With close reference to the structure, imagery and tone, discuss why the poet fears death, and how he resolves his fears.
Your essay should be 250–300 words in length.

Give a reason for the 'young man's' reflections 'before june the 16th'.

Refer to lines 5–7: 'my heart aches … belch of beer'.
Account for the speaker's feelings in these lines.

Comment on the significance of the poet's use of the lower case 'i' in the context of the poem.

Refer to line 13: 'for my sunset is drenched with red'.
Critically discuss how the diction in this line reflects the mood of the poem.

How does the speaker evoke sympathy for the stork in stanza one?

What impression of the scene is created by 'A flickering gust of pencil-slanted rain' (line 4)?

Refer to lines 14–16: 'The dawn struck ... blood and gold.'
Comment on the impact of the word 'struck' in the context of these lines.

Refer to lines 17–21: 'Stretching his wings ... long, long time.'
Critically discuss how the images in these lines convey the stork's migratory instinct.

What is the speaker hoping to achieve if he moves his fellow soldier into the sun?

Refer to line 5: 'Until this morning and this snow.'
Explain the importance of this line in the context of the poem.

Explain how the speaker's attitude to the sun changes toward the end of the poem

Refer to stanza 2.
Discuss how the poet succeeds in conveying a strong anti-war message.

With close reference to the diction, imagery and atmosphere/mood, critically discuss how the renewal of the land is conveyed in this poem.
The length of your essay should be approximately 250–300 words.

'The roofs sizzle … fingers of drought' (lines 1–3).
Account for the rain being referred to as 'the waking touch' (line 1).

Refer to line 4: 'Streets break into liquid dance'.
What does this line convey about the mood of the second stanza?

Refer to lines 12–17: 'of caked riverbeds ... and tired tubers'.
Discuss the impact of the diction employed in these lines.

'Then/Lightning strikes … the throbbing earth' (lines 18–20).
Critically discuss how the images in these lines reinforce the idea conveyed in the title of the poem.

In Animal Farm, the failure of the revolution is a consequence of ignorance and the abuse of power.
In a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages), critically discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement.

Describe the events that have led to the destruction of the windmill by Frederick and his men.

By referring to the novel as a whole, explain how the pigs' own celebration after the Battle of the Windmill is in conflict with the spirit of Animalism.

Refer to line 7: '“What victory?” said Boxer.'
Comment on Boxer's uncharacteristic tone in this line.

Refer to lines 9–10: '“What victory, comrade? ... of Animal Farm?”'
Discuss how the propaganda techniques that Squealer uses in these lines are consistent with his character.

Discuss how the original symbolism of the windmill differs from what it later represents.

Refer to lines 1–2: 'They found it ... their own benefit.'
Explain the irony in these lines.

Refer to lines 5–6: 'On the same ... complicity with Jones.'
Discuss the importance of revealing Snowball's 'complicity with Jones' on that particular day.

Refer to lines 13–15: 'In the middle ... about Sugarcandy Mountain.'
Discuss how Orwell uses the character of Moses to convey his scepticism of religion in the novel as a whole.

Although Jane Austen frequently satirises snobs and class consciousness, she ruthlessly attacks the poor breeding and misbehaviour of those lower on the social scale.
In a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages), critically discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement.

Account for Elizabeth's feelings about her family as presented in this extract.

'She looked at ... took the hint' (lines 5–6).
With reference to the novel as a whole, explain what these lines reveal about the relationship between Mr Bennet and Elizabeth.

Refer to lines 13–15: 'that his feelings … must have witnessed.'
In the light of your knowledge of later events, explain whether you agree with Elizabeth's assessment of Bingley.

What does Darcy's attitude towards the Bennet family suggest about him?

Consider the words 'exhibit' (line 9) and 'exhibition' (line 13).
Comment on what these words convey about the attitudes toward women in Austen's society.

Refer to line 16: 'Wickham is not so undeserving'
In your view, is Jane's assessment of Wickham, in this line, accurate? Motivate your response.

Refer to lines 16–17: 'My dear father, I congratulate you.'
Discuss the irony in this statement.

In this extract, Austen satirises marriage conventions in her society.
Comment on the validity of this statement by drawing on your knowledge of the novel as a whole.

The Great Gatsby is a commentary on the conflict between illusion and reality that is at the heart of American life.
In a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages), critically discuss the extent to which you agree with the above statement.

Account for Daisy's and Gatsby's feelings in this extract.

Explain why Gatsby desires to show Daisy his house (line 15).

Refer to line 7: 'Oh, hello, old sport.'
Discuss the significance of Gatsby's frequent use of the expression, 'old sport'.

Critically discuss Nick's role in the development of the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy.

Explain why Daisy stares 'terrified between Gatsby and her husband' (line 1).

Comment on Tom's attitude towards Gatsby in this extract.

Daisy is closely identified with her voice throughout the novel.   Drawing on your knowledge of the novel as a whole, critically discuss Daisy's voice as a symbol of her character.

Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy is based on illusion rather than reality.  Comment on the validity of this statement, by referring to the novel as a whole. 

In the play, Othello, love and friendship are vulnerable to both internal and external forces. Critically assess the validity of this statement in a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages). 

Place the extract in context.

Refer to line 1: 'You advise me well' and line 10: 'this advice is free I give, and honest'.  Discuss the irony of Iago's advice.

Refer to lines 18–21:  'His soul is ... his weak function.'  In your view, is Iago's assessment of the relationship between Othello and Desdemona accurate? Motivate your response. 

Refer to lines 23–26: 'Divinity of hell! ... I do now.'  Critically discuss how the paradox in these lines reveals Iago's true nature.

How does Othello's exclamation, 'Devil!' (line 2) and the stage direction, 'He strikes her' (line 3) contribute to your understanding of Othello's state of mind at this stage of the play?

Refer to Desdemona's replies to Othello, 'I have not deserved this' (line 4) and 'I will not stay to offend you' (line 12).
Are these responses typical of Desdemona's character? Motivate your response.

Refer to lines 9–10: 'If that the … prove a crocodile.'
Comment on the dramatic irony of Othello's statement.

The play, Othello, depicts how easily characters can destroy themselves.
By a close reading of Extract A and Extract B, comment critically on how this is true of Iago and Othello.

The irony of the Salem witchcraft trials is that they are meant to preserve order, promote morality and serve justice; instead, they have the opposite effect.   In a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages), critically assess the validity of this statement.

Place the extract in context.

Refer to Elizabeth's responses in lines 4–5: 'Why – ! The girl is murder! She must be ripped out of the world!' and line 23: 'I'll go John –'.
Suggest what Elizabeth's responses reveal about her character at this stage of the play.

Explain how the image, 'the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom' (line 20) contributes to your understanding of events in the play. 

Examine lines 25–26: 'The law binds me, John, I cannot budge.'
Explain how Herrick's attitude to the rule of law is representative of that of many people in Salem.

'Proctor, the court is just – ' (line 28).
Discuss the irony that it is Hale who states that 'the court is just – '.

Comment on Rebecca's role in influencing Proctor's decision later in the play. 

Critically discuss how the stage directions and Proctor's actions contribute to your understanding of the change he has undergone in the course of the play.

The play, The Crucible, depicts how easily a community can destroy itself.
By a close reading of Extract A and Extract B, comment critically on how this is true of Salem