2025 AQA A-LEVEL ENGLISH LITERATURE A Paper 2B Texts
in Shared Contexts: Modern Times – Literature from 1945 to
the Present Day Question Paper & Mark Scheme (Merged)
Thursday 22 May 2025 [VERIFIED]
A-level
ENGLISH LITERATURE A
Paper 2B Texts in shared contexts: Modern times: Literature from
1945 to the present day
Thursday 22 May 2025 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 12-page answer book
a copy of the Insert for use with Section B (enclosed)
a copy of each of the set texts you have studied for this paper. These texts must not be annotated
and must not contain additional notes or materials.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7712/2B.
Read all of the questions. Then choose either Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3. Answer one
question from Section A and both questions from Section B from your chosen option. You must
answer questions from only one option.
Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 75.
You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
In your response you need to:
– analyse carefully the writers’ methods
– explore the contexts of the texts you are writing about
– explore connections across the texts you have studied
– explore different interpretations of your texts.
IB/G/Jun25/G4007/E4 7712/2B
, 2
Option 1
Section A: Poetry Set Text
Answer one question in this section.
Feminine Gospels – Carol Ann Duffy
Either
0 1 Examine the significance of the collection’s title, Feminine Gospels.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 2 ‘A collection dominated by grief and mourning.’
Examine this view.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
Skirrid Hill – Owen Sheers
or
0 3 Examine the significance of Sheers’ representation of Wales in Skirrid Hill.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 4 Examine the significance of time in the collection.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
IB/G/Jun25/7712/2B
, 3
Option 1
Section B: Drama and Prose Contextual Linking
Read the Insert. Answer both questions in this section.
Read the Insert carefully. It is taken from Restless, a novel by William Boyd, published in 2006. The
extract is set in London during World War II, when German air raids were frequent and devastating.
Eva Delectorskaya, a young Russian-born woman working as a spy for the British, has discovered
that her boss, Romer, is a traitor. Now living in hiding, Eva knows that Romer will kill her to prevent
her revealing his betrayal. The extract begins with Eva planning how to escape from Romer
permanently.
Answer both questions.
0 5 Explore the significance of the struggle for identity in this extract.
Remember to include in your answer relevant detailed analysis of the ways that Boyd
shapes meanings.
[25 marks]
and
0 6 Compare the significance of the struggle for identity in two other texts you have studied.
Remember to include in your answer reference to how meanings are shaped in the texts
you are comparing.
You must use one drama text and one prose text in your response.
[25 marks]
Turn over for the next section
Turn over ►
IB/G/Jun25/7712/2B
, 4
Option 2
Section A: Drama Set Text
Answer one question in this section.
A Streetcar Named Desire – Tennessee Williams
Either
0 7 Examine the significance of the play’s title, A Streetcar Named Desire.
[25 marks]
or
0 8 ‘I am the king around here, so don’t forget it,’ Stanley declares to Stella and Blanche.
Examine the view that Williams presents Stanley’s confidence and self-belief as
admirable.
[25 marks]
Top Girls – Caryl Churchill
or
0 9 Examine the significance of the relationship between Marlene, Joyce and Angie.
[25 marks]
or
1 0 Examine the significance of marriage in Top Girls.
[25 marks]
IB/G/Jun25/7712/2B
in Shared Contexts: Modern Times – Literature from 1945 to
the Present Day Question Paper & Mark Scheme (Merged)
Thursday 22 May 2025 [VERIFIED]
A-level
ENGLISH LITERATURE A
Paper 2B Texts in shared contexts: Modern times: Literature from
1945 to the present day
Thursday 22 May 2025 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 12-page answer book
a copy of the Insert for use with Section B (enclosed)
a copy of each of the set texts you have studied for this paper. These texts must not be annotated
and must not contain additional notes or materials.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7712/2B.
Read all of the questions. Then choose either Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3. Answer one
question from Section A and both questions from Section B from your chosen option. You must
answer questions from only one option.
Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 75.
You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
In your response you need to:
– analyse carefully the writers’ methods
– explore the contexts of the texts you are writing about
– explore connections across the texts you have studied
– explore different interpretations of your texts.
IB/G/Jun25/G4007/E4 7712/2B
, 2
Option 1
Section A: Poetry Set Text
Answer one question in this section.
Feminine Gospels – Carol Ann Duffy
Either
0 1 Examine the significance of the collection’s title, Feminine Gospels.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 2 ‘A collection dominated by grief and mourning.’
Examine this view.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
Skirrid Hill – Owen Sheers
or
0 3 Examine the significance of Sheers’ representation of Wales in Skirrid Hill.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 4 Examine the significance of time in the collection.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
IB/G/Jun25/7712/2B
, 3
Option 1
Section B: Drama and Prose Contextual Linking
Read the Insert. Answer both questions in this section.
Read the Insert carefully. It is taken from Restless, a novel by William Boyd, published in 2006. The
extract is set in London during World War II, when German air raids were frequent and devastating.
Eva Delectorskaya, a young Russian-born woman working as a spy for the British, has discovered
that her boss, Romer, is a traitor. Now living in hiding, Eva knows that Romer will kill her to prevent
her revealing his betrayal. The extract begins with Eva planning how to escape from Romer
permanently.
Answer both questions.
0 5 Explore the significance of the struggle for identity in this extract.
Remember to include in your answer relevant detailed analysis of the ways that Boyd
shapes meanings.
[25 marks]
and
0 6 Compare the significance of the struggle for identity in two other texts you have studied.
Remember to include in your answer reference to how meanings are shaped in the texts
you are comparing.
You must use one drama text and one prose text in your response.
[25 marks]
Turn over for the next section
Turn over ►
IB/G/Jun25/7712/2B
, 4
Option 2
Section A: Drama Set Text
Answer one question in this section.
A Streetcar Named Desire – Tennessee Williams
Either
0 7 Examine the significance of the play’s title, A Streetcar Named Desire.
[25 marks]
or
0 8 ‘I am the king around here, so don’t forget it,’ Stanley declares to Stella and Blanche.
Examine the view that Williams presents Stanley’s confidence and self-belief as
admirable.
[25 marks]
Top Girls – Caryl Churchill
or
0 9 Examine the significance of the relationship between Marlene, Joyce and Angie.
[25 marks]
or
1 0 Examine the significance of marriage in Top Girls.
[25 marks]
IB/G/Jun25/7712/2B
