Key points
The AQA exam on Leave Taking is part of Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry.
You will be presented with a choice of two essay questions.
There will often be one character question and one theme question, so you can choose the one you know the most about.
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
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.
You could plan using bullet points or a mind-map, or any other way that you find useful.
Example question
How is the character of Viv presented in the play?
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?
How is the character of Vivpresented in the play?
‘How’ – this word asks you to look at the writer’s choice of language and techniques. What tools have they used?
‘Viv’ – the question focuses on just one character.
‘presented’ – remember, the character of Viv is created by Pinnock. What ideas is she trying to express or show through Viv?
2. What are some important moments for the character of Viv?
You might choose to write about:
When Viv quotes from Shakespeare or Rupert Brooke
When she reveals to Del that she can't see herself represented in any of the books she reads
When she gives her university money to Del
When she chooses to study Black Studies at university.
3. How does Viv change throughout the play?
You might choose to write about:
Her obedience towards Enid at the start and her initial devotion to her studies
Her early role as peacemaker between Enid and Del
Her increasing anxiety about the pressure Enid has put on her to do well academically and her offstage argument with Enid
Her final decision to choose a university course for herself and to not accept Enid’s money.
Assessment Objectives
Your exam response will be marked using Assessment Objectives (AOs).
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 | Stay focused on the question and show that you understand the text and the writer’s messages well. Use evidence clearly and carefully to support your answer. |
| AO2: Analysis of the writer’s methods and effects | Explain how the writer uses different tools to create meaning. 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, refer to context points that support your answer. These can be social, historical or biographical. |
| AO4: Accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar. | Check your writing carefully for errors. 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.
You could include a short conclusion at the end of your answer to summarise the points you have made.
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 is the character of Viv presented in the play?
Example answer 1
Answers could include:
Viv behaves in different ways throughout the play. At the start, Viv is quiet and hard-working. She has memorised poetry and Shakespeare, and her mother wants her to do well in school. She is ambitious about travelling, especially to the West Indies as she says that "Uncle Brod says you don’t know who you are 'less you’ve been there".
Viv laughs and jokes with her sister Del, but their first proper argument is towards the end of the play, when she confesses that she has walked out of her A-level English Literature exam. She expects Del to support her, when she says, "I thought you of all people would understand". Viv also refers to her teachers as "they", which makes them sound anonymous and like they don’t have an interest in her. This is a dramatic change from the start.
However, Del takes back the big sister role and needs to remind Viv of the consequences of her actions. Del commands Viv to "go back to school and sit that exam". This direct sentence shows that Del is being honest but also taking responsibility. It reminds the audience that Viv is still young, but her sister is older and wiser and doesn’t want Viv to make the same mistakes she did.
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.
The answer does not consider why Viv is acting the way she is.
Example answer 2
Answers could include:
Viv is presented as someone who is struggling to find her identity. At the start of the play, Viv is hard-working and obedient and seen as the opposite of her sister Del. She feels pressure from Enid to do well academically – like when she asks Brod "How can I ever live up to that?" The rhetorical question suggests that Viv is struggling to be the person Enid wants her to be, but her worries are ignored by Brod when she asks him what will happen if she fails her exams.
Later on, this part of her identity is tested when Viv confesses to Del that she has walked out of her A-level English Literature exam. Viv has clearly lost her faith in the teachers she used to work hard for, emphasising her distance from them with the pronoun ‘they’. Her pauses before her confession imply that she is uncertain about how Del will respond to her news, as this is her "one act of rebellion" – the singular "one" implies that Viv is aware of how this will be seen as a dramatic change from when she recited poetry and Shakespeare.
The direct series of questions from Del imply that she is in disbelief but she is also putting Viv under pressure to explain the change in her attitude. When Viv replies, "I thought you of all people would understand", Pinnock is using an accusing tone to suggest to the audience that what Viv thinks she needs is sisterly reassurance about who she is trying to become, not criticism.
The revelation at the end of the play that Viv has chosen Black Studies at university shows Viv’s ability to reflect on what has happened and how she has found a way to explore and claim her identity.
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 Viv and her motivations.
The answer could consider more points on context – what expectations there are on Viv as a daughter of a migrant, for example.
GCSE English literature revision podcasts. audio
Whether you're at home or on the go, listen to these podcasts by Bitesize and BBC Sounds to refresh your memory of key texts.
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