Cambridge & Pearson Edexcel Past Paper Questions

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...

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 co...

Read Passage 1, Shops and shopping in modern times, in the Insert and answer all the questions below.

Re-read paragraphs 2, 4 and 5, and give one opinion from each of these paragraphs.

Read Passage 2, Aunt Joan, in the Insert and answer all the questions below. From paragraph 1

From paragraph 2 What two things did Aunt Joan do which showed that she knew she was doing something wrong?

From paragraph 3 Why does the writer think that the objects in the cupboard 'were clearly unused' (line 18)?

From paragraph 4 What mistake did the writer make when Aunt Joan asked her to fetch her spare pair of glasses?

From paragraph 5 Why did Aunt Joan go into the bedroom?

From paragraph 6 The writer looked in Aunt Joan's 'bedside cabinet once more, but now it was empty' (lines 39-40).

From paragraphs 1-7 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 sentences telling us (a) what Joan said and (b) what the writer said. Give: • the meaning of each sentenc...

Read Passage 1, Online and in-store shopping, in the Insert and answer all the questions below.

Re-read paragraphs 3, 4 and 5. Give one opinion from each of these paragraphs.

From paragraph 1 Why was Jennifer upset that she was 'late getting away from the office' (lines 1–2)?

From paragraph 2 Jennifer 'headed anxiously in the direction of the motorway' (lines 8–9). What is one physical sign of Jennifer's anxiety?

From paragraph 3 'Jennifer had no alternative but to do the same.' (line 17) What did she have to do?

From paragraph 4 Her 'mission was accomplished' (line 29). What was Jennifer's ‘mission'?

From paragraph 5 "How could I be so stupid?" she berated herself.' (lines 37–38) Why does Jennifer think she has been stupid?

From paragraphs 3–6 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 4 and 6, which contain sentences telling us about (a) the hotels near the airport and (b) the meeting at the airport. Give: • th...

Your uncle and aunt own a shop which is busy and successful. You sometimes help in the shop during your holidays. Your English teacher asks you to ...

Describe a very lively, noisy place you know and a very quiet one. (Remember that you are describing the atmosphere and any people as well as the p...

'First impressions are nearly always wrong.' Do you think this is true? Give reasons and examples to support your view.

'There is too much pressure on people to follow fashion.' Do you agree? Give reasons and examples to support your view.

Write a story which includes the sentence: ‘When they opened the jewellery box, they could not believe what was in it.'

Write a story in which a train ticket plays an important part.

Your school has many extra-curricular activities. These include a debating team, music groups, sports teams and others. You are the leader of one o...