Question 1: What does the phrase 'dream farm' symbolise in the context of the characters' aspirations?

Answer: It represents hope, stability, and the characters' desire for a better future.

Question 2: Identify a literary technique used in the phrase 'rabbits' and explain its significance.

Answer: The motif of 'rabbits' serves as a symbol of innocence and fragile dreams, reflecting Lennie's desires.

Question 3: How does the setting’s description contribute to the overall mood of the story?

Answer: The bleak, barren landscape underscores themes of loneliness and hardship.

Question 4: What societal themes are hinted at by the phrase 'curly's wife'?

Answer: She symbolizes unfulfilled longing and the societal constraints placed on women.

Question 5: Identify one literary device used in the phrase 'harsh environment' and discuss its effect.

Answer: The phrase employs imagery to emphasise the difficulty of the characters' lives.

Question 6: Analyse how the motif of dreams functions as a symbol in the opening scenes.

Answer: Students should explore how the 'dream farm' epitomises hope and the pursuit of happiness, contrasting with societal realities, and how it motivates the characters while highlighting their vulnerabilities.

Question 7: Select a phrase from the summary that exemplifies symbolism and explain its significance in two sentences.

Answer: The phrase 'rabbits' symbolise Lennie's innocence and his longing for comfort, illustrating the fragile nature of his dreams and the larger theme of innocence.

Question 8: Discuss how the setting functions as a symbol of the broader social environment in the novel.

Answer: Students should analyse how the bleak landscape mirrors societal marginalisation and the pursuit of elusive dreams during the Great Depression, reinforcing the novel’s themes of hope, despair, and societal constraints.

Question 9: Create a brief annotation plan outlining how you would mark up the extract to highlight symbolism and thematic elements.

Answer: Students should include notes on symbols such as 'dream farm', 'rabbits', and 'setting', as well as techniques like imagery and motif, explaining their significance.

Question 10: Optional creative task: Write a short paragraph imagining a new symbol that could be present in the story, explaining its meaning and relevance.

Answer: Creative writing prompt; students should introduce a symbol relevant to the themes, such as a broken chain representing loss of freedom, and justify its inclusion.