The John Lyon School — 13+ English Sample Paper 2023
The John Lyon School published this 13+ English sample paper in 2023 to show the assessment style; it is official school material, not a past paper. Hearthprep makes it interactive — 9 questions worth 40 marks in a 90-minute timed mode, each marked on submission and backed by a step-by-step worked solution.
Real 13+ English paper from The John Lyon School (2023). 9 questions, 40 marks. Answer interactively with worked solutions. Covers Creative Writing, Literary Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary.
The John Lyon School published this sample paper as preparation for its assessment. It is official school material, but not a paper candidates actually sat. Most 13+ entrance exams are sat between November and January of the year of entry, so a timed attempt at this paper is worth doing early enough to leave room for the topics it exposes. Work through it on screen with instant marking, or print the PDF and sit it under exam conditions.
- School
- The John Lyon School
- Entry level
- 13+
- Subject
- English
- Year
- 2023
- Questions
- 9
- Marks
- 40
- Time allowed
- 90 minutes
- Updated
- 3 Sept 2026
Topics in this paper
- Creative Writing
- Literary Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
Questions in this paper (3 of 9)
- Question 1short answer · 1 mark
Read the following passage from 'The Return of the Native' by Thomas Hardy, then answer the question below. Passage: "A Saturday afternoon in November was approaching the time of twilight, and the vast tract of unenclosed wild known as Egdon Heath embrowned itself moment by moment. Overhead the hollow stretch of whitish cloud shutting out the sky was as a tent which had the whole heath for its …
- Question 2written answer · 3 marks
Read the following extract from 'The Return of the Native' by Thomas Hardy, then answer the question below. Extract (lines 3-4): "Overhead the hollow stretch of whitish cloud shutting out the sky was as a tent which had the whole heath for its floor." Explain the Tent simile in lines 3 and 4. (3 marks)
- Question 3short answer · 1 mark
Read the following extract from 'The Return of the Native' by Thomas Hardy, then answer the question below. Extract (lines 10-11): "Looking upwards, a furze-cutter would have been inclined to continue work; looking down, he would have decided to finish his faggot and go home." Glossary: Faggot = a bundle of sticks or other vegetation. What do you think a 'furze cutter' is? (1 mark)
6 further questions in this paper open with any paid plan, along with marking and the worked solutions. See plans.
Frequently asked questions
What is in the The John Lyon School — 13+ English Sample Paper 2023?
9 questions with 40 marks in total; The John Lyon School allowed 90 minutes for it. It covers Creative Writing, Literary Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary. The John Lyon School published this sample paper as preparation for its assessment. It is official school material, but not a paper candidates actually sat.
How long is the The John Lyon School 13+ English paper?
The John Lyon School printed an allowance of 90 minutes on this paper. The paper carries 40 marks, roughly 135 seconds a mark.
Can my child answer this paper online?
Yes. Every question on this page can be answered in the browser and is marked the moment the paper is submitted — multiple choice, short answers and written responses alike. Answers are matched leniently, so a correct value written a different way (units, fractions, word numbers) still scores.
Are worked solutions included?
Every question has a step-by-step worked solution and an AI tutor that will talk through it after the paper is submitted. The first 3 questions of this paper are free to try; the remaining 6 and the marking come with a paid plan.
Is this a real past paper?
The John Lyon School published this sample paper as preparation for its assessment. It is official school material, but not a paper candidates actually sat. Use it to time a full mock attempt, then drill whichever topics your child drops marks on.
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