GCSEEnglish LiteratureAQAExam Questions3. Modern TextsLord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies (AQA GCSE English Literature)

Exam Questions

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Lord of the Flies

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Lord of the Flies

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11 mark

Who represents democracy and order among the boys?

  • Simon

  • Jack

  • Ralph

  • Roger

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21 mark

What does the conch shell symbolise in the novel?

  • power and authority

  • democracy and free speech

  • savagery and chaos

  • evil and darkness

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31 mark

Which character is associated with the embodiment of human goodness?

  • Piggy

  • Ralph

  • Jack

  • Simon

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41 mark

What is the significance of the boys painting their faces?

  • It signifies their fear of the Beast.

  • It shows their respect for tribal traditions.

  • It represents their descent into savagery.

  • It symbolises their innocence.

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51 mark

Who is responsible for the destruction of the conch shell?

  • Roger

  • Ralph

  • Piggy

  • Jack

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61 mark

What event marks the turning point where savagery takes over civilisation among the boys?

  • the murder of Simon

  • the discovery of the Beast

  • the crash of the plane

  • the election of Ralph as leader

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71 mark

What does the Beast represent in the novel?

  • a real, external threat

  • the boys' fear of the unknown

  • the inherent evil within all humans

  • the authority of the adults

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81 mark

What does Golding suggest about the nature of evil in humans through the character of Roger?

  • Evil is only ever present in adults, not in children.

  • Evil is learned primarily through the influence of others.

  • Evil is inherent in humans and emerges without societal rules.

  • Evil is a result of the environment which one is placed in.

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91 mark

How does the destruction of the conch shell reflect Golding's view on civilisation?

  • It shows the power of democracy over authoritarianism.

  • It symbolises the collapse of order and the triumph of savagery.

  • It indicates the boys' return to their civilised roots.

  • It represents the beginning of a new society.

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11 mark

What does Simon’s discovery of the dead parachutist suggest about the true nature of the Beast?

  • The Beast is finally dead and can no longer threaten the boys on the island.

  • The Beast is something that can be used to control the boys through fear and disgust.

  • The Beast is a manifestation of our own inner darkness; humans are the real monsters.

  • The Beast is a hallucination that appears in whatever form most scares the observer.

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21 mark

Why is it significant that the conch shatters when Roger kills Piggy?

  • because it emphasises the moment that Roger ceases to resist his own savage instincts

  • because it illustrates that Roger does not need a symbol to uphold the rules set by Ralph

  • because it shows evil is inherent in humans and Roger’s increasing brutality reveals this

  • because it highlights that both Roger and Piggy are victims of the boys’ cruelty and savagery

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31 mark

How might the outcome of the boys' society have differed if the conch had never been introduced?

  • There would have been more chaos as the boys struggled for power.

  • Jack would have established his authority earlier without opposition.

  • The boys would have found another way to maintain order, possibly through force.

  • The boys would have worked together more cooperatively from the start.

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41 mark

Apply the concept of "tabula rasa" (blank slate) to the boys' situation on the island. What does Golding suggest about human nature?

  • that the boys were corrupted before the plane crash, but the island shaped their behaviour

  • that despite starting as blank slates, the boys' inherent savage instincts emerged

  • that the island provided a blank slate that allowed the boys to create a new, better society

  • that the boys were influenced by their environment and not by any pre-existing tendencies

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51 mark

Considering Ralph’s leadership style, what might have happened if he had used fear to control the boys like Jack did?

  • The boys would have respected Ralph more and followed his rules.

  • Ralph’s use of fear would have led to a quicker breakdown of order.

  • The boys would have been more united under Ralph’s leadership.

  • Ralph would have become more like Jack, leading to greater conflict.

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61 mark

Suggest how the narrative might have been different if Piggy had been the leader instead of Ralph.

  • The boys would have focused more on rescue and survival techniques.

  • Piggy’s lack of physical strength would have led to an early overthrow by Jack.

  • Piggy’s intellectual approach would have ensured the boys’ survival.

  • The boys would have ignored Piggy’s leadership due to his social status.

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11 mark

How does Golding use the setting of the deserted island to explore the theme of civilisation versus savagery?

  • The boys’ isolation allows them to develop new, advanced forms of governance.

  • The isolation forces the boys to create their own society, which collapses into chaos.

  • The island's natural beauty inspires the boys to live peacefully and embrace nature.

  • The island’s abundance of resources encourages cooperation among the boys.

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21 mark

How does the character of Simon function as a Christ-like figure in the novel?

  • by performing miracles that the other boys do not understand

  • by leading the boys in prayer and maintaining their faith

  • by serving others selflessly and ultimately sacrificing his life

  • by attempting to convert the boys to a new religion

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31 mark

Debate the effectiveness of Golding’s use of children as characters in conveying his themes. Why are they particularly effective?

  • They show that even the most innocent are capable of savagery.

  • They highlight the potential for redemption through innocence.

  • They demonstrate that children are naturally violent.

  • They exaggerate the themes, making the novel less believable.

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41 mark

Assess the role of the Beast in the novel. What does it represent?

  • The external dangers on the island that threaten the boys’ survival.

  • The loss of innocence as the boys grow more savage.

  • The power struggle between Ralph and Jack.

  • The boys’ collective fear and the darkness within each of them.

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