Cambridge International AS Level Language and Literature in English 8695/02 - Paper 2 - Drama, Poetry and Prose Specimen Paper

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver

A Cambridge International AS Level specimen paper for Language and Literature in English (8695/02), Paper 2: Drama, Poetry and Prose, for examination from 2029. It states assessment structure, including answering two questions total from different sections, with a total mark of 50 (25 per question) and required materials. The document provides Section A: Drama extracts from Aphra Behn’s The Rover and Inua Ellams’s Barber Shop Chronicles, presenting prompts that examine themes such as social class attitudes and relationships across generations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Section A: Drama

Aphra Behn: The Rover

Inua Ellams: Barber Shop Chronicles

*0123456789* Cambridge International AS Level LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 8695/02 Paper 2 Drama, Poetry and Prose For examination from 2029 SPECIMEN PAPER 2 hours You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet. You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed) INSTRUCTIONS • Answer two questions in total, each from a different section. • Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper, ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. • Dictionaries are not allowed. INFORMATION • The total mark for this paper is 50. • Each question is worth 25 marks. This document has 22 pages. Any blank pages are indicated. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over v1 2 Section A: Drama Aphra Behn: The Rover 1 Either (a) In what ways and with what effects does Behn explore different attitudes to social class in The Rover? Or (b) Discuss Behn’s presentation of the relationship between Hellena and Willmore in the following extract, showing what it adds to your understanding of their relationship in the play. Pay careful attention to dramatic methods and their effects. HELLENA: [Aside] Now, if I should be hanged, I can’t be angry with him, he dissembles so heartily. [To WILLMORE] Alas, good captain, what pains you have taken: now were I ungrateful not to reward so true a servant. WILLMORE: Poor soul, that’s kindly said, I see thou bearest a conscience. Come then, for a beginning show me thy dear face. HELLENA: I’m afraid, my small acquaintance, you have been staying that swingeing stomach you boasted of this morning: I then remember my little collation would have gone down with you, without the sauce of a handsome face; is your stomach so queasy now? WILLMORE: Faith, long fasting, child, spoils a man’s appetite. Yet if you durst treat, I could so lay about me still – HELLENA: And would you fall to, before a priest says grace? WILLMORE: Oh fie, fie, what an old out-of-fashioned thing hast thou named? Thou couldst not dash me more out of countenance shouldst thou show me an ugly face. [Whilst he is seemingly courting HELLENA, enter ANGELLICA, MORETTA, BISKEY, and SEBASTIAN, all in masquerade. ANGELLICA sees WILLMORE and stares.] ANGELLICA: Heavens,’tis he! and passionately fond to see another woman. MORETTA: What could you less expect from such a swaggerer? ANGELLICA: Expect? As much as I paid him: a heart entire, Which I had pride enough to think whene’er I gave, It would have raised the man above the vulgar, Made him all soul! and that all soft and constant. HELLENA: You see, captain, how willing I am to be friends with you (till time and ill luck make us lovers), and ask you the question first, rather than put your modesty to the blush, by asking me; for alas, I know you captains are such strict men, and such severe observers of your vows to chastity, that ‘twill be hard to prevail with your tender conscience to marry a young willing maid. WILLMORE: Do not abuse me, for fear I should take thee at thy word, and marry thee indeed, which I’m sure will be revenge sufficient. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 8695/02/SP/29 3 HELLENA: O’ my conscience, that will be our destiny, because we are both of one humour: I am as inconstant as you, for I have considered, captain, that a handsome woman has a great deal to do whilst her face is good, for then is our harvest-time to gather friends; and should I in these days of my youth, catch a fit of foolish constancy, I were undone; ‘tis loitering by daylight in our great journey. Therefore, I declare, I’ll allow but one year for love, one year for indifference, and one year for hate; and then, go hang yourself: for I profess myself the gay, the kind, and the inconstant. The devil’s in’t if this won’t please you. WILLMORE: Oh, most damnably. I have a heart with a hole quite through it too, no prison mine to keep a mistress in. ANGELLICA: [Aside

FAQs

How many questions must be answered, and from how many sections?

Answer two questions in total, each from a different section.

What is the marking scheme for this paper?

The total mark is 50, with each question worth 25 marks.

Which texts and extracts are used in Section A: Drama?

Section A includes extracts from Aphra Behn’s The Rover and Inua Ellams’s Barber Shop Chronicles.

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver