To Kill a Mockingbird Past Exam Questions – Edexcel English Literature IGCSE (4ET1/01) Paper 1: Modern Prose
Past exam questions are an excellent tool for revision because they show you exactly the kind of tasks examiners will set. By using them in your practice, you’ll learn how to interpret the wording of questions, shape your ideas into a clear argument, and polish your essay-writing skills. Begin with planning and short writing exercises, then work towards complete essays and timed responses to prepare fully for exam day.
This article gathers all the past questions for To Kill A Mockingbird, from the Edexcel IGCSE English Literature Paper 2. They are listed in reverse order, starting with the most recent available on the Edexcel site.
What you need to know
Section C – Modern Prose
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of five options for Section C Modern Prose in Paper 1 of the Edexcel English Literature IGCSE.
Here, you will need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the prose text, including the ways in which writers use language, form and structure to create meaning and 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 prose text
- maintain a critical style
- present an informed personal engagement
- identify and use relevant examples from their prose text
- understand the influence of contextual factors on the interpretation of texts.
Questions will test the following Assessment Objectives:
AO1 Demonstrate a close knowledge and understanding of texts, maintaining a critical style and presenting an informed personal engagement
AO4 Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written
This component is a closed book examination and students may not take texts into the examination.
Instructions: Choose one of two questions
Total marks= 40 marks.
To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Prescribed Edition
| Book Cover | Title | Author | Publisher | Date Published | ISBN |
| To Kill a Mockingbird Buy from Bookshop.orgBuy from Amazon | Harper Lee | Arrow 50th Anniversary Edition | Jun 2010 | 9780099549482 |
To Kill A Mockingbird Past Exam Questions
May 2024
EITHER
4 ‘You never really understand a person … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.’ (Atticus)
Discuss the theme of understanding others in the novel. You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 How is Calpurnia important in To Kill a Mockingbird?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2024 Resit
EITHER
4 In what ways is anger shown throughout the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 How is Scout significant in To Kill a Mockingbird?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2023
EITHER
4 How is Mayella Ewell important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 Explore the theme of prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2023
EITHER
4 Explore the theme of growing up in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 “Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia,” was the first thing Aunt Alexandra said.
“Jean Louise, stop scratching your head,” was the second thing she said.’
Examine the character of Aunt Alexandra in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2023 Resit
EITHER
4 Examine the character of Dill Harris in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 ‘The law is central to this novel.’
How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2023
EITHER
4 In what ways is Boo Radley important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 Explore the theme of responsibility in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2023 Resit
EITHER
4 Explore the significance of the title To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 In what ways is Jem important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2022
EITHER
2 Explore the character of Mrs Dubose in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
3 ‘I said I would like it very much, which was a lie, but one must lie in certain circumstances…’ (Scout)
In what ways are lies significant in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
June 2022 Resit
EITHER
2 In what ways is Tom Robinson significant in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
3 Discuss the setting of Maycomb in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2022
EITHER
2 Explore the character of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
3 Discuss the theme of isolation in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2022 Resit
EITHER
2 Explore the theme of courage in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
3 Which one character do you consider to be memorable in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2021
EITHER
2 Discuss the theme of kindness in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
3 In what ways is Scout important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2021
EITHER
2 Explore the theme of social inequality in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR 3 Discuss the relationship between Calpurnia and the Finch family in this novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2020
EITHER
4 In what ways is the Radley family important in the novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 ‘There are different types of unhappiness in this novel, from the trivial to the heart-breaking.’
Discuss the theme of unhappiness in To Kill a Mockingbird. You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Nov 2020 Resit
EITHER
4 ‘Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself.’ Discuss the theme of fear in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 Explore the character of Mayella Ewell in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2020
EITHER
4 Discuss the relationship between Scout and Jem in the novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 Explore the theme of justice in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
Jan 2020 Resit
EITHER
4 Explore the theme of childhood innocence in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 ‘In the novel, neither Atticus Finch nor Bob Ewell is a perfect father.’
How far do you agree with this view?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2019
EITHER
4 Explore the importance of Tom Robinson in this novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 In what ways is friendship significant in To Kill a Mockingbird?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
May 2019 Resit
EITHER
4 Explore the significance of racism in this novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 In what ways is Mrs Dubose important in To Kill a Mockingbird?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
January 2019
EITHER
4 ‘I maintain that the Ewells started it all.’ (Scout) Explore the importance of the Ewell family in this novel.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 Show how the setting of Maycomb is significant in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
January 2019 Resit
EITHER
4 In what ways are different types of education important in this novel?
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
OR
5 Explore the character of Calpurnia in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.
