Cambridge Past Paper Questions

Either 1 Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it: Muliebrity I have thought so much about the girl who gathered cow-dung in ...

Or 2 Explore how Millay memorably communicates her thoughts and feelings in Sonnet 29. Sonnet 29 Pity me not because the light of day At close of...

Either 3 Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it: The Caged Skylark As a dare-gale skylark scanted in a dull cage, Man's mou...

Or 4 How does Constantine powerfully convey the desire to see dolphins in Watching for Dolphins? Watching for Dolphins In the summer months on ev...

CAROL ANN DUFFY: from New Selected Poems 1984–2004 Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 5 Read this poem, and the...

Or 6 In what ways does Duffy make War Photographer such a powerful poem? War Photographer In his darkroom he is finally alone with spools of suff...

SECTION B: PROSE CHARLOTTE BRONTË: Jane Eyre Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 7 Read this passage, and then ...

Or 8 To what extent does Brontë portray Mr Rochester as a victim?

ANITA DESAI: In Custody Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 9 Read this passage, and then answer the question th...

Or 10 In what ways does Desai strikingly convey the desire for money throughout the novel?

ZORA NEALE HURSTON: Their Eyes Were Watching God Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 11 Read this passage, and t...

Or 12 How far does Hurston show that Janie will not let others decide how she lives her life?

HENRY JAMES: Washington Square Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 13 Read this passage, and then answer the que...

Or 14 In what ways does James suggest that Morris never really loved Catherine?

JOHN KNOWLES: A Separate Peace Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 15 Read this passage, and then answer the que...

Or 16 In what ways does Knowles make Leper such a pitiful character?

GEORGE ORWELL: Nineteen Eighty-Four Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 17 Read this passage, and then answer th...

Or 18 Explore how Orwell powerfully conveys the Party's control of language.

Or 20 How does Paton convince you that Absalom never had a chance of a fair trial?

from Stories of Ourselves Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 21 Read this passage from The Open Boat (by Stephe...

Or 22 Explore the ways in which the writer creates vivid impressions of the narrator in one of the following stories: • The Moving Finger (by Edit...

Explore the ways in which Hansberry powerfully conveys conflict between Mama and Beneatha.

John Proctor thinks of himself as a 'fraud'. To what extent does Miller's portrayal of Proctor persuade you to agree?

Explore how Sherriff conveys the impact on Stanhope of Raleigh joining C Company.

How far does Shakespeare persuade you that Lady Capulet truly cares for Juliet?

In what ways does Shakespeare memorably portray Orsino's love for Olivia?

Or 2 Explore the ways in which Angelou makes Caged Bird such a moving poem. Caged Bird A free bird leaps Content removed due to copyright restricti...

Or 4 How does Monck powerfully convey the strength of her love in Verses Written on Her Death-bed at Bath to Her Husband in London? Verses Written ...

CAROL ANN DUFFY: from New Selected Poems Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 5 Read this poem, and then answer the...

Or 6 How does Duffy strikingly portray the parents in We Remember Your Childhood Well? We Remember Your Childhood Well Nobody hurt you. Nobody turn...

Or 8 'Characters in the novel have different attitudes to Christianity.' Explore how Adichie vividly portrays this.

CHARLOTTE BRONTË: Jane Eyre Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 9 Read this passage, and then answer the question ...

Or 10 How far does Brontë make the ending of the novel satisfying for you?

ZORA NEALE HURSTON: Their Eyes Were Watching God Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 11 Read this passage, and the...

Or 12 Explore how Hurston strikingly conveys the differences in Janie's three marriages.

Or 14 Explore the ways in which James portrays Mrs Almond.

Or 16 'Ashima longs for the past.' How far does Lahiri's portrayal of Ashima show this to be true?

Or 18 Explore how Martel vividly conveys Pi's thoughts and feelings in the first few days after the ship sinks.

GEORGE ORWELL: 1984 Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 19 Read this passage, and then answer the question that fo...

Or 20 Explore how Orwell creates memorable impressions of women in the novel.

Or 22 In what ways does Laski encourage you to admire Caroline in The Tower?

Read this passage carefully, and then answer the question that follows it: [Brower Park. ERMINA stands in a pool of light.] Ermina [without a breat...

'The Crump family is struggling under pressure.' Explore the ways in which Nottage portrays the family’s struggles.

Read this passage carefully, and then answer the question that follows it: Parris: It is a providence. Content removed due to copyright restriction...