Romeo and Juliet - Extract 2

This high school English Literature quiz is the second of two extract questions for Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. It takes place in Act Four, Scene One, as the action of the play falls towards tragedy. In this passage, Juliet encounters a jubilant Paris at Friar Laurence’s cell, and must put on a brave face in order to conceal the real cause of her troubled mind. Juliet engages in seemingly playful conversation with Paris, while refusing to consent to his impression of her and of their future together. As always, remember to read the passage through more than once before answering the questions. Think about the way in which this passage relates to the themes of the play. Which details do you consider significant? How would you account for the language choices? Don’t forget: it’s a good idea to practice several extract questions, so be sure to try the Extract 1 quiz, as well!

How to answer an extract question in an exam:

Ensuring you always read through the given passage more than once will improve your ability to answer extract questions in exams. As you first read through, aim for a broad understanding of the passage and particularly how it relates to the question or questions which you will answer. Reading through a second time allows you to begin noting details and making annotations. Consider why the specific passage has been chosen. How does it relate to rest of the text? What is its place in the structure of the text? Does the passage introduce any significant characters or themes? What happens next? Are later events foreshadowed? If so, how? Note any developments which occur between the beginning and end of the passage. Why might the chosen extract end where it does instead of elsewhere? Is the final line significant?

Now think carefully about the question you have been asked to answer. Perhaps you will be discussing the mood and atmosphere of the extract, or a particular character. You might be asked to discuss dialog, behavior or feelings. You will also need to relate these details to the themes of the text. Remember to explain the passage’s immediate context: what events precede the extract? How do these events relate to those of the extract? Pay attention to detail, to setting and to characterisation. When writing, group related ideas together, but be sure to discuss the entire passage in your answer. Don’t forget to pace yourself. It’s important to leave enough time to write about the whole passage rather than covering one section in detail and neglecting the remainder of the extract!

Read the passage below carefully before answering the questions.