Actual 2026 AQA AS ENGLISH LITERATURE B 7716/1B Paper 1B Merged Question Paper + Mark Scheme

Actual 2026 AQA AS ENGLISH LITERATURE B 7716/1B Paper 1B Merged Question Paper + Mark Scheme

Section A
Answer one question from this section.
Either
0 1 The Taming of the Shrew – William Shakespeare
Explore the significance of aspects of dramatic comedy in the following passage in
relation to the play as a whole.
You should consider the following in your answer:
• the setting and mood of the banquet
• the roles of the women
• other relevant aspects of dramatic comedy.
[25 marks]
Enter Baptista with Vincentio, Gremio with the
Pedant, Lucentio with Bianca, Petruchio with
Katherina, Hortensio with the Widow; followed by
Tranio, Biondello, and Grumio, with the Servingmen
bringing in a banquet
LUCENTIO
At last, though long, our jarring notes agree,
And time it is when raging war is done
To smile at scapes and perils overblown.
My fair Bianca, bid my father welcome,
While I with self-same kindness welcome thine.
Brother Petruchio, sister Katherina,
And thou, Hortensio, with thy loving widow,
Feast with the best, and welcome to my house.
My banquet is to close our stomachs up
After our great good cheer. Pray you, sit down,
For now we sit to chat as well as eat.
They sit
PETRUCHIO
Nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat!
BAPTISTA
Padua affords this kindness, son Petruchio.
PETRUCHIO
Padua affords nothing but what is kind.
HORTENSIO
For both our sakes I would that word were true.
PETRUCHIO
Now, for my life, Hortensio fears his widow.
WIDOW
Then never trust me if I be afeard.
PETRUCHIO
You are very sensible, and yet you miss my sense:
I mean Hortensio is afeard of you.
WIDOW
He that is giddy thinks the world turns round.