Observation

This was a popular question. However, many candidates gave a character sketch of Mr Hardcastle without pointing out aspects of his humour.

The required answers should include:

* Mr Hardcastle as the owner of an old country mansion and his love of the countryside and old things.

* His sense of humour and teasing of/his relationship with his wife.

* His tolerance of his treatment by Tony Lumpkin, Young Marlow and Hastings.

* Qulaities that qualify him as humorous.

Candidates’ performance in the question was fair.