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.
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: « 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
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.