Dulwich College — 11+ English Specimen Paper
Dulwich College set this 11+ English paper. Hearthprep hosts it as an interactive past paper — 7 questions worth 70 marks in 105 minutes, each marked the moment the paper is submitted and backed by a step-by-step worked solution. Most 11+ entrance exams are sat between November and January of the year of entry.
Real 11+ English paper from Dulwich College. 7 questions, 70 marks. Answer interactively with worked solutions. Covers Creative Writing, Literary Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary.
This is the school's own past paper, reproduced here with worked solutions by Hearthprep. Most 11+ 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
- Dulwich College
- Entry level
- 11+
- Subject
- English
- Year
- Undated
- Questions
- 7
- Marks
- 70
- Time
- 105 minutes
- Exam board
- ISEB
Topics in this paper
- Creative Writing
- Literary Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
Questions in this paper (3 of 7)
- Question 1short answer · 5 marks
Read the extract below, set in 1570s Tudor England. A woman named Ellen Greenliefe has been accused of witchcraft. She has hidden her very young daughter in a secret passage under the floorboards of her cottage. 'OPEN THE DOOR, CRONE!' Again, the frame of the tiny cottage shook. Ellen sighed. 'Crone?' she murmured to herself, fishing a bonnet from the back of a chair, and stuffing her masses of…
- Question 2written answer · 12 marks
This question tests your ability to discuss language. The following four quotations are from the first paragraph (the description of the handsome man). Explain how the writer conveys a sense of activity and excitement (or, in part (d), your overall impression of the 'handsome man') in each. Your ability to discuss the meanings of individual words and to identify literary techniques (such as met…
- Question 3written answer · 6 marks
This question tests your understanding of character. Think about the character of the handsome man AFTER line 24. In your own words, explain what the following two quotations say about his character: (a) 'His smugness showed so plainly on his face, Ellen thought for a moment he might take a bow.' EXPLANATION: (3 marks) (b) 'His eyes roamed greedily over her, as though searching for something.' …
4 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 Dulwich College — 11+ English Specimen Paper?
7 questions worth 70 marks in total, written for 105 minutes. It covers Creative Writing, Literary Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary. Dulwich College set it as a 11+ English paper.
How long is the Dulwich College 11+ English paper?
This paper is timed at 105 minutes for 70 marks — roughly 90 seconds a mark. Hearthprep runs the same clock on screen, so your child sees how far through the time they are as they answer.
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 4 and the marking come with a paid plan.
Where does this Dulwich College paper come from?
This is the school's own past paper, reproduced here with worked solutions by Hearthprep. Use it to time a full mock attempt, then drill whichever topics your child drops marks on.
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