Revision Document for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Chapter by Chapter Breakdown. Bullet points include the key quotations from each of the 9 chapters as well as key analytical comments.

Exam Board: AQA Component: 1C The Tudors: England, 1485-1603 Level 5/A* Essay. Question: ‘Changes in religion in the reign of Henry VIII up to 1540 occurred because of Cromwell’. Assess the validity of this view.

Exam Board: AQA Component: 1C The Tudors: England, 1485-1603 Level 5/A* Essay - Full Marks (25/25) Question: ‘The establishment of Henry VII’s authority in the years 1485 to 1509 was due to his financial policies.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. Paragraphs cover the following: Paragraphs 1 & 2 evaluate Henry VII’s financial policies. However, it makes the point that financial policies and control over the nobility were intrinsically linked. Thus, the success of his financial policies in establishing his royal authority was owed largely to the concurrent control such policies exerted over the nobility. Paragraph 3 analyses Henry’s conduct of foreign affairs during his reign and demonstrates how Henry cemented his authority through various treaties with major foreign powers and through alliances via marriage. The final paragraph examines Henry’s establishment of royal authority through his successful suppression of pretenders to his throne. The essay concludes by arguing that Henry VII’s establishment of authority was aided by his financial policies but, ultimately, they cannot be considered the sole reason for his success.

AQA A-Level English Literature A Paper 1: Love Through The Ages Section A: Shakespeare Text: Othello This is an A*/full mark (25/25) essay for A-level English literature. As it explores examples from the wider play, as well as the given extract, the essay is useful for wider revision/topic knowledge as well as being an exemplar essay/written response. Question: ‘In the literature of love, the happiness of lovers is threatened by forces external to their relationship’. In the light of this view, discuss how Shakespeare presents the destruction of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship in this extract and elsewhere in the play. (The given extract that this essay engages with is included at the start of the document for ease of reference). This essay: Sets out a debate in its thesis derived from the given question/interpretation (AO5). This essay explores and considers the ‘external’ threat of the antagonist of Iago in regard to the demise of the relationship between Othello and Desdemona. However, it ultimately argues throughout its response (AO1/AO5) that the happiness of lovers is actually threatened by forces within their relationship – in this case, Othello’s inner insecurities. It analyses a wide variety of literary techniques and authorial methods (including: similes, modal verbs, apostrophe, imagery, tone, foreshadowing, metaphor, allusion, the verse form etc.) from both the given extract as well as elsewhere within the wider play (AO2). It incorporates relevant contextual links that are influential in regards to the question and debate of this essay/question, including: the tragic context, race and reputation (AO3). It explores connections across literary texts, focusing on the destructive interference of malicious third parties and it considers ideas about the play as a tragedy (AO4).

Exam Board: AQA Component: 1C The Tudors: England, 1485-1603 Level 5/A* Essay - Full Marks (25/25) Question: Rebellions can be seen as the greatest challenge facing Henry VII’s rule, 1485-1509. Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. Paragraphs cover the following: The threat posed by pretenders to the throne. The threat posed by the strength of the nobility. The threat posed by foreign affairs.

French A-Level (AQA) Paper 2: Writing Section B: Films Jean-Pierre Jeunet: Un long Dimanche de fiançailles Question: « Un long Dimanche de fiançailles suscite plus de sympathie pour Mathilde que pour Tina. » Dans quelle mesure êtes-vous d’accord avec ce jugement ? A* Exam Response. This essay examines the hardships faced by both Mathilde Donnay and Tina Lombardi in Jeunet’s 2004 film & analyses the sympathy which the events of the film elicit for both characters. It ultimately argues that the film elicits greater sympathy for Tina than it does for the central protagonist and narrator, Mathilde. Word Count: 1040

Exam Board: AQA Component: 1C The Tudors: England, 1485-1603 Level 5/A* Essay - Full Marks (25/25) Question: ‘The foreign policy of Elizabeth I failed to achieve its objectives in the years 1558-1603’. Assess the validity of this view. This essay contests strongly against the given view. It argues that Elizabeth’s cardinal objective of preserving England’s national security was achieved. Of course, England’s finances were depleted owing to the longevity of the Anglo-Spanish War and the rebellious activity in Ireland. However, ultimately, England’s national security remained intact despite being drawn into conflict with the most powerful Catholic force of that epoch. Paragraphs explore the following objectives: Spreading Protestantism abroad. (This essay notes that spreading Protestant ideas abroad was an objective of great importance to Elizabeth’s ministers, namely Dudley and Cecil, rather than to the queen herself). The safeguarding of finances. Preserving England’s security. Word Count: 1495.

Exam Board: AQA Subject: A-Level History Component: 2N Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917-1953 Exam Question Practice. Essay Writing Practice. Level 5/A* Essay. Question: Stalin’s victory in the power struggle between 1922 and 1929 was due to the popularity of his policies. Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. This essay deals with the following key points: The popularity of Stalin’s policies. The weaknesses of his opponents. Fortuitous circumstances. Stalin’s manipulation and opportunism. Word Count: 1205

Exam Board: AQA Subject: A-Level History Component: 2N Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917-1953 Exam Question Practice. Essay Writing Practice. Level 5/A* Response. Question: The aims of Soviet foreign policy changed significantly under Stalin. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Word Count: 1246

Level 5/A* Essay/Response. AQA A-Level History Question: ‘With regards to foreign policy between 1512 and 1529, Henry VIII went from one failure to another’. Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. Exam Question Practice. Essay Writing Practice. Exam Board: AQA Component: 1C, The Tudors Word Count: 1372

2N Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917-1953 AQA A-Level History Level 5/A* Response Exam Question/Essay Writing Practice This essay deals with the following: The condition of Russia before the revolution of February/March 1917. The Tsar and political authority. The war effort. The economic and social state of Russia. Discontent. 1275 Words.

English Literature (AQA) Modern Times A-Level Essay Level 5/A* Exam Response Question: ‘Modern literature is primarily concerned with the struggle for identity’. Explore the significance of identity in The Handmaid’s Tale. Word Count: 1990.

French A-Level (AQA) Paper 2: Writing Section B: Films Jean-Pierre Jeunet: Un long Dimanche de fiançailles Question: Examinez les méthodes adoptées par Mathilde et Tina à la recherche de la vérité ou de la revanche. A* Exam Reponse. This essay examines the antithetical methods adopted by Mathilde Donnay and Tina Lombardi in their quests to uncover the truth and to enact revenge, respectively. This essay argues that Tina’s adopted methods were far riskier than those adopted by Mathilde. Indeed, while Mathilde chooses to spend her inheritance and employ the services of a private detective, Tina chooses to kill the men responsible for Ange’s death. Ultimately, however, this essay makes the point that, though their methods differed greatly, both women were able to achieve success within their quests in this 2004 film. Word Count: 1165

Question: ‘The consolidation of royal authority, in the years 1487-1509, was due to Henry VII’s control over the nobility.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. AQA Component 1C: The Tudors: England, 1485–1603 Level 5/A* Essay 3 Key Issues Covered: Henry VII’s control over the nobility. His diplomatic skills in dealing with foreign powers (foreign policy). His use of royal finances.

Level 5/A* Exam Response. English Literature (AQA) Love Through the Ages Comparative Essay comparing Brontë’s Jane Eyre with Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby Question: ‘Lovers are driven primarily by a desire to escape the past’. By comparing two prose texts, explore the extent to which you agree with this statement. This essay has also been colour-coded so that you can easily note where the different Assessment Objectives (AOs) have been hit.

Level 5/A* Exam Response. Essay discussing William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello Question/Topic: Examine the view that Othello is presented as a flawed character who is controlled by jealousy. This essay has also been colour-coded so that you can easily note where the different Assessment Objectives (AOs) have been hit.

Question: ‘Duffy excludes men as subjects in her collection’. Examine this view of the collection. You must write about at least two poems in your answer. The essay explores the following poems from Duffy’s collection in its analysis: The Long Queen Beautiful The Diet This essay contests strongly against the given view, arguing that men are pervasive throughout Duffy’s collection. Paper 2B Modern Times: Literature from 1945 to the Present Day. Section A: Poetry Set Text. Carol Ann Duffy’s Feminine Gospels. Exam Board: AQA Level 5/A* Essay. Exam Question Practice. Timed Exam Response.

AQA History A-Level 2N Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917-1953 A*/Level 5 Essay Question: The Provisional Government was Responsible for its Own Downfall. Assess the validity of this view. Key Points Include: Lenin’s Leadership & Timing. Trotsky’s tactical planning & military support. Continued strains on the homefront as a result of the ongoing war. The critical mistakes of Kerensky - esp. within the Kornilov affair.

French A-Level (AQA) Paper 2: Writing Section B: Films Jean-Pierre Jeunet: Un long Dimanche de fiançailles Question: Examinez les rapports entre les personnages principaux du film. A* Exam Response. This essay examines several of the key relationships in Jeunet’s 2004 film. It starts by examining the relationships between the soldiers stationed at ‘Bingo Crépuscule’ in the trenches of the Somme. The paragraphs focus on the strength of friendship and unity shared between these conscripted men and, specifically, there is a focus on the kindness that the soldiers show towards the much younger and naive, Manech Langonnet. It considers, in particular, the roles of Célestin Poux and Benoît Notre Dame. The essay then moves from the trenches to the domestic home front and examines the relationships between Mathilde and her aunt and uncle, as well as between Mathilde and the private detective, Germain Pire. Finally, the essay examines the relationship between Mathilde and Manech. Ultimately, this essay demonstrates that this is the strongest relationship within the film. This essay is also useful for general revision of the film as it covers a multitude of key relationships with precise examples taken from a variety of scenes. Word Count: 1683

This essay explores the theme of uncertainty in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Question: Explore how Shakespeare presents uncertainty in Hamlet. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading. Word Count: 2134 This essay explores both the initial uncertainty that plagues Hamlet while he seeks proof of his uncle’s crime as well as Hamlet’s uncertainty of self. Indeed, Hamlet’s ‘need to know’ proves ironic as, even when the uncertainty surrounding the guilt of Claudius is removed, Hamlet’s fatal flaw of procrastination endures. All quotations used from this play, as well as all critical quotations, are footnoted in the essay for ease of reference. (Page references refer to the Wordsworth Classics edition). This essay will be useful for any student studying Hamlet as part of their KS5 curriculum.