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.
From your reading of the whole passage, decide which one of the following statements is true and tick the box you have chosen. The writer thinks th...
From paragraph 1 What was the 'obvious' explanation for Monica's 'odd behaviour'?
From paragraph 2 In what two ways was Monica's way of crossing the road 'eccentric'? (i) (ii)
From paragraph 3 Explain fully what Cynthia and the writer learned ‘with the wisdom of hindsight'.
From paragraph 4 Explain fully why the pianist was 'offended and embarrassed' by Monica's comment.
From paragraph 5 Which one feature of ‘the atmosphere in the room' made the occasion different from other occasions when Monica did her knitting?
From paragraph 6 Why do you think the writer tells us that Monica wasn't deaf?
Your school has built a new sports centre. A former pupil of your school, now a famous sports star, has been invited to open the new centre. Your P...
Describe a long journey by car or public transport that passes through different kinds of scenery. (Remember that you can describe your fellow trav...
Do you think countries should spend money on saving wild animals from extinction? Give reasons and examples to support your view.
Write a story which includes the sentence: 'You change places with me; no-one will ever know.'
Laughter.
Write a story in which an argument in a queue plays an important part.
'This partnership between horses and humans...brought about a major advance for society' (paragraph 5). From your own knowledge or experience, give...
From paragraph 1 Why was Jean Louise 'miserable'?
From paragraph 2 Explain in no more than fifteen words why the children were 'not impressed' by Miss Caroline's story.
From paragraph 3 'I had never deliberately learned to read' (lines 20–21). Explain fully how Jean Louise did in fact learn to read.
From paragraph 4 Which two pieces of evidence show that Jem cares for his sister? (i)
From paragraph 5 Explain exactly why the ceiling danced ‘with metallic light'.
From the whole passage Choose five of the following words or phrases. For each of them give one word or short phrase (of not more than seven words)...
'Cycling is environmentally friendly, partly solving the problem of polluting vehicles' (paragraph 5). From your own knowledge or experience, give ...
From paragraph 1 What was happening that meant that Jean Louise 'nearly died of fright'?
From paragraph 2 What two things did Jem and Jean Louise do to make sure that they did not waste the snow? (i) (ii)
From paragraph 3 What was unusual about the method the children used to build the snowman?
From paragraph 4 Minutes later, 'it seemed', Jean Louise was awakened by her father. What do you think is implied by the expression 'it seemed'?
From paragraph 5 The fire was 'eating its way' to the roof. What effect is created here that would not be created by, for example, the word 'burned'?
What is the best advice that anyone has ever given you and what is the worst advice? Explain how each piece of advice affected you.
Write a story which includes the sentence: 'It suddenly became clear that they were not as lazy as everyone said they were.'
Competitions.
Write a story in which a locked door plays an important part.
Select and write down two of the writer's opinions, one from Paragraph 1 and one from Paragraph 2. You may use the words of the text or your own wo...
From Paragraph 1 What caused Mr Lutchman's sudden interest in photography?
From Paragraph 2 Describe in your own words Mrs Lutchman's reaction to her husband's question.
From Paragraph 3 When Mr Lutchman offered a low price for the camera, Wilkie ‘laughed loudly'. What emotion do you think Wilkie wanted Mr Lutchman ...
From Paragraph 4 Explain in your own words why Mr Lutchman disliked the camera's instruction booklet.
From Paragraph 5 In what two ways does Mrs Lutchman try to comfort her husband over the failure of his photographs?
From Paragraph 6 Give two reasons why the Lutchman children had 'strained expressions' on their faces while they were being photographed.
From Paragraph 7 Mr Lutchman 'could feel his confidence ebbing away'. What effect does ‘ebbing away' have which would not be achieved by, for examp...
From the whole passage: Choose five of the following words. For each of them give one word or short phrase (of not more than seven words) which has...
From Paragraph 1 What was the first sign of Mr Lutchman's interest in gardening?
From Paragraph 2 What was Mrs Lutchman's 'threat'?
From Paragraph 3 What was it about the landscape on the day of the excursion which showed that it was 'dry and uncultivated'?
From Paragraph 4 What exactly was the ‘logic' of the gardener's generosity?
From Paragraph 5 What was Mr Lutchman 'tempted' to do?
From Paragraph 6 Mr Lutchman planted the avocado tree in the back yard. Explain fully why this was 'ironic'.
From the whole passage: Choose five of the following words or phrases. For each of them give one word or short phrase (of not more than seven words...
Section 1: Directed Writing You are advised to write between 200 and 300 words. • You will be awarded up to 15 marks for following the task instruc...
Describe the most helpful person and the most unhelpful person you know. (Remember you can describe their appearance as well as their character and...
Would you prefer to live in the centre of a busy city or in a quiet neighbourhood? Give reasons and examples to support your view.
What are the arguments for and against space travel to other planets? Give reasons and examples to support your view.