Insert
The source that follows is:
- Source A: 19th-century prose fiction
- Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser
An extract from a work first published in 1900.
This extract is from Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser and shows Carrie’s first arrival in Chicago at dusk, where the city’s alluring promise contrasts with her anxiety as she meets her sister and parts from Drouet amid the clamour of the station.
Source A
1 To the child, the genius with imagination, or the wholly untravelled, the approach to a great city for the first time is a wonderful thing. Particularly if it be evening—that mystic period between the glare and gloom of the world when life is changing from one sphere or condition to another. Ah, the promise of the night. What does it not hold for the weary! What old illusion of hope
6 is not here forever repeated! Says the soul of the toiler to itself, “I shall soon be free. I shall be in the ways and the hosts of the merry. The streets, the lamps, the lighted chamber set for dining, are for me. The theatre, the halls, the parties, the ways of rest and the paths of song—these are mine in the night.” Though all humanity be still enclosed in the shops, the thrill
11 runs abroad. It is in the air. The dullest feel something which they may not always express or describe. It is the lifting of the burden of toil. Sister Carrie gazed out of the window. Her companion, affected by her wonder, so contagious are all things, felt anew some interest in the city and pointed
16 out its marvels. “This is Northwest Chicago,” said Drouet. “This is the Chicago River,” and he pointed to a little muddy creek, crowded with the huge masted wanderers from far-off waters nosing the black-posted banks. With a puff, a clang, and a
21 clatter of rails it was gone. “Chicago is getting to be a great town,” he went on. “It’s a wonder. You’ll find lots to see here.” She did not hear this very well. Her heart was troubled by a kind of terror. The fact that she was alone, away from home, rushing into a great sea of life
26 and endeavour, began to tell. She could not help but feel a little choked for breath—a little sick as her heart beat so fast. She half closed her eyes and tried to think it was nothing, that Columbia City was only a little way off. “Chicago! Chicago!” called the brakeman, slamming open the door. They were
31 rushing into a more crowded yard, alive with the clatter and clang of life. She began to gather up her poor little grip and closed her hand firmly upon her purse. Drouet arose, kicked his legs to straighten his trousers, and seized his clean yellow grip.
36 “I suppose your people will be here to meet you?” he said. “Let me carry your grip.” “Oh, no,” she said. “I’d rather you wouldn’t. I’d rather you wouldn’t be with me when I meet my sister.”
41 “All right,” he said in all kindness. “I’ll be near, though, in case she isn’t here, and take you out there safely.” “You’re so kind,” said Carrie, feeling the goodness of such attention in her
46 strange situation. “Chicago!” called the brakeman, drawing the word out long. They were under a great shadowy train shed, where the lamps were already beginning to shine out, with passenger cars all about and the train moving at a snail’s pace. The
51 people in the car were all up and crowding about the door. “Well, here we are,” said Drouet, leading the way to the door. “Good-bye, till I see you Monday.”
56 “Good-bye,” she answered, taking his proffered hand. “Remember, I’ll be looking till you find your sister.” She smiled into his eyes.
61 They filed out, and he affected to take no notice of her. A lean-faced, rather commonplace woman recognised Carrie on the platform and hurried forward. “Why, Sister Carrie!” she began, and there was embrace of welcome.
66 Carrie realised the change of affectional atmosphere at once. Amid all the maze, uproar, and novelty she felt cold reality taking her by the hand. No world of light and merriment. No round of amusement. Her sister carried with her most of the grimness of shift and toil.
71 “Why, how are all the folks at home?” she began; “how is father, and mother?” Carrie answered, but was looking away. Down the aisle, toward the gate leading into the waiting-room and the street, stood Drouet. He was looking back. When
76 he saw that she saw him and was safe with her sister he turned to go, sending back the shadow of a smile. Only Carrie saw it. She felt something lost to her when he moved away. When he disappeared she felt his absence thoroughly. With her sister she was much alone, a lone figure in a tossing, thoughtless sea.
Questions
Instructions
- Answer all questions.
- Use black ink or black ball point pen.
- Fill in the boxes on this page.
- You must answer the questions in the spaces provided.
- Do not write outside the box around each page or on blank pages.
- Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
- You must refer to the insert booklet provided.
- You must not use a dictionary.
Information
- The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
- Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
- The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
- There are 40 marks for Section A and 40 marks for Section B.
- You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers.
- You will be assessed on the quality of your reading in Section A.
- You will be assessed on the quality of your writing in Section B.
Advice
- You are advised to spend about 15 minutes reading through the source and all five questions you have to answer.
- You should make sure you leave sufficient time to check your answers.
Section A: Reading
Answer all questions in this section. You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.
Question 1
Read again the first part of the source, from lines 1 to 5.
Answer all parts of this question.
Choose one answer for each question.
1.1 Those directly addressed at the start are:
- the child, the genius with imagination, or the wholly untravelled
- the worker, the seasoned traveller, or the cheerful stranger
- the scholar, the merchant, or the curious wanderer
[1 mark]
1.2 It is particularly so if it be:
- evening
- daybreak
- late morning
[1 mark]
1.3 According to the narrator, which time of day most enhances the wonder of approaching a great city for the first time?
- Evening
- Dawn
- Midday
[1 mark]
1.4 According to the narrator/speaker, the night holds things for the:
- the weary
- the youthful
- the fortunate
[1 mark]
Question 2
Look in detail at this extract, from lines 6 to 15 of the source:
6 is not here forever repeated! Says the soul of the toiler to itself, “I shall soon be free. I shall be in the ways and the hosts of the merry. The streets, the lamps, the lighted chamber set for dining, are for me. The theatre, the halls, the parties, the ways of rest and the paths of song—these are mine in the night.” Though all humanity be still enclosed in the shops, the thrill
11 runs abroad. It is in the air. The dullest feel something which they may not always express or describe. It is the lifting of the burden of toil. Sister Carrie gazed out of the window. Her companion, affected by her wonder, so contagious are all things, felt anew some interest in the city and pointed
How does the writer use language here to present the promise of the night and its effect on Carrie and her companion? You could include the writer's choice of:
- words and phrases
- language features and techniques
- sentence forms.
[8 marks]
Question 3
You now need to think about the structure of the source as a whole. This text is from the beginning of a novel.
How has the writer structured the text to create a sense of melancholy?
You could write about:
- how melancholy emerges by the end of the source
- how the writer uses structure to create an effect
- the writer's use of any other structural features, such as changes in mood, tone or perspective.
[8 marks]
Question 4
For this question focus on the second part of the source, from line 26 to the end.
In this part of the source, where Carrie feels terror on the train, her personal fear is a strong contrast to the earlier idea of the city’s promise. The writer suggests that for a lonely person, a big city can be more frightening than exciting.
To what extent do you agree and/or disagree with this statement?
In your response, you could:
- consider your impressions of Carrie's feelings of fear and loneliness
- comment on the methods the writer uses to present the city as frightening
- support your response with references to the text.
[20 marks]
Question 5
An after-school nature club has asked for short creative pieces to read at its next meeting.
Choose one of the options below for your entry.
-
Option A: Describe a hedgehog exploring a night garden from your imagination. You may choose to use the picture provided for ideas:
-
Option B: Write the opening of a story about a childhood pet you can't forget.
(24 marks for content and organisation, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
[40 marks]