Read the extract below. Sheila: (Bitterly) You were the wonderful Fairy Prince. You must have adored it, Gerald. Gerald: (Quietly) Sheila, I didn’t… Sheila: (Cutting in, as he tries to speak) You were the owner of the Palace Bar – and Eric’s also, apparently – Eric: (Miserably) Yes. Sheila: (To Eric) So that’s where you got your alcohol from. And that’s where you met this girl – wasn’t it, Gerald? Gerald: Yes. Sheila: (Triumphantly) So you knew her all along. And you never said a word. You just sat there and let us all go on. And then you tried to make out that the whole thing was a joke. Inspector: (Sharply) That’s enough, Miss Birling. Let’s get back to the point. Sheila: What point? Inspector: The point is that you all share a part of the responsibility. Sheila: (Suddenly serious) Yes, I suppose we do. But it's not the same for all of us.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme. The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. Question 3(a):
2. Assessment Objectives (AOs):
3. - AO2 (5 marks): Analyse how Priestley uses language, structure and form to achieve effects and influence readers.
4. - AO3 (5 marks): Explore relationships between texts and contexts.
5. Expected qualities for higher marks (Level 4-5, 7-10 marks):
6. - Perceptive understanding of the changing relationship between Sheila and Gerald, clearly identifying shifts in power dynamics and Sheila's disillusionment.
7. - Detailed and sustained analysis of Priestley's methods, including specific language choices (e.g., 'Fairy Prince', 'triumphantly', 'bitterly'), dialogue structure (e.g., Sheila cutting in, Gerald's quiet responses), and stage directions.
8. - Excellent understanding of the dramatic effects created and their significance within the play.
9. - Strong integration of relevant contextual awareness, such as evolving gender roles, societal expectations, and the breakdown of superficial relationships.
10. Question 3(b):
11. Assessment Objectives (AOs):
12. - AO1 (5 marks): Respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and use relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations.
13. - AO2 (10 marks): Analyse how Priestley uses language, structure and form to achieve effects and influence readers.
14. - AO3 (5 marks): Explore relationships between texts and contexts.
15. Expected qualities for higher marks (Level 4-5, 13-20 marks):
16. - Convincing and sustained exploration of the multifaceted nature of responsibility throughout the entire play, going beyond the extract.
17. - Sophisticated analysis of how Priestley presents responsibility through various characters (e.g., Mr Birling's individualistic view, Mrs Birling's denial, Sheila's and Eric's acceptance, the Inspector's socialist message).
18. - Excellent command and selection of relevant textual evidence from across the play to support interpretations.
19. - Perceptive understanding and analysis of Priestley's dramatic techniques, such as cyclical structure, didacticism, irony, symbolism, and the Inspector's role as a catalyst.
20. - Strong integration of relevant contextual factors, including social class, pre- and post-war Britain, socialism vs. capitalism, and collective responsibility.