Essay Questions: Edexcel IGCSE Poetry Anthology
Here are 20 Anthology questions taken from official Edexcel IGCSE Literature past papers - use these as a starting point for essay practice, theme revision, essay planning or full mock exams. The dates from 2021-22 are missing because Section B was taken out of the IGCSE during these years. The two questions at the end have been taken from Pearson Specimen Papers and Exam Materials.
If you’re looking for more support, click the ‘Learn More’ button below to view our complete Edexcel IGCSE Poetry teaching and revision pack:
Re-read Search For My Tongue and Half-caste. Compare how the writers present concerns about language 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. (Jun 2023)
Re-read Poem at Thirty-Nine. Compare the ways the writers present family relationships in Poem at Thirty-Nine and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems (Jun 2023)
Re-read If– and Prayer Before Birth. Compare how the writers present thoughts about life in If– and Prayer Before Birth. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Jun 2023)
Re-read Piano. Compare the ways the writers present love for another person in Piano and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Jun 2023)
Re-read Half-past Two and Sonnet 116. Compare how the writers present the passing of time in Half-past Two and Sonnet 116. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Jan 2023)
Re-read Blessing. Compare the ways the writers present the story of an event 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. (Jan 2023)
Re-read Poem at Thirty-Nine and Do not go gentle into that good night. Compare how the writers present feelings about fathers in Poem at Thirty-Nine and Do not go gentle into that good night. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Jan 2023)
Re-read Search For My Tongue. Compare the ways the writers present loss in Search For My Tongue and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Jan 2023)
Re-read Sonnet 116 and My Last Duchess. Compare how the writers present their thoughts about relationships in Sonnet 116 and My Last Duchess. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems (Nov 2023)
Re-read Do not go gentle into that good night. Compare the ways the writers present emotions in Do not go gentle into that good night and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems (Nov 2023)
Re-read If – and Do not go gentle into that good night. Compare the ways the writers present people giving advice to others in If – and Do not go gentle into that good night. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Jan 2020)
Re-read Remember. Compare how the writers present sadness in Remember and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Jan 2020)
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. (Jun 2019)
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 (Jun 2019)
Re-read Piano and Poem at Thirty-Nine. Compare the ways the writers convey feelings about parents in Piano and Poem at Thirty-Nine. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Jun 2018)
Re-read If–. Compare how the writers present ideas about the future in If– and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems. (Jun 2018)
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. (Jun 2018)
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. (Jun 2018)
Re-read La Belle Dame sans Merci. Compare how the writers present relationships in La Belle Dame sans Merci and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems.
Re-read Prayer Before Birth. Compare how the writers present fear in Prayer Before Birth and one other poem from the anthology. You should make reference to language, form and structure. Support your answer with examples from the poems.
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