PAPER 1 SMALL ISLAND BY ANDREA LEVY THURSDAY

PAPER 1: SMALL ISLAND BY ANDREA LEVY THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER 2020

GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (AQA) • Two examination papers • Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing (1 hr 45 mins) • Extract from post-20 th century novel (4 questions worth 4, 8, 8 and 20 marks) • Creative writing task (1 question worth 40 marks) • Paper 2 Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives (1 hr 45 mins) • Two extracts, one from post-20 th century non-fiction text and one from pre-20 th century non-fiction text (1 question on text 1, 1 question on text 2 and two questions summarising/comparing the two texts, worth 4, 8, 12 and 16 marks) • Non-fiction writing task (1 question worth 40 marks)

OBJECTIVES: • Reading: • AO 1 To select and synthesise information from texts • AO 1 To identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas • AO 2 To explain and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers • AO 3 To compare writers’ ideas and perspectives • AO 4 To evaluate texts critically and support this with textual references • Writing: • A 05 – To communicate clearly and effectively, adapting writing to suit purpose and audience • A 06 - To use a range of vocabulary and sentence structure with accurate spelling and punctuation

TASKS • Read through the slides and then answer the exam-style questions • Guide answers to Qs 1 -3 appear on the slide after the question slide • Try to use the guide answers for checking only • Make sure you read the extract carefully

SOURCE FROM SMALL ISLAND BY ANDREA LEVY (2004) • In 1948, in order to help rebuild Britain after the war, citizens of the Caribbean (former colonies of the British Empire and the new Commonwealth) were offered the opportunity to take part in the regeneration effort (road building/transport). • Many young men had already served in the British armed forces during the war. • The ship requisitioned to bring in the new immigrants was called Empire Windrush. • The ship docked at Tilbury (20 miles from London) in June 1948.

SOURCE FROM SMALL ISLAND BY ANDREA LEVY (2004) • The novel tracks the story of Hortense and Gilbert Joseph who leave Jamaica for what they believe will be a better life in England. • Gilbert was one of several thousand Jamaican men who had served in the RAF during the second world war. • Hortense had trained to be a teacher. • With high expectations of what life may promise in the ‘Mother Country’ they both discover a very different reality. • Watch the trailer for the National Theatre stage production: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=81 UHOUZLj. Ns

SOURCE FROM SMALL ISLAND BY ANDREA LEVY (2004) The extract is taken from early in the novel when Hortense and Gilbert have just married prior to his imminent departure for England. Spend five minutes reading and annotating the source Identify the following: • Narrative voice/perspective • Setting (time and place) • Characterisation (perceptions of the two characters) • Humour • Dialogue • Language techniques • Structure of text

QUESTION 1 (4 MARKS) Re-read the first 10 lines (to ‘send for you’). Identify four things about Gilbert.

QUESTION 1 (4 MARKS) Re-read the first 10 lines (to ‘send for you’). Identify four things about Gilbert. 1. He is alone with Hortense. (‘we are alone’. ) 2. He has a small bag. (‘He had just one small bag. ’) 3. He is going to England/He is starting a new life. (‘to start a new life in England. ’) 4. He is married to Hortense/Hortense is his wife. (‘You are my wife. ’) 5. He holds Hortense/He touches Hortense. (‘He put his hands on my shoulders’/’holding me firmer’) 6. He promises to send for Hortense to join him England. (‘I will send for you. ’)

QUESTION 2 (8 MARKS) Re-read the two paragraphs: ‘Then, for the first time…’ to ‘I could do nothing but stare’. How has the writer used language reflect Hortense’s different feelings?

QUESTION 2 (8 MARKS) Re-read the two paragraphs: ‘Then, for the first time…’ to ‘I could do nothing but stare’. How has the writer used language reflect Hortense’s reactions? 1. She likes Gilbert. Use of adverb ‘gently’ and adjectives ‘warm and soft’. 2. Short sentence: ‘I closed my eyes’ reflects her pleasure and innocence. 3. Change to shock at the unpleasant sensations. Verb ‘choked’. 4. Uses euphemism to show experience is alien: ‘wriggling organ’ 5. She is panicky. Short sentence: ‘I could not breathe. ’ 6. Simile used to exaggerate different attitudes: ‘naked as Adam’. 7. Similes create her shock/ignorance/innocence: ‘rising up like a snake charmed’ and ‘rigid as a tree trunk’.

QUESTION 3 (12 MARKS) Re-read the whole source. How has the writer structured the writing to interest the reader?

QUESTION 3 (12 MARKS) Re-read the whole source. How has the writer structured the writing to interest the reader? 1. Uses dialogue to reflect conversation of intimacy and different reactions to being together on their wedding night: ‘so we are alone’. 2. Chronology and detail to emphasise Hortense’s shock at his behaviour. From her point of view to emphasise her shock. ‘Turning away…’ 3. Focus on dialogue to show different reactions creates humour – juxtaposition of his pride and enthusiasm to her fear and uncertainty. ‘this is my manhood’ and ‘keep that thing away from me. ’ 4. Humour of Gilbert’s deflated ego and the power of Hortense’s character. Scene is chronological. 5. Scene is cohesive, beginning and ending with references to England as a reminder of the wider significance of their encounter and foreshadows change and disappointment.

QUESTION 4 (20 MARKS) Focus this answer on the last two paragraphs of the source: ‘But Gilbert’s hands. . ’ to the end. A student said, ‘This section shows that, however funny Gilbert is made to appear, he cares about his relationship with Hortense and wants it to work. ’ To what extent do you agree? • Consider your own impressions of Gilbert. (personal response to the text) • Evaluate how the writer conveys the actions and feelings of Gilbert towards Hortense. (refer to writer’s methods) • Support your response with references to the text. (use relevant quotations)

WRITING TASK: CREATIVE Write a narrative with the following title: A Strange Encounter OR Write a description inspired by the picture