Prose anthology (Stories of Ourselves) — IGCSE English - Literature In English (0475) questions by topic
Short stories from Stories of Ourselves, including work by Janet Frame, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Yiyun Li, are examined through extract questions on entertaining, intriguing or sympathetic moments, drawn from 30 real questions set in 2023 to 2025 papers, all worth 25 marks.
To what extent and how are the recurring command words, always asking how a writer shapes a specific moment rather than what happens in the story as a whole. Reports single out responses that refer to other parts of the story to explain a character's feeling at the extract's moment, so drafting an answer that reaches beyond the printed extract and marking it instantly is a direct test of that skill.
What examiners look for
- Strong answers address the key phrase in the question, such as 'unhappiness at this moment', with careful use of well-selected references.
- Strong responses refer to other parts of the story to help explain a character's state at the extract's moment, such as an unhappy marriage or a difficult phone call.
- Strong answers explore ways a writer makes an extract entertaining by making at least some reference to what happens after it in the story.
- Strong responses show a personal and evaluative engagement with key words from the question, such as 'vivid impressions', commenting on specific qualities like being strong, kind, maternal and protective.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
Read this passage from Fluke (by Romesh Gunesekera), and then answer the question that follows it: How does Gunesekera make this moment in the story so entertaining?
Answer this question and get it marked →In what ways does Christina Rossetti make Nick such a powerful story about jealousy?
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
Read this passage from 'The Gold Watch' (by Mulk Raj Anand) (printed on the paper), and then answer the question that follows it: In what ways does Anand create sympathy for…
Answer this question and get it marked →How does Jamaica Kincaid vividly portray the relationship between the narrator and her parents in 'A Walk to the Jetty'?
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. Read this passage from Haywards Heath (by Aminatta Forna), and then answer the question that follows it: Explore how Forna makes this such an…
Answer this question and get it marked →from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. How does Jane Gardam strikingly portray Philip's thoughts and feelings about his mother in Showing the Flag?
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. Read the following extract from Sharmaji (by Anjana Appachana), and then answer the question that follows it: How does Appachana make this such…
Answer this question and get it marked →from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. How does the writer make you feel sympathy for one of the following characters? - Mr Shi in A Thousand Years of Good Prayers (by Yiyun Li) -…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. Read the following extract from Dr Heidegger's Experiment (by Nathaniel Hawthorne), and then answer the question that follows it: Explore the…
Answer this question and get it marked →from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. How does Gilman strikingly portray the widow's three children in The Widow's Might?
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 13
from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. Read the following extract from The Reservoir (by Janet Frame), and then answer the question that follows it: How does Frame make this moment…
Answer this question and get it marked →from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. In what ways does Hughes make Thank You M'am such a moving story?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. Read the following extract from A Thousand Years of Good Prayers (by Yiyun Li), and then answer the question that follows it: How does Li…
Answer this question and get it marked →from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. Explore the ways in which O Henry strikingly creates tension in The Furnished Room.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. Read the following extract from The Widow's Might (by Charlotte Perkins Gilman), and then answer the question that follows it: How does Gilman…
Answer this question and get it marked →from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. Explore the ways in which Hughes vividly portrays the boy thief (Roger) in Thank You M'am.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. Read this passage from The Furnished Room (by O Henry), and then answer the question that follows it: In what ways does O Henry make this such…
Answer this question and get it marked →from STORIES OF OURSELVES Volume 2. How does Afolabi strikingly convey Mr Mahmood's feelings about his wife in Mrs Mahmood?
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
Read the printed passage from 'The Widow's Might' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and then answer the question that follows it: How does Gilman make this such a memorable moment in…
Answer this question and get it marked →In what ways does O Henry make 'The Furnished Room' such a disturbing story?
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Read the printed passage from 'A Thousand Years of Good Prayers' by Yiyun Li, and then answer the question that follows it: How does Li vividly portray Mr Shi's unhappiness at…
Answer this question and get it marked →Explore the ways in which Hughes creates vivid impressions of Mrs Jones in 'Thank You M'am'.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
Read the printed passage from 'Mrs Mahmood' by Segun Afolabi, and then answer the question that follows it: To what extent does Afolabi make you feel sympathy for the narrator in…
Answer this question and get it marked →Explore the ways in which Laski strikingly portrays the marriage between Caroline and Neville in 'The Tower'.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Read the printed passage from 'And Women Must Weep' by Henry Handel Richardson, and then answer the question that follows it: How does Richardson make this such a sad moment in…
Answer this question and get it marked →Explore how the writer makes the ending of one of the stories in this selection particularly satisfying for you.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Read the printed passage from 'Thank You M'am' by Langston Hughes, and then answer the question that follows it: How does Hughes make this such an entertaining opening to the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Explore the ways in which Afolabi portrays the marriage of Mr and Mrs Mahmood in 'Mrs Mahmood'.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Read the printed passage from 'The Tower' by Marghanita Laski, and then answer the question that follows it: How does Laski make this such a terrifying moment in the story?
Answer this question and get it marked →How does Gilman make the mother such an impressive character in 'The Widow's Might'?
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE English - Literature In English topics
- Prose (210)
- Drama (150)
- Poetry anthology (Songs of Ourselves) (60)
- Poetry (30)
- Unseen poetry and prose (30)
← All IGCSE English - Literature In English (0475) past papers