Non-Fiction Reading Comprehension – “Can Socialists Be Happy?”

A classroom-ready, intellectually rich non-fiction reading and discussion resource suitable for KS4 and GCSE English Language Paper 2 skills practice, inspired by a historical cultural essay first published in Tribune - 20th December 1943 under the byline John Freeman.

The resource uses literary and political commentary to help students explore how writers portray happiness, the limits of utopian thinking, and the deeper aims of political movements, while practising essential non-fiction reading assessment objectives.

Resource includes:

• Complete non-fiction reading text with a vocabulary glossary
• 10 comprehension questions aligned to AO1 (retrieve) and AO2 (infer/explain)
• 6 higher-level discussion questions supporting AO3 (evaluate)
• Opportunities for structured written responses and analytical debate
• Classroom-appropriate tone suitable for teacher-led or independent study

Key learning threads and text anchors include:

Charles Dickens, whose works The Pickwick Papers and A Christmas Carol are referenced for examining contrast, material relief, and literary happiness.

The resource also engages students in evaluating the concept of utopia in political and religious writing, alongside critical thinking about the philosophical aims of socialism, which the essay argues should prioritise human brotherhood over comfort-based visions of the perfect world.

These anchors enable cross-curricular links to English, history, philosophy, and PSHE themes such as literary methods, socio-economic contrast, crime vs charity, community, and moral purpose.

Who is this resource for?

• English teachers delivering AQA Paper 2 non-fiction reading skills
• Students practising information retrieval, inference, explanation, and evaluation
• Whole-class debate or extended analytical writing tasks
• Cover lessons, homework, or independent literacy development