Practice Paper 2s
The following exam questions have been taken from previous Paper 2 exams, rewritten and
reorganised to meet current Paper 2 specifications. Student and model responses are
provided where available. Use these Paper 2 questions to practice.
Instructions:
Answer one essay question only. You must base your answer on two of the works you
have studied. Compare and contrast these works in response to the question. You may
not bring copies of the literary works that you have studied into the exam room. The
maximum number of marks that you can earn for this exam is 30. You have 1 hour and 45
minutes to complete this exam, after 5 minutes of silent reading.
Practice exam #1
#
Question
Inspired by
1
Sometimes narrators tell their story in a non-linear fashion. How
and why do two literary works tell their stories in a non-linear
fashion? See this example on Slaughter House V and A Farewell
to Arms
May 2011
2
Literature is often said to be timeless. To what extent is this true of
two literary works?
Specimen 2011
3
Work together or stand on your own two feet. How do two literary
works comment on collaboration or independence?
November 2013
4
How is belief or faith represented in two literary works? What,
according to these works, is the significance of belief or faith?
May 2013
Practice exam #2
#
Question
Inspired by
1
In what ways and for what reasons do two literary works appeal to
their audience's eyes and ears? See this example on A Doll’s
House and A Streetcar Named Desire
May 2014
2
Works originally produced in a culture or in a language different
from those of the reader can challenge the reader. With reference
to two literary works, how do they challenge the reader to see the
world in a new way?
May 2013
3
How do two works depict men and women struggling to resolve
problems and not succeeding very well?
May 2013
4
How are notions of wealth and money represented in two literary
works?
November 2013
Practice exam #3
#
Question
Inspired by
1
How and why do two works use reliable or unreliable narrators to
establish credible or incredible stories? See this example on As I
Lay Dying and A Farewell to Arms
2
For what reasons might two works be considered “literary”?
Identify and discuss some of the features that make these works
literary.
May 2013
3
Tension is often created between “new” and “old”. To what effect
do writers explore such tension in two literary works?
November 2013
4
Analyze how justice is represented and understood in two literary
works.
Specimen 2011
Practice exam #4
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Question
Inspired by
1
In what ways and to what effects do two works make use of myths,
legends or other stories and tales?
May 2014
2
How might the personal history of an author have a significant
influence on their writing? Comment on specific instances of such
influence in two literary works.
May 2015
3
In what ways and for what reasons are weaknesses and strengths
depicted in two literary works?
May 2014
4
Analyze how justice is represented and understood in two literary
works. See this example on Disgrace and The Tempest
Specimen 2011
Practice exam #5
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Question
Inspired by
1
Symbolism can help a writer convey ideas, develop characters and November 2014
establish an atmosphere. For what reasons and to what effects are
symbols used in two literary works?
2
Writing is both an art and a craft, where form and content are
carefully constructed and language and style artistically embellish
the whole. Discuss in what ways the two works you have studied
effectively combine both art and craft.
November 2013
3
In what ways do two literary works act as a voice for the
oppressed? See this example on Persepolis and The Bluest Eye
Written Task 2
(2011-2019)
4
How is the pursuit of happiness explored in two literary works?
May 2015
Practice exam #6
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Question
Inspired by
1
How does narrative perspective shape the reader’s perception of
events and characters in two literary works? See this example on
The Great Gatsby and The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Colleagues
2
A work can be critically acclaimed in one culture and be banned in
another. Discuss how two works might lend themselves to various
receptions.
November 2013
3
The depiction of violence in some form (cultural, political, physical, November 2014
psychological, etc.) is a central preoccupation of many works of
literature. In two of the works, you have studied discuss how
violence is depicted and explore its significance.
4
Discuss the significance of the rural and/or the urban in two literary
works.
May 2015