Observation

A good number of candidates attempted this question. However, many of them gave character sketch of Mr Hardcastle and Tony Lumpkin. They failed to point out Mr. Hardcastle’s feelings towards his stepson.

The required answers should include:

• Mr Hardcastle’s view of Tony as a pampered child and blaming it all on Mrs. Hardcastle, Tony’s mother.
• Mr Hardcastle’s good humoured tolerance of Tony’s pranks, some of which affect him directly.
• His disposition that Tony has already come of age and needs to be on his own.
• His approval of Tony teasing his own mother.

Candidates' performance in this question was poor.