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 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.
Write a story which includes the words: 'When they did not agree with her solution, she felt angry.'
Write a story in which two people unexpectedly agreed to help each other.
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 instructi...
Section 2: Composition Begin your answer on a new page of your answer booklet. Write on one of the following topics. At the beginning of your compo...
Section 1: Reading for Ideas Read Passage 1, Elephants, in the Insert and answer all the questions below.
Re-read paragraphs 1, 3 and 6, and identify and write down one opinion from each of these paragraphs.
Section 2: Reading for Meaning Read Passage 2, Emma, in the Insert and answer all the questions below. From paragraph 1
From paragraph 2 A 'cloud crossed her mind and gradually became a storm of doubt.' What does this tell you about Emma's feelings at this point?
From paragraph 3 What are the two physical signs of fear shown by Emma? (i) (ii)
From paragraph 5 'James stared at his sister with a look of undisguised puzzlement, which made her realise that what he was about to say was true.'...
From the whole passage 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 3 and 4, which contain phrases about (a) Emma's entry into her parents' bedroom and (b) James's behaviour when they sat down to ...
Read Passage 1, People and Animals, in the Insert and answer all the questions below.
Re-read paragraphs 4, 6 and 7, and identify and write down one opinion from each of these paragraphs.
From paragraph 1 Give two reasons why Nizam was happy ‘on the day that he qualified' as a teacher. (i) (ii)
From paragraph 2 'The young students Nizam taught were not lazy, inconsiderate or impolite'. What is the other reason why Nizam found the newspaper...
From paragraph 3 A contrast is created between the stallholders' ‘apparent hostility' and what is really going on. Without copying from the passage...
From paragraph 4 The stallholder showed the woman a scarf. 'Then another. Then another.' What does 'Then another. Then another' show about: (i) the...
From paragraph 5 Who do you think laid a 'heavy hand' on Nizam's shoulder?
From paragraphs 3–5 inclusive 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 ...
Re-read paragraph 4, which contains phrases about (a) the woman and (b) Nizam. Explain: • the meaning of the phrases as they are used in the passag...
You are advised to write between 200 and 300 words. Total marks for this part: 30. • You will be awarded up to 15 marks for following the task inst...
Section 1: Directed Writing You are advised to write between 200 and 300 words. Total marks for this part: 30. • You will be awarded up to 15 mar...