Cambridge Past Paper Questions

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...

What do you think the Duke of Clarence and Lord Hastings contribute to the dramatic power of the play? Support your ideas with details from Shakesp...

You are Queen Elizabeth. You have just heard that Richard has been killed in battle and that Richmond has taken the throne. Write your thoughts.

R.C. SHERRIFF: Journey's End 13 Read the following extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Stanhope: Osborne: I've hoped that all th...

How does Sherriff make the relationship between Stanhope and Raleigh such a memorable feature of the play? Support your ideas with details from the...

You are Trotter. You are on duty with Raleigh on his first night in the trenches. Write your thoughts.

ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON: Poems 16 Read this extract from Ulysses, and then answer the question that follows it: There lies the port; the vessel puffs...

How does Tennyson make clear for you his thoughts and feelings in Extract CXV from In Memoriam (beginning 'Now fades the long last streak of snow')?

What does Tennyson make you feel about the Lady in his poem The Lady of Shalott? Support your ideas with details from the poem.

SONGS OF OURSELVES: from Part 3 19 Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it: Marrysong He never learned her, quite. Year after ...

Explore how the poet powerfully communicates the pain of loss in either The Voice (by Thomas Hardy) or Sonnet 29 ('Pity me not because the light of...

In two of the following poems explore in detail lines which you find particularly striking. Full Moon and Little Frieda (by Ted Hughes) The Flower-...

EMILY BRONTË: Wuthering Heights 22 Read the following extract, and then answer the question that follows it: I might as well have struggled with a ...

Explore the ways in which Brontë makes Nelly Dean such a memorable character in the novel. Support your views with details from Brontë's writing.

You are Heathcliff. You are on your way back to Wuthering Heights after your three-year absence. Write your thoughts.

ANITA DESAI: Games at Twilight and Other Stories 25 Read the following extract from Games at Twilight, and then answer the question that follows it...

How far do you think Desai makes it possible to sympathise with Harish in Surface Textures? Support your views with details from the writing.

You are Pat at the end of Scholar and Gypsy. You are walking off into the moonlight. Write your thoughts.

BESSIE HEAD: When Rain Clouds Gather 28 Read the following extract, and then answer the question that follows it: The wail of the approaching siren...

How does Head make Chief Matenge such a horrible character? Support your ideas with details from Head's writing.

You are Dinorego at the end of the novel, reflecting on the changes in Golema Mmidi. Write your thoughts.

F. SCOTT FITZGERALD: The Great Gatsby 31 Read the following extract, and then answer the question that follows it: There was music from my neighbou...

How does Fitzgerald make Tom Buchanan such an unpleasant character? Support your answer by close reference to Fitzgerald's writing.

You are Daisy. You have just returned home after your surprise meeting with Jay Gatsby. Write your thoughts.

EDITH WHARTON: Ethan Frome 34 Read the following extract, and then answer the question that follows it: He was still kneeling when his eyes, on a l...

How far do you think Wharton makes it possible to sympathise with Zeena? Support your ideas with details from Wharton's writing.

You are Mattie, alone in your room. You have just had supper with Ethan in Zeena's absence. Write your thoughts.

Stories of Ourselves 37 Read the following extract from The Third and Final Continent (by Jhumpa Lahiri), and then answer the question that follows...

How does the writer make you sympathise with one of the following characters? Mr Wills (in The Taste of Watermelon by Borden Deal) The narrator/wif...

You are the leader of the gang in The Lemon Orchard (by Alex La Guma). You have just left the orchard at the end of the story. Write your thoughts.

Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Bernard: Oh, the hell with the advice, Willy. I couldn't advise you. There's just...

'Attention must be paid to him,' says Linda of Willy. How far does Miller make you agree with her? Support your ideas with details from the play.

You are Happy, on the evening you abandoned Willy at the restaurant. You and Biff have just left the girls to return home. Write your thoughts.