A-level
ENGLISH LITERATURE A
Paper 2A Texts in shared contexts: WW1 and its aftermath
Wednesday 5 June 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
7712/2A
, 2
Option 1
Section A: Poetry Set Text
Answer one question in this section.
Up the Line to Death – ed. Brian Gardner
Either
0 1 Examine the view that poems about combat in this anthology express despair rather
than anger.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 2 ‘Soldiers go to war with strong values and beliefs.’
In the light of this view, examine the presentation of strong values and beliefs in Up the
Line to Death.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
Scars Upon My Heart – ed. Catherine Reilly
or
0 3 Examine the significance of memory in this anthology.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 4 ‘In this anthology, the war is presented as strengthening women more than causing them
to suffer.’
Examine this view.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
, 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 the end of The Patriot’s Progress, a novel by Henry
Williamson (1895–1977), published in 1930. In this extract John Bullock, a young soldier who has
lost his leg in action, returns home.
Answer both questions.
0 5 Explore the significance of conflicting attitudes towards war in this extract.
Remember to include in your answer relevant detailed analysis of the ways that
Williamson shapes meanings.
[25 marks]
and
0 6 Compare the significance of conflicting attitudes towards war 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, at least one of which
must be a text written post-2000.
[25 marks]
Turn over for the next section
Turn over ►
IB/H/Jun24/7712/2A
, 4
Option 2
Section A: Drama Set Text
Answer one question in this section.
Oh! What a Lovely War – Joan Littlewood
Either
0 7 ‘Lions led by donkeys.’
In the light of this view, examine the presentation of how the war is conducted in
Oh! What a Lovely War.
[25 marks]
or
0 8 Joan Littlewood describes war as ‘only for clowns’.
In the light of this view, examine the presentation of war in Oh! What a Lovely War.
[25 marks]
Journey’s End – R C Sherriff
or
0 9 ‘Journey’s End is more about the anticipation of combat rather than combat itself.’
Examine this view of the play.
[25 marks]
or
1 0 ‘In Journey’s End, Sherriff suggests that military discipline is more important than
individual feelings.’
Examine this view.
[25 marks]
IB/H/Jun24/7712/2A
ENGLISH LITERATURE A
Paper 2A Texts in shared contexts: WW1 and its aftermath
Wednesday 5 June 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
7712/2A
, 2
Option 1
Section A: Poetry Set Text
Answer one question in this section.
Up the Line to Death – ed. Brian Gardner
Either
0 1 Examine the view that poems about combat in this anthology express despair rather
than anger.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 2 ‘Soldiers go to war with strong values and beliefs.’
In the light of this view, examine the presentation of strong values and beliefs in Up the
Line to Death.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
Scars Upon My Heart – ed. Catherine Reilly
or
0 3 Examine the significance of memory in this anthology.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
or
0 4 ‘In this anthology, the war is presented as strengthening women more than causing them
to suffer.’
Examine this view.
You must write about at least two poems in your answer.
[25 marks]
, 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 the end of The Patriot’s Progress, a novel by Henry
Williamson (1895–1977), published in 1930. In this extract John Bullock, a young soldier who has
lost his leg in action, returns home.
Answer both questions.
0 5 Explore the significance of conflicting attitudes towards war in this extract.
Remember to include in your answer relevant detailed analysis of the ways that
Williamson shapes meanings.
[25 marks]
and
0 6 Compare the significance of conflicting attitudes towards war 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, at least one of which
must be a text written post-2000.
[25 marks]
Turn over for the next section
Turn over ►
IB/H/Jun24/7712/2A
, 4
Option 2
Section A: Drama Set Text
Answer one question in this section.
Oh! What a Lovely War – Joan Littlewood
Either
0 7 ‘Lions led by donkeys.’
In the light of this view, examine the presentation of how the war is conducted in
Oh! What a Lovely War.
[25 marks]
or
0 8 Joan Littlewood describes war as ‘only for clowns’.
In the light of this view, examine the presentation of war in Oh! What a Lovely War.
[25 marks]
Journey’s End – R C Sherriff
or
0 9 ‘Journey’s End is more about the anticipation of combat rather than combat itself.’
Examine this view of the play.
[25 marks]
or
1 0 ‘In Journey’s End, Sherriff suggests that military discipline is more important than
individual feelings.’
Examine this view.
[25 marks]
IB/H/Jun24/7712/2A
