There are three types of exam questions for the Literature GCSE: extract questions, theme/character questions, and unseen poetry questions. Extract questions require close analysis of a short excerpt from the text, identifying quotes to support at least three main points. Theme/character questions involve providing an overview of the entire book, linking ideas and using specific examples to discuss key points in detail. To pass the exam, students need to revise characters and themes by learning relevant quotes that illustrate characters' words, actions, and how they are presented, as well as parts of the novel that demonstrate important themes.

1. Exam Questions
Literature GCSE
Prose Text Questions

2. What questions?
There are 3 different exam questions to cope
with in Literature exams:
1. Extract Questions (10 marks)
2. Theme/Character Questions (20 marks)
3. Unseen Poetry Question (20 marks)

3. Example Paper
Extract question
Character question Theme question

4. What do I need to do to answer each
question style?
Extract Question (10 Marks)
Question a)
• Extract – close reference to the text is
essential so pick out lots of quotes.
• Work through the extract methodically
highlighting the quotes you will use to
answer the question.
• Plan at least three main points using
your annotations.
• Start your answer with a summary of
where the extract is taken from and
what happens before or after this
extract.
• Write paragraphs about your three
main points working from top to
bottom of the extract – use the extract
to structure your answer.
Theme/Character (20 Marks)
Question choose between b) or c)
• Character/Theme focus on an
overview of the book
• Plan your answer briefly to
include key points. Include
examples from the novel which
will support your key points.
• Write around five PEARL chain
paragraphs discussing your points
in detail.
• Try to focus on specific moments
in the book (can you use any
quotes?).
• Link your ideas together showing
an overview of the novel.

5. What knowledge do I need to pass?
Revise characters and learn quotes about:
• What they say
• What other characters say about them
• Their actions and motives
• How the writer presents the character
Revise themes and learn quotes about:
• Important parts in the novel where the themes are
illustrated
• Characters who comment on the theme
• Why the theme is important to the overall message of the
novel