Edexcel GCSE English Literature Paper 1: Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature June 2025 question paper 1ET0/01

Explore how Shakespeare presents the Witches in this extract.

Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

In this extract, the sound of thunder is used to symbolise the evil nature of the Witches.

Explain the importance of symbols elsewhere in the play.

In your answer, you must consider:

• where symbols are used

• the effects symbols have within the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

Explore how Shakespeare presents the characters of Prospero and Ariel in this extract.

Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

In this extract, Prospero is punishing the King and his subjects.

Explain the importance of punishment elsewhere in the play.

In your answer, you must consider:

• how punishment is shown

• the effects punishment has within the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

Explore how Shakespeare presents the character of Mercutio in this extract.

Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

In this extract, Mercutio curses both families and demands revenge for his fatal wound.

Explain the importance of revenge elsewhere in the play.

In your answer, you must consider:

• how revenge is presented

• the effects revenge has within the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

Explore how Shakespeare presents Beatrice’s opinion of Benedick in this extract.

Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

In this extract, Leonato describes how there is always conflict between Beatrice and Benedick.

Explain the importance of conflict elsewhere in the play.

In your answer, you must consider:

• how conflict is presented

• the effects conflict has within the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

Explore how Shakespeare presents Sir Toby Belch in this extract.

Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

In this extract, Sir Toby Belch describes how Sir Andrew Aguecheek wants to challenge Viola/Cesario to a duel, to enable Sir Andrew Aguecheek to marry Olivia.

Explain the importance of marriage elsewhere in the play.

In your answer, you must consider:

• how marriage is presented

• the effects marriage has within the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

Explore how Shakespeare presents Gratiano in this extract.

Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

In this extract, Gratiano demonstrates his loyalty to Antonio by offering to help him.

Explain the importance of loyalty elsewhere in the play.

In your answer, you must consider:

• how loyalty is presented

• the effects loyalty has within the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

7 Mrs Birling: (To EDNA, who is about to go, with tray.) All right, Edna. I’ll ring from the drawing-room when we want coffee. Probably in about half an hour.

Edna: (going): Yes, Ma’am.

Explore how the treatment of the working class is significant in the play .

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

Sheila: (half serious, half playful) Yes – except for all last summer, when you never came near me, and I wondered what had happened to you. (speaking to Gerald)

In what ways are secrets important in An Inspector Calls ?

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

9 Jim: … There’s things called settlements. Hobson: Settlements? Jim: Aye. You’ve to bait your hook to catch fish, Henry.

How is Victorian life presented in Hobson’s Choice ?

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

Maggie: I’ll have my sisters there when I get wed. It’s at one o’clock at St Philip’s.

Explain the significance of Maggie’s relationship with her sisters in the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

11 The children rush on into the street playing cowboys and Indians; cops and robbers; goodies and baddies, etc.

Explain how children are significant in the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

Narrator: And do we blame superstition for what came to pass? Or could it be what we, the English, have come to know as class?

In what ways is fate important in Blood Brothers ?

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

13 Stanhope: Hibbert can do from two till four, and I’ll go on from then till stand-to. That’ll be at six.

In what ways is working as a team important in the play?

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

Raleigh: Good God! Don’t you understand? How can I sit down and eat that – when – (his voice is nearly breaking) – when Osborne’s – lying – out there –

Explore how Raleigh changes in Journey’s End.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

15 The lascars are from all different corners of the Asian sub-continent – Chinese, Indian and some black Africans too.

Explain how the lascars are significant in the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

Queen Victoria: At last we have an Indian gentleman who will be able to enlighten us on the habits and customs of our subjects so far away.

How are cultural differences important in The Empress ?

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

17 Ruth: Whatever happens, whatever, you can trust me. Like I’m your sister, right?

In what ways is the relationship between Ruth and Alem significant in the play?

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

Mrs Fitzgerald (talking to Ruth about Themba): I can’t talk about it. I can’t think about him every day. Every God-forsaken day.

Explore how suffering is important in Refugee Boy.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

19 The others said of Squealer that he could turn black into white.

In what ways is Squealer important in the novel?

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

Throughout the spring and summer they worked a sixty-hour week, and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well.

Explore how suffering is significant in Animal Farm.

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

21 Simon’s head wobbled. His eyes were half-closed as though he were imitating the obscene thing on the stick. He knew that one of his times was coming on.

How does Simon contrast with the other boys in the novel?

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer .

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

‘And sooner or later a ship will put in here. It might even be daddy’s ship. So you see, sooner or later, we shall be rescued.’ (Ralph)

Explore the importance of survival in Lord of the Flies.

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

23 I noticed Anita often did this, played off one girlfriend against the other, so it was rare that all three girls walked together, in the same harmonious pace.

How are Anita’s relationships with others important in the novel?

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

I knew it would not matter how many guests were still singing in the front room. I had sneaked out without telling...

Explain the significance of rebelling in Anita and Me.

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

25 It was a yellow fog, a filthy, evil-smelling fog, a fog that choked and blinded, smeared and stained. Groping their way blindly across roads, men and women took their lives in their hands...

Explore the significance of horror in the novel.

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

‘Love him, take care of him as your own. But he is mine, mine, he can never be yours. Oh, forgive me. I think my heart will break. J.’

In what ways is love important in The Woman in Black ?

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

27 And there was Toby, Aaron’s friend, all bedecked in his full princely regalia.

How is Toby significant in the novel?

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

The boys, with eyes fixed on the choirmaster, opened wide their mouths and sang with piercing sweetness.

Explore the importance of music in Coram Boy.

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

29 Aunt Jackie took my chin in her hand, scrutinizing my face. ‘I am so proud of you.’ (Aunt Jackie talking to Dante)

Explain how women are important in Boys Don’t Cry.

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structure, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)

What do I know about bringing up a kid? It’s not like my dad cared enough about me or my sister to stick around... (Melanie)

How is growing up significant in the novel?

You must refer to the context of the novel in your answer.

(includes 8 marks for the range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures, and accurate use of spelling and punctuation)