2020

The June 2020 Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-Century Novel (QP) is a core component of the AQA GCSE English Literature assessment. This paper requires students to answer one question on a Shakespeare play and one question on a 19th-century novel. Each question consists of an extract-based task followed by a broader thematic or character-based discussion. Students must demonstrate the ability to analyse language, structure, and form, as well as explore writers’ methods and contextual influences. The paper also assesses technical accuracy (AO4) in the Shakespeare response.

The June 2020 Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry (QP) is a comprehensive examination that tests students on their knowledge and understanding of modern prose or drama, studied poetry from the AQA Anthology, and unseen poetry. The paper is divided into three sections:

Section A focuses on modern texts such as An Inspector Calls, Animal Farm, or Lord of the Flies,

Section B offers comparative poetry questions from either the Love and Relationships or Power and Conflict clusters,

Section C presents unseen poetry analysis.
Students must demonstrate their ability to interpret, compare, and evaluate texts, as well as comment on the writers’ methods and effects, all while using appropriate textual references and writing accurately.