GCSE English Language & Literature Flashcards
6 cards from real GCSE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 GCSE English Language & Literature flashcards as text
What is the narrative technique of 'dramatic irony'?
Answer: When the reader knows something a character does not
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience/reader knows something that one or more characters do not. This creates tension, humour, or pathos. For example, in 'Macbeth', Duncan praises the castle while the audience knows he will be murdered there.
In 'An Inspector Calls', what does the Inspector symbolise?
Answer: Social conscience, collective responsibility, and the voice of socialist morality
Inspector Goole represents social conscience and Priestley's socialist message. His name 'Goole' suggests 'ghoul' or omniscience. He challenges the Birlings' individualism and argues for collective responsibility.
What does 'tone' mean when analysing a piece of writing?
Answer: The writer's attitude towards the subject, as conveyed through language choices
Tone is the attitude or mood the writer conveys through their language choices. A text might have an angry, melancholic, sarcastic, or hopeful tone. Identifying tone requires analysing word choices and their connotations.
What is the technique of 'foreshadowing' in narrative writing?
Answer: Hinting at future events to build tension and anticipation
Foreshadowing involves planting subtle hints about what will happen later in the story. It builds tension, creates a sense of inevitability, and rewards attentive readers. For example, in 'Macbeth', the witches' prophecies foreshadow events.
What is the function of the prologue in 'Romeo and Juliet'?
Answer: To tell the audience the whole plot in advance, including the ending
The prologue introduces the feud, tells us the lovers will die ('star-crossed'), and frames the play as a tragedy. Rather than creating suspense about the ending, Shakespeare creates dramatic irony — we watch knowing the outcome.
What does 'connotation' mean?
Answer: The associations or feelings a word carries beyond its literal meaning
Connotation refers to the emotional, cultural, or associative meaning of a word beyond its denotation (literal meaning). For example, 'home' denotes a dwelling but connotes warmth, safety, and belonging.