“The Test” By Angelica Gibbs Key Exam Hints “The Test” By Angelica Gibbs

The Introduction Restate the question and reuse the key words to show you are aware of what you have to write about. Drop in the relevant information – text title, author and …. Restate the focus of the question focus Explain how the author helps you to understand the focus of the question. (i.e. techniques used/themes highlighted)

Question: … on first reading seems like a simple story, but on second reading a more complex … Your Intro: “The Test” by Angelica Gibbs initially/on first reading seems like a simple story about a young black girl who fails her driving test. However, on second reading, it becomes obvious that this is a more complex story about racism and social divisions. Gibb helps us to understand this through her use of characterisation, dialogue and imagery.

You Try … PROSE Answers to questions on Prose should refer to the text and to such relevant features as characterisation, setting, language, key incident(s), climax, turning point, plot, structure, narrative technique, theme, ideas, description . . . 3. Choose a novel or a short story or a work of non-fiction which explores an important theme. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has explored this theme. 4. Choose a novel or a short story in which the author creates a fascinating character. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has created this character and why you found him/her so fascinating.

Key Vocabulary Racism Persecution Prejudice Stereotypes / Stereotypical Social divide Social exclusion Passive racist (Mrs Ericson) Overtly racist (The inspector) Challenge Social norms / Social expectations Pre - Civil Rights Movement Social strata

You must explain the setting Pre Civil Right Movement which challenged and rejected stereotypes and racist behaviour BUT in “The Test” no one challenged the prevailing attitudes / behaviour towards black society. (Why not?) It was the expected and accepted social order (reflected by Marian’s passive acceptance of her treatment) To challenge this was to risk social exclusion (Mrs Ericson – “I wish I could pay you …your worth”

Use Topic Sentences to link to focus of the exam question .. The author uses dialogue to reflect the stereotypical beliefs about black society. The author also uses characterisation to reflect stereotypical and accepted behaviour. Symbolism is also used by the author to portray the social division between black and white society.

Conclusion Restate the introduction in a slightly different way. e.g. It is through the author’s use of characterisation, dialogue and symbolism that we come to appreciate the complex issues of racism and social division in this apparently simple story. Make a personal comment about the main ideas/themes. Should this story have been written at a later different point in America’s social history, perhaps Marian would have passed her test – or at least had the civil right to speak out against the unfair treatment imposed upon her by the racist inspector.