Question Constellation Sign up for free OCR · GCSE · English Literature · Higher
Lack of understanding
The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells. In the extract, the narrator reflects on lessons learnt from the Martian attack, including unknown composition of the Black Smoke, the Heat-Rays remaining a puzzle, lack of specimens, and the possibility of another attack.
Explore how Wells presents lack of understanding, in this extract and elsewhere in the novel.
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Marking points
- 1 Uses the extract and wider novel.
- 2 Explores lack of understanding in scientific, human or Martian terms.
- 3 Analyses Wells's language, structure and context.
- 4 Maintains accurate written expression for SPaG credit.
Full-mark answer
A strong answer would connect the extract's scientific uncertainty with wider moments when humans misunderstand the Martians and the Martians misunderstand Earth. It would analyse tentative vocabulary, repeated anticipation and the novel's challenge to imperial and scientific confidence.
Why this answer loses marks
Humans do not understand the Martians.
This names the broad idea but misses the extract’s uncertainty language, wider examples, and imperial-science context.