2025 Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE English Language and Literature Advanced Subsidiary
PAPER 2: Varieties in Language and Literature Combined Question Paper and Marking Scheme
Please check the examination details below before entering your candidate information
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Monday 19 May 2025
Morning (Time: 1 hour 30 minutes) Paper
reference 8EL0/02
English Language and Literature
Advanced Subsidiary
PAPER 2: Varieties in Language and Literature
You must have: Total Marks
Prescribed texts (clean copies)
Source Booklet (enclosed)
Instructions
•• Use black ink or ball‑point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name,
centre number and candidate number.
• Answer one question in Section A on your chosen theme and one question in
Section B on your chosen texts.
• Answer the questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 50.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
Advice
•• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Turn over
,P76046A
©2025 Pearson Education Ltd.
Y:1/1/1/1/e2
, SECTION A
Prose Fiction Extract
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Theme: Society and the Individual
Answer ONE question on your chosen text. (You must choose a different text in Section B.)
Begin your answer on page 6.
EITHER
1 The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
Read the extract on pages 4–5 of the source booklet.
In this extract, Nick is finding out more about Gatsby and Wolfshiem.
With reference to the extract above, discuss:
• Fitzgerald’s use of linguistic and literary features
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
• how morality is explored throughout the novel
• relevant contextual factors.
(Total for Question 1 = 25 marks)
OR
2 Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
Read the extract on page 6 of the source booklet.
In this extract, Pip’s life is in danger.
With reference to the extract above, discuss:
• Dickens’ use of linguistic and literary features
• how revenge is explored throughout the novel
• relevant contextual factors.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
(Total for Question 2 = 25 marks)
2
, Theme: Love and Loss
Answer ONE question on your chosen text. (You must choose a different text in Section B.)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Begin your answer on page 6.
EITHER
3 A Single Man, Christopher Isherwood
Read the extract on page 7 of the source booklet.
In this extract, George is talking to Kenny.
With reference to the extract above, discuss:
• Isherwood’s use of linguistic and literary features
• how George’s thoughts are presented throughout the novel
• relevant contextual factors.
(Total for Question 3 = 25 marks)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
OR
4 Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
Read the extract on page 8 of the source booklet.
In this extract, Tess is troubled by the aftermath of a hunt.
With reference to the extract above, discuss:
• Hardy’s use of linguistic and literary features
• how responses to nature are presented throughout the novel
• relevant contextual factors.
(Total for Question 4 = 25 marks)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
3
Turn over
PAPER 2: Varieties in Language and Literature Combined Question Paper and Marking Scheme
Please check the examination details below before entering your candidate information
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Monday 19 May 2025
Morning (Time: 1 hour 30 minutes) Paper
reference 8EL0/02
English Language and Literature
Advanced Subsidiary
PAPER 2: Varieties in Language and Literature
You must have: Total Marks
Prescribed texts (clean copies)
Source Booklet (enclosed)
Instructions
•• Use black ink or ball‑point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name,
centre number and candidate number.
• Answer one question in Section A on your chosen theme and one question in
Section B on your chosen texts.
• Answer the questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 50.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
Advice
•• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Turn over
,P76046A
©2025 Pearson Education Ltd.
Y:1/1/1/1/e2
, SECTION A
Prose Fiction Extract
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Theme: Society and the Individual
Answer ONE question on your chosen text. (You must choose a different text in Section B.)
Begin your answer on page 6.
EITHER
1 The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
Read the extract on pages 4–5 of the source booklet.
In this extract, Nick is finding out more about Gatsby and Wolfshiem.
With reference to the extract above, discuss:
• Fitzgerald’s use of linguistic and literary features
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
• how morality is explored throughout the novel
• relevant contextual factors.
(Total for Question 1 = 25 marks)
OR
2 Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
Read the extract on page 6 of the source booklet.
In this extract, Pip’s life is in danger.
With reference to the extract above, discuss:
• Dickens’ use of linguistic and literary features
• how revenge is explored throughout the novel
• relevant contextual factors.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
(Total for Question 2 = 25 marks)
2
, Theme: Love and Loss
Answer ONE question on your chosen text. (You must choose a different text in Section B.)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Begin your answer on page 6.
EITHER
3 A Single Man, Christopher Isherwood
Read the extract on page 7 of the source booklet.
In this extract, George is talking to Kenny.
With reference to the extract above, discuss:
• Isherwood’s use of linguistic and literary features
• how George’s thoughts are presented throughout the novel
• relevant contextual factors.
(Total for Question 3 = 25 marks)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
OR
4 Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
Read the extract on page 8 of the source booklet.
In this extract, Tess is troubled by the aftermath of a hunt.
With reference to the extract above, discuss:
• Hardy’s use of linguistic and literary features
• how responses to nature are presented throughout the novel
• relevant contextual factors.
(Total for Question 4 = 25 marks)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
3
Turn over
