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

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 should make significant demands on the students 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.

Related

• Exam Paper Format
• Anthologies Exam Questions Analysis
• Poetry and Prose Text Past Exam Questions
• Transactional Writing Past Exam Questions
• Imaginative Writing Past Exam Questions

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

Current Syllabus (4EA1/01)

Anthology B Poetry and Prose Texts

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.