An overview of the kind of tasks pupils can expect in the Edexcel English Literature IGCSE exam task- and how to tackle them.

1. Of Mice and Men
IGCSE Literature Exam task

2. •Choice of 2 essay questions
•45 minutes
•40 marks available
Character(s)
or
Theme

3. • Knowledge of the text
• Personal engagement with the task
• Critical style
AO1
(20 marks)
• Understanding of the
relationship between the text
and context in which it was
written
AO4
(20 marks)

4. Limited
Some

5. Sound
Relevant
Thorough
Sustained

6. Assured
Perceptive
Discriminating

7. Explore the character of Lennie in the novel
You must consider the context of the novel in
your answer
Either

8. Step 1 – Interrogate the question

9. Explore the character of Lennie in the novel
You must consider the context of the novel in
your answer

10. • What do they say?
• What do they do?
• What do others say about them?
• What do others do that affects
them or reflects on them?
• How do they help Steinbeck
explore the themes of the novel?
• How does the character reflect the
context of the novel?
Character
study

11. Character
study
Lennie George
Curley
Curley’s wife
Candy
Crooks
Slim
The Boss
Carlson
Whit

12. Show the importance of dreams in ‘Of Mice
and Men’.
You must consider the context of the novel in
your answer
Or

13. Explore the importance of dreams in ‘Of Mice
and Men’.
You must consider the context of the novel in
your answer

14. • Where and how is the theme
highlighted / explored?
• What is Steinbeck saying about this
theme?
• How does this theme connect to the
context of the novel?
Theme
study

15. Theme
study
Dreams
Prejudice
Friendship
Justice
Man and nature
Loneliness
Power

16. Step 2 – Work chronologically through the
text and identify source material that might
be useful – specific events or quotations.
Think about how you can produce a personal
response. (AO1)

17. Step 3 – Think about ways in which your
knowledge on context might be seeded into
your answer. (AO4)

18. • The American Dream
• The Great Depression & migrant workers
• Ranch life & California
• Racism in 1930s America
• Woman’s role in 1930s America
• Steinbeck’s biography & influences

19. Step 4 – Now organize your notes into a plan (AO1)
• What would be a logical order for your paragraphs?
• What evidence will you use to support your answer?
• How can you ensure ‘context’ is seeded throughout your essay?
• What conclusion do you want to present (the summary of your
exploration of this theme)?

20. Step 5 – Write the essay
Step 6 – Edit/proof-read the essay
Step 7 – Take a bow!

21. This is a closed text exam, so you’ll have to be
able to do this under timed conditions and
without the book in front of you!