English Language Revision Guide
English Language Exam
Of Mice and Men question (24
Marks)
• Based on passage
• Linked with character
• Linked with theme
• Focus on language
• 3 part question
Question based on topic (16 marks)
• Choice of two questions
• Topical
• Focus on what you say
• How you say it
• How well it is written
For the exam on OMAM, you will need
to be familiar with the
following key features of language:
• voice
• imagery
• appeal to the senses
• speech and thought
• techniques of persuasion
• sentence length and variety
• structure
• any other interesting use of language
A good way to revise is to choose a
part of the text that is significant and
make note of each:
• voice
• imagery
• appeal to the senses
• speech and thought
• techniques of persuasion
• sentence length and variety
• structure
• any other interesting use of language
Revision technique
• Choose at least two extracts from each of the
6 sections from Of Mice and Men and make
note of:
– Characters
– Significance to the text
– Prominent themes featured
– And all the language features from the previous
slide
Eg. p18
Opening to OMAM
Sets the scene as calm, focus on nature: ‘water is
warm’, ‘golden foothill slopes’, ‘a lizard makes a
great skittering’
Atmosphere: calm, peaceful ‘on the sandy bank’,
‘sycamores with mottled, white, recumbent
limbs’
Contrast of nature v man: ‘a path beaten hard by
boys come down to swim’, ‘an ash pile made by
many fires’, ‘limb is worn smooth by men’
In the exam you will be asked to read
an extract from OMAM and answer
questions in reference to it.
Read p22 from the lines ‘Tried and tried’ to the
lines ‘Come on, give it here.’
Discuss the language used to show the
relationship between George and Lennie.
Consider another part of OMAM where
language is used to show Lennie and George’s
relationship.
Characters from OMAM
Lennie
George
Carlson
Curley
Curley’s wife
Slim
Candy
Crooks
• A good way to revise
would be to create a slide
for each character
• Describe each in as much
detail you can
• Take notes on links to
other characters
• Consider themes they
represent
• Consider significant
passages they are in
through OMAM
Themes and Significant Events
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hopes
Dreams (American Dream)
Great Depression
Loneliness
Isolation
Racism
Relationships/friendships
• A good way to revise would
be to create a slide for each
• Describe each in as much
detail you can
• Take notes on links to
others
• Consider significant
passages they are in
through OMAM
• Have quotes represent each
• Consider characters that
link with each
Writing Question
You will have the opportunity to:
• write a response to a situation, issue or
problem from a context to which you can
relate
• develop your own writing skills, by studying
the writing of others, to express ideas and
information clearly, precisely, accurately and
appropriately
• shape and craft your own work.
Writing Question
In this section students should answer one writing question from a
choice of two.
Students will:
• demonstrate their skills in reflecting on ideas, issues, experiences
and events, rather than on their narrative or descriptive skills
• write in a form such as a newspaper article, formal report, magazine
review or a contribution to a media programme. The target
audience for the communication will be given
• reflect and comment on contemporary issues, situations or problems
that are within their general experience – such as lifestyle,
school/college life, local issues or national issues that affect young
people.
Practice Questions
1. Write a letter to a friend in which you argue for
your choice of destination for a holiday you are
going on together.
2. Write the text for a website in which you argue
that we do or do not treat animals in a humane
way.
3. Write a letter to your local MP suggesting how
your neighbourhood could be improved for
young people.
Presentation of Slim
• p92-93: Contrast to Slim- not as calm, thinks
on his feet• p148-149: similarities to the first extract- Slim
in extract to calm George down• p89-90:
• p134:
Last remarks
Remember to manage your time well!
• The exam in 1 hour and 45 minutes, so spend:
– No more than an 30 minutes on each OMAM
question
– No more than 40 minutes on the writing question
• Remember to PEE- give a point, get an
example (or more) and explain how it directly
relates to the question
• Use strong topic sentences!
Practice Question
Using p64 to the middle of p65, discuss how
Slim’s character is presented to the reader.
Focus on the language features used, and
provide specific examples.
Prepare your planning, no need to actually write
the response.