The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Past Exam Questions – Edexcel English Literature IGCSE (4ET1/02) Paper 2: Modern Drama
Practising past exam questions is an important part of exam preparation. It is especially important for essay-based exams such as English Literature where you will need to build the skills required for writing essays progressively. Learning to write an outline, then writing paragraphs from that outline and eventually building up to writing full essays. Over time, and closer to the exam, you will need to practise writing these essays under timed conditions.
In this blog post, to help you with your exam preparation and revision, we have collected all the past year questions for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time for Edexcel IGCSE English Literature Paper 2 exam. These are in reverse order, updated with the latest readily available from Edexcel website.
What you need to know
This is one of five options for Section A Modern Drama in Paper 2 of the Edexcel English Literature IGCSE. You or your teacher will have chosen a specific text for this part.
For the exam, you will need to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the text, including the ways in which writers use language, form and structure to create effects.
You must:
- demonstrate a close understanding of their drama text
- maintain a critical style
- present an informed personal engagement
- understand how writers create literary effects
- understand and use appropriate literary terminology
- identify and use relevant examples from the play.
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.
Instructions: Choose one of two questions (Question 5 or 6)
Total marks = 30 marks. Recommended time 45 Minutes
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Mark Haddon (adapted by Simon Stephens)
Prescribed Edition
| Book Cover | Book Title | Author | Publisher | Date Published | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time | Mark Haddon and Simon Stephens | Methuen Drama | 01 April 2013 | 9781408185216 |
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Past Exam Questions by Year
May 2024
EITHER
5 ‘In the play, it is important to overcome fears.’
Explore the theme of bravery in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 How is Siobhan presented as someone Christopher is able to trust in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
May 2024 Resit
EITHER
5 How does Christopher change in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 ‘Many of the events in the play take place as a result of the separation of Mr and Mrs Shears.’
Explore the significance of broken romantic relationships in the play. You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Nov 2023
EITHER
5 How is the relationship between Ed and Judy Boone presented in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night‐time?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 ‘Christopher, Ed, Judy and Mrs Shears all try to cope with loss in different ways.’
Explore how different types of loss are dealt with in the play. You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
June 2023
EITHER
5 How are Mr and Mrs Shears important in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time? You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Ed (talking to Christopher): ‘You have to know that I am going to tell you the truth from now on.’
Explore the significance of truth and lies in the play.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
June 2023 Resit
EITHER
5 Discuss the presentation of Christopher’s relationship with animals in the play. You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Ed (talking about Christopher): ‘I cooked his meals. I cleaned his clothes. I looked after him every weekend.’ Explore the idea of looking after others in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Jan 2023
EITHER
5 Discuss the presentation of one character you respect in the play.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Explore the theme of anger in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Jan 2023 Resit
EITHER
5 How is Siobhan presented as a character worthy of respect in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Explore the theme of responsibility in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
June 2022
EITHER
5 ‘Both Ed Boone and Roger Shears have a relationship with Judy Boone.’ How are Ed and Roger presented in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 How is communication shown to be important in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
June 2022 Resit
EITHER
5 Discuss the presentation of one character you sympathise with in the play.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Explore the theme of independence in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night- time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Jan 2022
EITHER
5 How is Siobhan shown to be a caring character in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Explore the theme of death in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Jan 2022 Resit
EITHER
5 Discuss the importance of understanding the needs of others in The Curious Incident
of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 ‘In the play, Judy Boone has her faults but is ultimately presented as a good mother
to Christopher.’ How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Nov 2021
EITHER
5 How does Stephens present Christopher’s relationships with different women in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Discuss the significance of different settings in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
June 2021
EITHER
5 How does Christopher develop as the play progresses?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Explore the theme of love in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Nov 2020
EITHER
5 Christopher: ‘I was brave and wrote a book and that means I can do anything.’ Discuss the theme of overcoming difficulties in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Explore the relationship between Judy Boone and Roger Shears in the play.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Nov 2020 Resit
EITHER
5 ‘Ed Boone is a good father to Christopher.’ How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 In what ways is rejection important in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Jan 2020
EITHER
5 How far is Christopher presented as a victim in this play?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Explore the theme of conflict in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
(Total for Question 6 = 30 marks)
Jan 2020 Resit
EITHER
5 Explore the presentation of characters who help Christopher in the play.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 How successful is the ending of the play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
(Total for Question 6 = 30 marks)
May 2019
EITHER
5 Explore the significance of the play’s title, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 How are Christopher’s parents presented in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
(Total for Question 6 = 30 marks)
May 2019 Resit
EITHER
5 Explore the importance of Mr and Mrs Shears in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Discuss the significance of truth in the play.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Jan 2019
EITHER
5 How is Siobhan presented in this play?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 Christopher: ‘Does that mean I can do anything?’ Explore the theme of adventure in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
Jan 2019 Resit
EITHER
5 Explore the importance of family in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
OR
6 How is Christopher presented as a hero in the play?
You must consider language, form and structure in your answer.
