GCSE English Literature

Timing: 2 ½ hours allowed in total Section A: Of Mice and Men Allow 1 hour Section B: Blood Brothers Allow 1 hour Section C: Unseen Poetry Allow 30 minutes

PEE: P oint E vidence (a quotation) and E xplanation

PEE: Connectives Supporting an idea: However... therefore... because... but... and... furthermore.. also... in addition... then... as well as... next... whereas... in contrast... later... at first... similarly...

PEE: Connectives Explaining an idea: This implies... this suggests... which gives the impression that... this shows... this clearly shows... possibly... perhaps... this indicates that... obviously... this conveys to the reader that...

Section A: Of Mice and Men You must answer Question 1a, it is based on an extract included You can answer either Question 1b or Question 1c these relate to the novel as a whole

Section A: Of Mice and Men Characters What role do they play in the novel? How do they interact with the other characters? How does Steinbeck present them? (consider the language he uses to describe them) How are they linked to the themes of the novel?

Section A: Of Mice and Men Themes Inequality – gender, racial, disability Loneliness – they are all lonely in some way American Dream – own land, security, positive future Friendships – lack of positive relationships

Section A: Of Mice and Men Context Set against the aftermath of the 1930s Depression Many millions lost their livelihoods Many had to travel for work Steinbeck experienced the lifestyle himself Title refers to Robert Burns’ poem and suggests that all we plan for doesn’t always come true

Section A: Of Mice and Men Language and Structure Steinbeck uses lots of adjectives to describe his characters and the setting The novel is divided into 6 chapters each like a small act in a play Steinbeck opens each chapter by describing a setting and introduces each character with a description

Section B: Blood Brothers Characters What role do they have in the play? How do they interact with the other characters? How does Russell present them? (consider their language and actions) How are they linked to the themes of the play?

Section B: Blood Brothers Themes Class – working V. middle Nature V. Nurture Ties – family and friends Loyalty and trust Opportunities e.g. education Responsibility for actions

Section B: Blood Brothers Context Liverpool late 20 th Century Industrialised North Differences between the impoverished and ill educated lower classes and the wealthier opportunistic middle classes

Section B: Blood Brothers Language and Structure Colloquial Liverpudlian V. Standard English Use of songs to project character, description and themes Follows the structure of a play but uses the narrator as a link pin

Section C: Poetry You will be given one unseen poem You may be given a series of bullet points to help you to discuss the: poem’s content ideas the poet puts across mood of the poem way it’s written e.g. language poetic devices etc… your response – do not say that it’s boring or crap

Section C: Poetry (FITCLASS) Form – the layout and structure Ideas – the themes that are presented Tone – think, tone of voice Context – social, historical and cultural Language – devices such as: enjambment, personification, metaphor and simile Attitudes – of poet and narrator (they may be separate) Sound – use of alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia Subject – the content of the poem

And Finally: Don’t panic! Do your best! and Good luck!

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