WJEC AS/A Level English Literature Past Papers & Mark Schemes

WJEC A Level English Literature combines the study of canonical literary texts with the analytical challenge of unseen poetry. The specification requires candidates to engage with prose fiction, drama, and poetry from different periods and movements, developing critical arguments supported by close textual analysis. Unit 1 (Prose and Drama) covers set prose texts and a set drama text. Candidates must demonstrate detailed knowledge of plot, character, theme, and authorial technique, and show how these elements connect to the text’s social, cultural, and literary context. Questions typically ask candidates to analyse an extract and then relate it to the wider work, testing both close reading and broader understanding. Unit 2 (Poetry and Unseen Poetry) requires the study of a set poetry collection alongside unseen poetry analysis. Candidates must analyse individual poems in depth — examining form, structure, imagery, and tone — and compare poems thematically or stylistically. The unseen poetry section rewards candidates who can apply their analytical skills to unfamiliar material under time pressure. The WJEC specification sits within the Welsh regulatory context, and examiners appreciate responses that engage with literary criticism and interpretive debate rather than simply retelling the plot. With 67 resources spanning multiple sessions, candidates can build strong familiarity with the question formats.