This question requires the candidates to comment on how Alison reacts to Jimmy’s attacks on her family.

Candidates were expected to discuss:

• The central theme of the conflict between the social classes which is highlighted in the marriage between Jimmy and Alison.
• Character Identification of Jimmy and Alison Porter.
• Jimmy’s attacks on Alison and her family

• Jimmy derisively asks Alison if she feels the papers make her not so brilliant.
• He often insults Alison for her inability to react to the problems of her social class.
• He disparages Alison’s brother, Nigel and calls him “the straight-backed, chinless monster who went to Sandhurst”.
• He attacks Nigel and Alison, labelling them “sycophantic, phlegmatic and pusillanimous”.
• Alison’s reactions to Jimmy’s attacks: Alison takes Jimmy’s “tirades calmly” without saying anything and ignoring him. She takes Helena’s advice to leave Jimmy.
• Significance of Alison’s reactions
• Alison’s reactions demonstrate maturity and love.
• Her reactions highlight Jimmy’s needless and misdirected anger against socioeconomic problems in the society.
• It paves the way for Alison’s return and enables the two to enjoy their true love as bear and squirrel.

Candidates’ performance in this question was fair.