Character A represents the First Estate of clergy and had privileges such as not paying taxes or serving in the armies. Character B represents the Second Estate of nobility and held most important government posts. Character C represents the Third Estate of commoners and had a difficult life, as shown in the cartoon carrying heavy loads while being whipped by animals, indicating they paid heavy taxes and did difficult manual labor.

1. (I) The social and political situation in the 18th century
Source B: Study the cartoon below, and answer the following questions.
1. According to Source B, name Character A and B and the estates they represented.
What were the privileges ‘Character A and B had before the French Revolution?
Give one example respectively. (2+2+6 marks)
A’s privileges: no need to pay taxes / no serve in the armies (any one)
B’s privileges: held most of the important government posts, … (any one)
2. Name character C and the estate he represented. Describe the living condition of
character C. Explain your answer with reference to Source b and your historical
knowledge. (1+1+4 marks)
The name of character C is commoner and he is the Third Estate. Their life is hard.
Refer to source B, character C carrying heavy food and crops. It means commoner
need to pay heavy taxes. Also, character C whipping by animals. It means their social
status was low and commoner need to do all kinds of labour work.