plumiJohn Donne: Selected Poems: Eduqas A‑Level English Literature questions
Every Eduqas A-Level English Literature exam question on John Donne: Selected Poems, 2017–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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All 18 questions on John Donne: Selected Poems, as a list
- June 2025, Component 1, Q2(i) (20 marks): Re-read ‘Holy Sonnet VI’ on pages 179–180. Examine Donne’s use of imagery in this poem.
- June 2025, Component 1, Q2(ii) (40 marks): Donne’s poetry has been described as “intensely physical”. With close reference to relevant contexts, explore this view of Donne’s poetry.
- June 2024, Component 1, Q2(i) (20 marks): Re-read ‘Holy Sonnet XVII’ on page 185. Analyse the ways in which Donne presents attitudes to love in this poem.
- June 2024, Component 1, Q2(ii) (40 marks): Many readers have observed that Donne’s presentation of worship, whether of women or the Christian God, involves “a potent blend of keen intellect and profound
- June 2023, Component 1, Q2(i) (20 marks): Re-read ‘Twicknam Garden’ on pages 20–21. Analyse Donne’s use of imagery in this poem.
- June 2023, Component 1, Q2(ii) (40 marks): “As Donne explores his passions, both sacred and secular, we are always made aware of his disappointment and frustration.” With close reference to relevant cont
- June 2022, Component 1, Q2(i) (20 marks): Re-read the first two stanzas of ‘A Nocturnal upon St Lucy’s Day, Being the Shortest Day’ (lines 1–18) on page 33. Analyse the ways in which Donne creates mood
- June 2022, Component 1, Q2(ii) (40 marks): With close reference to relevant contexts, examine the view that “Donne seems to prefer the workings of the mind to the movements of the heart”.
- Autumn 2021, Component 1, Q2(i) (20 marks): Re-read ‘Holy Sonnet III’ (‘O might those sighs and tears return again’) on page 178. Analyse Donne’s presentation of guilt in this poem.
- Autumn 2021, Component 1, Q2(ii) (40 marks): “We can experience both pleasure and enlightenment in reading Donne’s poetry without sharing all of his attitudes and beliefs.” With close reference to relevant
- Autumn 2020, Component 1, Q2(i) (20 marks): Re-read ‘The Flea’ on pages 30-31. Consider the ways in which Donne creates mood and tone in this poem.
- Autumn 2020, Component 1, Q2(ii) (40 marks): One critic comments on Donne’s “overriding desire to startle the reader with unconventional imagery and colloquial speech”. How far do you agree that this remar
- June 2019, Component 1, Q2(i) (20 marks): Re-read ‘Holy Sonnet V’ on page 179. Analyse Donne’s use of imagery in this poem.
- June 2019, Component 1, Q2(ii) (40 marks): “Passionate feelings, whether sacred or otherwise, are the driving force of poetry”. In the light of this remark, examine Donne’s presentation of passion.
- June 2018, Component 1, Q2(i) (20 marks): Re-read Love’s Alchemy on pages 29-30. Examine the ways in which Donne presents powerful feelings in this poem.
- June 2018, Component 1, Q2(ii) (40 marks): “An intellectual and emotional all-rounder; the model of Renaissance man.” In what ways do you find this view of Donne reflected in his poetry?
- June 2017, Component 1, Q2(i) (20 marks): Re-read The Apparition on page 36. Examine Donne’s presentation of powerful emotion in this poem.
- June 2017, Component 1, Q2(ii) (40 marks): “In Donne’s poetry, his attitudes to women reveal as much frustration as joy.” In the light of this view, examine Donne’s presentation of women.
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