2025 Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Literature Paper 1 and Mark Scheme Combined (1ET0/01: Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature)

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2025 Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Literature Paper 1 and Mark Scheme Combined (1ET0/01: Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature)

📄 Paper 1: What it is & overall details

Paper code: 1ET0/01. Pearson Qualifications+1
Title: Shakespeare and Post‑1914 Literature (i.e. one Shakespeare play + one post‑1914 British novel or play). Save My Exams+1
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes. Pearson Qualifications+1
Marks available: 80 raw marks (out of which the paper counts for 50% of the total GCSE English Literature grade). Pearson Qualifications+1
It is a closed‑book exam: texts (plays/novels) are not allowed in the exam room. Pearson Qualifications+1

🧠 What students are tested on — Sections & Questions

Paper 1 is divided into two sections:

Section A — Shakespeare

Students answer a two‑part question on one of the Shakespeare plays they studied. Save My Exams+2Save My Exams+2
Part (a): Close analysis of a short extract (approx. 30 lines) from the play. Focus: language, form, structure. Pearson Qualifications+1
Part (b): Broader essay question about a theme/issue from elsewhere in the play (not the extract). Requires students to discuss the play as a whole, show knowledge of context, and develop a critical response. Pearson Qualifications+2Save My Exams+2
Total marks for Section A = 40 (20 for part (a), 20 for part (b)). Save My Exams+2Pearson Qualifications+2
Assessed objectives in this section: AO2 (for part a); and AO1 + AO3 (for part b). Pearson Qualifications+1

Section B — Post‑1914 Literature

Students answer one essay question from a choice of two, on a post‑1914 British novel or play they have studied. Pearson Qualifications+2Save My Exams+2
Each question begins with a short quotation (stimulus) from the text. Pearson Qualifications+1
Questions typically ask candidates to discuss plot, character, setting, theme — and to relate their analysis to the social/historical/cultural context. Pearson Qualifications+1
Section B is marked out of 40. Save My Exams+1
Assessed objectives: AO1, AO3, and AO4 (i.e. understanding, context, writing quality). Pearson Qualifications+2Save My Exams+2

✅ Assessment Objectives & Mark Scheme

Responses in Paper 1 are judged against the following Assessment Objectives (AOs):

AO1 — Read, understand and respond to texts; present a critical and informed personal response; use textual references/quotations to support interpretations. Pearson Qualifications+1
AO2 — Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects; use subject‑specific terminology appropriately. Pearson Qualifications+1
AO3 — Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts (social, historical, cultural) in which they were written. Pearson Qualifications+1
AO4 — Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures; write clearly and effectively, with accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar. Pearson Qualifications+1

Mark allocation breakdown

For extract‑based questions (Section A part a, i.e. Questions 1a–6a): 20 marks (all for AO2). Pearson Qualifications+1
For the Shakespeare whole‑play questions (Section A part b, Questions 1b–6b): 20 marks — split between AO1 (15 marks) and AO3 (5 marks). Pearson Qualifications+1
For the Post‑1914 Literature essay (Section B, Questions 7–30): 40 marks — divided as AO1 (16 marks), AO3 (16 marks), AO4 (8 marks). Pearson Qualifications+2Save My Exams+2

The general marking method: examiners decide which descriptor level an answer fits, then award a mark within that level dependent on how fully the candidate meets the descriptor bullet‑points; uneven performance across different AOs/criteria is handled by placing the answer in the most appropriate level and adjusting within that level. Pearson Qualifications

🎯 What this means for students

You must know two full texts: one Shakespeare play + one post‑1914 novel or play.
For Shakespeare: you need to practise close textual analysis (extract unseen until exam) and whole‑text thematic/contextual essays.
For Post‑1914 text: you need strong understanding of context, character, themes, structure. You must write analytical, well‑structured essays with quotations.
You must write clearly, use a good range of vocabulary and sentence structures, and observe spelling/punctuation — even if content is strong.
Time management matters: roughly ~55–60 minutes for Section A (both parts) and ~50 minutes for Section B

Specifications

Author	Proficient Academic Tutor
Published	09 Dec 2025
Included files	PDF
2025 Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Literature Paper 1 and Mark Scheme Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Literature 1ET0/01 Shakespeare Post-1914 Literature 2025 exam Paper 1