Valentine
Edexcel GCSE English Literature revision on Valentine. Aligned to the Edexcel GCSE English Literature 1ET0 specification. This bank has 15 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 15)
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Question 1
Who says: 'Not a red rose or a satin heart.'?
- A) The speaker
- B) A jilted lover
- C) A wedding guest
- D) The poet's husband
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Answer: The speaker
The speaker is the persona Duffy adopts to challenge traditional romantic tropes. She rejects conventional symbols like red roses and satin hearts to present a more realistic view of love.
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Question 2
What literary technique does the writer use in: 'It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.'?
- A) Simile
- B) Metaphor
- C) Hyperbole
- D) Personification
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Answer: Metaphor
A metaphor is a direct comparison between two unrelated things. By describing the onion as a 'moon', Duffy suggests the onion is a luminous, essential object hidden within humble, plain packaging.
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Question 3
What does this line reveal about the speaker's view of love: 'It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief.'?
- A) Love is always joyful and permanent
- B) Love is beautiful but requires sacrifice
- C) Love can be painful and distort our sense of self
- D) Love is a distraction from reality
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Answer: Love can be painful and distort our sense of self
The word 'grief' links love to potential suffering and loss. The 'wobbling' reflection suggests that the intensity of love can make us feel vulnerable and emotionally unsteady.
Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?
12 more questions on Valentine — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole English Literature spec.