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Text A

Great movie – ‘City Lights’

If only one of Charlie Chaplin's films could be preserved, his black-and-white silent classic ‘City
Lights’ (1931) should be it. ‘City Lights’ comes closest to representing the different aspects of
his genius, as a film-maker and actor. It contains the slapstick comedy*, the sadness and, of
course, The Little Tramp – the character played by Chaplin himself. At one time, The Little
Tramp was said to be the most famous image on earth. 5

When he made ‘City Lights’, Chaplin was aware of the growing popularity of films with dialogue;
he considered making a talkie but actually decided against it. Although the film has music and
sound effects, it has no speech.

Speech was not how The Little Tramp expressed himself. He interacts with the world mostly
through his actions, and is judged on his shabby appearance, which sets him apart. The Tramp 10
is an outcast, an onlooker, a loner. In ‘City Lights’, his only encounters are with people who
don't or can't see him: a millionaire who ignores him, and a blind flower girl.

That's what makes his relationship with the flower girl so heart-warming; does she accept and
treasure him only because she can't see what he looks like? The last scene of ‘City Lights’ is
deservedly famous as one of the great emotional moments in cinema history. The girl, whose 15
sight has been restored, sees him now for the first time – but smiles at him anyway. She gives
him a rose and some money, and accepts him for who he is.

Chaplin and other silent filmmakers were globally successful. Their films were shown
everywhere – language was no barrier. I witnessed the widespread appeal of Chaplin's art in
one of my most treasured experiences, as a movie-goer at the 1972 Venice film festival in Italy. 20

One night, the usually brightly lit St Mark’s Square in Venice was darkened, and ‘City Lights’
was shown on a vast screen. The moment in the film that the flower girl recognises The Tramp,
I heard much snuffling and blowing of noses around me; there wasn't a dry eye in the square.
Then complete darkness fell, and a spotlight singled out a balcony overlooking the square. The
real-life Charlie Chaplin walked forward and bowed. I’ve never heard such cheering in my life. 25

There was a time when Chaplin was considered to be the greatest popular artist of the 20th
century, and his films were known to everyone. Having just viewed ‘City Lights’ again, I am still
under its spell. Chaplin's gift was truly magical.

*Glossary
slapstick comedy: a type of comedy where actors behave in silly ways, for instance by throwing
things at each other

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Text B

Fame again.

Was this the world's first film star?

According to new research, the very first film star was a French slapstick comedian. Largely
forgotten for decades, Max Linder was a handsome actor from the early silent era. He not only
starred in films but also directed, wrote and produced them.

Dr Andrew Shail, a lecturer at Newcastle University, has identified the first time an actor was
used to promote a film. He discovered a poster for the French film, Le Petit Jeune Homme*. 5
Featuring Linder, it was released in Europe in September 1909. Linder was the first actor whose
name became more important than the character he was playing. ‘This makes Linder – as far as
we can tell – the first film star anywhere,’ says Shail. ‘The effects of the decision can still be
seen on posters and billboards around the world.’

Linder was born Gabriel-Maximilien Leuville in 1883 in France. He was drawn to the stage and 10
started working as an actor in 1901, before adopting the stage name Max Linder in 1905 –
which is when he is thought to have made his movie debut playing bit parts.

There is a story that the producer Charles Pathé saw Linder on stage and sent him this note: “In
your eyes lies a fortune. Come and act in front of my cameras, and I will help make it.” Linder
did indeed have beautiful, soulful eyes, and his comedy was more romantic than much 15
contemporary slapstick.

After becoming a star in Europe, Linder went to Hollywood, where he made a handful of films.

Linder was a major influence on Charlie Chaplin, who was arguably the biggest film star of all
time, making his own screen debut in 1914. In fact, Chaplin once sent Linder a signed
photograph addressed: “To Max, the Professor, from his disciple, Charlie Chaplin.” 20

*Glossary
Translation of Le Petit Jeune Homme: The Little Young Man

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4 Look at the fourth paragraph (lines 13–17).

(a) The writer uses a question in the first sentence and answers it later.
Why does the writer do this?

[1]

(b) Why does the writer use the present tense in the last two sentences (lines 15–17)?

[1]

5 Look at lines 18–25. Give one way in which these lines are different from the previous two
paragraphs.

[1]

6 Look at the sixth paragraph (lines 21–25).

How does the writer repeat the idea that the last scene of ‘City Lights’ is one of the most
emotional moments in cinema history? Give one quotation from the text.

[1]

7 The writer suggests that Chaplin’s films are no longer popular.

Explain why you think this has happened. Support your answer with one quotation from Text
A.

Explanation:

Quotation: [2]

8 ‘City Lights’ is one of the writer’s favourite films.

Give one quotation from the text that shows this.

[1]

Now read Text B in the insert, and answer questions 9–15.

9 The headline suggests that it took a long time for Linder to be rediscovered.
How does the writer reinforce this idea in the first paragraph (lines 1–3)?

[1]

10 The message of the subheadline suggests uncertainty.

Give one phrase from the second paragraph (lines 4–9) that supports this.

[1]

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Section A: Reading

Spend 30 minutes on this section.

Read Text A in the insert, and answer questions 1–8.

1 Look at the first paragraph (lines 1–5).

What information is given in brackets ( () )? Tick () one box.

the year that Chaplin was born

the number of films Chaplin made

the year the film was released

the length of the film in minutes

[1]

2 Look at the second paragraph (lines 6–8). Chaplin chose to make ‘City Lights’ a silent film.
Give one word that tells the reader that the writer is surprised by this.

[1]

3 Look at the third paragraph.

(a) Why does the writer begin the third paragraph with the word Speech (line 9)?

[1]

(b) Look at lines 10–11.

How does the structure of this sentence emphasise the Tramp’s character?

[1]

(c) Why does the writer use a colon ( : ) in the third paragraph (lines 9–12)? Tick () one
box.

to give a reason

to introduce a list

to add emphasis

to introduce direct speech

[1]

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11 Look at the third paragraph (lines 10–12).

Give one phrase which means ‘small and unimportant acting roles’.

[1]

12 Look at the phrase In your eyes lies a fortune in the fourth paragraph (lines 13–16). What
literary technique is this an example of? Tick () one box.

simile

metaphor

alliteration

oxymoron

[1]

13 Look at the final paragraph (lines 18–20).

Which two words does Charlie Chaplin use to say that Max Linder taught him a lot?
•

•
[2]

14 Look at Text A and Text B.

What do you think both the writers have in common? Give one piece of evidence from
Text B to support your answer.

[2]

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15 You are going to write a brief biography of Max Linder.

(a) Use the table to make some notes:

Date and Place of

Birth •

Events in his life

1901:

1905:

1909:

Type of actor
•

Distinctive physical
•
feature

Where he acted in
•
films

Roles in film-making
•
other than acting

[3]

(b) Using the information in the table, write a summary describing the life of Max Linder.
Write up to 50 words. Use your own words as much as possible.

[2]

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Section B: Writing

Spend 30 minutes on this section.

16 Imagine that a famous person recently visited your school.

Write an article about the visit for your school magazine.

You could include:

• who the person is and why they are well-known (e.g. arts, politics, science, sports)
• the purpose of their visit (e.g. to give a performance, workshop, demonstration or deliver a
speech)
• what you admired about the person or learnt from the person’s visit.

Space for your plan:

Write your article on the next page. [25 marks]

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