GCSE English Literature J352/01 - Exploring modern and literary heritage texts - Question paper

Sep 5, 2026

GCSE English Literature question paper J352/01 explores how writers present characters and their feelings, focusing on modern prose or drama in Section A and 19th century prose in Section B. Candidates answer two linked parts on a chosen modern text and compare extracts through situations, reactions, and the effects of language and techniques. Section B requires one extended response on a named classic prose text. The paper totals 80 marks and includes guidance on writing in an OCR answer booklet within the given time.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Section A – Modern prose or drama

Anita and Me (Meera Syal) and Waterland (Graham Swift)

Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguro)

Animal Farm (George Orwell)

An Inspector Calls (J. B. Priestley)

Leave Taking (Winsome Pinnock)

DNA (Dennis Kelly)

Section B – 19th century prose

Great Expectations (Charles Dickens)

Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)

The War of the Worlds (H. G. Wells)

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë)

A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Monday 13 May 2024 – Morning GCSE English Literature J352/01 Exploring modern and literary heritage texts Time allowed: 2 hours You must have: • the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet Do not use: • copies of the text INSTRUCTIONS • Use black ink. • Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown. • Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet. • All the questions in Section A have two parts,(a) and (b) . Answer both parts of the question on the text you have studied. • Answer one question on the text you have studied in Section B. INFORMATION • The total mark for this paper is 80. • The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ] . • Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*) . • This document has 24 pages. ADVICE • Read each question carefully before you start your answer. © OCR 2024 [601/4872/X] DC (LK) 326278/9 OCR is an exempt Charity Turn over 2 BLANK PAGE © OCR 2024 J352/01 Jun24 3 Contents Page | Section A – Modern prose or drama | Question | Page | | --- | --- | --- | | Anita and Me by Meera Syal | 1 | 4 | | Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro | 2 | 6 | | Animal Farm by George Orwell | 3 | 8 | | An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley | 4 | 10 | | Leave Taking by Winsome Pinnock | 5 | 12 | | DNA by Dennis Kelly | 6 | 14 | | Section B – 19th century prose | Questions | Page | | --- | --- | --- | | Great Expectations by Charles Dickens | 7/8 | 16 | | Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | 9/10 | 17 | | The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells | 11/12 | 18 | | The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson | 13/14 | 19 | | Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë | 15/16 | 20 | | A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens | 17/18 | 21–22 | © OCR 2024 J352/01 Jun24 Turn over 4 Section A – Modern prose or drama Answer one question from this section. 1 Anita and Me by Meera Syal and Waterland by Graham Swift Read the two extracts below and then answer both part (a) and part (b) . You should spend about 45 minutes on part (a) and 30 minutes on part (b) . For part (a), you should focus only on the extracts here rather than referring to the rest of your studied text. (a) Compare how these two extracts present characters’ feelings about the people they want to help them. You should consider: • the situations and experiences faced by the characters • how the characters react to these situations and experiences • how the writers’ use of language and techniques creates effects. [20] AND (b) Explore another moment in Anita and Me where Meena memorably describes someone. [20] Extract 1 from: Anita and Me by Meera Syal In this extract, Meena goes to the Big House to seek help for Tracey who has fallen in the pond. I was already running, cracking my head on branches and snagging my bare arms on brambles. Where was the path, who was nearest, phone the police somebody, which was the way out, every moment on dry land is another one underwater, I Have An Exam Tomorrow I reached the front door of the Big House, retching for breath, spasms gripping my leg. There were no lights on but I put my finger on the doorbell and kept it there and even if a woman with a warty chin and a broomstick opened it, I decided I would still ask for help. A soft glow appeared somewhere behind the huge oak door, I could see it approaching through the stained glass panel just above my head which depicted amine with a pithead behind which a red sun was rising. ‘Oo is it?’A witch’s voice, strangely accented and croaky. ‘Please! Please, a girl’s fallen into the pond! Please help!’ There was a fumbling, then a series of about ten different locks being unbolted and eased back stiffly, then a pause and the witch’s voice demanded,‘Oo are you?’ ‘Meena … Meena Kumar! I live …’ I could not speak any more, but the last bolt slid from its casing

FAQs

How many questions and parts must be answered in Section A?

Section A requires answering one question, and each question has two parts: (a) and (b). Both parts must be answered.

What is the focus for part (a) in the example question?

Part (a) compares how two extracts present characters’ feelings about people they want to help, considering situations, reactions, and the writers’ use of language and techniques.

How is Section B structured and what do candidates choose?

Section B provides options from 19th century prose. Candidates answer one question on the text they have studied from this section.

Sep 5, 2026

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