Edexcel English Literature IGCSE (4ET1/01) Paper 2 – Heritage Texts Past Exam Questions – Great Expectations, Charles Dickens

This is one of six options for Section B Heritage Texts in Paper 2 of the Edexcel English Literature IGCSE.

Here, you will need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the text, including the ways in which writers use language, form and structure to create 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 heritage text
• maintain a critical style
• present an informed personal engagement
• understand how writers create literary effects
• understand and use appropriate literary terminology
• understand the influence of contextual factors on the interpretation of texts
• identify and use relevant examples from the text.

The assessment objectives tested in this section are:

AO1 Demonstrate a close knowledge and understanding of texts, maintaining a critical style and presenting an informed personal engagement.
AO2 Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects.
AO4 Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.

Instructions: Choose one of two questions (Question 19 or 20).

Total marks = 30 marks. Recommended time 45 Minutes

Section A Modern Drama Compiled Exam Questions

• A View from the Bridge
• An Inspector Calls
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
• Kindertransport
• Death and the King’s Horseman

Section B Heritage Texts Compiled Exam Questions

• Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare
• Macbeth, William Shakespeare
• The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare
• Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
• Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
• The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne

Related

• Exam Paper Format

Great Expectations, Charles Dickens

Prescribed Edition

Book Cover	Book Title	Author	Publisher	Date Published	ISBN
Save	Great Expectations Buy from Bookshop.org Buy from Amazon	Charles Dickens	Penguin Classics	01 April 2012	9780141198897

June 2022

EITHER
19 ‘Estella is presented as a victim in the novel.’
How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20 Explore the theme of kindness in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

June 2022 Resit

EITHER
19 ‘Miss Havisham is presented as an evil character in Great Expectations.’
How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20 Explore the significance of social class in the novel.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

Jan 2022

EITHER
19  Discuss the importance of education in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20  ‘Different female characters in the novel are seen to have a positive or negative influence on Pip.’ Explore the presentation of one female character who influences Pip in the novel.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

Jan 2022 Resit

EITHER
19  Mrs Joe: ‘It’s bad enough to be a blacksmith’s wife (and him a Gargery)…’ Discuss the importance of reputation in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20  How is the relationship between Pip and Herbert Pocket presented in the novel?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

Nov 2021

EITHER
19  How does Dickens present one morally good character in the novel?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20  Discuss the theme of growing up in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

May 2021

EITHER
19 How does Dickens present Pip in the novel?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20 Discuss the theme of ambition in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

Nov 2020

EITHER
19  How does Dickens present the relationship between Joe and Mrs Joe in the novel?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20  Explore the importance of wealth in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

Nov 2020 Resit

EITHER
19 How does Dickens present the relationship between Estella and Miss Havisham in the novel?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20 Discuss the theme of innocence in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

Jan 2020

EITHER
19 Explore the theme of violence in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer and refer to the context of the novel.
OR
20 Explore the importance of Pip’s friends in the novel.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer and refer to the context of the novel.
(Total for Question 20 = 30 marks)

Jan 2020 Resit

EITHER
19  How does Dickens present the relationship between Miss Havisham and Pip in the novel?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20  How does Dickens present the theme of love in Great Expectations?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

May 2019

EITHER
19  Discuss the importance of lies and deception in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20  How does the relationship between Pip and Estella develop as the novel progresses?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

May 2019 Resit

EITHER
19 Discuss the role of women in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20 ‘Characters who commit evil actions are central to the plot.’ How does Dickens present villains in the novel?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

Jan 2019

EITHER
19  Explore the importance of family in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20  How does Dickens present the character of Magwitch in the novel?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

Jan 2019 Resit

EITHER
19  Discuss the theme of self-improvement in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20  Explore characters who act as father figures to Pip in the novel.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.