The Marking Criteria

Band 3
Students demonstrate: 3.1 Sustained response to task 3.2 Sustained response to text 3.3 Effective use of details to support interpretation 3.4 Explanation of effects of writers uses of language and/or form and/or structure and effects on

readers/audience 3.5 Understanding of ideas/themes/feelings/attitudes

Information is usually presented in a way which assists with communication of meaning. Syntax and spelling are generally accurate.

Band 3: Keep Quoting

Sustained: quote Interpretation: because, therefore, consequently Writer: Steinbeck Effects on audience: we, us

Difference Between D and C

Typically, grade D responses: identify the effects of writers uses of language e.g. Lennie is compared to a bear which makes him seem strong. Often make the mistake of telling the story. Whereas grade C responses: e xplain the effects of writers uses of language e.g. Lennie is compared to a bear because, like a bear, he is strong, unpredictable and dangerous, qualities shown when, without warning, he kills Curleys wife. Quotations should be short.

What Methods Means

The characters are not real people, they are used to represent Steinbecks ideas. Curleys wife represents the social attitude toward women. Carlson and Curley represent the brutality of men caused by the depression. Candy represents the vulnerability of the poor and old during the depression. Crooks represents the injustice of racism.

Band 4
Students demonstrate: 4.1 Considered/qualified response to task 4.2 Considered/qualified response to text 4.3 Details linked to interpretation 4.4 Appreciation/consideration of writers uses of language and/or form and/or structure and effect on readers/audience 4.5 Thoughtful consideration of ideas/themes Information is presented in a way which assists with communication of meaning. Syntax and spelling are generally accurate.

Band 4
Qualified: alternatively, on the other hand, whereas, in contrast, however Considered: appears, suggests, implies Thoughtful: perhaps, might, may, possibly

How to get a C Aim for a B

How to get an A or A*

Examiners Advice: A and A*

Typically, A*/A responses are analytical and exploratory. This means that candidates write a lot about a little: they tease out meanings and effects from a small section of the text, considering the impact of individual words and sounds, often thinking about possible alternative interpretations.

Band 5:
Students demonstrate: 5.1 Exploratory response to task 5.2 Exploratory response to text 5.3 Analytical use of details to support interpretation 5.4 Analysis of writers uses of language and/or structure and/or form and effects on readers/audience 5.5 Exploration of ideas/themes Structure and style are used effectively to render meaning clear. Syntax and spelling are used with a high degree of accuracy.

Band 5: AWE!
Analysis: have more than one interpretation Writer: Steinbeck Exploration: have more than one interpretation of character, God, the ending and Steinbeck

 Students demonstrate: 6.1 Insightful exploratory

Band 6
interpretation of ideas/themes

6.2 Close analysis of detail to support interpretation

6.3 Evaluation of the writers uses of language and/or structure and/or form and effects on readers 6.4 Insightful exploratory response to

context(s)

6.5 Insightful exploration of a range of telling detail to support response to context(s)

Information is presented clearly and accurately. Writing is fluent and focused. Syntax and spelling are used with a high degree of accuracy.

Band 6
Insightful exploratory interpretation Close analysis Evaluation Writer Response to context(s) Telling detail

Band 6
Evaluation Writer Response to context(s) Telling detail

To do these: write about the ending, and Steinbecks political message

Past Questions

Context
Question 21 Read the passage and then answer part (a) and part (b) Part (a) (a) What methods does Steinbeck use in this passage to present Candy?

and then Part (b) (b) How do you think Steinbeck uses the character of Candy in the novel as a whole to convey important ideas about society at that time?

Answer Part B, Context

Often the context would lack references to the novel A small number of students didnt address Part (b) at all. It was normal for some answers to get side-tracked into a well-supported discussion of the other men, not successfully relating it back to Curleys wife and women in society. Other responses over simplified the life choices for women at the time, with many students seeming to believe that it was a straight choice between domesticity or prostitution.

Examiners View of Methods

The methods were often not identified, let alone analysed or explained. Instead, details were picked out and a gloss or paraphrase provided

Context: Lennie and George

Lennie followed his words admiringly, and moved his lips a little to keep up. George continued, You remember Andy Cushman, Lennie? Went to grammar school? The one that his old lady used to make hot cakes for the kids? Lennie asked. Yeah. Thats the one. You can remember anything if theres anything to eat in it. George looked carefully at the solitaire hand. He put an ace up on his scoring rack and piled a two, three and four of diamonds on it. Andys in San Quentin right now on account of a tart, said George. Lennie drummed on the table with his fingers. George? Huh? George, how longs it gonna be till we get that little place an live on the fatta the lan an rabbits?

Context: Candy and Curleys Wife

The old man was reassured. He had drawn a derogatory statement from George. He felt safe now, and he spoke more confidently. Waitll you see Curleys wife. George cut the cards again and put out a solitaire lay, slowly and deliberately. Purty? he asked casually. Yeah. Purty ... but George studied his cards. But what? Well she got the eye. Yeah? Married two weeks and got the eye? Maybe thats why Curleys pants is full of ants.

Context: Exam Mark Scheme AO4 shows another form of discrimination in society at the time segregation of society theme of loneliness and isolation roles and work in society

 Question 21 Part (a) How do the details in this passage add to your understanding of George and his relationship with Lennie? and then Part (b) How does Steinbeck use their relationship in the novel as a whole to convey ideas about America in the 1930s?

 AO4 their support for each other in an individualistic world the way Lennies disability is viewed in 1930s America attitudes towards women, shown by George in the passage and others elsewhere

Context

Context

Backdrop of the Great Depression and the American Dream fear of being canned and being kept going by an unattainable dream Some ranch workers subject to prejudice and discrimination

Importance of Steinbecks Purpose

many candidates took a word or phrase, giving various suggestions as to what it may connote many of which were not connected to a writers intentions or purpose.

 Question 21 Part (a) (a) How does Steinbeck use details in this passage to present the bunkhouse and its inhabitants? and then Part (b) (b) In the rest of the novel, how does Steinbeck present the lives of ranch workers at that time?

 How the impersonal, harsh almost formal nature of the bunkhouse is created, e.g. rectangular, square, straight up, boxes Significance of the word littered in contrast with the ordered nature of the rest of the bunkhouse The sameness of each bunk and each mans possessions Lives of ranch workers presented through different characters The structure of the novel reflecting the ranch workers lives

Missing the Method

Some candidates merely wrote about the meaning of the details rather than Steinbecks methods;

Context
The problem was that they did not link their knowledge of contexts to the text clearly enough, resulting in unsupported comments with few details. Most candidates could write about the Depression, the American Dream and the plight of itinerant workers but this tended to be through generalisations which were not rooted in the text.

A* Context
The very best candidates wrote about an interesting range of contexts, for example identifying the role of Aunt Clara in George and Lennies friendship and then contrasting the presentation of Aunt Clara as an idealised portrayal of a homemaker, who makes cakes and shows concern for the childlike Lennies welfare, with that of Curleys wife and coming to the conclusion that women were viewed as either selfless domestic goddesses or tarts.

Carlson

Lennie

Lennie

George

George
George, on life without Lennie: " God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. "

Curley

Curley

Curley
"You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn't no good to himself nor nobody else. When they can me here I wisht somebody'd shoot me. But they won't do nothing like that. I won't have no place to go, an' I can't get no more jobs."

Slim

Slim
'Never you mind,' said Slim. 'A guy got to sometimes.'

Slim
George looked over at Slim and saw the calm, godlike eyes fastened on him

Crooks

Crooks
Crooks face lighted with pleasure in his torture

Curleys Wife

Curleys Wife

Candy

Candy

Fate
George, on the lost dream: "-I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would"

Friendship
The Boss, on George and Lennie: "Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your interest is"

Men
George, on loneliness and Lennie: "I ain't got no people. I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain't no good. They don't have no fun. After a long time they get mean. "

Hope
Crooks, on George and Lennie's dream: "I seen hunderds of men come by on the road an' on the ranchesevery damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it. Just like heaven. "

Loneliness
"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place....With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us."

The Easter Story

Good Friday crucifixion Saturday burial Sunday resurrection Of Mice and Men it is reversed

The Ending