AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel June 2024 question paper 8702/1

Macbeth

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 7 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Macbeth has decided that he is no longer prepared to carry out the plan to murder King Duncan.

Starting with this conversation, explore how far Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a strong female character.

Write about:

• how far Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a strong female character in this conversation

• how far Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a strong female character in the play as a whole.

Romeo and Juliet

Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Juliet is waiting for the Nurse to return with news from Romeo.

Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents the difficulties faced by Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents the difficulties faced by Juliet in this speech

• how Shakespeare presents the difficulties faced by Juliet in the play as a whole.

The Tempest

Read the following extract from Act 4 Scene 1 of The Tempest and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Ariel has carried out Prospero’s orders with regard to Alonso and his followers.

Starting with this conversation, explore how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Prospero and Ariel in The Tempest.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents their relationship in this conversation

• how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Prospero and Ariel in the play as a whole.

The Merchant of Venice

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Antonio has just asked Shylock to lend him three thousand

Starting with this speech, explore how far Shakespeare presents Shylock as an isolated character in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

• how far Shakespeare presents Shylock as an isolated character in this speech

• how far Shakespeare presents Shylock as an isolated character in the play as a whole.

Much Ado About Nothing

Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 3 of Much Ado About Nothing and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Don Pedro and Leonato have begun their plan to trick Benedick into believing that Beatrice loves him.

Starting with this extract, explore how Shakespeare presents characters tricking and deceiving each other in Much Ado About Nothing.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents characters tricking and deceiving each other in this extract

• how Shakespeare presents characters tricking and deceiving each other in the play as a whole.

Julius Caesar

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 2 of Julius Caesar and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Cassius is trying to persuade Brutus to be part of the conspiracy to kill Caesar.

Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents Cassius as a manipulative character in Julius Caesar.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents Cassius as a manipulative character in this speech

• how Shakespeare presents Cassius as a manipulative character in the play as a whole.

Robert Louis Stevenson: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Read the following extract from Chapter 2 (Search for Mr Hyde) of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Utterson is alone thinking about Mr Hyde.

Starting with this extract, explore how Stevenson creates an atmosphere of fear and danger in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Write about:

• how Stevenson creates an atmosphere of fear and danger in this extract

• how Stevenson creates an atmosphere of fear and danger in the novel as a whole.

Charles Dickens: Great Expectations

Read the following extract from Chapter 17 of Great Expectations and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Pip talks to Biddy about his growing frustration at his position in society.

‘In Great Expectations, Pip learns to value people more than social class.’

Starting with this extract, explore how far you agree with this view.

Write about:

• how Dickens presents Pip in this extract

• how far Dickens presents Pip learning to value people more than social class in the novel as a whole.

Charlotte Brontë: Jane Eyre

Read the following extract from Chapter 33 of Jane Eyre and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Jane has just been told by St John Rivers that she is related to him and his sisters and is to inherit her uncle’s fortune.

Starting with this extract, explore how far Brontë presents Jane Eyre as a young woman searching for somewhere to belong.

Write about:

• how Brontë presents Jane in this extract

• how far Brontë presents Jane as a young woman searching for somewhere to belong in the novel as a whole.

Mary Shelley: Frankenstein

Read the following extract from Chapter 4 of Frankenstein and then answer the question which follows.

In this extract, Frankenstein describes his commitment to his studies at university.

Starting with this extract, explore how Shelley presents the effects of Frankenstein’s scientific ambitions on himself and others.

Write about:

• how Shelley presents Frankenstein in this extract

• how Shelley presents the effects of Frankenstein’s scientific ambitions on himself and others in the novel as a whole.

Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice

Read the following extract from Chapter 1 of Pride and Prejudice and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Austen introduces the characters of Mr and Mrs Bennet.

Starting with this extract, explore how Austen presents ideas about marriage in Pride and Prejudice.

Write about:

• how Austen presents ideas about marriage in this extract

• how Austen presents ideas about marriage in the novel as a whole.

Arthur Conan Doyle: The Sign of Four

Read the following extract from Chapter 2 (The Statement of the Case) of The Sign of Four and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Mary Morstan has just left, having told Holmes and Watson of her problem.

Starting with this extract, explore how Conan Doyle presents Holmes and Watson as characters with very different strengths and qualities.

Write about:

• how Conan Doyle presents Holmes and Watson in this extract

• how Conan Doyle presents Holmes and Watson as characters with different strengths and qualities in the novel as a whole.