1. English Lit exam - 45 minutes - Write 1 essay

2. 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

3. Tasks to help you prepare for your Literature exam
English Lit exam minutes - Write 1 essay
‘Of Mice and Men’
Tasks to help you prepare for your Literature exam

4. English Lit exam - 45 minutes - Write 1 essay
Chapter 2

5. English Lit exam - 45 minutes - Write 1 essay
Why 'Of Mice and Men'?
The title of the novel comes from a poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns ( ):
The best laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft agley [often go wrong] And leave us nought but grief and pain For 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

7. English Lit exam - 45 minutes - Write 1 essay
Chapter 2

10. English Lit exam - 45 minutes - Write 1 essay
Controversial Opinions Challenging your opinions and expectations of the book.
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

11. Sample questions
English Lit exam minutes - Write 1 essay
The killing of Candy's old dog foreshadowed Lennie's death. Describe the two killings, pointing out any similarities and differences between them.  
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.  
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?  
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?  
'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.  
Describe in some detail the incident where Lennie crushes Curley's hand. What does this incident reveal about each of these two characters?  
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.  
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  
Which character do you feel most sorry for in this story? Explain your choice by referring closely to the events of the novel.

13. English Lit exam - 45 minutes - Write 1 essay
Arrange these events in chronological order in which they happen in the book:

14. English Lit exam - 45 minutes - Write 1 essay
Arrange these events in chronological order in which they happen in the book: 14 1 7 10 4 1 11 3 12 5 2 8 6 13 9

15. “Crooks’ face lighted with pleasure in his torture.”
English Lit exam minutes - Write 1 essay
“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)
Write your answers to these questions in a PEE paragraph/s, in full prose, in the style of an exam response
10 minutes
Objectives: practising exam-style responses, analysing language from a key quotation, forming PEE paragraphs, practising attention to detail, practising timed writing

16. Is Curley’s wife innocent or guilty?
English Lit exam minutes - Write 1 essay
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 essay planning, considering Steinbeck’s portrayal of Curley’s wife

17. Objectives: working on language analysis, writing in detail
English Lit exam minutes - Write 1 essay
‘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

18. Choose a sentence from the first chapter and write about it in detail
English Lit exam minutes - Write 1 essay
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
15 minutes
Objectives: working on language analysis, writing in detail

19. Waiting for George by pool. George finds Lennie.
Internal Monologues Write 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)

20. Re-read Chapter Three In pairs, or individually, find evidence that:
English Lit exam minutes - Write 1 essay
Re-read Chapter Three
In pairs, or individually, find evidence that:
Candy is afraid of the future.
Curley is a coward.
Lennie is afraid of violence.
Lennie is very strong.
Lennie does as George tells him.
Sometimes it is hard for George to control Lennie.
Lennie did not mean any real harm.
10 minutes
Objectives: locating and using key quotes, understanding characters’ motivations

21. English Lit exam - 45 minutes - Write 1 essay
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)

22. English Lit exam - 45 minutes - Write 1 essay
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?
Write your answer in the style of an exam response, in full sentences and in the PEE format.
10 minutes
Objectives: approaching essay-style questions, considering the author’s language

23. E – give an example (often a quote)
English Lit exam minutes - Write 1 essay
Using the PEE format The 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.
P – make a point
E – give an example (often a quote)
E – explanation (say more, and comment on what you have written)

24. For example, the character…
English Lit exam minutes - Write 1 essay
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

25. This PEE section is from an essay about Carlson:
English Lit exam minutes - Write 1 essay
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 P E

26. 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
Done Chapter 1 posters and analysis