Please check the examination details below before entering your candidate information
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Wednesday 13 May 2026
Morning (Time: 2 hours 15 minutes) Paper
reference 9ET0/01 Mark Scheme (Results)
English Literature
Advanced
PAPER 1: Drama
Summer 2026
You must have: Total Marks
Prescribed texts (clean copies only)
Instructions Pearson Edexcel Level 3
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name, English Literature
centre number and candidate number.
• chosen
Answer one question in Section A and one question in Section B on your
texts. Advanced Level (9ET0)
• Answer the questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Paper 1: Drama
• In your answers, you must not use texts that you have used in your coursework.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 60.
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
P81982APearson Education Ltd.
P:1/1/1/1/
*P81982A0128*
, SECTION A
Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Shakespeare
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Answer ONE question on the text you have studied. Begin your answer on page 6. Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
TRAGEDY largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
Antony and Cleopatra programmes for employers. For further information visit our
EITHER qualifications websites at or .
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
1 Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of how characters deal with living in the public
eye in Antony and Cleopatra. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual contact us page at
factors and ideas from your critical reading.
(Total for Question 1 = 35 marks)
OR
2 Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of destiny in Antony and Cleopatra. You must Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your
critical reading.
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help
(Total for Question 2 = 35 marks) everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of
learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been
Hamlet involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in
100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to
EITHER
high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find
3 Explore the presentation of fathers and father figures in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. You out more about how we can help you and your students at:
must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your
critical reading.
(Total for Question 3 = 35 marks)
OR
4 Explore how Shakespeare creates suspense and tension in Hamlet. You must relate
your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading.
(Total for Question 4 = 35 marks)
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P81982A
Publication 9ET0_01_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson
2
*P81982A0228*
, General Marking Guidance
Answer ONE question on the text you have studied. Begin your answer on page 6.
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the
King Lear
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
EITHER
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
5 Explore the presentation of the conflict between generations in Shakespeare’s King for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
Lear. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from
your critical reading. • Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
(Total for Question 5 = 35 marks)
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be
OR
used appropriately.
6 Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of kingship in King Lear. You must relate your • All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading.
should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the
(Total for Question 6 = 35 marks) mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the
candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
Othello
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles
EITHER by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
7 Explore the presentation of reason versus passion in Shakespeare’s Othello. You • When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme
must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your
to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
critical reading.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it
(Total for Question 7 = 35 marks)
with an alternative response.
OR
8 Explore the presentation of goodness in Shakespeare’s Othello. You must relate your
discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading.
(Total for Question 8 = 35 marks)
3
*P81982A0328* Turn over
, Marking guidance – specific
Answer ONE question on the text you have studied. Begin your answer on page 6.
The marking grids have been designed to assess student work holistically. The
COMEDY
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
grids identify which Assessment Objective is being targeted by each bullet
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
point within the level descriptors. One bullet point is linked to one Assessment
EITHER Objective, however please note that the number of bullet points in the level
9 Explore the significance of the Pyramus and Thisbe play in Shakespeare’s A descriptor does not directly correlate to the number of marks in the level
Midsummer Night’s Dream. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual descriptor.
factors and ideas from your critical reading.
(Total for Question 9 = 35 marks)
When deciding how to reward an answer, examiners should consult both the
OR indicative content and the associated marking grid(s). When using a levels-
10 Explore the presentation of transformation in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s based mark scheme, the ‘best fit’ approach should be used:
Dream. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from
your critical reading.
• examiners should first decide which descriptor most closely matches the
(Total for Question 10 = 35 marks) answer and place it in that level
• the mark awarded within the level will be decided based on the quality of the
Measure for Measure
answer and will be modified according to how securely all bullet points are
EITHER
displayed at that level
11 Explore the presentation of the roles of women in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. • in cases of uneven performance, the points above will still apply. Candidates
You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your
will be placed in the level that best describes their answer according to each
critical reading.
of the Assessment Objectives described in the level. Marks will be awarded
(Total for Question 11 = 35 marks)
towards the top or bottom of that level depending on how they have
OR evidenced each of the descriptor bullet points
12 Explore how Shakespeare presents deception in Measure for Measure. You must relate • examiners of Advanced GCE English should remember that all Assessment
your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading. Objectives within a level are equally weighted. They must consider this when
(Total for Question 12 = 35 marks) making their judgements
• the mark grid identifies which Assessment Objective is being targeted by
each bullet point within the level descriptors
• indicative content is exactly that – they are factual points that candidates are
likely to use to construct their answer. It is possible for an answer to be
constructed without mentioning some or all of these points, as long as they
provide alternative responses to the indicative content that fulfils the
requirements of the question. It is the examiner’s responsibility to apply their
professional judgement to the candidate’s response in determining if the
answer fulfils the requirements of the question.
4
*P81982A0428*
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Wednesday 13 May 2026
Morning (Time: 2 hours 15 minutes) Paper
reference 9ET0/01 Mark Scheme (Results)
English Literature
Advanced
PAPER 1: Drama
Summer 2026
You must have: Total Marks
Prescribed texts (clean copies only)
Instructions Pearson Edexcel Level 3
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name, English Literature
centre number and candidate number.
• chosen
Answer one question in Section A and one question in Section B on your
texts. Advanced Level (9ET0)
• Answer the questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Paper 1: Drama
• In your answers, you must not use texts that you have used in your coursework.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 60.
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
P81982APearson Education Ltd.
P:1/1/1/1/
*P81982A0128*
, SECTION A
Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Shakespeare
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Answer ONE question on the text you have studied. Begin your answer on page 6. Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s
TRAGEDY largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
Antony and Cleopatra programmes for employers. For further information visit our
EITHER qualifications websites at or .
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
1 Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of how characters deal with living in the public
eye in Antony and Cleopatra. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual contact us page at
factors and ideas from your critical reading.
(Total for Question 1 = 35 marks)
OR
2 Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of destiny in Antony and Cleopatra. You must Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your
critical reading.
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help
(Total for Question 2 = 35 marks) everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of
learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been
Hamlet involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in
100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to
EITHER
high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find
3 Explore the presentation of fathers and father figures in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. You out more about how we can help you and your students at:
must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your
critical reading.
(Total for Question 3 = 35 marks)
OR
4 Explore how Shakespeare creates suspense and tension in Hamlet. You must relate
your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading.
(Total for Question 4 = 35 marks)
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P81982A
Publication 9ET0_01_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is
Pearson
2
*P81982A0228*
, General Marking Guidance
Answer ONE question on the text you have studied. Begin your answer on page 6.
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the
King Lear
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
EITHER
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
5 Explore the presentation of the conflict between generations in Shakespeare’s King for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
Lear. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from
your critical reading. • Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
(Total for Question 5 = 35 marks)
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be
OR
used appropriately.
6 Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of kingship in King Lear. You must relate your • All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading.
should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the
(Total for Question 6 = 35 marks) mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the
candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
Othello
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles
EITHER by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
7 Explore the presentation of reason versus passion in Shakespeare’s Othello. You • When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme
must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your
to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
critical reading.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it
(Total for Question 7 = 35 marks)
with an alternative response.
OR
8 Explore the presentation of goodness in Shakespeare’s Othello. You must relate your
discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading.
(Total for Question 8 = 35 marks)
3
*P81982A0328* Turn over
, Marking guidance – specific
Answer ONE question on the text you have studied. Begin your answer on page 6.
The marking grids have been designed to assess student work holistically. The
COMEDY
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
grids identify which Assessment Objective is being targeted by each bullet
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
point within the level descriptors. One bullet point is linked to one Assessment
EITHER Objective, however please note that the number of bullet points in the level
9 Explore the significance of the Pyramus and Thisbe play in Shakespeare’s A descriptor does not directly correlate to the number of marks in the level
Midsummer Night’s Dream. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual descriptor.
factors and ideas from your critical reading.
(Total for Question 9 = 35 marks)
When deciding how to reward an answer, examiners should consult both the
OR indicative content and the associated marking grid(s). When using a levels-
10 Explore the presentation of transformation in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s based mark scheme, the ‘best fit’ approach should be used:
Dream. You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from
your critical reading.
• examiners should first decide which descriptor most closely matches the
(Total for Question 10 = 35 marks) answer and place it in that level
• the mark awarded within the level will be decided based on the quality of the
Measure for Measure
answer and will be modified according to how securely all bullet points are
EITHER
displayed at that level
11 Explore the presentation of the roles of women in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. • in cases of uneven performance, the points above will still apply. Candidates
You must relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your
will be placed in the level that best describes their answer according to each
critical reading.
of the Assessment Objectives described in the level. Marks will be awarded
(Total for Question 11 = 35 marks)
towards the top or bottom of that level depending on how they have
OR evidenced each of the descriptor bullet points
12 Explore how Shakespeare presents deception in Measure for Measure. You must relate • examiners of Advanced GCE English should remember that all Assessment
your discussion to relevant contextual factors and ideas from your critical reading. Objectives within a level are equally weighted. They must consider this when
(Total for Question 12 = 35 marks) making their judgements
• the mark grid identifies which Assessment Objective is being targeted by
each bullet point within the level descriptors
• indicative content is exactly that – they are factual points that candidates are
likely to use to construct their answer. It is possible for an answer to be
constructed without mentioning some or all of these points, as long as they
provide alternative responses to the indicative content that fulfils the
requirements of the question. It is the examiner’s responsibility to apply their
professional judgement to the candidate’s response in determining if the
answer fulfils the requirements of the question.
4
*P81982A0428*
