Heroes - Themes test questions - WJEC - GCSE English Literature Revision

1

Read the extract and answer the following questions:

Larry LaSalle stood before us that afternoon at the Wreck Centre, the movie-star smile gone, replaced by grim-faced determination. “We can’t let the Japs get away with this,” he said, anger that we had never seen before flashing in his eyes. As we were about to cheer his announcement, he held up his hand. “None of that, kids. I’m just doing what millions of others are doing.”

Which themes does this extract highlight?

War and heroism

Loneliness and isolation

Appearance and disguise

2

What does Larry mean by not letting the Japs get away with this?

He hates the Japanese attitude towards American films

He is referring to the German invasion of France

He is referring to the bombing of Pearl Harbor

3

Read the extract and answer the following questions:

I also pray for the souls of my mother and father. When I was six my mother died giving birth to my brother Raymond, who lived only five and a half hours. My father died five years ago of a heart attack in the Rub Room of the Monument Comb Shop although I always felt he really died with my mother all those years ago. I offer up prayers, too, for my Uncle Louis who gave me a place to live until I joined the army.

Which themes does this extract highlight?

Guilt and forgiveness

Loneliness and isolation

War and heroism

4

What does Francis mean when he says he feels that his father really died with his mother?

He means that his father never recovered from his mother’s death

He means that his father really died with his mother

He means that his father moved to the Monument Comb Shop so that he could die

5

How does the extract illustrate why Francis feels as he does?

It shows that Francis blames God for his loneliness

It shows that he is lonely because he has lost his entire family

It shows that he blames his mother for his brother’s death

6

Read the extract and answer the following questions:

“Now I know it. You’re Francis Cassavant.” Final recognition in his eyes. “You used to ... “

“Chase balls during the games at Cartier’s Field,” I say, voice low, afraid that my days of being anonymous are over.

His eyes widen, and he declares: “You have your own Silver Star. You’re in the Strangler’s book, too.”

As he turns to announce my identity, I touch his shoulder. “Don’t make a fuss, Arthur. Let me stay like this.” Indicating the scarf and the bandage.

“You deserve to be recognized, Francis,” he whispers.

Which themes does this extract highlight?

Loneliness and isolation

Guilt and forgiveness

Appearance and disguise

7

Why doesn’t Francis want his identity to be revealed at this point?

Because he doesn’t want to be seen as a hero

Because he feels responsible for the deaths of other men

Because he is ashamed of how bad he was at baseball

8

What is in the Strangler’s book?

Cocktail recipes

Newspaper clippings about Frenchtown men in the war

Interviews with ex-soldiers

9

Read the extract and answer the follwing questions:

I lower the gun. I remove my finger from the trigger. My hand trembles. I put the gun back in my pocket.

“Go, Francis. Leave me here. Leave everything here, the war, what happened at the Wreck Centre, leave it all behind, with me.”

Suddenly, I only want to get out of there. The aroma of the soup is sickening and the tenement is too warm. I don’t want to look into his eyes any more.

My hand is on the doorknob when he calls my name. I open the door but pause, making myself wait. But I don’t look at him.

“Let me tell you one thing before you go, Francis. You would have fallen on that grenade, anyway.”

Which themes does this extract highlight?

War and heroism

Appearances and disguise

Guilt and forgiveness

10

What is Larry really saying to Francis here?

That Francis should have died in the explosion

That Francis should leave his guilt with Larry as it is not Francis’ sin

That Larry wants to be left alone to eat his soup