POEMS

Practice 1

IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP

At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair

The whole day and night just passed
they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their sons
albino buffalo that was never found

There were born amidst hardship
and grew up without a sigh or a complaint
now they are in the kitchen, making
jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

By Latiff Mohidin Translated by Salleh Ben Joned

a. Why were their clothes soaky?

.

.

b. Write down the line in the poem which reveals that this incident took place in a village?





c. What does the phrase bloated carcasses refer to?



d. In your opinion, what kind of attitude do the last two lines imply? Explain.




Practice 2:

IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP (stanzas 1 and 2)
At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair

The whole day and night just passed
they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their sons
albino buffalo that was never found
By Latiff Mohidin Translated by Salleh Ben Joned

a. Write down the line which shows that they have been out for long hours?

.

b. The theme may not be exactly about hardship as implied by the title. What is the theme
related to?

.



c. What does the phrase albino buffalo reveal?





d. What moral value did you learn from the poem? Explain.





Practice 3:

He Had Such Quiet Eyes (Stanzas 1 and 2)

He had such quiet eyes
She did not realise
They were two pools of lies
Layered with thinnest ice
To her, those quiet eyes
Were breathing desolate sighs
Imploring her to be nice
And to render him paradise

If only shed been wise
And had listened to the advice
Never to compromise
With pleasure-seeking guys
Shed be free from the hows and whys
Bibsy Soenharjo-1968

a. What does the phrase two pools of lies refer to?

.

b. Which lines show that the man is saying I love you, and if you love me, prove it!

.

.

c. Which stanza shows that there is a sense of regret?



d. What do you understand by the phrase the hows and whys?

.

.

Practice 4:

He Had Such Quiet Eyes

He had such quiet eyes
She did not realise
They were two pools of lies
Layered with thinnest ice
To her, those quiet eyes
Were breathing desolate sighs
Imploring her to be nice
And to render him paradise

If only shed been wise
And had listened to the advice
Never to compromise
With pleasure-seeking guys
Shed be free from the hows and whys

Now heres a bit of advice
Be sure that nice really means nice
Then youll never be losing at dice
Though you may lose your heart once or twice
Bibsy Soenharjo-1968

a. What does the phrase thinnest ice imply?

.

.

b. In this poem, the poet talks about the betrayal of a young girls feelings for a man. She
believes in his sincerity to her as he had pleaded to her to surrender to him. Write the two lines
depicting this.

.

.

c. What is the main theme in this poem?



d. What did you learn from this poem? Explain.





Practice 5:

Are You Still Playing Your Flute?

Are you still playing your flute?
When there is hardly time for our love
I am feeling guilty
To be longing for your song
The melody concealed in the slim hollow of the bamboo
Uncovered by the breath of an artist
Composed by his fingers
Blown by the wind
To the depth of my heart.

Are you still playing your flute?
In the village so quiet and deserted
Amidst the sick rice fields
While here it has become a luxury
To spend time watching the rain
Gazing at the evening rays
Collecting dew drops
Or enjoying the fragrance of flowers.

Are you still playing your flute?
The more it disturbs my conscience
to be thinking of you
in the hazard of you
my younger brothers unemployed and desperate
my people disunited by politics
my friend slaughtered mercilessly
this world is too old and bleeding.
By Zurinah Hassan

a. Who is the persona in the poem?

.

b. Write one line from the poem that depicts that people are jobless.

.

c. Provide three phrases that depict the message of cruel realities of a nation in uncertainty of
its future.

.

.

d. In your own words describe why the poet used the word sick to describe the rice fields.

.

.

Practice 6:

Are You Still Playing Your Flute? (Stanzas 1 and 2)

Are you still playing your flute?
When there is hardly time for our love
I am feeling guilty
To be longing for your song
The melody concealed in the slim hollow of the bamboo
Uncovered by the breath of an artist
Composed by his fingers
Blown by the wind
To the depth of my heart.

Are you still playing your flute?
In the village so quiet and deserted
Amidst the sick rice fields
While here it has become a luxury
To spend time watching the rain
Gazing at the evening rays
Collecting dew drops
Or enjoying the fragrance of flowers.

By Zurinah Hassan

a. What did the persona mean when she said deserted?

.

b. Why is the persona feeling guilty?





c. Why is the question Are you still playing your flute repeated as the starting line of all the
stanzas?



d. In your opinion, is this a romantic poem? Provide reasons for your answer.

.



Practice 7:

Nature by H.D Carberry

We have neither Summer nor Winter
Neither Autumn nor Spring.
We have instead the days
When the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields-
Magnificently.
The days when the rain beats like bullet on the roofs
And there is no sound but thee swish of water in the gullies
And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds.
Also there are the days when leaves fade from off guango trees
And the reaped canefields lie bare and fallow to the sun.
But best of all there are the days when the mango and the logwood blossom
When bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey,
When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air,
When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars
And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

a. In your words describe the weather as depicted in the poem.

.

.

b. State one moral value that you have learnt from the poem.

..

c. Note that the poem ends with the line and beauty comes suddenly and the rains have
gone. Describe how this bears a resemblance in our life.





d. In the opening lines of the poem, the poet describes the things that are absent. In your
opinion, what is the poet trying to convey?

..

.

Practice 8:

Nature by H.D Carberry

We have neither Summer nor Winter
Neither Autumn nor Spring.
We have instead the days
When the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields-
Magnificently.
The days when the rain beats like bullet on the roofs
And there is no sound but thee swish of water in the gullies
And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds.
Also there are the days when leaves fade from off guango trees
And the reaped canefields lie bare and fallow to the sun.
But best of all there are the days when the mango and the logwood blossom
When bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey,
When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air,
When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars
And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

a. Why do you think H.D.Carberry wrote the poem?


b. List three words related to nature.



c. Which line in the poem Nature suggests the sense of smell?



d. Based on your knowledge of the poem Nature, describe a theme in the poem.





SHORT STORIES

FRUITCAKE SPECIAL (4 practices)

PRACTICE 1

Read the extract from the short story FRUITCAKE SPECIAL below and answer the questions that
follow.

I dreamt that I was being awful to you, treating you as if you were just someone who worked for
me. The truth is that you mean so much more than that to me I wondered what he meant. Was he
going to raise my pay? He went on. You must realise that Im crazy about you, darling. He was
calling me darling again. He was being serious. I have to say that at this point I was feeling very
confused. Five minutes ago my boss didnt want to be seen with me. Now he was saying he was
crazy about me! What could be making him behave like this? Then, all at once, I realised it was the
fruitcake special! Intrigue might smell great, but it didnt make a girl attractive to men. But my
fruitcake perfume did.

a. What does the word crazy imply?



b. Why was the writer confused?

..

c. What is Intrigue in the context of the story?



d. Describe the behaviour of the writers boss and why he behaved in such a way.





PRACTICE 2

Read the extract from the short story FRUITCAKE SPECIAL below and answer the questions that
follow.

Momma and Aunt Mini were very pleased, of course. They went off together to plan the wedding
and left me to get ready for the man they hoped would be my future husband. I was beginning to
wish I hadnt told them. After all, I had no idea why my boss had behaved towards me in that way.
He had never even noticed me before now. However, he had noticed the perfume I had been
wearing. Lately I had been wearing a perfume called intrigue. It was made by another company and I
actually preferred it to the perfumes we made. Mr. Amos did have a very good nose for perfumes.
Perhaps Intrigue was so good he just couldnt stop himself. Who knows? Anyway, I had to get ready
for my evening out. Although I couldnt explain why Mr. Amos had suddenly found me attractive, I
really wanted to find out. In my own way Im as bad as my Aunt Mimi, I guess.

a. Whose wedding is being planned? Name the bride and groom to be.



b. Why did the writer say wish I hadnt told them?

..

c. Why was the writers plan for the night?



d. Do you think the boss was attracted to the writer because of the perfume?
Give a reason for your answer.





PRACTICE 3

Read the extract from the short story FRUITCAKE SPEACIAL below and answer the questions that
follow.

Momma seemed satisfied with my explanation that things had just not worked out between me and
Mr. Amos, although she thought it a wasted opportunity she wanted me to have a rich husband.
Still, happiness is what really counts, she said, with a note of sadness in her voice. When I finally got
back to the factory there was a message left on my desk could I see Mr. Amos as soon as I got in.
As I walked towards David Amoss office I felt like a schoolgirl who had to go to see the head
teacher. I was sure that the fruitcake special would not still be working by now after all, he had not
seen me for a few days. I knocked on his door. Mr. Amos was sitting behind his big desk with a large
black eye.

a. Describe the opportunity as in the context of the story?



b. Why was the opportunity considered as wasted?

..

c. Why did the writer feel like a schoolgirl who had to go to see the head teacher?



d. Do you think Mr. Amos was angry at the writer? Give a reason




PRACTICE 4

Read the extract from the short story FRUITCAKE SPECIAL below and answer the questions that
follow.

Momma, I said, if its Aunt Mimi with news of another perfect boy for me, tell her Im not
interested. Its not Aunt Mimi, dear, said Momma.
Who is it? I asked. I think youd better come see for yourself Momma said.
I went to the front door. It was Armstrong, the pizza delivery man. He was holding up a pizza box
which had Armstrongs Peachy Pizzas in big letters on the front.
Armstrong now owned the pizza company. He explained that hed fallen in love with me when he
first delivered pizza to us, but he wanted to be a success before asking me out. He said I deserved no
less. Then he gave me some flowers. I never really noticed before, but Armstrong is quite good
looking: a bit short maybe, a little thin on top but nobodys perfect.

a. State one characteristic of a perfect boy in Aunt Mimis opinion.



b. What is the name of Armstrongs company?

..

c. What does Armstrong mean when he said deserved no less?



d. Would you marry someone like Armstrong? Give a reason





QWERTYUIOP (4 practices)

PRACTICE 1

Read the extract from the short story QWERTYUIOP below and answer the
questions that follow.

She stared at it in horrified bewilderment. What had happened? What had she done? Not even on
her first day at the Belmont Secretarial College had she made such ridiculous mistakes. Such strange
mistakes QWERTYUIOP, the top line of letters on a typewriter, repeated over and over again!
Thank God there had been no one to notice. Theyd think she had gone mad.
She must be more careful. Keep her mind on the job, not allow it to wander out of the window into
the sunny shopping street below. Putting fresh paper into the typewriter, she began again.
She was tempted to look at the keyboard . . . Dont look at the keys! Keep your eyes away! Mrs
Price was always saying. No peeing. Youll never make a good typist if you cant do it by touch.
Rhythm, its all rhythm. Play it to music in your head.

a. What is QWERTYUIOP?



b. Why must she be careful?

..

c. What did she decide to do after making the repeated mistakes?



d. Do you think you would make such mistakes. Give a reason for your answer.





PRACTICE 2

Read the extract from the short story QWERTYUIOP below and answer the
questions that follow.

For an hour, she battled with the machine. As fast as QWERTYUIOPs and unwanted capitals
appeared, she attacked with a loaded brush. The white fluid ran down the typing paper like melting
ice-cream, and dripped thickly into the depths of the typewriter.
YOURE DROWNING ME, it complained pathetically, and she swiped at the words with her brush.
HELP!
Another swipe.
PLEASE!
But Lucy showed no mercy. The large bottle was half-empty when she reached the end of the letter
in triumph.
Yours faithfully,
George Ross,
She typed, and sat back with a sigh of relief.
The machine began to rattle. Too late, Lucy snatched the completed letter out of the typewriter.
Across the bottom of the otherwise faultless page, it now said in large, red capitals:
I HATE YOU!
Furiously she painted the words out.

a. What is the white fluid?



b. Why is Lucy battling with the machine?



c. Why is the large bottle half empty?

..

d. What quality did Lucy display? Provide a reason for your answer.




PRACTICE 3

Read the extract from the short story QWERTYUIOP below and answer the
questions that follow.

Lucy typed quickly:
Are you from outer space?
The typewriter rocked, as if with laughter, its keys clicking like badly fitting false teeth.
IDIOT, it wrote.
Who are you? Lucy typed.
Miss Broome, it answered.
Lucy hesitated. She did not know quite how to reply to this. In the end she typed:
How do you do? I am Miss Beck.
GO AWAY, MISS BECK
Why should I?
I AM SECRETARY HERE, it sated, this time in red letters.
No, youre not! I am! Lucy typed angrily.
The machine went mad. Q U E R T Y U I O P / @ Q U E R T Y U I O P &()*QWERTYUIOP+1, it
screamed, shaking and snapping its keys like castanets.

a. What does the word rocked mean?



b. What is Lucys occupation?



c. Why did Lucy hesitate?



d. If you were Lucy do you think you would reply to Miss Broome? Give a reason for your
answer.





PRACTICE 4

Read the extract from the short story QWERTYUIOP below and answer the
questions that follow.

Lucy Beck was young and small and mouse-coloured, easily overlooked. She had a lonely O level
and a typing speed that would make a tortoise laugh.
Whoever will want to employ me? she had asked Mrs. Price once, and Mrs. Price had been at a
loss to answer.
Lucy wanted a job. More than anyone, more than anything, she wanted a job. She was tired of being
poor. She was fed up with macaroni cheese and baked beans. She was sick of second-hand clothes.
We are jumble sailors on the rough sea of life, her mother would say. Lucy loved her mother, but
could not help wishing she would sometimes lose her temper. Shout. Scream. Throw saucepans at
the spinning, grinning head of Uncle Bert.

a. Why is Lucy described as easily overlooked?



b. Why is finding a job so important to Lucy?



c. What was Mrs. Prices answer to Lucy when she asked whether she would ever find a job?



d. Describe Lucys feelings towards Uncle Bert. Provide reasons for your answer.





DRAMA (4 practices)

PRACTICE 1

Read the extract from the drama Gulp and Gasp below and answer the
questions that follow.

LORD SEPTIC: Its just like that night many years ago. I stood right here as my father tied Lady Gatsby
to the same track. She was the richest widow in town. He tricked her to meet him on this station one
dark night.
CROUCH: Killer trains must run in your family, sir!
LORD SEPTIC: Lady Gatsby came here with her baby in one arm and the Gatsby Gold in the other. But
somehow she hid it before we got our hands on it.
CROUCH: You wanted to get the baby?
LORD SEPTIC: No, the gold, you fool. Its worth a fortune. We tied her to this track to make her tell us
where shed hidden it.

a. Why was Lady Gatsby at the station?



b. What did Lady Gatsby do before her death?



b. Why was the Gatsby Gold not found?



d. Explain in your own words what is meant by crouch when he said killer trains.





Practice 2

Read the extract from the drama Gulp and Gasp below and answer the
questions that follow.

RO S E: Not since the fire at the match factory.
PERCY: Lord Septics match factory?
ROSE: Yes. I used to pack the match boxes. Big match boxes. Full of big matches.
PERCY: Wasnt there a big strike at the match factory?
ROSE: Yes. Lord Septic didnt pay us. He didnt keep the matches safe because it would cost him
money. There was a fire and many workers were killed. I was lucky. But the flames hurt my eyes. I
cant see any more.
PERCY: What a rotter that man is! Theyve just gone on strike at another one of his factories. They all
want a shorter working wick.
ROSE: [Laughing] I think you mean WEEK. They want a shorter working WEEK.
PERCY: No its a candle factory. I say, you look so pretty when you smile. Whats your name?

a. Why was Rose at the match factory?



b. In what way was Lord Septic responsible for the fire?



c. Why is there a strike at one of Lord Septics factories?



d. What would be an important value portrayed in the drama? Provide a reason for your
answer.





Practice 3

Read the extract from the drama Gulp and Gasp below and answer the
questions that follow.

CROUCH: And you always want what you get, sir.
LORD SEPTIC: No, Crouch. I always get what I want. At last, I own this station. Soon I will own all the
stations from here to Kings Cross. And when I do do you know what Ill be?
CROUCH: Even more greedy, sir?
LORD SEPTIC: Ill be the richest man in the land. And do you know why?
CROUCH: Because youll own the biggest train set ever.
LORD SEPTIC: Because I will find the Gatsby Gold. Its hidden somewhere along this line. Ill dig up
the track. Ill look under every sleeper. Ill search every station. One day, it will be mine. All mine. At
last . . . And nothing will get in my way. [He trips over Crouch] Get out of my way, you fool.
CROUCH: Most sorry, sir. Very sorry, sir. Really sorry,
sir.
LORD SEPTIC: Ill now go up to my office to plot more plans. I will get more ideas on being rich. Filthy
rich. Thick, black and oily. Thats how rich! Im going upstairs.

a. What is a sleeper?



b. What does Lord Septic hope to find under the sleepers?



c. What are Lord Septics plans?



d. What is your impression of Crouch? Explain.



Practice 4

Read the extract from the drama Gulp and Gasp below and answer the
questions that follow.

LORD SEPTIC : Yes, Clora my wife. Clora Septic. She nags for a living. I only
married her for her arms.

CROUCH : Are they nice to hug?

LORD SEPTIC : Not those arms. She owns a gun factory. We make weapons. We make bombs. One
day we will arm the world. We want a good war. Shes just made a tank that can kill from a mile in
one burst. Just like her! Its called the Septic Tank.

CROUCH : I bet thatll cause a bit of a stink, sir!

LORD SEPTIC : Crouch, I dont know why I keep you as my porter. You are dim, daft, dopey, dozey
and dippy. Whats more you annoy me. Im not nice when Im cross.

CROUCH : No, sir.

a. What is the meaning of the word arms?



b. Why did Lord Septic marry Clora?



c. What is the name of the tank that Clora has made?



d. Explain why Lord Septic called Crouch dim, daft, dopey, dozey and dippy



Novels (6 Practices)

PRACTICE SECTION

The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English Language
1. The Curse by Lee Su Ann
2. Step by Wicked Step by Ann Fine.
3. Catch Us If You Can by Catherine McPhail
Based on one novel above, write about the following.

Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
Your response should be:
Not less than 50 words
In continuous writing (not in note form)

Practice 1
Based on one novel above, discuss one of the themes in the story. Provide evidence from the text to
support your answer

Practice 2
Write about a character that you find most interesting.
Support your answer with evidence from the novel.

Practice 3
Write about a moral value you have learnt in the story.
Support your answer with evidence from the novel

Practice 4
Based on one novel above, write about an episode that is memorable in the story. Provide evidence
from the text to support your answer.

Practice 5

Based on the novel of your choice, discuss the problems faced by a character. How does he/she
overcome the problems?

Practice 6

Compare two characters in the novel you have studied. How are they similar?

TEST 1

Form 4 Poem
In the Midst of Hardship
Read the following stanza of In the Midst of Hardship and answer the questions that follow.

At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows there was not a sign of despair
Latiff Mohidin

a. What does the word dawn mean?



b. Write down two phrases from the poem that indicates injury.

i.

ii.

c. Describe their feelings when they reached home. Provide a reason to support your answer.







Form 4 Short Story
QWERTYUIOP
Read the extract from the short story QWERTYUIOP below and answer the
questions that follow

She was early. She smoothed down her windy hair, and waited.
At five past nine, an elderly man, with small dark eyes like currants and a thick icing of white hair,
came hobbling up the stairs. He was jingling a bunch of keys.
Ah, he said, noticing Mary. Punctuality is the courtesy of kings but a hard necessity for new
brooms, eh? You are the new broom, I suppose? Not an impatient customer waiting to see our new
range of Sunburst cushions, by any chance?

a. What does the phrase new broom imply?



b. Describe the man who opened the door for Lucy.

..

c. What is the meaning of hobbling?

..

d. In your opinion, why did Lucy arrive early that Monday morning?

.

.

Novel

The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English Language
4. The Curse by Lee Su Ann
5. Step by Wicked Step by Ann Fine.
6. Catch Us If You Can by Catherine McPhail
Based on the novel that you have studied, choose a character and discuss how good values are being
demonstrated through the character you have chosen.

Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
Your response should be:
Not less than 50 words
In continuous writing (not in note form)

TEST 2
(Form 5 poem)

Nature by H.D Carberry

We have neither Summer nor Winter
Neither Autumn nor Spring.
We have instead the days
When the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields-
Magnificently.
The days when the rain beats like bullet on the roofs
And there is no sound but thee swish of water in the gullies
And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds.
Also there are the days when leaves fade from off guango trees
And the reaped canefields lie bare and fallow to the sun.
But best of all there are the days when the mango and the logwood blossom
When bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey,
When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air,
When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars
And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

a. What seasons did the poet say that they did not have?

__________________________________________________________________

b. List out the verbs found in the poem Nature.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

c. List words that describe the following in the poem.

i) sunny days

____________________________________________________________

ii) rainy days

____________________________________________________________

d. Do you agree that the sunny days are the best days as compared to rainy days? Explain
why or why not?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Form 4 drama/short story

LORD SEPTIC: The night, you fool. Its a foul and filthy night.
CROUCH: Very nasty, Lord Septic.
LORD SEPTIC: Angry.
CROUCH: Mmm.
LORD SEPTIC: Very angry.
CROUCH: Mmm. Mmmm.
LORD SEPTIC: And do you know why Im angry, Crouch? I hate nights like this.
CROUCH: Indeed, sir.
LORD SEPTIC: This fog is so thick. I cant see a thing out there. Its as thick as
CROUCH: Pea soup, sir. Very thick pea soup.
LORD SEPTIC: And theres nothing worse than pea soup is there, Crouch?
CROUCH: Not really, sir. Apart from sprouts. I would think a mushy sprout soup is pretty foul. Worse
than a pea in this fog.
LORDSEPTIC: I cant even see the railway track.
CROUCH: Dont get too near the edge of the platform, sir.
LORD SEPTIC: If this train doesnt come soon, Ill sack the driver. Ill sack everyone. After all, next
week Ill own this railway line.
CROUCH: Indeed, sir. Most true, your ever-so big lordship, sir.

a. Why is Lord Septic very angry?

..

b. What does the word sack mean?

..

c. Describe the condition at the station.

..

d. How would you describe Lord Septic? Provide a reason for your answer.

..

..

Novel question

The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English Language
7. The Curse by Lee Su Ann
8. Step by Wicked Step by Ann Fine.
9. Catch Us If You Can by Catherine McPhail
Based on the novel that you have studied, describe two different settings or situations.

Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
Your response should be:
Not less than 50 words
In continuous writing (not in note form)

ANSWERS.

Poem
In The Midst Of Hardship
Practice 1
a. They were wet
b. desperately looking for their sons
albino buffalo that was never found
c. animals killed as they drowned in the flood water.
d. Optimistic,- they were making jokes not crying or show signs of despair.

Practice 2
a. The whole day and night just passed
b. Facing hardship with optimism
c. They are in the village as people in the town will not rear buffaloes.
d. Despite the hardship, we must remain resilient and strong. Often, the difficult time is not a
permanent one.

He Had Such Quiet Eyes
Practice 3
a. The eyes are compared to deceit.
b. Imploring her to be nice
And to render him paradise.
c. Stanza 2
d. The hows and whys is compared to a situation where one gets hurt emotionally and tries to
solve the problem.

Practice 4
a. dangerous
b. To her, those quiet eyes
Were breathing desolate sighs
Imploring her to be nice
c. Deceit
d. We sometimes encounter people who have ill intentions towards us. We should take
precaution against them.

Are You Still Playing Your Flute?

Practice 5
a. a very perceptive and reflective woman.
b. my younger brothers unemployed and desperate
c. my people disunited by politics
my friend slaughtered mercilessly
this world is too old and bleeding.
d. Perhaps the yield is not rewarding/ the harvest is destroyed due to bad weather.
Practice 6
a. the villagers have left/migrated.
b. Feeling guilty as she is enjoying the music when the nation is plagued with problems
c. This is to stress on the activity as something that should not be done when the nation is
facing so much trouble.
d. No, it is not a romantic poem. It is poem that shows the irony between a leisure activity and
problems faced by the nation at the same time.

Nature

Practice 7
a. The poem highlights the appealing climate conditions on the island of Jamaica.
b. We must appreciate the beauty of nature.
c. This is a big resemblance to our life, as it has been our experience that after bad times, good
times will follow and sometimes ever so abruptly.
d. It is to highlight the pleasant climate on the island. It has no extreme weather conditions.

Practice 8
a. He wants to celebrate the richness of the lands produce and how alive and plentiful Nature
is.
b. gold sun, rain, trees.
c. The line, When the bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey
d. Appreciating ones country-Life in ones country has its share of ups and downs but one
must always look at the brighter side of life. In this poem, the poet stresses on his countrys weather
being sunny, rainy and windy. The poet states that we must appreciate what we have.

SHORT STORIES

FRUITCAKE SPECIAL
Practice 1

a. not normal
b. confused at how the feelings of her boss towards her changes abruptly.
c. Name of the perfume.
d. The boss took a liking of her when he was not interested at all a little while ago. Perhaps it is
the work of the perfume.

Practice 2
a. Mr Amos and Anna
b. She is actually not interested in Mr Amos.
c. She wants to find out why Mr Amos was attracted to her.
d. Any logical answer.
Practice 3
a. an opportunity to marry a rich man
b. the marriage did not take place.
c. She did not know how to answer or react to Mr Amos who is her boss.
d. No, he was not. He was not aware of what had actually happened.

Practice 4
a. wealthy
b. Armstrongs Peachy Pizzas
c. She is a fine person and she should get someone who is capable of looking after her and care
for her financially.
d. Any logical answer.

QWERTYUIOP

Practice 1
a. The top line of letters on a typewriter or keypad.
b. She must not let people know that she is making mistakes.
c. She decided to try again and this time she will focus on the rhythm.
d. Any logical answer.

Practice 2
a. correction liquid/liquid paper
b. the words QWERTYUIOP keep appearing.
c. She used it to correct a lot of mistakes.
d. Lucy shows determination in what she does. She refuses to simply give up and leave and
finds a way to deal with the spirit.

Practice 3
a. movement.
b. Secretary
c. She did not how to react to the typewriter or what to ask next.
d. Any logical answer.

Practice 4
a. she was small in size
b. she wanted to move away from her mother.
c. Mrs Price could not give an answer
d. She hated him. She wished that her mother would lose her temper and throw things at him.

Drama
Gulp and Gasp

Practice 1
a. She came to meet Lord Septic as he tricked her to meet him.
b. She had hidden the gold.
c. No one knew where she had hidden it.
d. The two trains have something in common- use to kill; Lady Gatsby and now, Percy and Rose

Practice 2
a. she was working there packing matches.
b. he did not keep the matches in a safe place and there was a fire
c. the workers wanted to work for a shorter number of days in a week.
d. Good always triumphs over evil. The two villains, Lord Septic and Crouch, are duly punished
in the end.
Practice 3
a. closely spaced transverse beams, usually of wood, for holding the rails forming a track at the
proper distance from each other.
b. Gold
c. Get ideas to become rich
d. He is rather foolish, he often makes silly remarks and does not respect his own identity.

Practice 4
a. weapons/firearms
b. for her wealth/ factory
c. Septic Tank
d. He made a silly remark- he thought the Septic tank will have smell when it is a weapon

NOVELS

Practice 1
Through the novel The Curse, gender stereotyping is portrayed through how females should
behave. This can be seen especially through Azreen. For example, Azreens school friends start to
cast suspicious eyes towards her when she behaves unlady-like. She plays hockey with the boys and
even laughs like a bunch of hyenas with them. To them, as a woman, Azreen is not expected to be
tomboyish and hangs too closely with boys.

Practice 2
An interesting character in the novel- The Curse is the old lady. She is an educated woman as she has
knowledge of herbal medicine to treat illnesses. Her house is always neat and situated by the
hillside. She is a caring and concerned woman as she takes Azreen in and gives her food and shelter
whenever she has fights and problems. She is also a resourceful person and she is a good cook and
her recipes and secret ingredients are very much sought after.

Practice 3
The value in life that I have learnt in the novel- Catch us if you can is The Importance of Family.
Sacrifices for family are honoured and explored, as are the family bonds that survive adversity.
Family responsibility in the novel is best displayed by Rorys constant care of his grandfather. Very
early in age, Rory has realised that there was only Granda and me to make up a family. Rory does
not know any other family love. His father had left them when he was very young. Granda had taken
care of him all his life and now, as Granda is getting old and forgetful, and is never quite well, it is his
turn to look after him.

Practice 4
The incident which is memorable in Catch us if you can is when Granda is sent to Rachnadar, Rory
knows that he has to get him away from that place. Though torn with desperation at times (
Grandas carelessness with the chip pan had landed him in hospital and Rory at Castle Street), Rory
plans the Great Escape and gets him away from the hospital where they put old people in.

Practice 5
In the novel Step by Wicked Step, Richard reveals the pain of the knowledge of his dying father and
the intrusion of Mr. Coldstone into the family. Then Richards father dies. Mr Coldstone is very harsh
towards Richard. Richard feels that his own happiness is not counted for. He wishes for his father to
wake up from the grave and tell him that all things in the house have gone wrong since the fathers
death. Richard had practically become a stranger in his own house. His house was like a tomb.
Richard leaves the house. He feels that his presence is not wanted by his mother.

Practice 6
Claudia are the two characters I have chosen to compare and contrast. Although they are two
differing characters, they also have some similarities. Both Colin and Claudia come from broken or
separated families. They both have step parents. Colins mother has left his biological father and
`took up with Jack. Jack is the only father figure Colin ever know. However, Colins mum leaves Jack
after a while. This causes him to miss Jack so badly that it hurts. On the other hand, Claudias father
has left her mother for another woman, Stella. She feels disloyal to her mum whenever she has a
good time with her father and Stella. Both Colin and Claudia really want their parents to reconcile as
they pine for how it used to be when they were happy.