english lit exam - 45 minutes - write 1 essay

English Lit exam - 45 minutes - Write 1 essay

Setting – Chapter One

• Read through chapter one again, carefully. Note all the words used to describe the setting, and draw it as accurately as you can.

• 15 minutes from the start of the lesson


‘Of Mice and Men’ Tasks to help you prepare for your

Literature exam



Chapter 2

Why 'Of Mice and Men'?The title of the novel comes from a poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759 - 96):

The best laid schemes o' mice and menGang aft agley [often go wrong]And leave us nought but grief and painFor promised joy!

Question: how many ways does this apply to the novel?

This applies to the novel because…

10 minutes

Objectives: investigating the literary background of the title, applying knowledge of the text to this specific question, considering the plot



Chapter 2

Crooks is the most privileged character in the novel

Carlson is the most honest character, the one we identify with most

Curley’s wife committed suicide

George is an evil man

Steinbeck is a sexist, racist, ageist author

Controversial OpinionsChallenging your opinions and expectations of

the book.


Sample questions1. The killing of Candy's old dog foreshadowed Lennie's death. Describe the two killings, pointing

out any similarities and differences between them.

2. When all the other ranch hands go to town, Lennie, Crooks and Candy are left behind. Describe what each of these three do after the others leave, and explain what they have in common that causes them to be left out.

3. Describe in some detail the farm that George and Lennie dream of owning one day. When Candy and Crooks join the dream, what part do they foresee themselves playing?

4. Curley's wife appears three times in the novel. Briefly describe what takes place on each occasion. On which occasion does she reveal the most about herself, and what is it?

5. 'I like to pet nice things with my fingers, soft things.' Trace in detail the 'sof' things' that Lennie pets in the novel, showing that the petting grows more serious as the novel goes on.

6. Describe in some detail the incident where Lennie crushes Curley's hand. What does this incident reveal about each of these two characters?

7. While Curley is physically aggressive towards Lennie, his wife is sexually provocative. Show how these two characters create trouble for Lennie, and combine to cause his death.

8. Many people in the novel suffer from disappointment. Choose any three of the following characters and discuss what reasons they have to be disappointed about their life: Crooks - Curley - George - Candy

9. Which character do you feel most sorry for in this story? Explain your choice by referring closely to the events of the novel.


Arrange these events in chronological order in which they happen in the book:


Arrange these events in chronological order in which they happen in the book:


1

3

2

4

13

14

1

5

9

10

7

6

8

11

12

“Crooks’ face lighted with pleasure in his torture.”

• Explain the meaning of this quote, and put it in context

(explain where it is in the novel and what is happening)• Explain the significance of it (Why is it important? What does

it show?) • Discuss the specific language choices made by Steinbeck

(pick out the most interesting word/s and explain your choice)

10 minutes

Objectives: practising exam-style responses, analysing language from a key quotation, forming PEE paragraphs, practising attention to detail, practising timed writing

Write your answers to these questions in a PEE paragraph/s, in full prose, in the style of an exam response


15 minutes

Objectives: working on essay planning, considering Steinbeck’s portrayal of Curley’s wife

Is Curley’s wife innocent or guilty?

Plan an essay answering this question.

This could be in the form of a spider-diagram or list.

Then write your introduction…


15 minutes

Objectives: working on language analysis, writing in detail

‘Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large pale eyes, with wide sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a

bear drags its paws’

•Pick out individual words and discuss

•Write about any poetic techniques

•Consider the ‘big picture’ – what does it mean / show


15 minutes

Objectives: working on language analysis, writing in detail

Choose a sentence from the first chapter and write about

it in detail •Pick out individual words and discuss

•Write about any poetic techniques

•Consider the ‘big picture’ – what does it mean / show


Internal MonologuesWrite a few sentences in your books that could be

going through George or Lennie’s mind in the moments below. Use the first person:

Lennie• Waiting for George by pool.• George finds Lennie.• During George’s recital of the dream

George• George finds Lennie at the end.• During his own recital of their dream.• When the other men arrive, at the denouement.

10 minutes

Objectives: insight into characters, revision of key events, creative writing practice (Lang Paper 2 Section B)

Re-read Chapter Three• In pairs, or individually, find evidence that:

1. Candy is afraid of the future.2. Curley is a coward.3. Lennie is afraid of violence.4. Lennie is very strong.5. Lennie does as George tells him.6. Sometimes it is hard for George to control Lennie.7. Lennie did not mean any real harm.

10 minutes

Objectives: locating and using key quotes, understanding characters’ motivations


Pairs activity

Here are some questions being asked to some key characters. Prepare a written response to them.

• Curley’s wife – Why did you go to see Lennie in the barn when you knew his strength and what your husband would think?

• Lennie – Why did you kill Curley’s wife?• Candy – How did you feel when you found the body?

10 minutes

Objectives: appreciating the importance of minor characters (Curley’s wife and Candy), understanding characters’ motivations, developing empathy, practising creative writing skills (Lang Paper 2 Sec B)


Individual Activity

How does Steinbeck communicate to the reader the tension felt by the men as they wait for

Candy's dog to be shot?

10 minutes

Objectives: approaching essay-style questions, considering the author’s language

Write your answer in the style of an exam response, in full sentences and in the PEE

format.


P – make a point

E – give an example (often a quote)

E – explanation (say more, and comment on what you have written)

Using the PEE formatThe PEE format is a basic way of helping you to write thorough answers.

Thorough answers get you marks. It should be considered a minimum requirement.


This student has answered the following questions with great points but no examples or explanations. Fail! Help them out by adding the EE to their PEEs:

‘Soledad’ is Spanish for loneliness. Why do you think Steinbeck chose this setting?

Steinbeck chose ‘Soledad’ because it reflects the loneliness of the characters and of the whole country at the time the novel is set.

For example, the character…

Also, the time in which it was set could be considered lonely because…

P

E

E


This PEE section is from an essay about Carlson:

Carlson is a minor but interesting character created by Steinbeck to make the reader see how an insensitive person would react to the emotional trauma in the novel.

For example,

He is unusual because of this…

Which is the most important example of foreshadowing (hinting at what comes later) in the novel?

Candy’s dog is a clear reflection of George and Lennie’s situation, and also makes George’s mind up about what he does at the end.

For example, Candy says…

This reflects what happens later because…

P

E

E


P

E

E

11y• Done Crooks’ face activity• Done Robert Burns activity• Done chapter 1 posters and analysis• Shown Salinas and Steinbeck display• Shown Great depression slide show• Done innocent or guilty question plan• Given character profile homework• Done language focus tasks• Given Slim essay plan

11X• Shown Salinas and Steinbeck display• Done Chapter 1 posters and analysis• Given character profile homework• Done innocent or guilty question plan• Shown Great depression slide show• Done Crooks’ face activity• Done language focus tasks• Given Slim essay plan

english lit exam - 45 minutes - write 1 essay

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