Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475) Past Papers, Mark Schemes & Examiner Tips
Prepare for Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475) with past papers, official mark schemes, and practical exam tips. These Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English past papers include resources for Paper 1: Poetry and Prose, Paper 2: Drama, Paper 3: Drama (Open Text) and Paper 4: Unseen. As prescribed texts change between exam years, always check that each paper matches the set texts you have studied. Jump to the examiner tips or read the frequently asked questions for further revision and exam guidance.
2026 Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2026 Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English | Downloads | |
February/March 2026 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
February/March 2026 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
February/March 2026 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
February/March 2026 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 1, Variant 1 – Poetry and Prose (0475/11) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 1, Variant 3 – Poetry and Prose (0475/13) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 2, Variant 1 – Drama (0475/21) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 2, Variant 3 – Drama (0475/23) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 3, Variant 1 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/31) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 3, Variant 3 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/33) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 4, Variant 1 – Unseen (0475/41) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
May/June 2026 Paper 4, Variant 3 – Unseen (0475/43) |
2025 Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2025 Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English | Downloads | |
February/March 2025 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
February/March 2025 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
February/March 2025 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
February/March 2025 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 1, Variant 1 – Poetry and Prose (0475/11) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 1, Variant 3 – Poetry and Prose (0475/13) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 2, Variant 1 – Drama (0475/21) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 2, Variant 3 – Drama (0475/23) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 3, Variant 1 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/31) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 3, Variant 3 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/33) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 4, Variant 1 – Unseen (0475/41) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
May/June 2025 Paper 4, Variant 3 – Unseen (0475/43) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 1, Variant 1 – Poetry and Prose (0475/11) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 1, Variant 3 – Poetry and Prose (0475/13) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 2, Variant 1 – Drama (0475/21) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 2, Variant 3 – Drama (0475/23) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 3, Variant 1 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/31) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 3, Variant 3 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/33) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 4, Variant 1 – Unseen (0475/41) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
October/November 2025 Paper 4, Variant 3 – Unseen (0475/43) |
2024 Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2024 Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English | Downloads | |
February/March 2024 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
February/March 2024 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
February/March 2024 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
February/March 2024 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 1, Variant 1 – Poetry and Prose (0475/11) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 1, Variant 3 – Poetry and Prose (0475/13) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 2, Variant 1 – Drama (0475/21) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 2, Variant 3 – Drama (0475/23) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 3, Variant 1 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/31) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 3, Variant 3 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/33) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 4, Variant 1 – Unseen (0475/41) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
May/June 2024 Paper 4, Variant 3 – Unseen (0475/43) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 1, Variant 1 – Poetry and Prose (0475/11) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 1, Variant 3 – Poetry and Prose (0475/13) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 2, Variant 1 – Drama (0475/21) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 2, Variant 3 – Drama (0475/23) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 3, Variant 1 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/31) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 3, Variant 3 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/33) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 4, Variant 1 – Unseen (0475/41) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
October/November 2024 Paper 4, Variant 3 – Unseen (0475/43) |
2023 Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2023 Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English | Downloads | |
February/March 2023 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
February/March 2023 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
February/March 2023 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
February/March 2023 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 1, Variant 1 – Poetry and Prose (0475/11) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 1, Variant 3 – Poetry and Prose (0475/13) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 2, Variant 1 – Drama (0475/21) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 2, Variant 3 – Drama (0475/23) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 3, Variant 1 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/31) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 3, Variant 3 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/33) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 4, Variant 1 – Unseen (0475/41) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
May/June 2023 Paper 4, Variant 3 – Unseen (0475/43) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 1, Variant 1 – Poetry and Prose (0475/11) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 1, Variant 3 – Poetry and Prose (0475/13) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 2, Variant 1 – Drama (0475/21) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 2, Variant 3 – Drama (0475/23) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 3, Variant 1 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/31) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 3, Variant 3 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/33) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 4, Variant 1 – Unseen (0475/41) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
October/November 2023 Paper 4, Variant 3 – Unseen (0475/43) |
2022 Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2022 Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English | Downloads | |
February/March 2022 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
February/March 2022 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
February/March 2022 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
February/March 2022 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 1, Variant 1 – Poetry and Prose (0475/11) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 1, Variant 3 – Poetry and Prose (0475/13) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 2, Variant 1 – Drama (0475/21) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 2, Variant 3 – Drama (0475/23) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 3, Variant 1 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/31) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 3, Variant 3 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/33) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 4, Variant 1 – Unseen (0475/41) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
May/June 2022 Paper 4, Variant 3 – Unseen (0475/43) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 1, Variant 1 – Poetry and Prose (0475/11) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 1, Variant 2 – Poetry and Prose (0475/12) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 1, Variant 3 – Poetry and Prose (0475/13) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 2, Variant 1 – Drama (0475/21) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 2, Variant 2 – Drama (0475/22) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 2, Variant 3 – Drama (0475/23) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 3, Variant 1 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/31) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 3, Variant 2 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/32) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 3, Variant 3 – Drama (Open Text) (0475/33) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 4, Variant 1 – Unseen (0475/41) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 4, Variant 2 – Unseen (0475/42) | ||
October/November 2022 Paper 4, Variant 3 – Unseen (0475/43) |
Six Examiner Tips for Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475)
1. Answer the precise question rather than reproducing a prepared essay
Do not treat the question as an invitation to write everything you know about a character, poem or theme. Underline its key words, especially terms such as “vividly,” “disturbing,” “memorable” or “striking.” Use these words to shape a brief plan and ensure that every paragraph contributes directly to the specific question.
2. Begin with a focused argument
Avoid lengthy introductions containing the writer’s biography, historical background or a list of literary techniques. Your opening sentence should respond directly to the question and establish your main interpretation. A conclusion should offer a final judgement about the text’s impact rather than merely repeating the points already made.
3. Explain the effect of the writer’s methods
Identifying a metaphor, caesura, contrast or example of alliteration is only the beginning of analysis. Explain why the writer selected those particular words or techniques and how they shape meaning, atmosphere or the audience’s response. Avoid vague statements such as “this makes the reader interested” or “this makes the poem flow.”
4. Analyse the writing instead of retelling the plot
Examiners already know what happens in the text, so lengthy narrative summaries earn little credit. Use only the plot detail needed to support your argument, then concentrate on how the writer constructs the scene, character or theme. Ask why the moment has been presented in this way and what its language, structure, imagery or symbolism suggests.
5. Use short quotations and analyse them closely
Select concise quotations containing the exact words you want to explore. Embed them naturally within your own sentences and examine their connotations or effects. Avoid copying large blocks of text, referring only to line numbers or inserting quotations without analysis. If you use an ellipsis, make sure it does not remove words that are essential to the quotation’s meaning.
6. Discuss plays as works written for performance
In drama answers, refer to the audience rather than the reader. Consider what viewers would see and hear on stage, including movement, positioning, entrances, exits, pauses, tone, lighting, sound and dramatic irony. Explain how these theatrical choices create tension, humour, sympathy or surprise during a live performance instead of treating the play as though it were a novel.
Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475) 2027 FAQs
1. What is the Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475) exam format for 2027?
Every student takes Paper 1: Poetry and Prose, which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 50% of the qualification.
Students then follow one of three routes:
Paper 2: Drama – 1 hour 30 minutes and worth 50%.
Paper 3: Drama (Open Text) and Paper 4: Unseen – worth 25% each.
Paper 3: Drama (Open Text) and Component 5: Coursework – worth 25% each.
Your school or examination centre will confirm which route you are taking. The available grades are A* to G.
2. What do students answer in Cambridge IGCSE Literature Paper 1?
Paper 1 is called Poetry and Prose. Students answer two questions:
One question on a studied poetry collection.
One question on a studied prose text.
The paper is worth 50 marks, so each response is worth 25 marks. Students should divide their time evenly and allow approximately 45 minutes for each answer.
3. Do I have to study every text listed in the 2027 syllabus?
No. For Paper 1, students normally prepare one prescribed group of 15 poems and one prose text, which may be a novel or the specified collection of 10 short stories.
Students taking Paper 2 prepare two drama texts. Those taking Paper 3 answer on one drama text. Your teacher will select the set texts your class studies, but you should check that they appear on the official 2027 set-text list because prescribed texts can change between examination years.
4. Is Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English 0475 an open-book exam?
Only Paper 3: Drama (Open Text) is open book in the 2027 syllabus. Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 4 are not open-book examinations.
For Paper 3, you may take a clean original copy of the prescribed play into the examination. It must not contain handwritten notes, highlighting, underlining, sticky notes or additional pieces of paper. Editions containing extensive study notes or facing-page explanations are not permitted.
5. Can I choose between passage-based and essay questions?
In Paper 1, you must answer one poetry question and one prose question. There is no requirement to answer one passage-based question and one essay question, so select the questions that allow you to produce the strongest analysis.
In Paper 2, however, you must answer two drama questions on two different texts: one passage-based question and one essay question. Read the instructions carefully before choosing your questions.
6. Do I need to memorise quotations for Cambridge IGCSE English Literature?
You should learn a flexible selection of short, accurate quotations from your closed-book texts. Concentrate on quotations that can support several themes, characters and relationships rather than attempting to memorise entire speeches or paragraphs.
Exact quotation is valuable, but relevant textual reference and detailed analysis are more important than inserting a large number of memorised lines. When answering a passage-based question, use the printed extract closely while also showing knowledge of the wider text where relevant.
7. How should I structure a Cambridge IGCSE Literature essay?
Begin with a focused response to the question rather than a long, general introduction. Each main paragraph should:
Make a clear point that answers the question.
Support that point with a short quotation or precise textual reference.
Analyse the writer’s language, form, structure or dramatic technique.
Explain the effect on the reader or audience.
Connect the analysis back to the question.
Avoid retelling the plot. Cambridge rewards personal, analytical responses that explore how writers create meaning.
8. How should I prepare for Cambridge IGCSE Literature Paper 4 Unseen?
Paper 4 lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and requires one critical commentary on either an unseen poem or an unseen prose passage.
Read both options before choosing. Use part of your time to annotate the text and identify:
The central subject or situation.
Changes in tone, mood or perspective.
Significant images and patterns.
Important language choices.
Structural developments.
The effect of the ending.
Build an interpretation of the whole text instead of listing disconnected techniques. Every observation should be supported by evidence from the unseen passage.
9. What is the best way to use Cambridge IGCSE Literature past papers?
Begin by practising individual questions without a time limit so that you can improve analysis and paragraph structure. Then progress to full timed papers.
After completing an answer:
Compare it with the official mark scheme.
Read the examiner report for that series.
Check whether every paragraph answers the question.
Highlight unsupported claims and plot summary.
Improve vague comments about “reader interest” or “creating an image.”
Rewrite the weakest paragraph using closer textual analysis.
Older past papers remain useful for practising literary skills, but always check that your texts and component route match the 2027 syllabus.
