Much Ado About Nothing - Extract 1

This high school English Literature quiz is the first of two extract questions for Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. It takes place during the third act of the play, after Benedick’s and Beatrice’s friends hatch a plot against them. Ursula and Hero are walking in the orchard with the intention of allowing Beatrice to overhear them. The scene is amusing because although it is based on deceit, the ploy allows Hero and Ursula to aim some truths at Beatrice: their jokes about her seem to express some of their genuine feelings that they might normally hesitate to express directly. Read the passage through at least twice before tackling the questions. When answering, pay close attention to the text while also bearing in mind the wider issues of the play as a whole.

How to answer an extract question in an exam:

Always read through the passage more than once before you begin to answer an extract question in an exam. On the first reading, you should aim for a broad understanding of the passage, considering especially how it relates to the question or questions you will be answering. As you read through the second time, you should begin noting details and making annotations. Ask yourself why the specific passage has been chosen: what is its significance? How does it relate to rest of the text? Can you define its place in the structure of the text? Are any significant characters or themes introduced? What happens next? Can you see evidence of foreshadowing? How does the passage develop? Can you think of a reason why the extract ends where it does instead of elsewhere? Is the final line significant?

You should also think carefully about the question you have been asked to answer. Does it concern mood and atmosphere of the extract or a particular character? Perhaps you have been asked to discuss dialog, behavior or feelings. Now think about the question you have been asked and the notes you have made in relation to the themes of the text. Remember to explain the passage’s immediate context: what has happened before this point in the text? How do prior events relate to those of the extract? Carefully consider the detail, setting and characterisation. When writing, group related ideas together, but remember to discuss the entire passage in your answer. Allow yourself time to cover the entire passage. Otherwise, you might spend all your time writing on the first half in great detail at the expense of the rest of the passage.

Read the passage below carefully before answering the questions.