Key points
In the AQA exam on My Name is Leon, which is part of Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry, you will be presented with a choice of two essay questions.
This is a closed book exam, which means you will not be allowed to have a copy of the novel with you.
Remember
As part of your revision, spend time practising planning answers and writing within the time limit.
This will help to build your confidence for the final exam.
GCSE exam-style question
There will usually be one character question and one theme question, so you can choose the one you know the most about.
Understanding the question
It is a good idea to spend a few minutes planning your answer before you start writing. You should identify the key words and plan out some of your main points.
Example question
How does de Waal present the relationship between Leon and Maureen in the novel?
You could plan using bullet points or a mind-map, or any other way that you find useful.
Activity: Inspecting the question
Before you start writing your answer, make sure you understand the question properly by asking yourself:
1. What are the key words in the question?
How does de Waal present the relationship between Leon and Maureen in the novel?
How – This command word asks you to look at the writer’s choice of language and techniques. What tools have they used?
relationship between Leon and Maureen – The question focuses on just these two characters and how they interact with one another.
present – Remember, the characters and the relationship are created by de Waal. What ideas is she trying to express or show us through Leon and Maureen’s relationship?
2. What are some important moments in Leon and Maureen’s relationship?
You might choose to write about:
When Leon and Jake first move in with Maureen
When Maureen comforts Leon after Jake is adopted
When Maureen goes into hospital and Leon has to live with Sylvia
Leon’s misunderstanding of Maureen and Sylvia’s conversation about the seaside
When Maureen and Leon go to visit Carol in Bristol.
3. How does Leon and Maureen’s relationship change throughout the play?
You might choose to write about:
Leon’s initial reluctance to trust Maureen
Maureen's respect for Leon and shared sadness about Jake’s adoption
Leon saving Maureen’s life by calling the ambulance and their physical separation when she is hospitalised
Leon’s feeling that their relationship is different when Maureen moves in with him and Sylvia
Leon’s renewed trust in Maureen at the end of the novel.
Assessment Objectives
Your exam response will be marked using Assessment Objectives. The ones for this question are below.
| What is the objective? | How do I do well? |
|---|---|
| AO1: The quality of your ideas, understanding of the text and use of supporting evidence | You stay focused on the question and show that you understand the text and the writer’s messages well. You use evidence clearly and carefully to support your answer. |
| AO2: Analysis of the writer’s methods and effects | You explain how the writer uses different tools to create meaning. You use the correct language to explain these techniques and their effects on the audience. |
| AO3: Use of contextual ideas to support your argument | When it’s relevant, you refer to context points that support your answer. These can be social, historical or biographical. |
| AO4: Accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar. | You check your writing carefully for errors. You paragraph your work and try to make sure your meaning is clear. |
Structuring your answer
At the start of your answer, it is helpful to have a short introduction.
An effective introduction should give a summary of the ideas you are about to present, and link to the question and the writer’s message.
After your introduction, each paragraph should include:
A topic sentence, which uses some of the language of the question, to introduce your argument
Evidence that supports your argument
Analysis of the effects of language or dramatic techniques
A final sentence that acts as a mini-summary for that paragraph.
You could include a short conclusion to summarise your ideas at the end of your answer.
Exam top tip
An awareness of the writer’s purpose is important.
You should also remember to include references to context when they are relevant to the point you are making.
Activity
Example answers
Read and compare these two sample answers to the question:
How does de Waal present the relationship between Leon and Maureen in the novel?
Example answer 1
Answers could include:
The writer presents Leon and Maureen’s relationship as better than his home life with Carol. When Leon moves in with Maureen, she treats Leon well, apart from the fact that she is being paid to be his foster carer. Leon tells her everything about how to take care of Jake, and Maureen says that Leon is "really helpful". Maureen has a more comfortable routine than Leon’s mother had, because Leon ‘always has a bath with bubbles and he always has a biscuit’. The adverb ‘always’ shows that Maureen is consistent, unlike Carol.
Leon and Maureen’s relationship is made stronger because they both love Jake and want to take good care of him. Maureen is angry about Jake’s adoption and that the brothers will be separated, but she tries to explain this to Leon in a calm way. She tells Leon that "people are horrible and life isn’t fair, pigeon". The tone used by de Waal suggests that Maureen cares a lot about Leon’s feelings, which Leon forgets later on when he thinks that Maureen and Sylvia are moving to the seaside without him.
At the end of the novel, the relationship has changed slightly because the reader discovers that Maureen is adopting Leon. “It’s taken ages to get this all organised” suggests that Maureen has worked hard to make this happen and so she is prepared to do anything for Leon. De Waal has given Leon and Maureen a happy ending, which is unexpected but a good contrast to all the other difficult times and relationships in Leon’s life.
Feedback
There is some focus on the question but there could be more explanation, instead of describing what happens.
The answer includes some good quotations and references to the writer’s methods, but more detail is needed on the effects of those methods and the writer’s purpose.
The answer could include some more relevant context points – about fostering or adoption, for example.
Example answer 2
Answers could include:
The writer presents Leon and Maureen’s relationship as aA place of safety. from Leon’s other, more difficult relationships. From the start, even though fostering is a formal and professional arrangement, Maureen treats Leon as one of her own children and encourages him to feel safe with her. She tells Leon that he is ‘really helpful’ and they settle into a comforting routine, where Leon ‘always has a bath with bubbles and he always has a biscuit’. This is a significant contrast to Leon’s life with Carol.
Leon and Maureen’s strong relationship isMade stronger or more solid. further by their shared love and affection for Jake. Maureen respects how Leon has cared for Jake, and she is honest with Leon about why Jake is being adopted. She explains that ‘people are horrible and life isn’t fair, pigeon’. TheA word or phrase used to show love or affection. In this example, it is the word ‘pigeon’. used by de Waal suggests that Maureen is affectionate towards Leon, and also implies that even when Maureen is angry about what is happening she is careful to make sure her language and tone are gentle when speaking to Leon.
By the end of the novel, Leon has learned to trust Maureen completely and Maureen tells Leon that she will be formally adopting him. She says, “It’s taken ages to get this all organised”, reminding the reader that adoption is a complex process but something that Maureen was willing to do to make sure Leon was given a stable home life that he could trust. De Waal has chosen to give Leon and Maureen an almost fairytale ending, possibly as a way of celebrating the many strong relationships in the wider world between foster carers and the young people they look after.
Feedback
The answer is focused on the question and takes a thoughtful and evaluative approach.
The quotations are well-chosen and analysed in detail, with comments on specific effects of the writer’s methods.
The answer shows a good understanding of the relationship between Leon and Maureen and its place in the wider narrative.
The answer uses appropriate context points to support the argument.
The answer could consider more varied moments in the relationship that are less positive – when Maureen is in hospital or when Leon misunderstands about the seaside, for example.
Other exam-style questions
You could use the following questions to revise your knowledge of the novel and practice writing your ideas.
How does de Waal present the character of Carol in My Name is Leon?
Some ideas:
Carol is presented as Someone at risk of being hurt physically or emotionally. and unreliable.
Kit de Waal uses Leon’s perspective to show how much Carol is loved by Leon.
Carol feels guilty about her behaviour towards Leon and Jake, but she is not always in full control of her actions.
Explore how de Waal presents ideas about loss and grief in the novel.
Some ideas:
Grief is an important for many of the characters in the novel.
Kit de Waal presents Leon’s stealing as symbolic of his many losses, which include his missing toys, Carol moving away, and Jake’s adoption.
The character of Mr Devlin gives the reader a different perspective on loss and grief, as the way he deals with these feelings make him suspicious to others.
How does de Waal explore the theme of belonging in My Name is Leon?
Some ideas:
This theme is closely linked to ideas about identity and loyalty.
Kit de Waal uses Leon to explore how a child makes sense of the world and where they belong in it.
Many characters offer Leon a sense of belonging outside of a ‘traditional’ family, like Maureen, Tufty and Mr Devlin.
GCSE English literature revision podcasts. audio
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