Below, you’ll find the Edexcel IGCSE Anthology Poetry Comparative Essay Questions. These questions are taken from SECTION B: Anthology Poetry part of the Edexcel IGCSE Literature exams. They are from the 2018 + 2019 papers. 

 

A BREAKDOWN OF THE QUESTION

Make sure to read the question thoroughly before you start answering because there are two different types. The format of the question always asks you first to ‘re-read’ one poem. Then, it will either pair it with another poem for you or let you choose a second one yourself. 

Type 1: 

Re-read [POEM 1] and [POEM 2]. Compare the ways the writers present [THEME OR IDEA] in [THE TWO POEMS]. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Total for Question 2 = 30 marks)

Type 2: 

Re-read [POEM 1]. Compare how the writers present [THEME OR IDEA] in [POEM 1] and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Total for Question 3 = 30 marks)

HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION 

It’s a comparative question, so be sure to focus equally on both poems. You should structure your answer like this: 

Intro 

  • Poem 1, how does it relate to the theme or idea? 
  • Poem 2, how does it relate to the theme or idea? 
  • Comparative thesis: A single sentence that summarises the overall similarities or differences of the poems

Middle Paragraphs (x3)

  • Comparative topic sentence – 1 idea or point about the question that covers both poems together
  • Poem 1 evidence + analysis 
  • Comparative link 
  • Poem 2 evidence + analysis 
  • Comparative summary 

Conclusion 

  • Summarise the main ideas of your essay 
  • How are the poems similar? 
  • How are they different? 
  • Final sentence: Are they overall similar or different, why?

PAST PAPER QUESTIONS

  1. Re-read La Belle Dame sans Merci and My Last Duchess. Compare the ways the writers present a story in La Belle Dame sans Merci and My Last Duchess. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Total for Question 2 = 30 marks)
  2. Re-read The Tyger. Compare how the writers present power in The Tyger and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Total for Question 3 = 30 marks)
  3. Re-read Prayer Before Birth and Half-caste. Compare the ways the writers present concerns about society in Prayer Before Birth and Half-caste. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Total for Question 2 = 30 marks)
  4. Re-read Blessing. Compare how the writers present a moment in time in Blessing and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems.
  5. Re-read Search For My Tongue and Half-caste. Compare the ways the writers convey feelings about identity in Search For My Tongue and Half-caste. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems.
  6. Re-read Hide and Seek. Compare how the writers present personal experiences in Hide and Seek and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems.

Thanks for reading! Find our full Edexcel IGCSE Poetry course by clicking here to access all the poems in the anthology and exclusive video lessons!