Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Literature
Paper 1 Overview: Poetry & Prose
The Big Idea: Paper 1 asks you to answer two essays — one on a poem, one on a prose extract —
and in both you have to prove you can explain what the writer says, how they say it, and
why it affects you, all backed up with quotations from the text.
Summary — What You Need to Know
- Paper 1 has two questions: one on your studied poetry set text, one on your studied prose set text.
- You get 1 hour 30 minutes and the paper is worth 50 marks (25 per question), which is 50% of your GCSE grade.
- Both questions are equally weighted and both test all four Assessment Objectives (AO1–AO4) — but examiners expect slightly different emphasis for poetry vs. prose.
- You get a choice of two questions in each section (poetry and prose), so four questions total to choose from — pick carefully based on what you've studied.
- It's a closed-book exam — you can't bring your own copy of the texts in, but the relevant extract or poem is printed on the paper for you.
- Certain command words (Explore, How, Vividly, How far/To what extent, Portray, Memorable) tell you exactly what kind of answer the examiner wants — learn to decode them instantly.
1. The Exam Structure
How the Paper Is Laid Out
Think of Paper 1 as two mini-essays sitting inside one exam. You'll answer one question on a poem
from your studied anthology, and one question on an extract from your studied prose text (a novel or short story).
You are not writing about the whole novel from memory — the exact passage you need is printed right there on the exam paper,
which is a huge relief because it means you don't need to recall it word-for-word.
| Paper | Questions | Time | Marks | % of GCSE Grade |
|---|
| Paper 1: Poetry and Prose |
2 (one on poetry and one on prose) |
1 hour 30 minutes |
50 (25 marks per question) |
50% |
Quick Maths
1 hour 30 minutes ÷ 2 questions = 45 minutes per question. Since each question is worth 25 marks, that's roughly
1.8 minutes per mark — a useful pacing check if you're running behind in the exam.
Watch Out
Because there are so many possible set texts, it's dangerously easy to accidentally start answering a question
on the wrong poem or the wrong novel extract. Always read the exam instructions carefully and double-check
you've picked the questions that match what you actually studied in class.
Practice Question
Q: How many total questions will you see printed on Paper 1 (including the ones you don't have to answer), and how many must you actually answer?
2. The Four Assessment Objectives (AO1–AO4)
This is the real heart of Paper 1. Every mark you get is being awarded against one of four skills. Examiners
literally have a checklist matching these AOs when they mark your essay, so understanding what each one actually
wants from you is the difference between a vague answer and a top-band one.
AO1 — Knowledge & Quotation
Official definition: Show detailed knowledge of the content of literary texts supported by reference to the text.
In plain English:
Rule of Thumb
Every quotation you use should answer the silent question: "So what?" If you can't explain why that quote matters, don't include it.
AO2 — Understanding Meaning