English T2 Vocabulary

Question 1

Define welfare state and put it in a sentence

Answer 1

The system that delivered social security, social housing and the NHS in the UK
Priestly was a supporter of the welfare state.

Question 2

Define provincial and put it in a sentence

Answer 2

Of a particular area (outside of a city)
Birling’s provincial accent shows his working class background

Question 3

Define social status and put it in a sentence

Answer 3

Position in society. In Edwardian society upper class and upper middle class people held far higher social status than the working classes.
Birling’s obsession with his social status is highlighted throughout the play.

Question 4

Define echelon and put it in a sentence

Answer 4

A level or rank.
Birling aspires to the higher echelons of Edwardian Society.

Question 5

Define authorial intent and put it in a sentence

Answer 5

What the writer’s intent is – what they want the reader to think, feel or understand.
The authorial intent is clear when the author shows that Mr Birling is pompous.

Question 6

Define colonialism (n) colonial (adj) and put it in a sentence

Answer 6

Where one political power (country) takes over another. The colonial power has greater power that than the one that has been colonised.

Birling’s belief in Britain’s superiority over other nations is a reminder of Britain’s colonial past and attitude.

Question 7

Define egalitarian (adj) egalitarianism (n) and put it in a sentence

Answer 7

Principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities
Goole’s comments reflect Priestley’s desire for an egalitarian Britain.

Question 8

Define sycophantic (adj) sycophant (n) and put it in a sentence

Answer 8

Behaving in a creepy manner to someone (for your own advantage).

Birling’s sycophantic comments to Gerald reflect his desire to be part of a higher rank in society

Question 9

Define Edwardian and put it in a sentence

Answer 9

Relating to the reign of Edward VII

The Birlings are a stereotypical upper middle class Edwardian family.

Question 10

Define Exploitation (n) / exploit (v) and put it in a sentence

Answer 10

Treating someone unfairly so that you can benefit
Gerald uses his social position to exploit Daisy.

Question 11

Define Etiquette and put it in a sentence

Answer 11

Code of polite behaviour in society
During the Edwardian era, etiquette was very important

Question 12

Define solipsism (n) / solipsistic (adj)

Answer 12

Belief that all that exists is your own world - self-centered/selfish
Mr Birling is enclosed in his own solipsistic world

Question 13

Define Dramatic Irony and put it in a sentence

Answer 13

The irony when audience has more knowledge of what is happening than a character does.
Mr Birling creates dramatic irony by saying that the titanic is unsinkable.

Question 14

Define Xenophobia (n) / Xenophobic (adj) and put it in a sentence

Answer 14

Dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
Mr Birling highlights his xenophobia throughout the play.

Question 15

Define Petulant (adj) / Petulance (n) and put it in a sentence

Answer 15

Childishly sulky
Eric is portrayed as petulant throughout the play.

Question 16

Define Entrenched and put it in a sentence

Answer 16

Firmly established/in place
The entrenched hierarchy was unfair in 1912.

Question 17

Define Inequity and put it in a sentence

Answer 17

Lack of fairness or justice
The Birling’s actions highlights the inequity of Edwardian society