Great Expectations - Form, structure and language test questions - Edexcel

Read the following extract in which Pip sets out for London for the first time. Then answer the questions which follow.

Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before - more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle. If I had cried before, I should have had Joe with me then.

So subdued I was by those tears, and by their breaking out again in the course of the quiet walk, that when I was on the coach, and it was clear of the town, I deliberated with an aching heart whether I would not get down when we changed horses and walk back, and have another evening at home, and a better parting. We changed, and I had not made up my mind, and still reflected for my comfort that it would be quite practicable to get down and walk back, when we changed again. And while I was occupied with these deliberations, I would fancy an exact resemblance to Joe in some man coming along the road towards us, and my heart would beat high. - As if he could possibly be there! We changed again, and yet again, and it was now too late and too far to go back, and I went on. And the mists had all solemnly risen now, and the world lay spread before me.

THIS IS THE END OF THE FIRST STAGE OF PIP'S EXPECTATIONS.

In this extract the older narrator Pip is remembering one of the key events of his younger life and how he felt about it. What is this technique known as?

The last line of the extract shows that the novel has reached an important stage in its chosen form - Pip is growing up and starting to learn valuable life lessons. What is the correct name for the type of novel which focuses on the physical and spiritual growth of the central character?

This extract would have also come at the end of one of the serial episodes in which the novel was first published. Why did Dickens choose this format?

'They are rain upon the blinding dust of earth.' What literary technique is Dickens using here?

Which of these is an example of a metaphor?

Read the following extract which comes right at the end of the novel. Then answer the questions which follow.

“I little thought”, said Estella, "that I should take leave of you in taking leave of this spot. I am very glad to do so.”

“Glad to part again, Estella? To me, parting is a painful thing. To me, the remembrance of our last parting has been ever mournful and painful.”

“But you said to me," returned Estella, very earnestly. “‘God bless you, God forgive you!’ And if you could say that to me then, you will not hesitate to say that to me now – now, when suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape. Be as considerate and good to me as you were, and tell me we are friends.”

"We are friends,” said I, rising and bending over her, as she rose from the bench.

“And will continue friends apart,” said Estella.

I took her hand in mine, and we went out of the ruined place; and, as the morning mists had risen long ago when I first left the forge, so the evening mists were rising now, and in all the broad expanse of tranquil light they showed to me, I saw no shadow of another parting from her.

How many different endings did Dickens create for Great Expectations?

What does Estella's name mean?

'I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.' What literary technique is Dickens using here?

What does Estella mean when she says: 'Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be.'?

What does 'I saw no shadow of another parting from her' mean?