Edexcel A Level English Literature Paper 3: Poetry June 2025 question paper 9ET0/03

Read the poem Cows by Laura Scott on page 3 of the source booklet and reread the anthology poem A Minor Role by U A Fanthorpe (on page 5).

Compare the methods both poets use to explore the protection of loved ones.

Explore the presentation of salvation in the extract specified below and in one other extract of similar length from any of the poetic dramas. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Refer to the prescribed text studied: either Cawley: The Crucifixion (York) lines 253–288 or Happé: The Crucifixion stanzas 22–24

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select an extract from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on page 7.

Medieval Poet: Geoffrey Chaucer

Prescribed text

The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale, editor James Winny

EITHER

Explore the ways in which Chaucer presents the Wife as a teacher in The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale, by referring to lines 257–292 and one other extract of similar length. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which Chaucer presents the supernatural in The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale, by referring to lines 605–626 and one other extract of similar length. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select a poem from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on page 8.

The Metaphysical Poets

Prescribed text

Metaphysical Poetry, editor Colin Burrow

EITHER

Explore the ways in which mortality is presented in To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which personal relationships are presented in Orinda to Lucasia by Katherine Philips and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select a poem from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on page 9.

Metaphysical Poet: John Donne

Prescribed text

John Donne Selected Poems

EITHER

Explore the ways in which Donne presents time in Love’s Growth and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which Donne presents forgiveness in A Hymn to God the Father and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select a poem from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on page 10.

The Romantics

Prescribed text

English Romantic Verse, editor David Wright

EITHER

Explore the ways in which the passage of time is presented in Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey by Wordsworth and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which seasons are portrayed in ‘The cold earth slept below’ by Shelley and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select a poem from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on page 11.

Romantic Poet: John Keats

Prescribed text

Selected Poems: John Keats, editor John Barnard

EITHER

Explore the ways in which Keats presents suffering in To Sleep and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which Keats presents change in ‘In drear-nighted December’ and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select a poem from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on pages 12 to 13.

The Victorians

Prescribed text

The New Oxford Book of Victorian Verse, editor Christopher Ricks

EITHER

Explore the ways in which the landscape is presented in Drummer Hodge by Thomas Hardy and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which poets portray powerful emotions in The Best Thing in the World by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select a poem from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on page 14.

Victorian Poet: Christina Rossetti

Prescribed text

Christina Rossetti Selected Poems, editor Dinah Roe

EITHER

Explore the ways in which Rossetti presents desire in Babylon the Great and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which Rossetti presents hope in As froth on the face of the deep and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select a poem from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on page 15.

Modernism

Prescribed text

Great Modern Poets, editor Michael Schmidt

EITHER

Explore the ways in which poets present impermanence in Lullaby by Auden and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which innocence is presented in in Just by Cummings and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select a poem from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on page 16.

Modernist Poet: T S Eliot

Prescribed text

T S Eliot: Selected Poems

EITHER

Explore the ways in which Eliot makes use of sensory imagery in The Wasteland II. A Game of Chess and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which Eliot presents memory in Rhapsody on a Windy Night and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select a poem from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on page 17.

The Movement

Prescribed text

The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse, editor Philip Larkin

EITHER

Explore the ways in which societal expectations are presented in Metamorphosis by Peter Porter and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which personal anguish is presented in Answers by Elizabeth Jennings and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

Answer ONE question on your chosen text. Begin your answer on page 25.

You must select a poem from the prescribed list for your studied collection. The poems are listed in Section B of the source booklet on page 18.

The Movement Poet: Philip Larkin

Prescribed text

The Less Deceived, Philip Larkin

EITHER

Explore the ways in which observation is presented in Lines on a Young Lady’s Photograph Album and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.

OR

Explore the ways in which restrictions are presented in Wires and one other poem. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors.