Poetry and Prose Text Past Exam Questions – Edexcel English Language A iGCSE (4EA1/02) Paper 2

Practising past exam questions for the poetry and prose from Anthology B is one of the most effective ways to prepare for Paper 2 of your English Language A exam. Working with real questions, will help you get used to the exam style, the types of questions you will have to answer, and understand the level of detail examiners expect. You can build your skills step by step  from planning ideas and writing focused paragraphs, to completing full essays under timed conditions.

In this post, we’ve collected a range of past exam questions to help you sharpen your writing and revision for English Language Paper

What you need to know

The poetry and prose text exam question for the Edexcel English Language A IGCSE appears in Paper 2 Section A. The questions in this section are based on extracts from Anthology B.

This section of the exam tests how a student is able to respond to a given poetry or prose text. It is expected that the texts will challenge you in understanding content, structure and quality of language. Students are also expected to develop skills of inference and analysis.

Analytical type question from Anthology B (30 marks) see anthologies analysis

The questions in this section centre around how the writer presents certain characters or creates interest. Each question is followed by three prompts. In your answer, you should write about: The first two prompts relate directly to the question – how the narrator or events are presented;

• How does the writer present….
• How does the writer create….

The final prompt is always ‘the use of language and structure’.

You are expected to reference the details in the text and include brief quotations.

The assessment objectives tested in this section are:

AO1  read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives

AO2  understand and analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects.

Listen to the texts

Often when we read, we miss things that might otherwise carry weight. Sometimes this is because how something sounds can be interpreted in so many ways. Anton Jarvis in collaboration with Edexcel has recorded audio readings of the poetry and the prose for the Anthologies. Even if you know these well, listening to them may help you gain a fresh perspective.

Related

• Exam Paper Format
• Anthologies Exam Questions Analysis
• Paper 1 Section A Non-fiction Text Past Exam Questions
• Paper 1 Section B Transactional Writing Past Exam Questions
• Paper 2 Poetry and Prose Text Past Exam Questions
• Paper 2 Imaginative Writing Past Exam Questions

External Link: Specification (Pearson)

Poetry and Prose Text Questions Extracted from Past Year Papers (2014 – current)

Current Syllabus (4EA1/01)

Anthology B Poetry and Prose Texts. Question 1.

Remind yourself of the poem or prose, taken from the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology B.

Total mark = 30 marks. Recommended time 45 minutes

Nov 2024

1 How does the writer present society in The Necklace? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the writer presents Madame Loisel
• how the other people in the story are presented
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the story, including brief quotations.

May 2024

1 How does the writer present the importance of traditional Indian culture in An Unknown Girl?
In your answer, you should write about:

• how the writer presents the cultural experience with the unknown girl
• how the writer presents feelings about the place
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

May 2024R

1 How does the writer try to present overcoming difficulties in Still I Rise? In your answer, you should write about:

• how difficulties are presented
• how the writer shows the ways that difficulties can be overcome
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

Nov 2023

How does the writer try to present strong feelings in The Story of An Hour? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the news of Brently Mallard’s death is presented
• how the writer presents Mrs. Mallard
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the story, including brief quotations.

June 2023

How does the writer create sympathy for the boy in “Out, Out –”? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the saw and the boy’s reaction to the accident are presented
• how the other people in the poem react to the accident
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

June 2023 Resit

How does the writer try to interest the reader in Significant Cigarettes? In your answer, you should write about:

• Lev’s thoughts and feelings
• how the journey is described
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the extract, including brief quotations.

Jan 2023

How does the writer present the character of Madame Loisel in The Necklace? In your answer, you should write about:

• how Madame Loisel is presented before the loss of the necklace
• how she is presented after the necklace is lost
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the story, including brief quotations.

Jan 2023 Resit

How does the writer try to create tension in Whistle and I’ll Come to You? In your answer, you should write about:

• the narrator’s thoughts and feelings
• how others in the extract are described
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the extract, including brief quotations.

June 2022

How does the writer try to present strong feelings in An Unknown Girl? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the writer feels about the experience with the girl
• how the writer feels about the culture of India
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

June 2022 Resit

How does the writer try to interest the reader in Night? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the narrator of the story is presented
• how the events are described
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the extract, including brief quotations.

January 2022

How does the writer create sympathy for the soldier in Disabled? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the soldier feels
• how the soldier is treated before and after he is injured
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

January 2022 Resit

How does the writer present war in The Bright Lights of Sarajevo? In your answer, you should write about:

• the impact of war on Sarajevo and its people
• the ways young people behave
• the use of language and structure

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

November 2021

How does the writer present the idea of being proud in Still I Rise? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the narrator’s pride in herself is presented
• how pride in the narrator’s background is presented
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

June 2021

How does the writer present the effects of illness in Night? In your answer, you should write about:

• the effects of illness on the narrator
• the impact of illness on the narrator’s family
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the extract, including brief quotations.

June 2020

How does the writer present the character of Lev in Significant Cigarettes? In your answer, you should write about:

• Lev’s thoughts and feelings about home
• Lev’s thoughts and feelings about the future
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the extract, including brief quotations.

June 2020 R

How does the writer present marriage in The Story of an Hour? In your answer, you should write about:

• Mrs. Mallard’s thoughts and feelings about her husband and marriage
• Mrs. Mallard’s thoughts and feelings about her future
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the story, including brief quotations.

January 2020

How does the writer present the lives of the people of Sarajevo in The Bright Lights of Sarajevo? In your answer, you should write about:

• the living conditions of the people of Sarajevo
• the relationship between the young couple
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

January 2020 R

How does the writer create strong feelings in “Out, Out –”? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the accident is presented
• how the boy in the poem is described
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

June 2019

How does the writer try to interest the reader in Whistle and I’ll Come to You? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the narrator of the story is presented
• how the events are described
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the extract, including brief quotations.

June 2019 R

How does the writer present her experience with the girl in An Unknown Girl? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the writer describes the unknown girl
• how the writer describes feelings about the experience in India
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

January 2019

How does the writer try to present strong emotions in Still I Rise? In your answer, you should write about:

• how the narrator of the poem feels about herself
• how the narrator of the poem feels about others
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

January 2019 Resit

How does the writer present the character of the soldier in Disabled? In your answer, you should write about:

• the soldier’s thoughts and feelings
• how others react to him
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the poem, including brief quotations.

June 2018

How does the writer present the character of Mrs. Mallard (Louise) in The Story of an Hour? In your answer, you should write about:

• Mrs. Mallard’s thoughts and actions
• Mrs. Mallard’s relationships with her husband and her sister
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the passage, including brief quotations.

June 2018 Resit

How does the writer present the importance of money and possessions in The Necklace? In your answer, you should write about:

• how money and possessions are described
• how the people in the story are affected by money and possessions
• the use of language and structure.

You should support your answer with close reference to the story, including brief quotations.

January 2018

Remind yourself of The Necklace from the Edexcel Anthology which is printed on the insert provided and then answer Question 1.

How does the writer present the characters in the story?

In your answer, you should write about

• Madame Loisel
• Monsieur Loisel
• Madame Forestier
• The use of language

You should refer closely to the text to support you answer. You may use brief quotations.