The Whale Rider Past Exam Questions – Edexcel English Literature IGCSE (4ET1/01) Paper 1: Modern Prose
One of the best ways to revise for your English Literature exam is to practise with genuine past questions. These not only show you the style and focus of exam tasks but also give you the opportunity to practise building essays that meet examiners’ expectations. Developing essay skills takes time — start small with outlines and paragraphs, then gradually move on to timed essays as you get closer to the exam.
This post brings together every past exam question for The Whale Rider, from the Edexcel IGCSE English Literature Paper 2. The list is presented in reverse order and includes the latest questions available on the Edexcel website.
What you need to know
Section C – Modern Prose
The Whale Ridert 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 Whale Rider, Witi Ihimaera
Prescribed Edition
| Book Cover | Title | Author | Publisher | Date Published | ISBN |
| The Whale Rider | Witi Ihimaera | Heinemann; 1st Edition | Feb 2005 | 9780435131081 |
The Whale Rider Past Exam Questions
May 2024
EITHER
8 ‘Witi Ihimaera’s daughters wanted to read a Maori novel that featured a female hero.’
In what ways can Kahu be considered a hero in The Whale Rider? You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 How is cultural identity important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2024 Resit
EITHER
8 Explore the use of settings in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 How is Rawiri significant in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2023
EITHER
8 ‘Travelling to different places is experienced by some of the characters and the whales.’
Explore the significance of travelling in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 How is Nanny (Nani) Flowers presented in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2023
EITHER
8 Discuss the relationship between the brothers, Rawiri and Porourangi, in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Examine the role of women in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2023 Resit
EITHER
8 ‘To commemorate Kahutia Te Rangi’s voyage, he was given another name, Paikea.’
In what ways is Paikea significant in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Discuss the theme of responsibility in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2023
EITHER
8 Discuss the theme of success in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 In what ways is the relationship between Koro and Kahu important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2023 Resit
EITHER
8 ‘But this time … I’m really going to divorce him.’ (Nanny/Nani Flowers)
How is marriage presented in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Discuss the significance of the bull whale and his herd in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2022
EITHER
6 In what ways are hopes and fears for the future significant in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
7 Discuss the relationship between Kahu and Nanny (Nani) Flowers in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2022 Resit
EITHER
6 Examine the relationship between Kahu and her uncle, Rawiri.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
7 Discuss the importance of courage in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2022
EITHER
6 ‘Koro Apirana is a successful tribal leader.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
7 Discuss the importance of family in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2022 Resit
EITHER
6 Explore the significance of the names of people and places in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
7 ‘Koro is a dislikeable character in the novel.’ How far do you agree with this view of Koro?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2021
EITHER
6 Discuss the importance of locations in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
7 In what ways is Kahu significant in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2021
EITHER
6 Discuss the importance of fear in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
7 ‘Kahu seemed to say, “Down here?” and the dolphins made a nodding motion.’ Explore Kahu’s relationship with the natural world in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2020
EITHER
8 Explore one character who, in your opinion, has great power in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 In what ways is change important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2020 Resit
EITHER
8 In what ways is Kahu’s father, Porourangi, important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Discuss the significance of Maori culture and traditions in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2020
EITHER
8 ‘Koro Apirana is a cruel and heartless character in The Whale Rider.’ How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Explore the significance of the legend of the whale rider in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2020 Resit
EITHER
8 Discuss the importance of leadership in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 In what ways is Nanny (Nani) Flowers important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2019
EITHER
8 ‘The whales are very important characters in this novel.’How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Explore the theme of love in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2019 Resit
EITHER
8 Explore the relationship between Kahu and the whales.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Discuss the importance of different kinds of learning in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2019
EITHER
8 Explore the relationship between Koro Apirana and Nanny Flowers in this novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Discuss the significance of the natural world in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2019 Resit
EITHER
8 Explore the relationship between Koro Apirana and Kahu in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
9 Discuss the significance of travelling in The Whale Rider.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
