AQA Level 1 Level 2 GCSE (9 1) in English Literature
Practice Exam
**Question 1.** In *Macbeth*, the “dagger” that Macbeth sees in Act 1, Scene 7 is an example of:
A) Dramatic irony
B) Foreshadowing
C) Soliloquy
D) Symbolic imagery
Answer: D
Explanation: The imagined dagger represents Macbeth’s ambition and the murderous path he is about
to take, functioning as symbolic imagery.
**Question 2.** Which character in *Romeo and Juliet* serves as the primary foil to Juliet?
A) Mercutio
B) Paris
C) Benvolio
D) Friar Laurence
Answer: B
Explanation: Paris’s conventional, socially approved courtship contrasts with Romeo’s passionate,
rebellious love for Juliet, highlighting her youthful idealism.
**Question 3.** In *Macbeth*, the line “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” most clearly illustrates which
theme?
A) Loyalty
B) Appearance vs. reality
C) Love
D) Justice
Answer: B
,AQA Level 1 Level 2 GCSE (9 1) in English Literature
Practice Exam
Explanation: The paradox shows that things are not what they seem, a central concern of appearance
versus reality.
**Question 4.** The “sleepwalking scene” in *Macbeth* is primarily an example of:
A) Comic relief
B) Dramatic irony
C) Verbal irony
D) Foil
Answer: B
Explanation: The audience knows Lady Macbeth’s guilt while she pretends ignorance, creating dramatic
irony.
**Question 5.** In *Romeo and Juliet*, the character who first proposes the idea of a secret marriage
is:
A) Friar Laurence
B) Mercutio
C) Benvolio
D) The Nurse
Answer: A
Explanation: Friar Laurence believes the marriage will end the feud, so he arranges it.
**Question 6.** Which of the following best describes the structure of *Macbeth*?
A) Five-act classical tragedy
B) Three-act modern drama
C) One-act comedy
,AQA Level 1 Level 2 GCSE (9 1) in English Literature
Practice Exam
D) Two-part epic poem
Answer: A
Explanation: Shakespeare’s tragedies follow the five‑act structure, and *Macbeth* conforms to this.
**Question 7.** In *Romeo and Juliet*, the phrase “star‑crossed lovers” most directly refers to:
A) Their love of astronomy
B) Their families’ wealth
C) Their doomed fate
D) Their willingness to fight
Answer: C
Explanation: “Star‑crossed” indicates that the stars (fate) are against them, foreshadowing tragedy.
**Question 8.** The use of blank verse in *Macbeth* primarily serves to:
A) Create a musical quality
B) Highlight comic moments
C) Emphasise natural speech patterns
D) Show characters’ low social status
Answer: C
Explanation: Blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) mirrors the rhythm of ordinary speech while
maintaining poetic form.
**Question 9.** Which line from *Macbeth* shows the use of alliteration?
A) “Out, out, brief candle!”
B) “When shall we three meet again?”
, AQA Level 1 Level 2 GCSE (9 1) in English Literature
Practice Exam
C) “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
D) “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.”
Answer: C
Explanation: The repetition of the “f” sound in “fair,” “foul,” and “foul” is alliteration.
**Question 10.** In *Romeo and Juliet*, the Nurse’s role is primarily that of:
A) Comic relief and confidante
B) Antagonist to the lovers
C) Moral authority
D) Tragic hero
Answer: A
Explanation: The Nurse provides humour and serves as Juliet’s trusted confidante.
**Question 11.** In *Great Expectations* by Charles Dickens, Pip’s first encounter with the convict
Magwitch occurs in which setting?
A) London streets
B) The marshes near his home
C) A bustling market
D) A cathedral
Answer: B
Explanation: Pip meets Magwitch on the marshes, a bleak and isolated setting that reflects the convict’s
desperation.
**Question 12.** Which narrative technique is most prominent in *A Christmas Carol*?
Practice Exam
**Question 1.** In *Macbeth*, the “dagger” that Macbeth sees in Act 1, Scene 7 is an example of:
A) Dramatic irony
B) Foreshadowing
C) Soliloquy
D) Symbolic imagery
Answer: D
Explanation: The imagined dagger represents Macbeth’s ambition and the murderous path he is about
to take, functioning as symbolic imagery.
**Question 2.** Which character in *Romeo and Juliet* serves as the primary foil to Juliet?
A) Mercutio
B) Paris
C) Benvolio
D) Friar Laurence
Answer: B
Explanation: Paris’s conventional, socially approved courtship contrasts with Romeo’s passionate,
rebellious love for Juliet, highlighting her youthful idealism.
**Question 3.** In *Macbeth*, the line “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” most clearly illustrates which
theme?
A) Loyalty
B) Appearance vs. reality
C) Love
D) Justice
Answer: B
,AQA Level 1 Level 2 GCSE (9 1) in English Literature
Practice Exam
Explanation: The paradox shows that things are not what they seem, a central concern of appearance
versus reality.
**Question 4.** The “sleepwalking scene” in *Macbeth* is primarily an example of:
A) Comic relief
B) Dramatic irony
C) Verbal irony
D) Foil
Answer: B
Explanation: The audience knows Lady Macbeth’s guilt while she pretends ignorance, creating dramatic
irony.
**Question 5.** In *Romeo and Juliet*, the character who first proposes the idea of a secret marriage
is:
A) Friar Laurence
B) Mercutio
C) Benvolio
D) The Nurse
Answer: A
Explanation: Friar Laurence believes the marriage will end the feud, so he arranges it.
**Question 6.** Which of the following best describes the structure of *Macbeth*?
A) Five-act classical tragedy
B) Three-act modern drama
C) One-act comedy
,AQA Level 1 Level 2 GCSE (9 1) in English Literature
Practice Exam
D) Two-part epic poem
Answer: A
Explanation: Shakespeare’s tragedies follow the five‑act structure, and *Macbeth* conforms to this.
**Question 7.** In *Romeo and Juliet*, the phrase “star‑crossed lovers” most directly refers to:
A) Their love of astronomy
B) Their families’ wealth
C) Their doomed fate
D) Their willingness to fight
Answer: C
Explanation: “Star‑crossed” indicates that the stars (fate) are against them, foreshadowing tragedy.
**Question 8.** The use of blank verse in *Macbeth* primarily serves to:
A) Create a musical quality
B) Highlight comic moments
C) Emphasise natural speech patterns
D) Show characters’ low social status
Answer: C
Explanation: Blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) mirrors the rhythm of ordinary speech while
maintaining poetic form.
**Question 9.** Which line from *Macbeth* shows the use of alliteration?
A) “Out, out, brief candle!”
B) “When shall we three meet again?”
, AQA Level 1 Level 2 GCSE (9 1) in English Literature
Practice Exam
C) “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
D) “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.”
Answer: C
Explanation: The repetition of the “f” sound in “fair,” “foul,” and “foul” is alliteration.
**Question 10.** In *Romeo and Juliet*, the Nurse’s role is primarily that of:
A) Comic relief and confidante
B) Antagonist to the lovers
C) Moral authority
D) Tragic hero
Answer: A
Explanation: The Nurse provides humour and serves as Juliet’s trusted confidante.
**Question 11.** In *Great Expectations* by Charles Dickens, Pip’s first encounter with the convict
Magwitch occurs in which setting?
A) London streets
B) The marshes near his home
C) A bustling market
D) A cathedral
Answer: B
Explanation: Pip meets Magwitch on the marshes, a bleak and isolated setting that reflects the convict’s
desperation.
**Question 12.** Which narrative technique is most prominent in *A Christmas Carol*?
