A brief slideshow used to coach my Year 9 students for the end of year examination.

1. L5 Exam Preparation

2. 1 hour, 15 minutes 2 sections (equally weighted marks) Section 1 – The Signalman (30 for reading) Section 2 – Extended composition (30 for writing)

3. Section 1

4. For this ‘dry run’ we will be using a section from Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ instead of ‘The Signalman’ ( The first two pages of Chapter 6: 140 – 141) The types of questions closely resemble those you will receive in the exam

5. 1) What is the significance of the heron and the water snake at the beginning of the passage? (2 marks)

6. Write down 3 verbs that describe Lennie’s behaviour when he drinks from the pool (3 marks)

7. 3) Which word most clearly emphasizes that it is a hot afternoon? (2 marks)

8. Explain IN YOUR OWN WORDS Lennie’s state of mind in this section of the novel? (4 marks)

9. 5) Briefly describe IN YOUR OWN WORDS the atmosphere that Steinbeck creates by his description of the brush where Lennie waits for George (2 marks)

10. 6) Write a close analysis of the words Steinbeck uses to describe the mental image Lennie has of the old woman. Quote from these lines to support your analysis. (8 marks)

11. The last question tests your understanding of the story as a whole. 7) Write 125-150 words in the first person, to express what you think George would have thought as he was hurrying to meet Lennie at their agreed hiding place. (9 marks)

12. Section 2

13. Write an essay in response to ONE of the following. You should write 300-400 words. You should plan first, write carefully and check your work thoroughly Marks will be awarded for the quality of your writing, your use of vocabulary and varied sentences and for accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

14. NARRATIVE 1) Write the opening of a story involving a case of mistaken identity. Make sure you give a vivid sense of place and time, and try to suggest that it is a story that has interesting possibilities.

15. DESCRIPTION 2) Write about a public performance such as a football match or a music gig that you have experienced. Describe the surroundings vividly and show how you felt about the experience.

17. Explain your preferences

18. Comment on specific examples that you have seen or experienced