AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel June 2025 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 is alone. He is thinking about the plan to murder King Duncan.

Starting with this speech, explore how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an ambitious character.

Write about:

• how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an ambitious character in this speech

• how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an ambitious character in the play as a whole.

Romeo and Juliet

Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Capulet is very angry that Juliet has refused to marry Paris.

Starting with this moment in the play, explore how Shakespeare presents relationships between parents and children in Romeo and Juliet.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Capulet and Juliet at this moment in the play

• how Shakespeare presents relationships between parents and children in the play as a whole.

The Tempest

Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 2 of The Tempest and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Caliban is cursing Prospero. This is just before he meets Trinculo and Stephano.

Starting with this speech, explore how far Shakespeare presents Caliban as a victim in The Tempest.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents Caliban in this speech

• how far Shakespeare presents Caliban as a victim in the play as a whole.

The Merchant of Venice

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

At this point in the play, Shylock hears from Tubal that Jessica has not been found and he receives news about Antonio’s ships.

Starting with this conversation, explore how Shakespeare presents attitudes to wealth in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents attitudes to wealth in this conversation

• how Shakespeare presents attitudes to wealth in the play as a whole.

Much Ado About Nothing

Read the following extract from Act 4 Scene 1 of Much Ado About Nothing and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Hero is about to be married to Claudio.

Starting with this conversation, explore how far Shakespeare presents women as powerless in Much Ado About Nothing.

Write about:

• how far Shakespeare presents Hero as powerless in this conversation

• how far Shakespeare presents women as powerless in the play as a whole.

Julius Caesar

Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 1 of Julius Caesar and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, after the assassination, Antony responds to seeing Caesar’s

Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents ideas about loyalty in Julius Caesar.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents Antony’s loyalty to Caesar in this speech

• how Shakespeare presents ideas about loyalty in the play as a whole.

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

Read the following extract from Chapter 6 (Remarkable Incident of Dr Lanyon) of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Utterson receives a letter from Dr Jekyll and news of Dr Lanyon’s death.

Starting with this extract, explore how Stevenson presents ideas about hidden lives and secrets.

Write about:

• how Stevenson presents ideas about hidden lives and secrets in this extract

• how Stevenson presents ideas about hidden lives and secrets in the novel as a whole.

Charles Dickens: Great Expectations

Read the following extract from Chapter 49 of Great Expectations and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Pip returns to visit Miss Havisham after many years.

Starting with this extract, explore how far Dickens presents Miss Havisham as a victim.

Write about:

• how Dickens presents Miss Havisham in this extract

• how far Dickens presents Miss Havisham as a victim in the novel as a whole.

Charlotte Brontë: Jane Eyre

Read the following extract from Chapter 2 of Jane Eyre and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Jane has just been taken to the red-room as punishment for her behaviour.

Starting with this extract, explore how far Brontë presents Jane Eyre as a vulnerable character.

Write about:

• how Brontë presents Jane in this extract

• how far Brontë presents Jane as a vulnerable character in the novel as a whole.

Mary Shelley: Frankenstein

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

In this extract, Frankenstein describes his family background and his own childhood.

Starting with this extract, explore how Shelley presents the importance of family in Frankenstein.

Write about:

• how Shelley presents the importance of family in this extract

• how Shelley presents the importance of family in the novel as a whole.

Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice

Read the following extract from Chapter 58 of Pride and Prejudice and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy talk openly about their feelings for each other.

Starting with this extract, explore how far Austen presents Elizabeth as a character who changes her views of others.

Write about:

• how Austen presents Elizabeth in this extract

• how far Austen presents Elizabeth as a character who changes her views of others in the novel as a whole.

Arthur Conan Doyle: The Sign of Four

Read the following extract from Chapter 4 (The Story of the Bald-headed Man) of The Sign of Four and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Thaddeus Sholto is giving his account of events surrounding the death of

Starting with this extract, explore how Conan Doyle creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense in The Sign of Four.

Write about:

• how Conan Doyle creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense in this extract

• how Conan Doyle creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense in the novel as a whole.