paper 2 english ib sample essay

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Practice paper 2 questions.

What do Paper 2 exams look like? The document below shows several Paper 2-style questions. Feel free to 'make a copy' of these Google Docs and edit them for your own purposes. These questions were inspired by colleagues and past papers. They are not 'official' in any way and are intended for in-school practice and guidance. There are no marking notes or suggested answers. 

Study the questions in the Practice Paper 2s. What kinds of trends and patterns do you notice? If you were to make a prediction about the kinds of questions that will appear on this year's exam, what would you predict?

Compare the questions from the Practice Paper 2s to the Areas of Exploration. How are they similar or different? Check out the page on the 7 concepts from this course. How do these questions encourage you to explore these concepts ?

The Practice Paper 2s consist of four questions. Actual IB Paper 2 may not be organised this way, but these practiced questions are designed to help you prepare for the following types of questions: 

The first question is about a stylistic or structural feature. These types of questions lend themselves well to Criterion B: analysis and evaluation. If the feature is about 'narrative perspective', for example, you may want to write body paragraphs on related features, such as flashbacks, dialogue and characterisation. As always, connect form to meaning, while answering the question. 

The second question is intentionally difficult. The IB has been known to include questions that require deeper understanding of literature and contexts. Questions about how the meaning of a work has evolved over time or how the author 's life has influenced the work are difficult (if not impossible) to answer. If you do not feel confident exploring answering these types of questions, avoid them! 

The third question is often about some kind of conflict or struggle. These struggles may be between competing concepts , such as 'new' and 'old', or juxtaposed settings, like 'rural' and 'urban', or characters, such as 'men' and 'women'. As you prepare your works, consider conflict, paradox and juxtaposition. You may be able to do something with these ideas or your Paper 2 response. 

The fourth question in these Practice Paper 2 questions relates to an abstract concept, such as justice, faith, home, wealth or identity. These may or may not be related to one of the 7 concepts from the course: identity, communication, creativity, representation, transformation, perspective or culture. Discussing literary works in relation to these concepts is good preparation for Paper 2. 

Even though you will not know the essay questions before the exam, you can still prepare for the exam. You can practice connecting works, by making diagrams like the diagram on this page . You can practice unpacking P2 questions , using activities like the one on this page . You'll notice on both pages that novels, plays and graphic novels tend to work well for Paper 2 responses, as question often ask about setting, events, characters, conflicts and other literary features of these literary forms. 

Related pages

• Paper 2 instructions
• Guide and outline: Concepts
• Paper 2 example: The Great Gatsby and The Reluctant Fundamentalist

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Sample Paper 2

• As I Lay Dying
• English Paper 2
• Ethan Frome

About This File

This essay is my sample response to an in-class practice activity for Paper 2 and mirrors an exam response using the two novels: As I Lay Dying and Ethan Frome . My teacher graded it a 22 out of 25 mark. The following is the prompt I responded to:

"The art of the storyteller is to hold the attention of the reader."

With reference to two works you have studied, discuss ways in which the writers have employed techniques that hold you attention.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, every ib english past paper available: free and official.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

In this article, I cover IB English Literature SL/HL , IB English Language and Literature SL/HL , and IB Literature and Performance SL exams. These are the core language A options for English speakers.

The IB English exams are essay based tests that require you to either a) analyze texts provided on the exam, or b) write analytical essays based on the books, poems, and other literature you've studied throughout the semester. That means one of the best ways to prepare for the exam is checking out past essays to see what writers did right...and where they got off track.

But where can you find IB English past papers, free and paid? Don't worry: we'll help you find past papers to study with and talk about how you can get the most out of these past papers during your study time.

feature image source: Books Stack Book Store Of /Pixabay

These past papers are free as a bird (or birds, in this case).

Where to Find Free IB English Past Papers: Official Resources

The IB has been cracking down on illegally uploaded past papers for the past few years, so a lot of previous sources are no longer available. IB has however, uploaded a few official past exams that you can view for free online. Below are links to the official IB English Past Papers provided by the IBO.

• English A: literature higher level/standard level: papers 1 & 2
• English A1 higher level: paper 2
• English standard level A2: paper 2

Since these are officially distributed by the IBO, these are the papers and exams you should use as a starting point as you study for your test. You need REAL IB English past papers to get realistic practice.

Where to Find Free IB English Past Papers: Unofficial Resources

Like we mentioned earlier, the IBO has been cracking down on unofficial English HL/SL papers online. However, there are still a few places where you can find past papers that have been uploaded by other users. 

One big caveat: these resources are unvetted, which means the quality of the papers is all over the place. Only use these resources after you've worked with—and studied!—the official papers above . And of course:  do not plagiarize  the ideas in any of the unofficial papers you find! 

IBResources.org 

This student-led initiative allows users to contribute past papers and other study resources to a free repository online. There are quite a few free English A SL/HL papers available on the site. You'll have to navigate a kind of clunky file interface to find them, but once you do, you'll have many free, unofficial papers to peruse. 

Reddit.com's IBO Subreddit

By searching the subreddit, you'll be able to find user-uploaded paper examples for the English IB exam . You'll have to sift through individual threads, but with some elbow grease, you'll find more free and unofficial English A SL/HL papers here. 

These papers aren't free...but if you're looking for high quality study resources beyond the official IBO ones above, these fit the bill.

Where to Find Paid IB English Past Papers

The only safe and reliable place to buy IB English past papers is from the IBO at the Follet IB Store . There are tons of scams floating around, so we don't recommend you purchase past IB English papers from anywhere else!

The IBO sells past IB English Literature SL papers, IB English Literature HL papers, IB English Language and Literature SL papers, IB English Language and Literature HL papers, and IB Literature and Performance SL papers from 2013 onward.

The site is somewhat hard to navigate, but using the search bar several times got me where I wanted to be eventually.

You're already giving maximum effort. Now maximize your outcomes! 

How to Get the Most of Each Past Paper

One complete test will take you 3 hours for SL or 4 hours for HL . If you are going to invest that much time, you need to be maximizing your learning. To do so, follow these rules.

Rule 1: Build up Your Endurance

The IBO used to split the English exam up over two days, so you would take one essay each day. As of 2021 that's no longer the case, meaning you'll have to take the full exam in one sitting. 

Here's what that means for you: you'll be doing  lots  of analyzing, writing, and thinking on test day. That can be exhausting! To make sure you have the energy you'll need to succeed, start building up your mental endurance now. 

The best way to do that is to have real-time practice sessions . On a weekend, set aside the three to four hours you'll have on test day, then write sample essays based on the writing prompts from past papers.  This will help you get a sense for what test day will be like, and you'll be able to optimize your writing process so you don't run out of time. 

Rule 2: Time Yourself

You need to get used to the timing. Here is the time allowed:

English Literature SL

• Paper 1 (Guided Textual Analysis)—1 hour 15 minutes
• Paper 2 (Comparative Essay)—1 hour 45 minutes

English Literature HL

• Paper 1 (Guided Textual Analysis)—2 hours 15 minutes
• Students will also submit a pre-written essay that's 1200 to 1500 words long. 

English Language and Literature SL

English language and literature hl, literature and performance sl.

• Paper 1 (Issues in Dramatizing a Novel)—1 hour 30 minutes
• Paper 2 (Comparative Essay)—1 hour 30 minutes
• Students will also submit an essay that critically analyzes a work and said student's performance of that work

Make sure you stick to this exact timing. Don't give yourself any extra time. Otherwise, you will not be prepared for the pacing of the actual test.

Research to Action / Flickr, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Rule 3: Review With the Mark Scheme

After completing your full test, review your answers. You must review to learn from your errors and not make them on the actual test.  And that means going over your essays with a critical eye. 

Take an hour to review. While this may seem like you are wasting time that you could be spending on other practice, it's not. You need to emphasize the quality of your practice and no the quantity of practice. I'd rather you take two practice tests with good review than eight tests with no review.

You may also consider giving your practice essays to your English teacher or other qualified mentor to review. They can give you additional insights that will help you improve your analytical and writing skills before test day! 

What's Next?

Want more tips for IB English? Then check out our complete IB English study guide for all the info you need.

Impatient to get your IB scores? Learn when IB results and scores come out.

Did you know that you can take some IB classes online? Check out our complete guide to online IB courses , including which classes you can take online and if you can get an online IB diploma.

As an SAT/ACT tutor, Dora has guided many students to test prep success. She loves watching students succeed and is committed to helping you get there. Dora received a full-tuition merit based scholarship to University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. She is also passionate about acting, writing, and photography.

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IB English Paper Two – Everything You Need to Know To Ace the Exam

Written by Jay ayliffe

When it comes to Paper 2 for IB English Lit/Lang and Lit, there are several things that students often find challenging. Some common reactions to seeing a Paper 2 for the first time include: 

• ‘The questions don’t make any sense!’
• ‘It’s too broad – I don’t know what they want me to say’
• ‘There’s no way I’m going to be able to remember the right quotes for that!’

Now, these are understandable reactions! Paper 2 can seem a little wacky and abstract, especially after the more relatively straightforward Paper 1 exam. However, if you take the time to unpack what the IB is looking for and follow the tips below, you’ll find that Paper 2 isn’t that bad. With the right preparation, it can be pretty straightforward, after all!

what is the English Paper 2 Exam?

In a nutshell, the IB asks you to write a comparative essay in response to a prompt.

Over the course of the year, whether you are a Lit or a Lang/Lit Student, you will have studied a series of texts. These may be poems, novels, plays or short stories.  The Paper 2 exam allows you to draw upon these texts, using them to explore similarities and differences in relation to the central theme of the prompt. For instance, 

“Not rounding off, but opening out.” Comment upon the way writers deal with the ending. In your answer, you should refer to two or three texts you have studied.”

Or how about?

Writers utilise a number of different devices within their works, including using time jumps or other non-linear structures. Considering two texts, discuss how writers use structural elements in unusual or interesting ways to shape meaning.”

Okay, these questions may seem a little mean at first, but you only have to answer one question! You will have 1.5 hours if you are a Standard Level (SL) student and 2 hours if you are an English Lit/Lang Higher Level (HL) student! (If you want some more help breaking down the question, check out this helpful blog on command terms )

The key thing to do here is to provide a structured and detailed answer that offers a balanced and meaningful discussion of both texts. Ideally, this means you are identifying 2-3 points of insight from the central questions relevant to both texts. This allows you to write 4-6 chunky paragraph s in answer to the question, in addition to the MANDATORY introduction and conclusion.

What do I need to do to prepare for the Paper 2 Exam?

First of all, planning is essential ! You will not know which questions the IB will ask you before opening your exam. However, a quick look over papers from previous years will tell you about the common themes and techniques the IB loves to ask about. Broadly, you can categorise these questions into three groups:

Why you should learn more than 2 works

Now, you have a rough idea of what they could ask you. Next, you should go back to your set of texts. Determine which combination of works would work best for you if you had to answer one of these questions. 

Some students commit to just learning two works. They rely on their in-depth knowledge of these texts to answer any question that may come up. I understand their approach, but I think having at least two possible combinations of texts available is best (e.g. Text A+B, A+C, or B+C). This ensures you are best prepared to answer questions with reference to the most relevant works.

Also, you certainly don’t want to be stuck giving yourself more to do by exaggerating the importance of one theme/technique in a work because that’s the only one you know!

With these choices made, you can start compiling quotes, context and moments from the texts, which you can use as evidence. Aim for 4-5 really good points of information that you can expand upon in your essay. Even better, if you already know that, you can directly compare/contrast it with a quote/technique from the other piece of work.

For instance, with my Paper 2 exam, I found it helpful to organise my notes in the following layout:

As you can see, I have prepared a mixture of quotations and techniques that I could draw upon for this question on endings. It also allows me plenty of room to elaborate on individual points when I develop new ideas and connections.

Practising Paper 2 Questions

Practising exam questions will help you feel confident writing Paper 2s. Through practice, you will also learn to adapt your prepared notes to specific prompts.

However, before getting stuck in, spend a bit of time thinking about your introductions. An excellent introduction will outline everything you want to cover in your essay, which is key to ensuring you are heading in the right direction. Have a look at the one below and think about all the different criteria it is attempting to reach:

As in all art forms, the ending of a play usually serves to resolve its central conflict, to highlight character development and to convey to the audience a final, lasting message which summarises the major themes and motifs previously seen in the performance. Wilde’s’ Importance of Being Earnest (Importance) appears to display all of these conventions as by the end of the play, the central protagonist, Jack emerges triumphant. However, theatre, as a highly versatile and varied art form, can and has been used to explore radical modernist and postmodernist approaches to art such as in Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot where these traditional conventions of an ending are questioned. Indeed, while Wilde’s play follows the traditional conventions of an ending in theatre almost to the point of comedic lunacy, Beckett’s play seeks to completely dismiss them . This is undoubtedly the result of the two theatrical productions differing purposes and cultural contexts where Importance clearly belongs to the theatrical genre of comedy of manners while Waiting for Godot is part of the theatre of the absurd.  Yet despite these radically different approaches, both highlight the importance of endings as a tool for a playwright to reiterate their main message and to provide the audience with a particular impression to take away. Sample Paper 2 Introduction by Jay

Criterion A: Knowledge, Understanding and Interpretation

• A clear statement about the writer’s choices and the effects of literary devices. It also sets up the basic structure of the essay to cover three core elements: conflict resolutions, character development and lasting message.

Criterion B: Analysis and Evaluation

• Unambiguous comparative statements about how and why the two texts differ regarding their endings, as well as share similarities.

Criterion C: Focus and Organisation

• The student introduces two key texts and their authors. There is a balanced description of both works, which the student will continue in the main body.

Criterion D: Language

• Spelling, punctuation and grammar is consistently accurate. The student uses a range of vocabulary and relevant, literary/text-specific terminology with precision.

Try to build a habit of writing essay plans with a short introduction. Doing this will help you to turn your notes and ideas into written answers more easily. It will also be an excellent resource for future exam prep! (Also, if you need help putting in the time for revision, these apps can be really helpful!)

6 Final Tips

Here are 6 final top tips to keep in mind next time you head into your Paper 2 English Exam!

• Develop Strong Time Management: Time management is crucial during the exam. Allocate a specific amount of time for planning (no more than 20 minutes) and stick to it. Make sure you give yourself enough time to talk about both works in a balanced way.
• Annotate The Question: Highlight key phrases and jot down initial thoughts. These annotations will ensure that you are sticking to the question and mean you won’t have to start with a blank page!
• Develop a Strong Thesis: In the comparative essay, a well-crafted thesis is essential (Click here to learn more about writing a brilliant thesis ). Clearly state your argument and how you will be referring to both texts in your answer. This will guide your essay and keep it focused.
• Compare Throughout: Every paragraph should start with a comparative, e.g. Both texts explore the theme of loneliness or Unlike text A, Text B utilises its setting to highlight . These topic sentences set you up to dig deeper and explore how these different writers’ choices contribute to the overall meaning and message of the texts.
• Incorporate Literary Devices: Demonstrate your knowledge of literary devices by incorporating them into your analysis. Discuss how these devices enhance the texts and support your arguments.
• Proofread and Revise: Allocate some time at the end of the exam to proofread your essays. Check for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Ensure that your ideas flow smoothly and coherently.

Final Thoughts

I hope this all helps! Remember to prepare for the prompts, test your introductions and focus on critical analysis. If you follow these tips and dedicate yourself to practise, you’ll be in the best possible position to go and ace the English Paper 2 Exam! However, if you want extra assistance and guidance, please check Lanterna’s Online Private Tutoring service . Our tutors can sit down with you 1-on-1 online and help you plan, improve and offer feedback on your Paper 2 exams.

Preparing for your IGCSE?

When preparing for IGCSE , students often seek effective strategies to enhance their chances of success. Exploring different study techniques is crucial. For instance, integrating mind mapping into your revision routine can significantly improve information retention. Additionally, consider joining or forming a study group. Collaborating with peers not only fosters a supportive learning environment but also allows for the exchange of diverse perspectives. Another valuable approach is to leverage online resources, such as educational websites and forums like Lanterna. These platforms provide access to supplementary materials and can help reinforce key concepts. By adopting these varied methods, students can tailor their preparation to suit their learning styles, setting a solid foundation for IGCSE success.

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IB Lang Lit SL/HL Paper 2 Comparative Essay: Journey

A critical commentary responding to a IB Lang Lit Paper 2 prompt comparing Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman and Henrik Ibsen's A Doll House on their use or presentation of journey/s.

The Question: Journey

Referring to two works you have studied, discuss how the writers portray the significance of a journey..

Some questions will have philosophical quotes to open the question , functioning as a frame for your thinking and interpretation of the literary/dramatic texts you choose to compare. Luckily (or perhaps unluckily), this question does not have such a feature . This means you will need to frame the topic/motif word, "journey", yourself.

Identify specific instances or moments and/or motifs/symbols in the literary texts for a sharper , more targeted comparison .

Ensure that the question/prompt/topic you choose should be quite clearly or easily seen/noticed in the texts of your choice.

Of course, this could be after allowing yourself some time to reframe/slightly re-define the topic . For instance, a journey is an act of travelling , it includes a starting point and a destination , or multiple destinations . It takes you from place/space/state to place/space/state . It involves some forms of movement or even displacement . To do so, agency is often required . You could examine both physical/literal journeys/movements and spiritual/metaphorical ones. So feel free (of course with restraint and discretion), to redefine or reframe the prompt/concept word such that it allows more space and applicability to your texts . However, do exercise discretion when doing so. Ensure that you are not distorting the topic or the prompt into something unrecognisable!

Do be acutely sensitive to the similarities or differences in literary form and structure of the texts you have studied. Even if they are of similar form (prose, drama, poetry), there are often differences or nuances to their styles , and the socio-historical and literary contexts in which the texts have been produced, shaped and situated .

The Essay for IB Lang Lit Paper 2

The characters in Death of a Salesman (henceforth Salesman ) by Arthur Miller and A Doll’s House (henceforth Doll) by Henrik Ibsen undertake various journeys of great significance. On the surface, these journeys symbolise immense promise, fundamentally altering the course of characters’ lives toward fortune and success. However, this potential is deeply deceptive. For both Willy Loman and Nora Helmer, these journeys represent their deepest insecurities and fears as well, embodying their greatest failings in the eyes of society. At the end of the two texts, both characters embark on final journeys to leave their lives behind definitively. While Willy’s last journey into death is a culmination of his empty life of failure and broken dreams, Nora’s departure represents a fresh beginning for her, journeying away from her old life of restriction and dependence toward a new future of freedom.

Both Salesman and Doll have significant journeys at their core, travelling to faraway lands in pursuit of fortune and salvation. In Salesman , Miller employs Willy’s older brother Ben’s journey to Africa, where he made his fortune discovering diamond mines, as a potent symbol of the American Dream. When Ben first appears to Willy, Miller’s stage directions describe him as “a stolid man, in his sixties, with a moustache and an authoritative air”, painting a striking portrait of his confident stature and presence. Indeed, he is “utterly certain of his destiny, and there is an aura of far places about him” – his commanding, well-travelled presence embodies respect, power, and wealth to Willy, wholly encapsulating his ultimate conception of consummate success. Indeed, Ben’s journey into the jungle with its diamonds is a repeated motif throughout Salesman . Existing as a figment of Willy’s imagination, Ben and his journey symbolise the American Dream, feeding into the pipe dream of rags-to-riches success that Willy has chased his whole life. Willy’s belief that, “the jungle is dark but full of diamonds” demonstrates his unwavering faith and hope in an exotic journey to lead him towards the glittering promise of precious diamonds, delivering him the fortune and fulfilment that he desperately desires.

In Ibsen’s work, it is the Helmers’ journey to Italy to cure Torvald’s illness that forms the foundation of their life of bliss and luxury thereafter, serving as a central symbol of Nora’s love and commitment to her role as Torvald’s wife and their happy life together. Nora explains to Mrs Linde, “It was to me that the doctors came and said that [Torvald’s] life was in danger, and that the only thing to save him was to live in the south.” Indeed, the life-threatening stakes of the journey are evident, underscored by the absolute “only” suggesting its sheer importance for Torvald’s survival. As such, she tells Mrs Linde that “I too have something to be proud and glad of. It was I who saved Torvald’s life.” Her repetition of the personal pronoun emphasises her role and agency in saving her husband, evincing the magnitude of her happiness and sense of achievement in her efforts. Indeed, the journey is Nora’s greatest triumph. Just as Ben’s journey is a symbol of the riches and success that Willy dreams of, the Helmers’ journey is likewise a symbol for Nora of their good fortune, single-handedly saving her beloved and ensuring the future of their “beautiful happy home”.

However, these journeys harbour deeper, darker significances as well. These journeys serve as portentous symbols of betrayal and deceit in the texts, burdening the characters with their heavy, leaden weight. In Salesman , while both Willy’s father’s journey to Alaska and Ben’s journey to Africa represent their pursuit of great riches and success, they are also painful symbols of the betrayal and abandonment he suffers. As Willy reminisces, “Dad left when I was such a baby and I never had a chance to talk to him and I still feel– kind of temporary about myself” – the polysyndeton adds a plaintive, child-like quality to his speech, emphasised by his forlorn admission of his feelings of “temporar[iness]”, demonstrating his deep sense of hurt and betrayal from his father’s journey to Alaska. Similarly, Willy “longingly” pleads “Can’t you stay a few days” as Ben moves to leave the scene, desperately trying to get Ben to remain with him. For Willy, these expeditions are traumatic reminders of his father’s and brother’s betrayals of him, leaving him behind to fend for himself in the dust, revealing the dual significance of their journeys.

For Doll , it is Nora’s act of deceit and subterfuge that forms the core of the Helmers’ journey to Italy. Not only was her forgery to borrow the money for the trip a criminal act, but her deception of doing so behind Torvald’s back represents a massive transgression against the societal expectations of female obedience and financial dependence. As such, the significance of her betrayal and deceit lies in her desperate attempts to conceal her disgraceful secret, lest it ruin the Helmers’ happiness and reputation it had brought about. In criticising Krogstad’s own act of forgery, Torvald unknowingly comments on his wife’s own situation, saying, “A fog of lies like that in a household, and it spreads disease and infection to every part of it. Every breath the children take in that kind of house is reeking of evil germs.” Ibsen employs the metaphor of infection to describe perceived moral bankruptcy, proliferating and eating away at all in its vicinity. Powerfully, he even adopts the idea of an all-consuming “fog” that envelopes everyone in its shroud, invasively entering the “breath” of children and thoroughly corrupting them. The Helmers’ journey to Italy is one such act of deceit, suggesting that in Nora’s greatest act of love and salvation lies a symbol of her deepest disgrace and betrayal of society’s conventions and expectations of her.

Damningly, the two playwrights also demonstrate the ultimate hollowness of the fortunes promised by these journeys. In Salesman , Miller deflates the symbol of the American Dream with the sharp pin prick of reality, exposing the beguiling riches and fortune of exotic journeys as empty promises. When Willy asks Linda about the “diamond watch fob” that Ben brought back from Africa for him, Linda reminds him that he “pawned it… for Biff’s radio correspondence course.” The symbolic riches of Ben’s journey to Africa are undermined by the harsh reality of the Lomans’ poverty, exposing the hollowness of the lofty fortune and success that Ben’s journey promised. Moreover, Willy’s own journeys as a salesman are a far cry from the exciting, fortune-filled adventures of Ben’s expedition, with his dull, dreary travels earning him a paltry income that barely supports his family. When Willy initially recounts his business journey to Linda, he proudly declares that he made “five hundred gross in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston”. Yet, these inflated boasts are quickly punctured as Linda works out his actual earnings of a meagre “seven dollars and some pennies”, only worsened by the overwhelming cumulative list of mounting debts in “…nine-sixty for the washing machine… for the vacuum cleaner there’s three and a half due on the fifteenth. Then the roof, you got twenty-one dollars remaining”. Far from the alluring promise of wealth and adventures embodied by the “diamonds” , Willy’s own journeys merely offer the mundane reality of broken household appliances and indigent poverty, exposing the drab truth belying the glittering journey towards the American Dream.

Likewise, Ibsen demonstrates the inherent hollowness of the blissful family life gleaned from the Helmers’ journey. Just as Willy realises that the promise of Ben’s epic journey is a mere pipe dream, it becomes evident that the apparent good fortune of love and happiness brought about by the Helmers’ trip is a lie, with their marriage built primarily on Torvald’s desire for respect, control, and reputation, rather than any genuine feeling. Upon discovering Nora’s secret, Torvald’s reaction is not one of gratitude but instead of deep reproach and fury, exposing his preoccupation with social approval above all else. He tells Nora, “The thing must be hushed up at all costs”, only able to refer to her act of selfless sacrifice obliquely as “the thing”, and even demanding continued secrecy around the truth of their journey to the extent of the absolute in “at all costs”, demonstrating the intensity of his shame and emasculated humiliation. Cruelly, he declares, “All we can do is save the bits and pieces from the wreck, preserve appearances…”. The ideal life of a loving husband and happy family crumbles as Torvald reveals his true colours, callously referring to Nora’s greatest act of love as a disastrous “wreck”, leaving behind the ruined remnants of “bits and pieces” from their former, blissful façade. Instead, he is focused on the maintenance of “appearances”, suggesting his prioritisation of his social image over any true affection or love for Nora. As such, Ibsen demonstrates the superficiality of their love, exposing their joyful domestic life together, made possible by their trip to Italy, to be lacking in true happiness and only possessing frivolous, foolish “merry”.

Ultimately, both plays end with their respective protagonists’ departure from their old lives. For Salesman , Willy takes his car and commits suicide, embarking on a tragic final journey into the “dark jungle” of death. In the Requiem, Linda tells Willy, “I made the last payment on the house today. Today, dear. And there’ll be nobody home”. Despite the fulfilment of one of the Loman’s life goals, the “diamonds” reaped are completely hollow, without any happiness, family, or meaning behind it. We are confronted with the inherent meaninglessness of the various journeys of Willy’s life, as well as the ultimate emptiness of his final journey into death, demonstrating the yawning chasm between reality and the grand symbolism of Ben’s journey and the American Dream. In the closing moments of Salesman , the stage is filled with the enchanting “music of the flute”, alluding to the tantalising journey into the wilderness that eluded Willy all his life. Even in death, he is haunted by the glimmering potential of what could have been, leading away towards riches and success just out of reach.

Conversely, Nora’s flight is much more empowering and hopeful. While Willy’s death is merely the final meaningless journey of a long life of meaningless journeys, Nora’s departure stands in contrast to the Helmers’ trip that catalyses the play. The woman who embarked on that initial journey, naïve and wholly self-effacing in the face of her husband’s needs, is different from the woman who leaves her husband at the end of the play, independent and free from the restrictions of his patronising iron fist of control. The play ends with “the sound of a door shutting”, with its resounding note of finality ringing out across the stage in a decisive end to her old life of dependence and captivity.

While both plays employ journeys as a glimmering symbol of reward, promising great fortune and fulfilment, Miller and Ibsen recognise the deceptive quality of these false promises. In time, these journeys come to harbour darker significances of deceit and betrayal for the characters, with their apparent promises of happiness and riches exposed to be hollow illusions. At the end of each play, both protagonists embark on final journeys to leave their old lives behind. While Willy’s final journey into death encapsulates a lifetime hopelessly spent chasing dreams just out of reach, Ibsen illuminates a brighter, hopeful future for Nora as she begins her new life.

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HL External Assessments, first examinations 2021

HL Paper 2: Comparative essay (1 hour 45 minutes)

The paper consists of four general questions. In response to one question, students write a comparative essay based on two works studied in the course. (30 marks) 25%

SL Paper 2: Comparative essay (1 hour 45 minutes)

The paper consists of four general questions. In response to one question, students write a comparative essay based on two works studied in the course. Students are required to answer one question only.(30 marks) 35%

The only difference between HL and SL is that HL Paper 2 is weighted less at 25% while SL Paper 2 is weighted at 25%.

Comparative essay on literary texts

Paper Two Explained

Paper Two Rubric

High Exemplar and Comments

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Producing a Paper Two: Compare and Contrast Two Texts Analysis, IB External Assessment (May of Senior Year)

Compare and Contrast Two Texts, Similarities and Differences

Compare and Contrast Two Texts, Point by Point Method

Compare and Contrast Two Texts, Block Method

Developing a Thesis

TWO WORKS: Writing the thesis statement for a compare/contrast essay

In (Name of Work), (Full Name of Author) (uses, employs, utilizes), (device/strategy/technique), and (device/strategy/technique) to (show, reveal, emphasize, argue, insist, point out) that (effect/purpose/theme), while in (Name of Work), (Full Name of Author) (uses, employs, utilizes), (device/strategy/technique), and (device/strategy/technique) to (show, reveal, emphasize, argue, insist, point out) that (effect/purpose/theme).

In (Name of Work) and (Name of Work), both (Full Name of First Author) and (Full Name of Second Author) (use, employ, utilize, rely on) (device/strategy/technique) to (show, reveal, emphasize, argue, insist, point out) that (effect/purpose/theme)

Paper 2 Exam Review

In this asynchronous Paper 2 Exam Revision Course, you will read two short stories.  The first is A Family Supper by Kazuo Ishiguro.  The second is titled Stones by Timothy Findley.  These stories are rich in both themes and authorial choices, and they make great texts to demonstrate the entire Paper 2 process from start to finish.

We believe in the “we go, you go” method of Paper 2 revision.  This means we’ll model important steps with our short stories, and then ask you to go through the same steps with your selected Paper 2 texts.  After the 10 lessons, you will have written a complete sample Paper 2 essay for your texts under our guidance. We are confident that completing this process will have you well-prepared for exam day.

Our Paper 2 Exam Revision Course includes:

• 10 complete asynchronous lessons with downloadable documents
• More than 2 hours of new instructional video from Dave and Andrew not released on YouTube
• 5 formative checks to ensure understanding of key concepts
• 2 downloadable short stories for annotation
• Completed graphic organizers for both stories to model critical thinking skills
• Empty graphic organizers to complete for your chosen Paper 2 texts
• Sample Paper 2 response discussing similarities and differences in the 2 stories
• Examiner scoring notes and video discussion for the sample Paper 2
• Template for reflection and determining next steps
• Links to other powerful resources and activities to further supplement Paper 2 revision

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Essay Structure for Paper 2

We recommend two essay structures to use for IB English Paper 2: Basic and Advanced.

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May 2023 Paper 2: Sample Response 1 (Question 3)

Thursday 19 October 2023

You can find the model response (exemplar) here.  

Of course, May 2023 was the first iteration of Paper 2 for the revamped English A: Language and Literature course.  The assessment task requires a heavy focus on comparing and contrasting.  This is both in the ideas or concepts (think content of the literary works) and in the ways in which that content is revealed (think techniques or broader authorial choices).

It’s a tough assessment!

Because it can be a hard assessment for students to conceptualize, we've also published another page in conjunction with the model response.  You can find it here .  The goal of that page is to help students answer this question: How do I compare and contrast both the content and the authorial choices in relation to the question?  It breaks down the exemplar and then asks students to fill out their own graphic organizer in relation to the same question, using two literary works they have studied. 

We've also re-housed the 11 Paper 2 exemplars we already have on the site under the heading "Pre-2023 Paper 2s."   If you are looking for those samples - and they are still great to use with students! - you will find them there.  

Finally, over time, we will continue to add more exemplars from the May 2023 Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams.  We know you want exemplars from us and we will deliver! 

Tags: Tim , Paper 2 , examinations , model examples , exemplars , May 2023 first exams