English Vocabulary

Question 1

Define antagonist and put it in a sentence

Answer 1

A person who opposes or is hostile to someone or something (often the villain of a story).
Curley is the antagonist in OMAM

Question 2

Define protagonist and put it in a sentence

Answer 2

The leading character or one of the major characters in a play, film, novel, etc.
George and Lennie are the protagonists in OMAM

Question 3

Define dialogue and put it in a sentence

Answer 3

A conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film.
Throughout the novella ‘Of Mice and Men’, there is a lot of dialogue.

Question 4

Define Ominous and put it in a sentence

Answer 4

Creating the worrying impression that something bad is going to happen.
The Ranch is an ominous setting in OMAM

Question 5

Define Patriarchal society and put it in a sentence

Answer 5

A system of society or government controlled by men.
OMAM takes place in a patriarchal society.

Question 6

Define novella and put it in a sentence

Answer 6

A story shorter than a novel or a long short story.
Of Mice and Men is Steinbeck’s famous novella.

Question 7

Define analepsis and put it in a sentence

Answer 7

A flashback – when a past event breaks the chronological order of story.
Writers make strategic use of both analepsis and prolepsis in telling a story.

Question 8

Define prolepsis and put it in a sentence

Answer 8

A flash forward - when a future event breaks the chronological order of a story.
Writers make strategic use of both analepsis and prolepsis in telling a story.

Question 9

Define motif and put it in a sentence

Answer 9

A dominant or recurring image throughout a text (often symbolising something)
The motif of light is very commonly used throughout OMAM.

Question 10

Define context and put it in a sentence

Answer 10

The circumstances that form the setting of an event, text, or idea in order for it to be fully understood
To understand OMAM, a reader should consider its historical context.

Question 11

Define simile and put it in a sentence

Answer 11

A comparison between two things using the words like or as.
Slim was as brave as a lion when he threatened Curley.

Question 12

Define metaphor and put it in a sentence

Answer 12

A comparison between two things by stating that one thing IS the other.
The field was a sea of green.

Question 13

Define personification and put it in a sentence

Answer 13

When inanimate objects are given human characteristics of features.
The trees groaned and shed salty tears.

Question 14

Define foreshadowing and put it in a sentence

Answer 14

A warning or indication of a future event in the text.
Steinbeck foreshadows the novella’s conclusion during the incident with Candy’s dog.

Question 15

Define repetition and put it in a sentence

Answer 15

Repeated phrase / word / idea for effect.
Steinbeck uses repetition when Lennie asks George about their dream.

Question 16

Define pathetic fallacy and put it in a sentence

Answer 16

When nature reflects the mood – typically the weather.
Thunder raged across the sky.

Question 17

Define juxtaposition and put it in a sentence

Answer 17

When two opposite / contrasting ideas are seen close to each other.
I used my torch as a source of light as I walked through the dark forest.

Question 18

Define semantic field and put it in a sentence

Answer 18

When a writer uses a series of linked words/ideas.
In a poem about war, there may be a semantic field of violence through words such as: suffering, cut, blast.

Question 19

Define zoomorphism and put it in a sentence

Answer 19

When a writer gives animalistic qualities or features to a human.
Curley barked orders at them.

Question 20

Define marginalised and put it in a sentence

Answer 20

Treated as insignificant / on the outside of society.
OMAM explores the lives of marginalised characters, like Crooks.

Question 21

Define segregation and put it in a sentence

Answer 21

The action of setting someone or something apart from others.
Throughout history, black people have suffered from segregation.

Question 22

Define periphery and put it in a sentence

Answer 22

The outer limits or edge of an area or object.
Crooks exists on the periphery of society.

Question 23

Define ostracised and put it in a sentence

Answer 23

To exclude from a society or group
Curley’s wife is ostracised by all of the workers at the ranch.

Question 24

Define microcosm and put it in a sentence

Answer 24

When something smaller / miniature represents something much larger
Steinbeck used the ranch as a microcosm for American society.

Question 25

Define hierachy and put it in a sentence

Answer 25

Ranking based on status or authority
It becomes evident that there is a hierarchy in the bunk house.

Question 26

Define paternal and put it in a sentence

Answer 26

Relating to being a father
George is Lennie’s paternal figure.

Question 27

Define symbiotic and put it in a sentence

Answer 27

An interaction between two different people / organisms that benefits them all
George and Lennie share a symbiotic relationship.

Question 28

Define morose and put it in a sentence

Answer 28

Sullen and bad-tempered.
Curley is morose when he interacts with Lennie.

Question 29

Define indignant and put it in a sentence

Answer 29

Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at something that is seen to be unfair.
She was breathless with indignation.

Question 30

Define derision and put it in a sentence

Answer 30

To express contempt (hatred) or ridicule
My stories were greeted with
derision or disbelief.

Question 31

Define furtive and put it in a sentence

Answer 31

Secretive – or an attempt to avoid attention/ notice of others.
George’s attempts to remain furtive fail as the novella unfolds

Question 32

Define pugnacious and put it in a sentence

Answer 32

eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight
Curley’s pugnacious attitude causes trouble for George and Lennie

Question 33

Define contorted and put it in a sentence

Answer 33

Twisted into an unnatural shape
His face was contorted with pain

Question 34

Define omniscient and put it in a sentence

Answer 34

All-knowing
Slim is described as god-like, being omniscient

Question 35

Define omnipotent and put it in a sentence

Answer 35

All-powerful
Slim is described as god-like, being omnipotent

Question 36

Define imperious and put it in a sentence

Answer 36

Having or showing arrogant superiority
Curley’s imperious nature means he is generally disliked on the ranch.

Question 37

Define demonstrates and put it in a sentence

Answer 37

Shows clearly…
The use of zoomorphism demonstrates Lennie’s innocence,but also his strength.

Question 38

Define implies and put it in a sentence

Answer 38

Has implications of / suggests…
George’s ‘restless’ eyes implies that he is naturally a cautious,suspicious person.

Question 39

Define highlights and put it in a sentence

Answer 39

Draws attention to / emphasises…
Steinbeck highlights the loneliness of segregation through Crooks.

Question 40

Define underpins and put it in a sentence

Answer 40

Draws further attention to / emphasises…
The conclusion of the novella underpins how the American Dream is simply not achievable.

Question 41

Define conveys and put it in a sentence

Answer 41

Tells the reader that.
Steinbeck conveys his social message through the treatment of marginalised characters

Question 42

Define conveys & portrays and put it in a sentence

Answer 42

Creates the image of….
Steinbeck conveys/portrays his social message through the treatment of marginalised characters

Question 43

Define depicts and put it in a sentence

Answer 43

Creates the image of….
Steinbeck depicts Lennie as a huge,immensely powerful man.

Question 44

Define illustrates and put it in a sentence

Answer 44

Creates the image of….
Steinbeck includes Curley’s wife to illustrate how women were treated in the 1930s

Question 45

Define oppression and put it in a sentence

Answer 45

Unfairly controlling / putting down others in a cruel or crushing way
In a patriarchal society, the oppression of women is common

Question 46

Define feasible and put it in a sentence

Answer 46

Possible to do easily / conveniently
Curley’s wife’s dream to become a film star is clearly not feasible.

Question 47

Define inevitable and put it in a sentence

Answer 47

Unavoidable / will always happen
It could be argued that the ending of the novella was inevitable

Question 48

Define evident and put it in a sentence

Answer 48

Obvious / clear
It is evident that George cares for Lennie from the beginning.

Question 49

Define affinity and put it in a sentence

Answer 49

A natural liking or sympathy for someone or something.
The readers feels an affinity with Lennie as we understand that he is helpless

Question 50

Define repugnant and put it in a sentence

Answer 50

Offensive to the mind, extremely distasteful or unacceptable
Cannibalism seems repugnant tous

Question 51

Define perilous and put it in a sentence

Answer 51

Dangerous
The journey was perilous with many challenges along the way