Practice questions for the Pearson Edexcel GCSE English Literature (1ET0) specification, for teaching in England. Every answer is explained, so you can see why the right option is right. It covers the knowledge and reading skills that suit multiple choice; extended writing is not assessed here.
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Q1. In Shakespeare's *Macbeth*, which of the following correctly lists the kings of Scotland in chronological order as they reign within the play?
A. Duncan, Macbeth, Malcolm
B. Macbeth, Duncan, Malcolm
C. Duncan, Donalbain, Macbeth
D. Macbeth, Malcolm, Duncan
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✓ Answer: A. Duncan, Macbeth, Malcolm
Duncan is the king at the start, Macbeth murders him to take the throne, and Duncan's son Malcolm is hailed as king at the very end.
Q2. In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', what literary device is used when Lady Macbeth says, "look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under't"?
A. A soliloquy
B. Pathetic fallacy
C. Juxtaposition
D. A rhyming couplet
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✓ Answer: C. Juxtaposition
This is an example of juxtaposition, placing the contrasting images of the 'innocent flower' and the 'serpent' together to emphasise the need for deception.
Q3. In *A Christmas Carol*, the heavy chains 'forged in life' that Jacob Marley's ghost is forced to carry are a powerful example of what literary device?
A. Pathetic fallacy
B. Symbolism
C. A cyclical structure
D. An unreliable narrator
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. Symbolism
The chains symbolise the weight of Marley's greed and sins accumulated during his lifetime, serving as a visual metaphor for his eternal punishment.
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The real GCSE English Literature (Edexcel): format
How many questions are in the GCSE English Literature (Edexcel)?
The real GCSE English Literature (Edexcel) has 7 questions and lasts 240 minutes. Our mock uses 40 questions in 60 minutes.
What is the GCSE English Literature (Edexcel) pass mark?
Real exam pass mark: 75 marks out of 160 (46.9%) for a Grade 4 (standard pass) in June 2026. Our mock marks you at 24 out of 40, the threshold we mark against.
What it costs, and what a resit costs
How much does the GCSE English Literature (Edexcel) cost?
Real exam fee: £58.10 (for 2026-2027 academic year). Rebooking after a fail: Approximately one year (resits only in summer series)
How hard is it
What is the GCSE English Literature (Edexcel) pass rate?
Real exam first-time pass rate: 77.0% (Edexcel Grade 4+ in 2026). Difficulty: Demanding, particularly due to memory requirements, analytical depth, and timed essay writing under closed-book conditions.
Why people fail it
Why do people fail the GCSE English Literature (Edexcel)?
Struggling to remember texts, themes, and specific quotations for closed-book exams.
Difficulty in analysing writer's choices and building interpretations effectively.
Producing timed, extended essay responses under exam pressure.
Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
GCSE English Literature (Edexcel): common questions
Frequently asked
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 60 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with Pearson Edexcel.