Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) English Literature (4ET1) Past Papers 2026

Poetry and Modern Prose

Duration: 2h

Modern Drama and Literary Heritage Texts

Duration: 1h 30m

Comparison technique on Anthology poetry (AO3, Section B)

Examiners repeatedly flagged that 'weaker candidates tended to respond to each poem separately with far less direct comparison and lesser exploration of writer’s craft in support of their ideas' and that 'candidates often created a comparison between the two poems, without focusing directly on loneliness'.

Paper 1

Knowledge of the WHOLE Modern Prose text (Paper 1 Section C)

Examiners' summary lists, among 'Candidates that did less well: Had less knowledge of the text.' On individual prose questions, weaker responses had 'a very basic knowledge of the content of the poems' or relied on 'general analysis of each character in the novella with only a weak link to the concept of responsibility itself.'

Paper 1

Integrating context (AO4) without bolting it on

On Paper 1 prose: 'Bulked on too much context at the beginning or at the end of paragraphs.' On Paper 1 in 2024: 'very often bolted-on the social, historical context at the beginning and the end of the essay, rather than intertwining it throughout.' On Paper 2 in 2024: 'Others frontloaded context with a paragraph at the start or perhaps as an ‘add on’ or afterthought to their essay.'

Paper 1, Paper 2

Analysis of form and structure on poetry, not just language

Strong candidates 'were able to look at how structure and language intertwined, with a focus on the free verse nature of the poem, and the enjambment.' Weaker responses concentrated on language alone. On Paper 2 form for AO2 was often neglected: 'For AO2, candidates should not only consider how language is used, but also consider how form and structure are used to present ideas.'

Paper 1, Paper 2

Stagecraft awareness on Paper 2 Modern Drama

Strong responses drew on 'how the stage directions show how Alfieri appears and speaks and his language' and 'a clear understanding of the staging of the play, with much focus on the stage directions.' Weaker responses overlooked stagecraft and treated plays like novels.

Paper 2

Holistic engagement with the writer's intentions

Examiners on Achebe: 'The writer’s intentions were often explored at the end of each paragraph, to great effect. Particularly strong candidates also explored Nwoye’s response to the colonial government, and his capacity to adapt to change. Less successful candidates drifted into retelling the story of Things Fall Apart.' On TKAM: 'Less successful candidates tended to summarise the story... with little focus on the social historical context, or Harper Lee’s intentions.'

Paper 1, Paper 2

Balanced 'how far' / 'to what extent' arguments

On Gerald (Inspector Calls 2024): 'A number of candidates took a balanced approach, considering ways in which Gerald is and is not selfish, before reaching an overall view.' On Bassanio (Merchant 2024): 'The more successful responses tended to adopt a reasoned approach, considering ways in which Bassanio is shown to be truly in love with Portia and also ways that suggest that he is, perhaps, just pursuing her for her wealth.' Weaker responses were one-sided.

Paper 2

Range of memorised quotations on closed-book Paper 1 prose

A full-mark Of Mice and Men response 'considers a wide range of examples from throughout the novel. All examples are fully developed and include memorised quotations and relevant contextual comment.' Weaker prose responses 'lacked the depth of understanding' or relied on generalised commentary; examiners noted 'the attention to smaller details within a text are often indicative of higher level responses.'

Paper 1