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.
You are Doris. You have just learnt that your husband, Jack, has bequeathed everything to your granddaughter, Jackie. Write your thoughts.
ARTHUR MILLER: The Crucible Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it. Putnam: [at the moment he is intent upon getting PAR...
A loyal and loving wife A cold and unforgiving woman Which is closer to your view of Elizabeth Proctor? Support your argument with details from Mil...
You are Reverend Parris at the end of the play. Proctor has just been hanged. Write your thoughts.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Much Ado About Nothing Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it. Leonato: Come, Friar Francis, be bri...
How does Shakespeare make Benedick such a loveable hero? Support your answer by close reference to the play.
You are Borachio. You have just been locked up by Dogberry and the Watch. Write your thoughts.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Richard III Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it. Gloucester: Your love deserves my thanks, but m...
Explore some of the ways in which Shakespeare vividly portrays the dishonesty and immorality of Buckingham and Hastings.
You are Clarence just after you have been imprisoned in the Tower. Write your thoughts.
R.C. SHERRIFF: Journey's End Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it. Raleigh: I say — Dennis — Stanhope: Yes, old boy? R...
A cruel bully A fine leader of men Which do you think is the more accurate description of Stanhope? Support your ideas with details from Sherriff's...
You are Raleigh. You have left the dugout after Stanhope has seized your letter and ordered you to inspect your rifles. Write your thoughts.
SECTION B: POETRY SONGS OF OURSELVES: from Part 3 Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it. The Voice Woman much missed, ho...
Explore in detail how the poet memorably conveys delight in nature in either Amends (by Adrienne Rich) or On the Grasshopper and The Cricket (by Jo...
Explore some of the ways poets bring places to life in any two of the poems in this selection from Part 3. (Do not use The Voice if you are also an...
JOHN KEATS: Poems Read this extract from The Eve of St Agnes, and then answer the question that follows it. 39 'Hark! 'tis an elfin-storm from fa...
In what ways does Keats make vivid for you his feelings about melancholy in Ode on Melancholy? Refer in detail to the poem as you respond.
Explore how Keats vividly conveys the feelings of the knight in La belle dame sans merci. Support your ideas with details from the poem.
SECTION C: PROSE JANE AUSTEN: Pride and Prejudice Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it. Mrs Bennet and Kitty walked o...
How does Austen make Elizabeth Bennet such an appealing and lively character? Support your ideas with details from the writing.
You are Mr Bennet after the end of the novel. Elizabeth is married and you are in your study. Write your thoughts.
IAN CROSS: The God Boy Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it. Not sure whether I liked him in such a mood—honestly, you...
How do you think Cross in his portrayal of Jimmy makes a rude and violent child such a sympathetic figure? Support your ideas with details from the...
You are Jack Crannery ('Bloody Jack') after Jimmy has hit you with a stone. You have told him never to come to the wharf again and he has gone. Wr...
ANITA DESAI: Games at Twilight and Other Stories Read this extract from Private Tuition by Mr Bose, and then answer the question that follows it. ...
In Studies in the Park how does Desai vividly convey the pressure that Suno feels he is under and the ways in which he seeks to escape it?
You are the artist in Sale. Your visitors have gone and you have to explain to your wife what has happened. Write your thoughts.
THOMAS HARDY: Far from the Madding Crowd Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it. He looked hard into her eyes when she r...
Caring and considerate Selfish and thoughtless In what ways do you think both descriptions apply to Hardy's portrayal of Bathsheba?
You are Boldwood. You have just left Bathsheba's house after reading the notice of her marriage to Troy. Write your thoughts.
BESSIE HEAD: When Rain Clouds Gather Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it. Makhaya stood up at last, sickened by the c...
'The women were the backbone of agriculture.' Explore the ways in which Head vividly demonstrates this in the novel.
You are Paulina. You have just been to speak to Mma-Millipede after Makhaya has said he does not know you. Write your thoughts.
EDITH WHARTON: Ethan Frome Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it. I had the story, bit by bit, from various people, and...
How does Wharton convey what a hard life some people have to endure in this novel? Support your ideas with details from the writing.
You are Ethan. You have been married to Zeena for a year. Write your thoughts.
from Stories of Ourselves Read this extract from The Lemon Orchard, and then answer the question that follows it. The coloured man said nothing, ...
What do you find particularly striking about the ways in which Bradbury presents a vision of the future in There Will Come Soft Rains? Support your...
You are Aunt Mary in Secrets. You have just discovered that your nephew has read your letters. Write your thoughts.
ARTHUR MILLER: Death of a Salesman Read the following extract, and then answer the question that follows it: [Happy runs on stage with a punching b...
Willy's main support A major reason for Willy's tragedy Which of these views of Linda do you think is nearer to the truth? Support your ideas with ...
You are Willy in Boston after Biff has discovered you with the Woman and has then left you. Write your thoughts.
CHARLOTTE KEATLEY: My Mother Said I Never Should Read the following extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Doris: The rug will do q...
How does Keatley vividly convey the relationship between Doris and her granddaughter, Jackie? Support your ideas with details from the play.
You are Margaret. Your father, Jack, has died and left his wealth to your daughter, Jackie. Write your thoughts.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Much Ado About Nothing Read the following extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Benedick: Lady Beatrice, have...
Silly and conceited Well-intentioned and honest Which of these views do you think more accurately describes Shakespeare's portrayal of Dogberry? Su...
You are Borachio. You have just heard of Don John's escape. Write your thoughts.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Richard III 10 Read the following extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Buckingham: You are too senseless-obs...