Worksheet on The History Boys - Education
English
Year 9
9 questions
~18 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
A worksheet assessing understanding and analysis of The History Boys, focusing on its themes of education for Year 9 students.
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Worksheet on The History Boys - Education
Subject: EnglishGrade: Year 9
Name:
Date:
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Untitled Worksheet
Grade Year 9
A
Scene Summary and Context
In Alan Bennett's play The History Boys, a group of academically gifted students are preparing for university entrance exams under the guidance of their charismatic teachers. The scene depicted captures a moment in a classroom where the teachers debate the purpose of education, contrasting traditional methods with more modern, student-centred approaches. The characters exhibit differing philosophies: some emphasise rote learning and discipline, while others espouse critical thinking and creativity. The dialogue is sharp, laden with irony, and reflective of societal debates about the purpose of schooling. A recurring motif is the phrase 'education is not just about facts', which underscores the play's exploration of how education shapes identity and societal values. The characters' interactions reveal tensions between authority and independence, tradition and progress. The context of the play reflects 1980s Britain, a period of educational reform and social change, making themes of authority, morality, and personal development highly relevant. A brief quote that encapsulates this debate is: 'We teach the facts, but we also teach the values.' Understanding these perspectives is crucial to analysing the characters' motivations and the play's overall message.
1.
Summarise the main themes presented in the scene summary.
[2 marks]2.
Identify the literary device used in the phrase 'education is not just about facts'.
[2 marks]3.
According to the context, in which decade is the play set?
[1 mark]Aa) 1970s
Bb) 1980s
Cc) 1990s
Dd) 2000s
4.
Explain how the phrase 'We teach the facts, but we also teach the values' relates to the play's overarching message.
[4 marks]5.
Describe one character's attitude towards traditional education as inferred from the summary.
[2 marks]6.
Identify a literary technique used in the phrase 'sharp, laden with irony'.
[2 marks]7.
What societal debates are reflected in the play, based on the context given?
[2 marks]8.
Identify the primary conflict depicted in the scene summary.
[2 marks]9.
Create a brief outline for a speech arguing for the importance of critical thinking in education, inspired by themes in the play.
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Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
- worksheet