English Literature Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel 1h 45m
Many questions on lots of different texts but only two that we answer: one on Macbeth (Section A) and one on A Christmas Carol (Section B)
64 marks in total (34 marks for Section A; 30 marks for Section B)
Responses for both questions are essays based on extracts from the texts.
The extracts are provided as part of the exam paper but the texts themselves are not.
Students have to answer the question ensuring that they refer to both the extract and the text as whole (although there’s no need to refer to these equally).
The exam assesses the ability of students to craft compelling essays about two key texts that have been studied: Macbeth and A Christmas Carol.
As well as knowledge of how to write a literature essay, students should have a thorough knowledge of the following for both Macbeth and A Christmas Carol:
Plot
Character and character functions
Themes and ideas (as well as the context that helps us to understand these)
Key quotations
The literary methods used by the writer to craft the text (e.g. genre, setting, characterisation, motifs, structure, language).
While challenging, re-reading these texts independently is an excellent way of securing knowledge of plot, structure and character. However, actively listening to audiobooks or watching productions (either theatre or film) of these texts can also support this.
Students should learn the key knowledge (quotations, ideas, character functions etc.) from the knowledge organisers for these texts (provided by their teachers).
A collection of video study guides for ‘Macbeth’ and 'A Christmas Carol' can be found by clicking on the Mr Bruff icons.