GCSE English Literature 2015-2017 Sample Exam Questions Bank - Romeo and Juliet

Sep 5, 2026

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A practice exam questions bank for GCSE English Literature focused on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet across key extracts from the Prologue and Acts 1–5. The materials align with assessment objectives AO1–AO4, guiding students to read and respond critically, analyze language and literary techniques, and consider relationships between the text and its context. Section A includes task prompts on fate, comedy, and attitudes towards marriage, with mark allocations to support exam preparation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Section A: Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet

The Prologue

Act 1 Scene 1

Act 1 Scene 2

The Warriner School English Department GCSE English Literature 2015-2017 Sample Exam Questions Bank William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Contents 􀂾 The Prologue 􀂾 Act 1 Scene 1 􀂾 Act 1 Scene 2 􀂾 Act 1 Scene 2 􀂾 Act 1 Scene 3 􀂾 Act 2 Scene 2 􀂾 Act 3 Scene 1 􀂾 Act 3 Scene 2 􀂾 Act 3 Scene 3 􀂾 Act 3 Scene 5 􀂾 Act 4 Scene 1 􀂾 Act 4 Scene 3 􀂾 Act 4 Scene 5 􀂾 Act 5 Scene 1 􀂾 Act 5 Scene 3 Use these questions to practice and prepare for your English Literature Paper 1 examination. | AO1 | Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to:
Maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response; Use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations. | (12 marks) | | --- | --- | --- | | AO2 | Analyse the language, form and structure used to create meanings and effects, using relevant terminology where appropriate.
Explain how your quote supports your point;
Zoom in on specific words and analyse their effect;
Identify techniques such as simile, metaphor, personification etc. when appropriate. | (12 marks) | | AO3 | Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.
Comment on the writer’s intention (what does he want us to think about?); Discuss how different readers may be affected by what happens;
Show awareness of how context impacts the plot. | (6 marks) | | AO4 | Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation.
4 marks – spell and punctuate with consistent accuracy, and consistently use vocabulary and sentence structures to effectively control meaning.
2-3 marks – spell and punctuate with considerable accuracy, and use a
considerable range of vocabulary and sentence structures to control meaning.
1 mark – spell and punctuate reasonably accurately, and use a reasonable range of vocabulary and sentence structures; any errors do not hinder meaning. | (4 marks) | Section A: Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Read the following extract from the Prologue of Romeo and Juliet and then answer the question that follows. At this point in the play the Chorus is introducing both families. Two households, both alike in dignity (In fair Verona, where we lay our scene), From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife. The fearful passage of their death-marked love And the continuance of their parents’ rage, Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove, Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage; The which, if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. Starting with this extract, explain how far you think Shakespeare presents the inevitability offate in Romeo and Juliet . Write about: • how Shakespeare presents the significance of fate in this extract. • how Shakespeare presents the significance of fate in the play as a whole. [30 marks] AO4 [4 marks] Romeo and Juliet Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet and then answer the question that follows. At this point in the play two Capulet boys are joking with each other. SAMPSON Gregory, on my word we’ll not carry coals. GREGORY No, for then we should be colliers. SAMPSON I mean, an we be in choler, we’ll draw. GREGORY Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of collar. SAMPSON I strike quickly, being moved. GREGORY But thou art not quickly moved to strike. SAMPSON A dog of the house of Montague moves me. GREGORY To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand. Therefore if thou art moved thou runn’st away. SAMPSON A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will take the wall of any man o

FAQs

What assessment objectives (AO1–AO4) are covered in this exam questions bank?

The bank maps tasks to AO1 (critical reading and responses with quotations), AO2 (analysis of language, form, structure and techniques), AO3 (text and context relationships), and AO4 (vocabulary, sentence structures, spelling and punctuation).

How do the questions use Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet extracts?

Each prompt starts with a specific extract, then asks students to explain how far Shakespeare presents a theme in that passage and across the play as a whole.

What themes are included for practice in the provided sections?

The included prompts focus on the inevitability of fate, comedy as a key theme, and attitudes towards marriage.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Rhys