Cambridge & Pearson Edexcel Past Paper Questions
Browse 35,704 questions from Cambridge O-Level & A-Level and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE & IAL exams. Click any question to practice.
Re-read paragraphs 1, 3, and 4, and give one opinion from each of these paragraphs.
From paragraph 1 Why was the wheat 'particularly high' that year?
From paragraph 2 What was the most surprising effect of the hot weather?
From paragraph 3 Give two reasons why the writer was 'at a standstill'.
From paragraph 4 The writer says his sister 'exploded into a wail'. Explain in your own words what his sister did.
From paragraph 5 How did the writer know that he and his sister were approaching 'the top of the hill'?
From paragraph 6 The writer says 'I was feigning a courage I did not feel'. Explain in your own words what he was doing.
Re-read paragraphs 4 and 6, which contain sentences telling us about the writer. Give: • the meaning of each sentence as it is used in the passage ...
Read Passage 1, Major sporting events, in the insert and answer all the questions below.
Re-read paragraphs 1, 2 and 5. Give one opinion from each of these paragraphs.
Read Passage 2, Kevin, in the insert and answer all the questions below. From paragraph 1
From paragraph 2 Give two reasons why you think Kevin's father had to try 'to edge closer to the mirror'.
From paragraph 3 Give two reasons why Kevin's father called out the answers 'with great speed'.
From paragraph 4 When the students saw Mr Waldo approaching, they 'dropped their voices until he was out of earshot'. Explain in your own words wha...
From paragraph 5 Give two reasons why Kevin did not know immediately what Mr Waldo thought of his answers.
From paragraph 6 'Some students giggled quietly behind their hands at Kevin's assertion'. Explain in your own words how the students reacted to the...
From paragraph 7 'But it was too late.' Why was it too late for Kevin?
From paragraphs 4–6 For each of the words below, circle the letter (A, B, C or D) which has the same meaning that the word has in the passage.
Re-read paragraphs 5 and 6, which contain phrases about (a) Mr Waldo's behaviour and (b) Mr Waldo's words. Explain: • the meaning of each phrase as...
Recently your school held a careers day when people from a wide range of jobs gave information and advice about their work to students. Your Princi...
Describe the different views you have from two of the windows in your house which face in different directions. (Remember you can describe the atmo...
'Having more freedom also means having more responsibilities.' Do you agree? Give reasons and examples to support your view.
'Social media brings as many problems as benefits.' How far do you think this is true? Give reasons and examples to support your view.
Write a story which includes the sentence: 'When she asked why I was so nervous about going there, I didn't know what to say.'
Write a story about twins with very different personalities.
Describe the scene at a busy roadside bus stop when the bus is very late. (Remember you are describing the place, the people and the atmosphere.)
'Schools should spend more time teaching practical skills which students may need in adult life, for example, how to cook, how to repair a car and ...
In your community, there is a sum of money to build either a new school or a new medical centre. Which would you choose? Give reasons and examples ...
Write a story which includes the sentence: 'On that particular day, the whole building was unexpectedly quiet.'
Write a story about an occasion when you had to say sorry to someone, even though it was a very difficult thing to do.
Read Passage 1, Circuses, in the insert and answer all the questions below.
Re-read paragraphs 5 and 6 and give two opinions from paragraph 5 and one opinion from paragraph 6.
Read Passage 2, The Otter, in the insert and answer all the questions below. From paragraph 1
From paragraph 2 'Besides being so valiant...Will had initiative.' What does this tell us about Hetta's impression of Will? Answer in your own words.
From paragraph 3 Give two reasons why Will carried Hetta on his back.
From paragraph 4 The otter was 'Confused by the barking dogs chasing it and by its own sense of peril'. Explain in your own words the effect of the...
From paragraph 5 What did Hetta think would happen if she kept crying?
From paragraph 6 Both the aunt and Hetta were 'bored' playing the card game.
From paragraphs 2–7 For each of the words or phrases below, circle the letter (A, B, C or D) which has the same meaning that the word or phrase has...
Re-read paragraph 5, which contains expressions telling us about (a) how Hetta's brother spoke to her, and (b) the otter. Give: • the meaning of ea...
Section 1: Reading for Ideas Read Passage 1, Plastic, in the insert and answer all the questions below.
Re-read paragraphs 2, 3, and 5, and give one opinion from each of these paragraphs.
Section 2: Reading for Meaning Read Passage 2, Sylvia, in the insert and answer all the questions below. From paragraph 1
From paragraph 2 The rent was 'justifiably low'. Why do you think the low rent was justifiable?
From paragraph 3 Give two pieces of evidence which show that Sylvia loved reading. (i) (ii)
From paragraph 4 Sylvia 'had a dreaminess that vexed her teachers'. Explain in your own words how Sylvia's teachers felt about her.
From paragraph 5 Sylvia 'had no real talent' for chess. Give the word used earlier in the paragraph which conveys the idea of 'talent'.
Re-read paragraph 2, which contains expressions telling us about (a) Sylvia's first real job and (b) Sylvia's landlord. Give: • the meaning of each...
During the last twelve months, the number of tourists visiting your local area has increased a lot. This has brought both advantages and disadvanta...
Describe two different possessions which are very important to your family – one which is useful and one which is for decoration. (Remember you can...