‘Caged Bird’ by Maya Angelou – Poem Analysis

Here’s part of an analysis of the poem ‘Caged Bird’ by Maya Angelou, tailored towards GCSE/IGCSE students but also suitable for those studying Angelou at a higher level. Includes a breakdown of the stanzas, an insight into the context of the poem, and an exploration of the themes and deeper meanings. This is only a […]

CIE IGCSE Poetry Essay Questions

These questions are all based on the Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Literature questions that you can find in specimen papers and past papers for Paper 1: Poetry and Prose (0475/01). I have adapted the wording to suit a range of themes and focal points. I’d recommend planning as many of them as you can so that […]

Charles Dickens Reading Comprehension: Great Expectations

Below, you can find Charles Dickens Reading Comprehension: Great Expectations. This extract and the following questions are designed as a practise for students taking GCSE English – the exam questions are based on the type of assessments you would find in an English Language exam, such as AQA, CIE, Eduqas or Edexcel. Use the extract […]

‘Mass Man’ by Derek Walcott – Context and Attitudes

Here’s a part of the analysis of the poem ‘Mass Man’ by Derek Walcott. It’s tailored towards students taking the CIE / Cambridge A-Level syllabus but will be useful for anyone who’s working on understanding the poem at any level.Great for revision, missed lessons, boosting analytical / research skills and developing students’ confidence in Walcott’s […]

‘Marrysong’ by Dennis Scott – Summary and Themes

Here’s a part of the analysis of Dennis Scott’s poem ‘Marrysong’, tailored towards IGCSE students but also suitable for those studying at a higher level. To get a full and detailed analysis of this specific poem, click here. Thanks for reading! For the full CIE IGCSE Poetry Anthology course and many more English Literature and […]

A Lot About a Little #2: Handmaid’s Tale Extract

A close reading of a sentence from Chapter 10 of The Handmaid’s Tale (extract), with reference to CAIE A-Level English Literature 9695 marking criteria. Thanks for reading! If you find this useful, take a look at our other English Literature and Language courses. In my last post, I discussed the importance of being able to […]

How to Understand the Mark Scheme

For students taking IGCSE in Literature, the absolute best way to ensure a high grade is to understand how the mark scheme works. This page will give you a breakdown of everything you need to know so that you can what examiners are looking for in plain language. You then need to make sure each […]

Assessment Objectives and What They Mean

For students taking IGCSE in Literature, the absolute best way to ensure a high grade is to familiarise yourself with the assessment objectives (AOs). This page will give you a breakdown of each objective, so that you can understand them and what examiners are looking for in plain language. You then need to make sure […]

An Inspector Calls – Full Mark Essay L9 / A* grade

This is an example of a high grade A* / L9 essay for ‘An Inspector Calls’. It was completed by myself, not in timed conditions, to set an example for high achieving students, so it is beyond the requirement of a high grade for GCSE. However, students are encouraged to read it and deconstruct it […]

Farmhand by James K Baxter — Poem Analysis

Below, you’ll find a detailed analysis of James K Baxter’s poem ‘Farmhand. Youth, innocence, awkwardness and rural life — this poem encapsulates Baxter’s own experience as a young man living in New Zealand. Here’s a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know about the poem. It’s tailored towards the Edexcel IGCSE syllabus, but it’s […]