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Foundation tier sample answers

Here are two sample answers that refer to point two of the essay plan set out in step 4.

Sample answer one

Atticus Finch does not believe that mockingbirds should be shot. He says you can kill all the blue jays you want as they are a nuisance but he does not think you should kill mockingbirds as they do nothing but sing to make people happy and so it’s a sin to kill them. Really, this could also be linked to Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. Both men try to help people in the neighbourhood but both men are taunted and are treated badly. They are therefore like mockingbirds as they do nothing wrong and try to help people but still have bad lives because of other people being horrible to them.

Feedback comments – some good points but improvements need to be made

This answer should make it clear which part of the line about blue jays and mockingbirds being shot is an actual quote from Atticus. This will help gain extra marks. Quote marks need to be used as otherwise it is difficult to tell which part of the sentence is a quote. Also by using ‘you’ confusion is caused as it is not made clear who Atticus is actually talking to.

This answer needs to make it clear why Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are treated badly. A comment on prejudice and racism needs to be made.

This answer could also make a point about how wise Atticus is when he mentions the fact that mockingbirds should not be shot and this would be a good opportunity to make a link to the actual title of the novel.

Beginning a sentence with a word such as really is a little informal and should be avoided.

Sample answer two

Atticus Finch is presented throughout the novel as a wise and tolerant man. One of the things he strongly believes is that mockingbirds should not be hunted as they do nothing but sing for the pleasure of others. He tells Scout and Jem that they can shoot all the blue jays they want as these birds are a nuisance. However, he warns them ... but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird. Mockingbirds do no harm and therefore Atticus does not want Scout and Jem to shoot them with their air rifles. This also links to one of the main themes of the novel and to the title itself. Boo Radley and Tom Robinson could also be considered as mockingbird figures as they do no harm to anyone and simply try to help others, yet they are persecuted for being different or being black. Atticus is really telling the children to look after such people and to be tolerant towards people who are treated badly because of such differences or racial intolerances.

Feedback comments – a much better answer

This answer makes some perceptive comments about the character of Atticus.

This answer also includes a direct quote and quotation marks are used to make the quote clear to the examiner. It also includes information about who Atticus was talking to when he made his comments about not shooting mockingbirds.

This answer is particularly good because it makes a link to the title of the novel as well as to the themes of racism and intolerance.

This answer is formal in tone and informal sentence starters such as ‘really’ have been avoided.

This answer also makes it very clear why Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are mockingbird figures and provides a clear link to the following paragraphs which will be about these two characters

Remember, it is essential to look over the assessment objectives before you go into the exam and try to bear these in mind when you are writing your essay.