The Merchant of Venice Past Exam Questions – Edexcel English Literature IGCSE (4ET1/02) Paper 2: Heritage Texts
Essay writing practise using past exam questions is essential for students of English Literature as this will help you build and strengthen the ability to outline quickly, make connections between the text (using quotes and supporting facts and context) and write a complete and coherent essay effectively and efficiently. Timed practise of actual exam questions becomes even more important as the exam draws closer.
Here in this blog post, we have collated and organised all the past exam questions for The Merchant of Venice for Edexcel IGCSE English Literature Paper 2 exam. These are listed in reverse order with the most recently available at the top.
What you need to know
The Merchant of Venice 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 15 or 16).
Total marks = 30 marks. Recommended time 45 Minutes
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare
Prescribed Edition
| Book Cover | Book Title | Author | Publisher | Date Published | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Merchant of Venice | William Shakespeare | OUP Oxford; New Edition | 01 March 2009 | 9780198328674 |
The Merchant of Venice Past Exam Questions by Year
May 2024
EITHER
15 How far do you agree with the view that Bassanio is truly in love with Portia in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 ‘There is conflict between Christian and Jewish characters throughout the play.’
Explore the theme of religious prejudice in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
May 2024R
EITHER
15 ‘Jessica runs away with Lorenzo to escape from her father.’
How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Explore the significance of friendship in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Nov 2023
EITHER
15 Discuss the presentation of Portia in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 ‘Shylock’s bond with Antonio is the main narrative strand in the play.’
Explore the significance of the bond in the play.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
June 2023
EITHER
15 ‘Bassanio has to make an important choice in the casket challenge.’
Explore the importance of choices in the play.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Discuss the presentation of one character you sympathise with in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
June 2023 Resit
EITHER
15 How does Shakespeare present Shylock in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Explore the use of humour in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Jan 2023
EITHER
15 ‘Acts 4 and 5 draw the play to a successful ending.’
How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Discuss the presentation of one character you admire in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Jan 2023 Resit
EITHER
15 Discuss the presentation of one character you find interesting in the play.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Explore the theme of punishment in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
June 2022
EITHER
15 ‘Shylock lacks any power throughout the play.’
How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Explore the significance of marriage in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
June 2022 Resit
EITHER
15 ‘Antonio is shown to be a character the audience really respects throughout the play.’
How far do you agree with this statement?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Explore the theme of religion in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Jan 2022
EITHER
15 How does Shakespeare present Nerissa and Gratiano in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Explore the significance of the law in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Jan 2022 Resit
EITHER
15 Nerissa: ‘They are as sick that surfeit with too much, as they that starve with nothing.’ Explore the theme of greed in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 To what extent is Bassanio presented as a character who relies on others in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Nov 2021
EITHER
15 Discuss how Portia behaves in the play.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Explore the theme of loss in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
May 2021
EITHER
15 In what ways is the relationship between Shylock and Antonio presented in this play?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Shylock: ‘If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?’ Explore the theme of revenge in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Nov 2020
EITHER
15 In what ways is money important in The Merchant of Venice?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Jessica: ‘…ashamed to be my father’s child.’ How does Shakespeare present the character of Jessica in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Nov 2020 Resit
EITHER
15 ‘Shylock is a victim, not a villain.’ How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Discuss the importance of power in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Jan 2020
EITHER
15 Explore the theme of loyalty in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer and refer to the context of the play.
OR
16 ‘Shylock causes his own downfall.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer and refer to the context of the play.
Jan 2020 Resit
EITHER
15 Discuss the presentation of the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio in this play.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 How far do you agree that justice is done in The Merchant of Venice?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
May 2019
EITHER
15 Explore the use of different settings in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 ‘The relationship of Portia and Bassanio is not presented as true love.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
May 2019 Resit
EITHER
15 How does Shakespeare present Shylock’s relationship with his daughter, Jessica, in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 Explore the significance of the title of the play, The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Jan 2019
EITHER
15 Explore the theme of friendship in The Merchant of Venice.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 How are Jessica and Lorenzo presented in The Merchant of Venice?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
Jan 2019 Resit
EITHER
15 Prince of Morocco: ‘Mislike me not for my complexion / The shadowed livery of the burnished sun …’ Explore the theme of prejudice in this play.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
OR
16 How does Shakespeare present the relationship between Portia and Nerissa in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play in your answer.
