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2025 Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Literature Paper 2 and Mark Scheme Combined (1ET0/02: 19th-century Novel and Poetry since 1789)
Paper 2 is the Modern Texts and Poetry component of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Literature qualification (1ET0/02). This paper assesses students’ ability to analyse, interpret, and evaluate literature, focusing on modern prose or drama texts and poetry from the Edexcel anthology.
Paper 2 forms 50% of the total GCSE English Literature grade and combines close reading, analysis, and extended writing tasks.
Paper 2 focuses on the following areas:
Reading and analysing one modern prose or drama text studied in class
Exploring themes, characterisation, plot, and context
Analysing the writer’s use of language, structure, and form
Analysing poetry from the Edexcel Anthology
Comparing two unseen or studied poems, focusing on language, structure, form, and thematic links
Evaluating how poets create effects and convey meaning
Making inferences and interpretations supported by textual evidence
Analysing writers’ techniques and their impact on the reader
Comparing and contrasting texts and poems effectively
Section A – Modern Texts:
Extended response questions based on a prose or drama text studied in class
Analytical and evaluative questions on themes, characters, and writer’s craft
Section B – Poetry:
Comparative analysis of poems from the anthology or unseen poetry
Focus on language, form, structure, and thematic links
The paper assesses the following skills:
AO1 – Read, understand, and respond to texts, using textual evidence
AO2 – Analyse the effects of writers’ choices of language, form, and structure
AO3 – Show understanding of the relationships between texts and their contexts
AO4 – Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures to convey informed, personal, and creative responses
The combined question paper + mark scheme includes:
Model answers and guidance for extended response and comparative questions
Allocation of marks for AO1–AO4 skills
Examiner guidance for consistent and fair marking
Focus on analysis, evaluation, textual evidence, and comparison
The mark scheme emphasizes critical thinking, textual support, clear expression, and evaluation of writers’ techniques.
| Author | zeus999 team |
| Published | 09 Dec 2025 |
| Included files | |