context

Question 1

Charlie Brooker context (1.1)

Answer 1

English satirist (critical of aspects of human nature, often humour is dark) and broadcaster

Question 2

Ian Birrell context (1.2)

Answer 2

former deputy editor of the ‘Independent Newspaper’, he and his family have experienced the prejudice associated with disabilities (his daughter has disabilities)

Question 3

Oscar Wilde context (2.1)

Answer 3

Had an intimate relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, imprisoned in Reading gaol in 1895, many members of society were against him. Possibly influenced by Romanticism

Question 4

Maya Angelou context (2.2)

Answer 4

young, single mother living in a segregated city, went onto become a successful author, poet and actress

Question 5

Alan Bennett context (3.1)

Answer 5

an English playwright, screenwriter, actor and author, attended Oxford university

Question 6

B. Neyland context (3.2)

Answer 6

a young sapper, serving in WW1 from September 1916 to December 1919 in the Royal Engineers (signals) Wireless Section

Question 7

George Scott context (4.1)

Answer 7

assistant editor of RoadCyclingUK, we can assume an interest in cycling

Question 8

Past Masters podcast context (4.2)

Answer 8

a podcast discussing the transfer of files of UFO sightings from the Ministry of Defence to The National Archives, we can assume a passion surrounding history from the speakers

Question 9

Princess Diana context (5.1)

Answer 9

this interview pushed the marriage of Charles and Diana to an end. She was family orientated, and also a philanthropist (nicknamed the ‘People’s Princess’)

Question 10

Leno and Obama context (5.2)

Answer 10

both respected individuals, status of the president may suggest the manner in which Leno addresses him

Question 11

The King’s Speech context (6.1)

Answer 11

a fictionalised portrayal of characters (Lionel and Bertie) based on what events happened. Bertie struggled with his speech, and Lionel was his speech therapist.

Question 12

Viner context (6.2)

Answer 12

he is a playwright and writer (of comedy, drama and animation)

Question 13

Rainier context (7.1)

Answer 13

an American National Geographic photographer, reporting events of the 2005 tsunami in Indonesia

Question 14

Read context (7.2)

Answer 14

an experienced, female scuba diver (possibly aimed towards other females interested in extreme sports)

Question 15

Webb context (8.1)

Answer 15

a freelance (not tied to the ideology of any one newspaper when writing this review) editor, presenter and journalist

Question 16

Hoyle context (8.2)

Answer 16

a radio, TV and film critic, with many of his reviews being part of the Financial Times Weekend magazine

Question 17

Kennedy context (9.1)

Answer 17

first speech as president of the USA, taking place in the ‘Cold War’ era

Question 18

Collins context (9.2)

Answer 18

Northern Irish Colonel Tim Collins, making his eve-of-battle speech to the Royal Irish Regiment in 2003, prior to British troops entering Iraq

Question 19

D.H Lawrence context (10.1)

Answer 19

English writer, who travelled from his home in Sicily to Sardinia in 1921

Question 20

Theroux context (10.2)

Answer 20

American travel writer and novelist, who took 8 trains across Europe, Eastern Europe, USSR, and Mongolia on his way to China.