.
• Macbeth is also afraid that he will never be able to pray again. His question ‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?’ shows that he feels his guilt cannot easily be removed.
• Lady Macbeth initially appears stronger than Macbeth and tries to dismiss their guilt. She says, ‘A little water clears us of this deed’.
• However, Macbeth's reaction shows that the murder has affected him deeply. This creates a contrast between Macbeth's immediate guilt and Lady Macbeth's apparent lack of concern.
• Shakespeare therefore presents suffering as a consequence of ambition and violence. Macbeth wants power, but gaining it through murder immediately causes fear and guilt.

(AO2)

• Language: The adjective ‘bloody’ in the opening battle description creates a strong image of physical suffering and violence.
• Language: Macbeth's rhetorical question ‘Is this a dagger which I see before me?’ shows his confusion and disturbed mental state. The question suggests that guilt and fear are already affecting him before the murder.
• Language: The metaphor ‘Macbeth does murder sleep’ presents sleep as something innocent that Macbeth has destroyed. Sleep can represent peace and innocence, so Macbeth's actions have taken these away from him.
• Language: The rhetorical question ‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?’ uses blood as a symbol of guilt. The huge image of an entire ocean suggests that Macbeth believes his guilt is impossible to remove.
• Language: Macbeth's use of ‘Amen’ after Duncan's murder shows that he feels separated from God because of what he has done.
• Language: Lady Macbeth's phrase ‘A little water clears us of this deed’ uses simple language to minimise the seriousness of the murder. This contrasts strongly with Macbeth's emotional suffering.
• Form: Macbeth's soliloquy before Duncan's murder allows the audience to hear his private thoughts. This makes his fear and inner conflict clear.
• Form: The tragedy form allows Shakespeare to show how Macbeth's ambition leads him towards violence and suffering.
• Structure: Shakespeare moves from the violent battle at the beginning to Macbeth's private struggle over Duncan's murder. This develops the idea that violence affects both the body and the mind.
• Structure: Macbeth's suffering becomes stronger immediately after the murder. The contrast between his confident ambition before the murder and his fear afterwards shows the consequences of his decision.
• Contrast: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth respond differently after Duncan's murder. Macbeth is immediately frightened and guilty, while Lady Macbeth tries to remain calm and dismiss the consequences.

(AO4)

• Shakespeare's audience would have understood regicide, the killing of a king, as an extremely serious crime. Kings were believed to have been chosen by God, so Macbeth's murder of Duncan would be seen as both a political and religious crime.
• Christian beliefs were important in Shakespeare's time. Macbeth's fear that he cannot say ‘Amen’ would suggest that he believes he has damaged his relationship with God.
• Blood had strong associations with violence, sin and guilt for a Shakespearean audience. Macbeth's repeated concern about blood therefore helps communicate his suffering.
• Shakespeare wrote Macbeth for King James I, who was interested in supernatural ideas and strongly opposed threats to kingship. The suffering caused by Macbeth's actions can therefore warn the audience about the consequences of attacking the rightful king.