English Revision Information

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Created: Tuesday, 05 June 2012 11:55

Written by Super User

Dates for Year 11 English exams:

Monday 18th May 2015 – Literature Paper 1 (Prose – Sec A Literary Heritage; Sec B ‘Different Cultures’)
Friday 22nd May 2015 – Literature paper 2 (Poetry – Sec A ‘Unseen’; Sec B ‘Anthology’)
Tuesday 2nd June 2015 – Language Paper 2 (Writer’s Voice ; Sec A Reading; Sec B ‘Writing’)

Click here to access the English / IGCSE revision book (83 pages).  

Below you will find links to three sets of practice exam questions on unseen poems and anthology poems.
These can be used to help you revise and prepare for the exam.

Click here to access the unseen poems and questions.

Click here to access questions for the Clashes and Collisions collection.

Click here to access questions for the Taking a Stand collection.

Revision Information- Literary Heritage texts
For one of your two Literature exams in June you will need to have a good working knowledge of two novels you are being taught in class. Below is a selection of useful revision guides and resources you can use to help you revise. If you are unsure which novels you are studying, or which guides t o use, ask your teacher and they will be able to help you.

Hound of the Baskervilles
The full audiobook is available on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHTrIlu3Bbk.
This can be useful if you are struggling with the language; following the words on the page as they are spoken aloud is great for understanding what’s going on!

The Hound of the Baskervilles- A Study Guide (Gilbert’s Study Guides)
Downloadable for Kindle, 77p. This guide includes plot and character analysis as well as chapter commentaries.

The Hound of the Baskervilles Study Guide CD (Timeless Classics). Thirty-five reproducible activities per guide reinforce basic reading and comprehension skills while teaching high-order critical thinking. Also included are teaching suggestions, background notes, summaries, and answer keys. The guide is digital and only available on CD-ROM; simply print the activities you need for each lesson.

http://www.novelguide.com/the-hound-of-the-baskervilles  A particularly useful website for chapter summaries and theme analysis.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/hound/  This is useful for chapter summaries, analysis of major characters, themes, motifs and symbols. There are also examples of important quotations that have been explained, which you can use as guide for exam practice.

Animal Farm
Animal Farm: York Notes for GCSE (New Edition).
Available for download on Kindle and purchase from most major booksellers. These guides include sample answers, study tips, handy quotes, grade boosters and revision activities, and are usually priced at around £4 or £5. 

Philip Allan Literature Guide (for GCSE): Animal Farm (Philip Allan Literature Guides).
Also available for download on Kindle. Includes exam-focused analysis, commentaries, exemplar A*-C answers, grade boosters, etc.

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/animalfarm/ This is useful for chapter summaries, analysis of major characters, themes, motifs and symbols.
http://www.animalfarmrevision.com/index.html  Useful for starting revision, this website tells you who the characters are, basic themes and key points in the novel.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/proseanimalfarm/   Useful for context, plot, characters, themes and includes a sample question for you to attempt.

Of Mice and Men
Of Mice and Men: York Notes for GCSE (new edition) available for download on Kindle and purchase from most major booksellers. Includes sample answers, study tips, handy quotes, grade boosters and revision activities.

Philip Allan Literature Guide for GCSE: Of Mice and Men, available for download on Kindle and purchase from most major booksellers. Includes exam-focused analysis, commentaries, exemplar A*-C answers, grade boosters, etc.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/prosemicemen/  Useful for context, plot, characters, themes and includes a sample question for you to attempt.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/   Detailed commentaries, useful analysis of major characters, themes, motifs and symbols.

Youtube also has some useful, short revision videos, broken down by focusing on one character and/or theme. For example, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVqGF9VC1vQ is on Slim and the theme of violence.

Pride and Prejudice
The Philip Allan Literature Guide for GCSE (ISBN-13: 978-1444110272) or the CGP text guide for GCSE (ISBN-13: 978-1847624857). Includes exam-focused analysis, commentaries, exemplar A*-C answers, grade boosters, etc.

Youtube also has short 2-3 minute revision videos on themes and characters in Pride and Prejudice: for example, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBEap7gNFcI  is on the theme of marriage.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/proseprideprej/   This website has videos as well as notes on context, plot, character and themes. There is also a sample question for you to have a go at.

Watching either the 1980 or the 1995 BBC adaptations can also be useful for understanding the plot and characters- they are generally more accurate than the 2005 Keira Knightley version.

To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird: York Notes for GCSE ISBN-13: 978-1408248836. Includes sample answers, study tips, handy quotes, grade boosters and revision activities.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" (Philip Allan Literature Guide (for GCSE) ISBN-10: 1444110225 | ISBN-13: 978-1444110227. Includes exam-focused analysis, commentaries, exemplar A*-C answers, grade boosters, etc.

The 1962 film adaptation starring Gregory Peck is an excellent version, which can help you understand the plot and characters, as well as give you a better understanding of the context and setting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/prosemockingbird/ This website has videos as well as notes on context, plot, character and themes. There is also a sample question for you to have a go at.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mocking/ Detailed commentaries, useful analysis of major characters, themes, motifs and symbols.