1. G.C.S.E. English Language re-sits 3 rd June Only some of you! Attend revision session on Monday 2 nd June- H band periods 3-4 A Band periods 5-6

2. G.C.S.E. English Literature 20 th May a.m. Unit 1 ‘Of Mice and Men and comparing poetry

3. G.C.S.E. English Literature Revision Sessions- Monday 19 th May Periods 1-2 Periods 5-6 unless in Physics exam If cannot attend either then after school on Monday night. This is optional as we realise this is a hard day!

4. G.C.S.E. English Literature There are 8 marks for SPAG on Unit 2 Longer question on ‘A Christmas Carol’ 4 marks Longer question on ‘Blood Brothers’ 4 marks Spelling, punctuation and grammar in the Literature exam

5. SPAG  http://www.gcse.com/english/spell.htm If you are concerned about your spelling, punctuation and grammar then this is a really good website. It will help with both Literature and Language re-sits.

6. The extract question This is where you are given an extract from the text. You will be asked a question about either character, relationships or mood and atmosphere. Do not spend longer than 20 minutes on this type of question.

7. The extract question  Read the passage.  Try to think about where the passage is from in the novel or play.  What has just happened before the extract?  Why has this extract been chosen?  Does it reveal something new or significant about a character?  Is it the first time this character appears?  Does it show a side to them that we haven’t seen before?  What changes in this extract?

8. You should then begin with an overview of the passage. Aim to get a mark in the first sentence.  This extract is from chapter one when we meet Scrooge for the first time. The passage shows us that he is a mean and unfriendly character who is even colder than the weather.  The mood and atmosphere in this passage changes to show us two sides of George and Lennie’s relationship. They are clearly close but George becomes frustrated with Lennie’s childish behaviour. Lennie senses the upper hand and threatens to go off and live in the hills. George then apologises and we see how they rely on one another.  This extract comes just after Mickey has got out of prison. He is still taking anti-depressants. The relationship is strained because Linda wants him to stop taking them and start living again whereas Mickey wants to be invisible.

9. If you forget the overview, do it at the end.

10. Now…  Track through the passage, pulling out and commenting on details at least every few lines.  Embed quotes, do not quote whole sentences, use single words where possible.  Link these to the overview or the question itself.  Refer to the question in every paragraph.

11. P.E.A. POINT: The atmosphere at the beginning is frightening EVIDENCE: because Scrooge “recoiled in terror.” ANALYSE: This suggests that whatever is under the “ragged sheet” is going to be unpleasant for Scrooge. We suspect it is a dead body due to the fact that it is covered up and this makes it mysterious as its identity is concealed. The atmosphere is also depressing because the body is alone and the room is stripped of any personal possessions.

12. The longer question carries twice the marks. 40 mins  Start by planning – choose 5/6 key moments in the text where the character features/is important or you can use to explore the theme or discussion. Remember to think about the character’s first appearance and their last!  Start with a brief OVERVIEW that answers the question briefly.  Now write about your chosen moments in detail using PEAS. Think about what we learn about the character at these points and how the author uses them to convey their key messages/themes. This is called TRACKING!  Go back to the question and try and finish with your opinion.

13. Track the theme/question. This extract shows Bob and Tiny Tim returning from church on Christmas morning. The mood changes from disappointment to joy but ends on a sad, reflective note At the beginning, the mood is tense as we see Bob’s disappointment that Martha hasn’t arrived. The tension is increased because what is supposed to be a joke is backfiring and we watch Bob suffer “a declension in his high spirits”. Dickens is trying to show us that Bob does not feel complete without all his family there but also that the family feel comfortable enough to play tricks on each other and that they have a sense of fun.

14. There are several types of longer questions.  Answering a theme question:  How does Willy Russell present the theme of social class in Blood Brothers?  How does Charles Dickens present the theme of poverty in A Christmas Carol?  How does Willy Russell present the theme of Nature Vs Nurture in Blood Brothers?

15.  Giving advice to an actor question:  Give advice to the actor playing Linda, Mickey, Eddie, Mrs Johnstone, Mrs Lyons…. on how they should present the character to an audience.  This question will only appear on the Blood Brothers section!!

16.  Answering discussion-type questions:  Who or what do you think was the most responsible for the deaths of Mickey and Edward?  Is A Christmas Carol a story about the celebration of Christmas or a story about redemption?  At the end of the play the Narrator says, ‘and do we blame superstition for what came to pass?’ How important do you think superstition is in affecting the outcome of the play?

17.  Impressions or importance of a Character Question:  What do you think about Mrs Lyons and the way she is presented to an audience?  How are the Cratchits important to the novel as a whole?  How does Scrooge change in ‘A Christmas Carol’?  What are your impressions of The Narrator in ‘Blood Brothers’?

18.  An empathy question:  Imagine you are Linda. At the end of the play you think back over your relationships with Mickey and Eddie. Write down your thoughts and feelings. Remember how Linda would speak when you write your answer.  Imagine you are Scrooge. At the end of the novel you think back over your experiences. Write down your thoughts and feelings. Remember how Scrooge would speak when you write your answer.