Question 1: Identify two examples of stage directions in the extract and explain their purpose.

Answer: Stage directions such as 'Take thought, and do not slip' instruct actors on how to behave or deliver lines, guiding performance.

Question 2: Find an example of repetition in the dialogue and discuss its effect.

Answer: Repeated phrases like 'I will' emphasise the characters' determination and reinforce their eagerness.

Question 3: Identify one example of a rhetorical device used by Bottom and explain its purpose.

Answer: Bottom uses a rhetorical question: 'If we offend, it is with our good will,' to persuade the audience of their good intentions.

Question 4: What is the significance of the phrase 'I am glad I am not a shadow' in this context?

Answer: It reflects Bottom's humorous confidence and his misunderstanding of theatrical roles, highlighting comic character.

Question 5: Which stylistic device is evident in the line 'Pyramus doth these things; and I do these in great state of mirth and merriment,' and what is its effect?

Answer: This sentence features parallelism, which adds rhythm and emphasises the characters' theatrical grandeur.

Question 6: Identify two adjectives used to describe the play within the extract and discuss their connotations.

Answer: Terms like 'brave' and 'merriment' suggest a lively, joyful performance, aligning with the comedic tone.

Question 7: Explain the purpose of the characters' repeated assurances like 'I will' and how this contributes to the tone of the scene.

Answer: The repetition conveys eagerness and confidence, creating an optimistic and humorous tone.

Question 8: Identify one example of a monologue or speech within the extract and analyse its function in the scene.

Answer: Bottom's declaration about the play being performed in 'great state' serves to entertain, boost morale, and build theatrical atmosphere.

Question 9: Describe the tone established by the dialogue of the Mechanicals and support your answer with linguistic evidence.

Answer: The tone is humorous and enthusiastic, as evidenced by Bottom's confident assertions, playful repetitions, and theatrical boasts which create a lively, comedic mood.

Question 10: Write a short creative paragraph imagining how the Mechanical characters might describe their own play to an audience, using at least three stylistic devices from the extract.

Answer: Students should craft a humorous, vibrant description employing devices such as parallelism, repetition, and rhetorical questions to mirror the extract's tone.