Secondary English Literature

Study Fahrenheit 451: A Fireman’s Fight for Truth

curiosg · April 16, 2024 · Leave a Comment

“The magic is only in what books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us.”

― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

“Fahrenheit 451” is a book by Ray Bradbury that was first published in 1953. It’s about a future in America where books are banned and there are “firemen” whose job is to burn any books they find. The main character is a fireman named Guy Montag who starts to question his job and society after he meets a girl named Clarisse who shows him the world of books and ideas. Montag ends up becoming a fugitive and joins a group of people who want to keep literature and knowledge alive.

“Fahrenheit 451” is considered one of the best science fiction books ever written and is a classic in American literature. It’s been made into movies, plays, and more. The significance of the title lies in the number itself – Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which paper catches fire.

Download the worksheets below to test yourself on essays and passage based questions. If you’re looking for some useful feedback and specific comments to help you improve, you should check out the English Literature Programme that’s exclusively available on Curio.sg! No time for tuition? Then check out Curio’s Independent Marking and Feedback programme. A dedicated teacher will send you personalised notes and tests with marking, advice and feedback!

To find out more, call or get in touch with us on whatsapp at 8892 2948. We are also available on email: [email protected].

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Wide Sargasso Sea: ‘The Madwoman in the Attic’

curiosg · July 20, 2023 · Leave a Comment

“There are always two deaths, the real one and the one people know about.”

― Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea

The book “Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys was published in 1966 and is seen as a prequel and response to Charlotte Brontë’s famous novel “Jane Eyre.” It explores the story of Bertha Mason, the “madwoman in the attic” from “Jane Eyre,” and gives her a voice and a more extensive backstory.

The novel’s events take place in Jamaica in the early nineteenth century. It centers on Antoinette Cosway, a wealthy Creole woman who eventually marries Mr. Rochester in “Jane Eyre.” Rhys delves into Antoinette’s upbringing in Jamaica, her planned marriage to Mr. Rochester, and the events that led to her eventual insanity.

You can use the worksheets below to study on your own. if you want helpful feedback with detailed comments, you can try out the English Literature Programme that’s only on Curio.sg!

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Animal Farm: Satire and Rebellion in a Farmyard

curiosg · July 19, 2023 · Leave a Comment

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

― George Orwell, Animal Farm

Animal Farm is a satirical novel which was written by George Orwell in 1945. It tells the story of Manor Farm, where the animals are subjected to the harsh authority of Mr. Jones, a farmer. The animals, led by the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, dream of a fair and equal society, so they rebel against the humans and take over the farm.

What Is the Story of Animal Farm Based On?

This novel is a satire, which means it criticises something using comedy and irony. In this context, it is based on events prior to the 1917 Russian Revolution and the early years of the Soviet Union. Each animal in the book is a representation of a real person, such as Joseph Stalin, Karl Marx, or Leon Trotsky. The author intended to demonstrate how power can corrupt and how revolutions may occasionally go awry.

Why is Animal Farm so Famous?

The book gained popularity due to its trenchant criticism of political systems, specifically the Soviet Union under Stalin. George Orwell’s brilliant use of analogy and satire allowed him to convey complex ideas in an engaging and approachable way. By employing animals as protagonists, he addressed the dangers of authoritarianism, corruption, and power manipulation. The novel’s enduring relevance and imaginative storytelling continue to captivate readers, solidifying its reputation as a recognised and significant literary masterpiece.

Is Animal Farm a Banned Book, and What Are the Benefits of Reading It?

Animal Farm has been subjected to restrictions and bans in some regions. The book has been called controversial due to its critique of political ideologies and portrayal of power dynamics. However, it is important to note that the extent of censorship varies across different time periods and regions.

Reading Animal Farm helps develop critical thinking, historical awareness and an understanding of the complexities of power and governance. It encourages readers to remain mindful of oppression and serves as a reminder of the need to uphold democratic values and protect individual freedoms.

Click on the resources below for notes on Animal Farm. If you need more help understanding the text, check out the English Literature Programme exclusively on Curio.sg!

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How to Score in Literature – Download Free Notes ‘Gossamer’

curiosg · June 8, 2023 · Leave a Comment

“Everything that you're a part of. Your own story fills you.”

― Lois Lowry, Gossamer

If you enjoy learning Literature, but are unsure of how to score, you have come to the right place. Furthermore, beyond annotating and understanding your text, the best way to score better for your tests is to practice your analysis and writing. Download the free quizzes and worksheets on this page if you are studying ‘Gossamer’ by Lois Lowry.

What Is ‘Gossamer’ About?

Gossamer is a captivating novel about the power of dreams, written by Lois Lowry and published in 2006. It is a unique novel that blends fantasy and realism, perfect for young adult readers. The story delves into the intriguing origins of dreams and centres around the adventures of Littlest One, a magical and fairy-like creature. Littlest One has a special ability to collect memories from everyday objects and use them to weave and bestow mesmerising dreams. While Littlest One is the main character, there are other fascinating characters in the book. Her mentor, Thin Elderly, a kind old woman, John, a troubled and angry young boy, and a loyal dog named Toby.

Feel free to download the chapter summary questions and give them a try. Further, if you’d like to receive valuable feedback with detailed comments on how to improve, you can explore the ‘Independent’ Marking & Feedback‘ exclusively available on Curio.sg!

How Does ‘Independent’ Marking & Feedback‘ Work?

When students sign up for this option, they will receive personalised notes and worksheets once a week. The student’s task is to complete these worksheets and email them back to their assigned tutor. Using google docs, the tutor will mark and provide detailed feedback to the student. They will also assign a mark based on rubrics (these can be rubrics used by the student’s school, or rubrics from the ‘O’ level programme).

Students who are motivated and driven will benefit from these feedback cycles, as they will always have personalised attention paid to their progress.

Studying ‘Gossamer’ and need some extra help? Check out the quizzes below and see if you can find all the answers from your text!

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How to Excel in Literature: The River Between

Rebecca Samuel · June 8, 2023 · Leave a Comment

"A savior had come. He had opened the eyes of the people. He had awakened the sleeping lions. They would now roar, roar to victory."

- Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, The River Between

Written in 1965, the novel by prolific Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o was published as part of the African Writers Series. The River Between is the story of the separation of two neighbouring villages in Kenya instigated by differences in faith. The novel explores life in the mountains of Kenya during the early days of white settlement and is set in the decades of the early 20th century. This eye-opening novel captures a moment in time of a people whose world goes into turmoil. Faced with a choice between a new religion and their own ancient customs, the Gikuyu people are torn between those who fear the unknown and those who see beyond it.

Download these chapter summary questions and try them out. If you need them to be marked and returned to you with detailed comments on how to improve, try out the ‘Independent’ Marking & Feedback only plan on Curio.sg!

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How to Excel in Literature: The Merchant of Venice

Rebecca Samuel · June 8, 2023 · Leave a Comment

Study The Merchant of Venice - a timeless play with love, greed, friendship, prejudice, and justice.

The Merchant of Venice is a wonderfully relevant text to study in modern times. Love, Greed, Friendship, Prejudice and Justice intermingle in a timelessly entertaining play that has kept audiences on the edges of their seats for centuries. Fear not the style of writing and words unknown – once you get the hang of it, studying this text will be as easy as the ‘gentle rain from heaven’. Click on the resources below to self study or if you need practices to be graded and returned to you with comprehensive feedback on how to improve, try the ‘Independent’ Marking & Feedback plan on Curio.sg to get yourself a dedicated marking coach!

The Merchant of Venice – Setting

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How to Excel in Literature: Hullabaloo In The Guava Orchard

Rebecca Samuel · June 8, 2023 · Leave a Comment

"It was a terrible thing to be awake while some people flew, carrying the world over his head, and others slept, claiming it from under his feet.”

- Kiran Desai, Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard

Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard is best read with a glass of guava juice and a pot of laughs. Written by Kiran Desai and set in the Indian village of Shahkot, the author based her novel on the real life story of a man named Kapila Pradhan, who actually lived in a tree for 15 years.

In Hullabaloo, the protagonist Sampath gets fed-up with the world of men and climbs up into a tree to be at peace. It turns out to be an even more disturbing life to lead, as his family attempts to coax him down with all manner of appeals and tricks, while people in the region begin to make pilgrimages to see Sampath, in the mistaken notion that he is a holy man.

The characters peppered throughout the novel, from Pinky the passionate ear biting sister of Sampath, to his drunken monkey bodyguards, take the reader on a wild ride. India’s history, superstitions, religions, social structures and the struggles of the everyday man are woven into the narrative with skill and humour.

Some overarching themes students should take note of are:

Tradition vs Modernity
Freedom vs Control
Individual vs Society
The Spiritual Quest

Excelling in Literature tests and exams takes a lot of practice. You might want to try reading the novel at least twice, as well as ensuring that your annotations are relevant. Your teacher may not have time to annotate the entire novel with you, so you can try working them out with your friends in a Literature study group. Bring some snacks, find a comfortable spot, and sit back and enjoy the novel too. Enjoying it is the key to truly understanding the key themes and being able to write about it with real enthusiasm!

Download the following passage based questions and try them out! If you need them to be marked and returned to you with detailed comments on how to improve, try out the ‘Independent’ Marking & Feedback only plan on Curio.sg!