Great Expectations Past Exam Questions – Edexcel English Literature IGCSE (4ET1/02) Paper 2: Heritage Texts
Essay writing practise is essential for students of English Literature as this allows them to build 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 more important as the exam draws closer.
Here in this blog post, we have collated and organised all the past exam questions for Great Expectations for Edexcel IGCSE English Literature Paper 2 exam. These are listed in reverse order with the most recently available at the top.
Great Expectations is one of six options for <strong>Section B Heritage Texts</strong> in Paper 2 of the Edexcel English Literature IGCSE.
What you need to know
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
Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
Prescribed Edition
| Book Cover | Book Title | Author | Publisher | Date Published | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Expectations | Charles Dickens | Penguin Classics | 01 April 2012 | 9780141198897 |
Great Expectations Past Exam Questions by Year
May 2024
EITHER
19 ‘Pip wants to become a gentleman to show that he is worthy of marrying Estella.’
Explore the significance of social advancement 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 presentation of one character you admire in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2024R
EITHER
19 How does Dickens present Estella’s relationships with men 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 helping others in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2023
EITHER
19 How does Dickens present Mrs Joe Gargery, Pip’s sister, in the novel?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20 ‘Pip wishes to become a gentleman so that he may marry Estella.’
Discuss the significance of marriage in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2023
EITHER
19 How does Dickens present the relationship between Pip and Joe Gargery in the novel?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20 ‘What have I done! What have I done!’ (Miss Havisham)
Explore the theme of remorse and regret in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2023 Resit
EITHER
19 Discuss the presentation of one character you think suffers greatly in the novel.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20 How far do you agree with the view that the ending of Great Expectations is successful?
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2023
EITHER
19 How does Magwitch change 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 significance of different settings in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2023 Resit
EITHER
19 Discuss the relationship between Pip and one female character in the novel.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
20 ‘I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape.’ (Estella)
Explore the importance of learning lessons in Great Expectations.
You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the novel in your answer
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.
