The Joy Luck Club Past Exam Questions – Edexcel English Literature IGCSE (4ET1/01) Paper 1: Modern Prose
When it comes to preparing for your English Literature exam, there’s no better practice than tackling real past exam questions. Using these will help you get used to the wording of questions, understand what examiners are looking for, and give you the chance to refine your essay-writing skills. Start by planning and drafting, then work your way up to writing full essays under timed conditions so that you’re ready for the real exam.
Here, you’ll find a complete collection of past questions for The Joy Luck Club, taken from the Edexcel IGCSE English Literature Paper 2. They are organised in reverse order, beginning with the most recent available.
What you need to know
Section C – Modern Prose
The Joy Luck Clubt is one of five options for Section C Modern Prose in Paper 1 of the Edexcel English Literature IGCSE.
Here, you will need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the prose text, including the ways in which writers use language, form and structure to create meaning and effects. You should also understand the relationship between the text and the context in which it was written.
You must be able to:
- demonstrate a close understanding of their prose text
- maintain a critical style
- present an informed personal engagement
- identify and use relevant examples from their prose text
- understand the influence of contextual factors on the interpretation of texts.
Questions will test the following Assessment Objectives:
AO1 Demonstrate a close knowledge and understanding of texts, maintaining a critical style and presenting an informed personal engagement
AO4 Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written
This component is a closed book examination and students may not take texts into the examination.
Instructions: Choose one of two questions
Total marks= 40 marks.
The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan
Prescribed Edition
| Book Cover | Title | Author | Publisher | Date Published | ISBN |
| The Joy Luck Club | Amy Tan | Vintage; New Ed Edition | Jun 1991 | 9780749399573 |
The Joy Luck Club Past Exam Questions
May 2024
EITHER
10 Discuss the importance of friendship in The Joy Luck Club. You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 ‘Most of the men in this novel are presented in a negative way. They are controlling and unkind.’ How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2024 Resit
EITHER
10 In what ways is Suyuan Woo important in The Joy Luck Club?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 ‘The American daughters, Jing-mei, Rose, Waverly and Lena, all experience difficulties and struggles in their lives.’
What difficult situations have to be faced by the American daughters in the novel? You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2023
EITHER
10 ‘America was where all my mother’s hopes lay. She had come here in 1949 after losing everything in China … she never looked back with regret.’ (Jing-mei Woo)
Explore the theme of hopes and dreams in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 In what ways is Lindo Jong important in The Joy Luck Club?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2023
EITHER
10 ‘The contrasting settings of China and America are central to our understanding of this novel.’
How far do you agree with this statement about The Joy Luck Club? You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 Explore the relationship between Jing-mei (June) Woo and her parents in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2023 Resit
EITHER
10 ‘Many of the women in the novel have either been divorced or are unhappily married.’
Explore the difficult marriages presented in The Joy Luck Club. You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 In what ways is Jing-mei (June) Woo significant in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2023
EITHER
10 Explore the significance of loss in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 ‘I was six when my mother taught me the art of invisible strength.’ (Waverly Jong)
How is Waverly Jong important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2023 Resit
EITHER
10 ‘Weren’t we going to play mah jong tonight?’ (Jing-mei Woo)
In what ways is mah jong (mahjong) significant in The Joy Luck Club? You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 Explore the character of Ying-ying St. Clair in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2022
EITHER
8 Explore the significance of Suyuan Woo in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 In an interview, Amy Tan said: ‘There was something about this country [China] that I belonged to’.
How is the theme of belonging to places or people important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2022 Resit
EITHER
8 Explore the relationship between An-mei Hsu and her daughter, Rose, in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 ‘I wondered why my destiny had been decided, why I should have an unhappy life…’ (Lindo Jong)
Examine the theme of destiny in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2022
EITHER
8 In what ways is the theme of misunderstanding significant in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Explore the character of Rose Hsu Jordan in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2022 Resit
EITHER
8 ‘The parables of Feathers From A Thousand Li Away, The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates, American Translation and Queen Mother of the Western Skies are central to the novel.’ Choose two Chinese parables and examine their significance in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 In what ways is Lena St. Clair important in The Joy Luck Club?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2021
EITHER
8 ‘Jing-mei Woo is the most important character in this novel.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Discuss the theme of language barriers in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2021
EITHER
8 In what ways is Ying-ying St. Clair significant in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 ‘The characters experience both physical and emotional journeys.’
Discuss the theme of journeys in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2020
EITHER
10 Explore the character of An-mei Hsu in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 ‘I once sacrificed my life to keep my parents’ promise.’ (Lindo Jong). Discuss the theme of sacrifices that people have made in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2020 Resit
EITHER
10 Explore the character of Lindo Jong in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 Discuss the theme of difficult childhoods in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2020
EITHER
10 Examine the theme of conflict in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 ‘This novel is full of courageous characters who take risks and grasp opportunities.’ Explore one character who you consider to be courageous.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2020 Resit
EITHER
10 ‘The novel is full of strong women who have had to overcome difficulties.’ Explore one woman in the novel who demonstrates strength of character.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 Discuss the theme of love in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2019
EITHER
10 Discuss the theme of fate in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 How are male characters presented in The Joy Luck Club?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2019 Resit
EITHER
10 Explore the character of Waverly Jong in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 Discuss the significance of the title The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
January 2019
EITHER
10 Explore the theme of marriage in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 Discuss the relationship between An-mei Hsu and Rose Hsu Jordan in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
January 2019 Resit
EITHER
10 ‘Symbols, such as the jade pendant and the vase, are very important in this novel.’ How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
11 Discuss the relationship between Ying-ying and Lena St. Clair in The Joy Luck Club.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
