Insert
The source that follows is:
- Source A: 19th-century prose fiction
- The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
An extract from a work first published in 1848.
This extract is taken from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë, as Gilbert Markham visits Mrs Graham, admires her painting, and offers her 'Marmion'; she insists on paying to avoid obligation, highlighting her independence and the careful boundaries of their tentative friendship.
Source A
1 My last visit had been to return the book she had lent me; and then it was that, in casually discussing the poetry of Sir Walter Scott, she had expressed a wish to see “Marmion,” and I had conceived the presumptuous idea of making her a present of it, and, on my return home, instantly sent for the smart little volume I had this morning received. But an apology for invading the
6 hermitage was still necessary; so I had furnished myself with a blue morocco collar for Arthur’s little dog; and that being given and received, with much more joy and gratitude, on the part of the receiver, than the worth of the gift or the selfish motive of the giver deserved, I ventured to ask Mrs. Graham for one more look at the picture, if it was still there.
11 “Oh, yes! come in,” said she (for I had met them in the garden). “It is finished and framed, all ready for sending away; but give me your last opinion, and if you can suggest any further improvement, it shall be—duly considered, at least.”
16 The picture was strikingly beautiful; it was the very scene itself, transferred as if by magic to the canvas; but I expressed my approbation in guarded terms, and few words, for fear of displeasing her. She, however, attentively watched my looks, and her artist’s pride was gratified, no doubt,
21 to read my heartfelt admiration in my eyes. But, while I gazed, I thought upon the book, and wondered how it was to be presented. My heart failed me; but I determined not to be such a fool as to come away without having made the attempt. It was useless waiting for an opportunity, and useless trying to concoct a speech for the occasion. The more plainly and naturally the thing
26 was done, the better, I thought; so I just looked out of the window to screw up my courage, and then pulled out the book, turned round, and put it into her hand, with this short explanation: “You were wishing to see “Marmion,” Mrs. Graham; and here it is, if you will
31 be so kind as to take it.” A momentary blush suffused her face—perhaps, a blush of sympathetic shame for such an awkward style of presentation: she gravely examined the volume on both sides; then silently turned over the leaves, knitting her brows the while, in
36 serious cogitation; then closed the book, and turning from it to me, quietly asked the price of it—I felt the hot blood rush to my face. “I’m sorry to offend you, Mr. Markham,” said she, “but unless I pay for the book, I cannot take it.” And she laid it on the table.
41 “Why cannot you?” “Because,”—she paused, and looked at the carpet.
46 “Why cannot you?” I repeated, with a degree of irascibility that roused her to lift her eyes and look me steadily in the face. “Because I don’t like to put myself under obligations that I can never repay—I am obliged to you already for your kindness to my son; but his grateful
51 affection and your own good feelings must reward you for that.” “Nonsense!” ejaculated I. She turned her eyes on me again, with a look of quiet, grave surprise, that
56 had the effect of a rebuke, whether intended for such or not. “Then you won’t take the book?” I asked, more mildly than I had yet spoken. “I will gladly take it, if you will let me pay for it.” I told her the exact
61 price, and the cost of the carriage besides, in as calm a tone as I could command—for, in fact, I was ready to weep with disappointment and vexation. She produced her purse, and coolly counted out the money, but hesitated to put it into my hand. Attentively regarding me, in a tone of soothing softness, she
66 observed,—“You think yourself insulted, Mr Markham—I wish I could make you understand that—that I—” “I do understand you, perfectly,” I said. “You think that if you were to accept that trifle from me now, I should presume upon it hereafter; but you
71 are mistaken:—if you will only oblige me by taking it, believe me, I shall build no hopes upon it, and consider this no precedent for future favours:—and it is nonsense to talk about putting yourself under obligations to me when you must know that in such a case the obligation is entirely on my side,—the favour on yours.”
76 “Well, then, I’ll take you at your word,” she answered, with a most angelic smile, returning the odious money to her purse—“but remember!” “I will remember—what I have said;—but do not you punish my presumption by
81 withdrawing your friendship entirely from me,—or expect me to atone for it by being more distant than before,” said I, extending my hand to take leave, for I was too much excited to remain. “Well, then! let us be as we were,” replied she, frankly placing her hand in
86 mine; and while I held it there, I had much difficulty to refrain from pressing it to my lips;—but that would be suicidal madness: I had been bold enough already, and this premature offering had well-nigh given the death-blow to my hopes.
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 What had been the purpose of the narrator’s last visit?
- to return the book lent to the narrator
- to casually discuss the poetry of Sir Walter Scott
- to express a wish to see "Marmion"
[1 mark]
1.2 What, according to the lines, was being discussed casually?
- the poetry of Sir Walter Scott
- a wish to see "Marmion"
- the return of the book
[1 mark]
1.3 What idea did the narrator conceive?
- to make a present of "Marmion"
- to send back the smart little volume
- to return the book that had been lent
[1 mark]
1.4 After returning home, what did the narrator do?
- instantly sent for the smart little volume
- casually discussed the poetry of Sir Walter Scott
- expressed a wish to see "Marmion"
[1 mark]
Question 2
Look in detail at this extract, from lines 1 to 15 of the source:
1 My last visit had been to return the book she had lent me; and then it was that, in casually discussing the poetry of Sir Walter Scott, she had expressed a wish to see “Marmion,” and I had conceived the presumptuous idea of making her a present of it, and, on my return home, instantly sent for the smart little volume I had this morning received. But an apology for invading the
6 hermitage was still necessary; so I had furnished myself with a blue morocco collar for Arthur’s little dog; and that being given and received, with much more joy and gratitude, on the part of the receiver, than the worth of the gift or the selfish motive of the giver deserved, I ventured to ask Mrs. Graham for one more look at the picture, if it was still there.
11 “Oh, yes! come in,” said she (for I had met them in the garden). “It is finished and framed, all ready for sending away; but give me your last opinion, and if you can suggest any further improvement, it shall be—duly considered, at least.”
How does the writer use language here to present the narrator’s visit and feelings? 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 start of a novel.
How has the writer structured the text to create a sense of calm?
You could write about:
- how calm shifts throughout 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 36 to the end.
In this part of the source, the narrator is extremely embarrassed when Mrs Graham offers to pay for the book. The writer suggests that this awkward moment shows how social differences can make friendship difficult.
To what extent do you agree and/or disagree with this statement?
In your response, you could:
- consider your impressions of the awkward moment between Mr Markham and Mrs Graham
- comment on the methods the writer uses to portray the difficult nature of their relationship
- support your response with references to the text.
[20 marks]
Question 5
At your local animal shelter's annual fundraiser, short creative pieces will be read out to guests.
Choose one of the options below for your entry.
-
Option A: Describe a quiet moment at a busy animal shelter from your imagination. You may choose to use the picture provided for ideas:
-
Option B: Write the opening of a story about choosing the perfect pet.
(24 marks for content and organisation, 16 marks for technical accuracy)
[40 marks]