GCSEEnglish LiteratureEdexcelExam Questions1. ShakespeareMuch Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing (Edexcel GCSE English Literature): Exam Questions

Exam code: 1ET0

1 hour4 questions
1
20 marks

Read the following extract from Act 2, Scene 1 of Much Ado About Nothing and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Don Pedro has wooed Hero on Claudio’s behalf at the masked ball, although Claudio has been led to believe that Don Pedro wanted Hero for himself.

BEATRICE

So I would not he should do me, my lord, lest I should prove the mother of fools. I have brought Count Claudio, whom you sent me to seek.

DON PEDRO

Why, how now, Count, wherefore are you sad?

CLAUDIO

Not sad, my lord.

DON PEDRO

How then? Sick?

CLAUDIO

Neither, my lord.

BEATRICE

The Count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry, nor well, but civil count, civil as an orange, and something of that jealous complexion.

DON PEDRO

I’faith, lady, I think your blazon to be true, though I’ll be sworn, if he be so, his conceit is false. Here, Claudio, I have wooed in thy name, and fair Hero is won. I have broke with her father and his good will obtained. Name the day of marriage, and God give thee joy.

LEONATO

Count, take of me my daughter, and with her my fortunes. His grace hath made the match, and all grace say amen to it.

BEATRICE

Speak, Count, ’tis your cue.

CLAUDIO

Silence is the perfectest herald of joy. I were but little happy if I could say how much. [To Hero] Lady, as you are mine, I am yours. I give away myself for you, and dote upon the exchange.

BEATRICE [to Hero]

Speak, cousin. Or, if you cannot, stop his mouth with a kiss, and let not him speak, neither.

DON PEDRO

In faith, lady, you have a merry heart.

BEATRICE

Yea, my lord, I thank it. Poor fool, it keeps on the windy side of care.—My cousin tells him in his ear that he is in her heart.

CLAUDIO

And so she doth, cousin.

BEATRICE

Good Lord, for alliance! Thus goes everyone to the world but I, and I am sunburnt. I may sit in a corner and cry ‘Heigh-ho for a husband’.

DON PEDRO

Lady Beatrice, I will get you one.

Explore how Shakespeare presents Don Pedro in this extract.

Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

[20 marks]

How did you do?

2
20 marks

In this extract, Don Pedro wins Hero for Claudio, and Leonato agrees to the marriage.

Explain the importance of honour elsewhere in the play.

In your answer, you must consider:

  • how honour is presented

  • the effects honour has within the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

[20 marks]

How did you do?

3
20 marks

Read the following extract from Act 1, Scene 1 of Much Ado About Nothing and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, a messenger is telling Beatrice and Leonato about Benedick’s success in the recent war.

MESSENGER

He hath done good service, lady, in these wars.

BEATRICE

You had musty victual, and he hath holp to eat it. He is a very valiant trencher-man; he hath an excellent stomach.

MESSENGER

And a good soldier too, lady.

BEATRICE

And a good soldier to a lady. But what is he to a lord?

MESSENGER

A lord to a lord, a man to a man, stuffed with all honourable virtues.

BEATRICE

It is so, indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man. But for the stuffing – well, we are all mortal.

LEONATO

You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her. They never meet but there’s a skirmish of wit between them.

BEATRICE

Alas, he gets nothing by that. In our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and now is the whole man governed with one: so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him bear it for a difference between himself and his horse; for it is all the wealth that he hath left, to be known a reasonable creature. Who is his companion now? He hath every month a new sworn brother.

MESSENGER

Is’t possible?

BEATRICE

Very easily possible. He wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat: it ever changes with the next block.

MESSENGER

I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your books.

BEATRICE

No: an he were, I would burn my study. But, I pray you, who is his companion? Is there no young squarer now that will make a voyage with him to the devil?

MESSENGER

He is most in the company of the right noble Claudio.

BEATRICE

O Lord, he will hang upon him like a disease. He is sooner caught than the pestilence, and the taker runs presently mad. God help the noble Claudio! If he have caught the Benedick, it will cost him a thousand pound ere ’a be cured.

Explore how Shakespeare presents Beatrice’s opinion of Benedick in this extract.

Refer closely to the extract in your answer.

[20 marks]

How did you do?

4
20 marks

In this extract, Leonato describes how there is always conflict between Beatrice and Benedick.

Explain the importance of conflict elsewhere in the play.

In your answer, you must consider:

  • how conflict is presented

  • the effects conflict has within the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

[20 marks]

How did you do?