"The notes that follow refer specifically to the Cambridge GCE 'O' Level Exam, which is taken in November by Secondary 4 & 5 students doing Literature in English in Singapore and other countries."
"'Romeo and Juliet' will be examined in 1991 and 1992."
"The notes may also be useful to candidates preparing for other exams, or for exams at a different level."
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"By 'Context Question' teachers and examiners refer to the type of question which presents a short passage from the text, and then asks a series of questions based on that passage."
"In the 'O' Level exam, the Context Question is always the first question in the paper, and it is always worth 20% of the total marks."
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"This question demands a detailed knowledge of the text."
"Questions usually centre on:"
"* -understanding of words, phrases, imagery in the extract."
"* -knowledge of when and where the scene takes place."
"* -character attributes revealed in the extract."
"* -awareness of how parts of the extract relate to important plot and theme elements in the rest of the play."
"It is important to note the mark allocation for each part of the question, as this is a guide to the depth of the answer required. It is pointless to write a paragraph to answer a 1-mark question, when a few words would be enough."
"In the following screens there is a sample set of questions, followed by model answers."
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"*Sample Context Question"
"The passage on which the questions are based is the whole of the short scene, Act III, scene iv."
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"1. The Capulet household is mourning the death of Tybalt."
"a. Who killed Tybalt? (1 mark)"
"b. Why did he kill him? (1 mark)"
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"2. There is great dramatic irony in the words of Capulet and his wife. Explain the irony by saying what Juliet is in fact doing at the time they are speaking. (2 marks)"
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"3. Explain in your own words lines 23-26 (2 marks)"
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"4. In lines 13-14 Capulet says that he expects Juliet to follow his wishes and marry Paris."
"a. Give two reasons that Capulet had previously given to Paris for not allowing Juliet to marry. (2 marks)"
"b. Describe what actually happens when Juliet is told that she is to marry Paris. (3 marks)"
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"5. Capulet also indicates that the wedding will be a small affair, and that it will be held on Thursday. Describe how and why he later changes his mind on both points. (4 marks)"
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"6. Briefly describe how Juliet tries to avoid the marriage, and the results of her attempt. (5 marks)"
"* ** TOTAL 20 MARKS **"
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"* ANSWERS"
"*1 a. Romeo killed Tybalt."
"*1 b. He killed him to revenge his friend Mercutio, slain by Tybalt moments earlier."
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"*2. Capulet and his wife think that Juliet is grieving for Tybalt. In fact, Juliet is joyfully celebrating her marriage to Romeo. They are spending the night together."
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"*3. We won't have a big celebration, just a few friends, for mind you, since Tybalt was killed so recently, people may"
"*think we are disrespectful to our dead relative if we have a big party."
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"*4. a. In Act I, scene ii he says that she is too young (not yet fourteen) and also Juliet's own wishes are very important:"
"My will to her consent is but a part."
"*4 b. Juliet refuses first her mother, and then her father. Both of them abuse her for her stubbornness, and her father threatens to throw her out onto the streets."
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"*5. To deceive her parents Juliet agrees to marry Paris. Her father is so delighted at her change of heart that he immediately brings the date of the wedding forward one day."
"*He also forgets his earlier words about a small celebration and organises a large feast."
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"*6. See answer on next page."
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"*6. Juliet follows Friar Lawrence's plan. She takes a drug which will make her appear dead for 42 hours."
"*She will be placed in the Capulets' vault, where Romeo will come and rescue her when she wakes."
"*Unfortunately, Romeo is not told of the plan, and thinks she is really dead. He rushes to the tomb where he takes poison and dies."
"*Waking and finding him dead, Juliet also takes her own life with Romeo's dagger."
