1. GCSE English Literature on Monday 18th May
You will have to answer 2 questions:
Section A – An Inspector Calls
Section B - Of Mice and Men
It would be advisable if you bought your own copy of the play so that you can write notes in your book.

2. Section B – Of Mice and Men
You will have to answer one question, worth 30 marks.
In Part a you will have to respond to a passage from the text.
In Part b you will have to link the passage with the whole text.

3. When revising the novel you need to know about…
The key characters, what makes them tick and how they relate to other characters, you should think about their role in the novel i.e. Do they represent a concept?
The themes of the novel
The language used – does the author use dialect words, colloquialisms, accents, descriptive language?
The structure of the novel, what is significant about the way it is divided up, the way it begins or the way it ends?
The methods the author uses – these will not match the methods you have studied for poetry – you will need to focus on language, structure, motifs and narrative perspective.

4. Context:
Key themes:
Steinbeck’s purpose for writing the novel?

5. Context: set in 1920’s during USA Depression
What was life like in those days?
Key themes: Marginalisation, Friendship,
Loneliness, Dreams, Racism, Relationships
Steinbeck’s purpose for writing the novel?
wanted readers to understand how hard life was for migrant & marginalised people
To understand the issues affecting people

6. LO: To explore the techniques Steinbeck uses to introduce Candy
Jot down everything you have learnt about Candy –
appearance, personality, attitude to other people

7. LO: To explore the techniques Steinbeck uses to introduce Candy
Appearance
Personality
Things he says
Choice of words/imagery used to describe Candy
Things he does
Themes he represents in the novel

8. Candy – the swamper
Candy is the oldest ranch hand. He lost his right hand in an accident at work.
He is the 'swamper' - the man who cleans the bunkhouse. He knows he will be thrown out and put 'on the county' when he is too old to work.
Because of this, he accepts what goes on and doesn't challenge anything: he can't afford to lose his job.
He has a very old dog, which he has had from a pup. It is his only friend and companion
What is Candy’s biggest fear?

9. Themes are the ideas and issues that the writer wants the reader to reflect upon
What themes is Steinbeck reflecting through the character of Candy?
Old Age
The underdog
Marginalisation

10. What methods does Steinbeck use in the passage to present Candy?
The old man was reassured. He had drawn a derogatory statement from George.
He felt safe now, and he spoke more confidently. ‘Wait’ll you see Curley’s wife.’ George cut the cards again and put out a solitaire lay, slowly and deliberately.
‘Purty?’ he asked casually.
‘Yeah. Purty ... but ––’
George studied his cards. ‘But what?’
‘Well – she got the eye.’
‘Yeah? Married two weeks and got the eye? Maybe that’s why Curley’s pants is full of ants.’
‘I seen her give Slim the eye. Slim’s a jerkline skinner. Hell of a nice fella. Slim don’t need to wear no high-heeled boots on a grain team. I seen her give Slim the eye. Curley never seen it. An’
I seen her give Carlson the eye.’ George pretended a lack of interest. ‘Looks like we was gonna
have fun.’
The swamper stood up from his box. ‘Know what I think?’ George did not answer.
‘Well, I think Curley’s married ... a tart.’
‘He ain’t the first,’ said George. ‘There’s plenty done that.’
The old man moved toward the door, and his ancient dog lifted his head and peered about, and then got painfully to his feet to follow. ‘I gotta be settin’ out the wash basins for the guys. The teams’ll be in before long. You guys gonna buck barley?’
‘Yeah.’
‘You won’t tell Curley nothing I said?’
‘Hell no.’
‘Well, you look her over, mister. You see if she ain’t a tart.’ He stepped out the door into the brilliant sunshine.

11. How do I approach the exam paper ?
Read the question carefully and underline the key words
Look for examples in the extract
Annotate them – link them to the title eg. What does the quote suggest about the ……………
Then write up your answer in full sentences. You will need to support your views with evidence from the text.

12. What must I do to achieve my target?
LO: Can I explain what methods Steinbeck uses in this passage to present Candy?
B grade I can explain how Steinbeck has used language to present the character of Candy. I can analyse key quotes to support my views. I can link my views to the key themes in the novel.
C grade I can comment on how Steinbeck has used language to present the character of Candy. I can begin to use some quotes to support my views. I can refer to some themes that Candy represents.

13. AO1 old knows a lot about people on the ranch/a gossip doesn‟t think highly of Curley‟s wife – possibly link to gender and society lacks confidence and also is lonely – he appears to want to please as if that will secure him a friend is a warm and welcoming character to George and Lennie
AO2 Candy is important to the novel – he is a pivotal character as he introduces all the characters on the ranch to George and Lennie and the reader he is the first character we meet after George and Lennie „tart‟ – clearly shows viewpoint of women dialect
AO4 shows another form of discrimination in society at the time segregation of society – theme of loneliness and isolation roles and work in society

14. How do I approach the exam paper ?
Read the question carefully and underline the key words
Look for examples in the extract
Annotate them – link them to the title eg. What does the quote suggest about the ……………
Then write up your answer in full sentences. You will need to support your views with evidence from the text.

15. You are advised to spend 45 minutes on this question.
“Aw, nuts!” she said. “What kinda harm am I doin’ to you? Seems like they ain’t none of them cares how I gotta live. I tell you I ain’t used to livin’ like this. I coulda made somethin’ of myself.” She said darkly, “Maybe I will yet.” And then her words tumbled out in a passion of communication, as though she hurried before her listener could be taken away. “I lived right in Salinas,” she said. “Come there when I was a kid. Well, a show come through, an’ I met one of the actors. He says I could go with that show. But my ol’ lady wouldn’t let me. She says because I was on’y fifteen. But the guy says I coulda. If I’d went, I wouldn’t be livin’ like this, you bet.” Lennie stroked the pup back and forth.
She went on with her story quickly, before she could be interrupted. “’Nother time I met a guy, an’ he was in pitchers. Went out to the Riverside Dance Palace with him. He says he was gonna put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. Soon’s he got back to Hollywood he was gonna write to me about it.” She looked closely at Lennie to see whether she was impressing him. “I never got that letter,” she said. “I always thought my ol’ lady stole it. Well, I wasn’t gonna stay no place where I couldn’t get nowhere or make something of myself, an’ where they stole your letters, I ast her if she stole it, too, an’ she says no. So I married Curley. Met him out to the Riverside Dance Palace that same night.” She demanded, “You listenin’?”
“Me? Sure.”
“Well, I ain’t told this to nobody before. Maybe I oughten to. I don’ like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella.” And because she had confided in him, she moved closer to Lennie and sat beside him.
You are advised to spend 45 minutes on this question.
In this passage, how does Steinbeck present Curley’s wife and the attitude of others to her? Refer closely to the passage in your answer.
Part (a)

16. How do I approach the exam paper ?
Read the question carefully and underline the key words
Look for examples in the extract
Annotate them – link them to the title eg. What does the quote suggest about the ……………
Then write up your answer in full sentences. You will need to support your views with evidence from the text.

17. “Aw, nuts. ” she said. “What kinda harm am I doin’ to you
“Aw, nuts!” she said. “What kinda harm am I doin’ to you? Seems like they ain’t none of them cares how I gotta live. I tell you I ain’t used to livin’ like this. I coulda made somethin’ of myself.” She said darkly, “Maybe I will yet.” And then her words tumbled out in a passion of communication, as though she hurried before her listener could be taken away. “I lived right in Salinas,” she said. “Come there when I was a kid. Well, a show come through, an’ I met one of the actors. He says I could go with that show. But my ol’ lady wouldn’t let me. She says because I was on’y fifteen. But the guy says I coulda. If I’d went, I wouldn’t be livin’ like this, you bet.” Lennie stroked the pup back and forth.
She went on with her story quickly, before she could be interrupted. “’Nother time I met a guy, an’ he was in pitchers. Went out to the Riverside Dance Palace with him. He says he was gonna put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. Soon’s he got back to Hollywood he was gonna write to me about it.” She looked closely at Lennie to see whether she was impressing him. “I never got that letter,” she said. “I always thought my ol’ lady stole it. Well, I wasn’t gonna stay no place where I couldn’t get nowhere or make something of myself, an’ where they stole your letters, I ast her if she stole it, too, an’ she says no. So I married Curley. Met him out to the Riverside Dance Palace that same night.” She demanded, “You listenin’?”
“Me? Sure.”
“Well, I ain’t told this to nobody before. Maybe I oughten to. I don’ like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella.” And because she had confided in him, she moved closer to Lennie and sat beside him.

18. Assessment Objectives (AOs) for Part a questions
All specifications in English Literature must require candidates to demonstrate their ability to:
AO1 • respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations
AO2 • explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings
AO4 * relate texts to their social, cultural and historical contexts; explain how texts have been influential and significant to self and other readers in different contexts and at different times
Audience’s response/purpose of novel
Themes

19. What must I do to achieve my target?
LO: Can I explain what methods Steinbeck uses in this passage to present Candy?
B grade I can explain how Steinbeck has used language to present the character of Curley’s wife. I can analyse key quotes to support my views. I can link my views to the key themes in the novel.
C grade I can comment on how Steinbeck has used language to present the character of Curley’s wife. I can begin to use some quotes to support my views. I can refer to some themes that Curley’s wife represents.

20. Possible content

21. Of Mice and Men Mock Exam Question: 45 Minutes Part a) sentence starters 3
In this passage, Steinbeck presents (insert keywords from question) as….
For example, Steinbeck writes, “……..”’
This quotation presents (insert keywords from question) as …..
This is because the word/negative/positive/adjective/adverb/imagery ‘……..’ suggests that…
The quotation could also present (insert keywords from question) as…..

22. In the novel, Steinbeck presents (insert keywords from question) as….
Of Mice and Men Mock Exam Question: 45 Minutes Part b) sentence starters
In the novel, Steinbeck presents (insert keywords from question) as….
For example, When …., Steinbeck writes, “……..”’
This quotation presents (insert keywords from question) as…..
This is because the keyword/repetition/command/aggressive language ‘……..’ suggests that…
Steinbeck uses structure to present (insert keywords from question) as… by….
Further, Steinbeck uses (insert keywords from question) to teach us that life in 1930s America was… and to explore the theme of…