1. Extract questions
You will be given an extract of about a page and a single question worth 10 marks and will be expected to pull out quotes from the extract to support your answer. Your answer should be in full sentences and should be at least 1 page of A4.
You have about 15 – 20 minutes to answer the question. If your answer is short then add more evidence!

2. Extract questions – top tips
Ask yourself ‘why has this extract been chosen?’ Start off by briefly explaining where the extract comes from in the novel/play and why it is important. It might be a turning point in the novel/play or it might reveal something new or important about a character. Show that you know how and where it fits into the novel/play.
Next, directly address your question focus. For mood and atmosphere questions have a bank of words to describe it in different ways.
Track through the text and find evidence, in order, as thoroughly as possible. Use evidence from the whole extract. Don’t forget about using quotes from the stage directions!
If you think it is relevant, you can mention something from other parts of the text, but always remain focused on the extract.
20 minutes – one side of A4 – 10 marks

3. Drama extract questions: 3 main types.
Mood and atmosphere
How does __________ speak and behave?
How does Priestley create tension in this extract?
Example Questions
How do you think an audience would respond to this part of the play? Give reasons for what you say.
Look closely at how Gerald speaks and behaves here. How could it affect an audience’s feelings towards him?

4. Remember to track through the extract focusing on:
Where the extract comes from – why it’s important
What characters say to each other and how they say them.
What is implied by what characters say.
How the characters behave with each other.
What their body language reveals.
What you think about a character’s relationship – it might change.

5. Read the extract and then answer the following question:
Extract Question
Read the extract and then answer the following question:
Look closely at how Gerald speaks and behaves here. How could it affect an audience’s feelings towards him?
(10 marks)

6. Essay questions – 4 main styles
Character – what do we learn about Sheila? Theme – who do you have least sympathy with? Directing – what advice would you give the actor playing Sybil Birling? Imagine – imagine you are Arthur Birling after the Inspector has left.

7. Essay questions – top tips
Choose the question you feel the most comfortable with answering. Read the question carefully.
Highlight key words in the question.
Make a plan/notes.
Answer the question – keep focused.
Make sure you use PEA.
Use direct quotes or paraphrase.
40 minutes – 2/3 pages of A4 – 20 marks

8. Imagine essay question
Write in the first person (as if you were that character).
Refer to events or conversations that your character participated in, not ones that they would not be aware of.
Try to explain the characters thoughts as if they were your own.
Make a particular effort to explain the events that led up to the end of the story.
Explore and explain your relationships with other characters and your reactions to things they said or did.
Explain the reasons for your behaviour throughout key events of the text.

9. Success Criteria for Directing Essay Question
Things to Include:
Reference to social, historical and cultural context
Key personal traits of the character
Explain where in the play the scene occurs as well as WHY it is integral to the character (what we learn/see/discover) or how it links to a major theme or plot turning point.
4 Key Points:
Place/position on stage – in regards to audience, stage and/or other characters and why.
Gestures/expressions – face expressions, body (tense or relaxed), eyes (narrow or wide).
Movement – adverbs to describe movement (speed) and why they would be moving.
How to say something – voice, pitch, speed, tone (emotion and delivery) and why.

10. Directing essay question
Re-read the question carefully and highlight the key words in the question.
Try to comment on at least 4 incidents from the text that show different aspects of your own character, how others have interacted with you and your own varied views.
Remember that every incident needs a QUOTE.
Every incident should be dealt with in a paragraph of its own.
Every incident should also discuss the 4 Key Areas:
place/position on stage
gestures/expressions
movement
how to say something.

11. ‘Directing’ Essay Question
Give advice to the actor playing Mr Birling on how he should present the character to an audience. Think about:
the way he speaks and behaves with Mrs Birling
the way he speaks and behaves with Sheila, Eric and Gerald
the way he speaks and behaves with the Inspector
his response to the news about Eva Smith
anything else you think important.
(20 marks)

12. Choose one of the following questions to answer:
Essay Question
Choose one of the following questions to answer:
One of the main themes in the play is social responsibility. Discuss how the following characters are important to this theme.
How does Priestley present this theme?
Imagine that you are Sheila. Write about the events of the play from your perspective.
Remember that you should try to capture Sheila’s voice in your answer.
(20 marks)