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SECTION C: SHORT STORIES
In this section, questions are set on the following short stories:
- ‘TRANSFORMING MOMENTS’ by Gcina Mhlophe
- ‘A CHIP OF GLASS RUBY’ by Nadine Gordimer
QUESTION 5
Read the extracts from the TWO short stories below and answer the questions set on
each. The number of marks allocated to each question serves as a guide to the
expected length of your answer.
NOTE: Answer the questions set on BOTH extracts, i.e. QUESTION 5.1 AND
QUESTION 5.2.
5.1 ‘TRANSFORMING MOMENTS’
EXTRACT I
[The speaker relates her experiences at school.]
5.1.1 Choose a description from COLUMN B that matches the name in
COLUMN A. Write only the letter (A–E) next to the question
number (5.1.1(a) to 5.1.1(d)) in the ANSWER BOOK.
(4 x 1) (4)
5.1.2 Refer to lines 2–3 (‘my deep voice … heard droning away’).
(a) Identify the figure of speech used in this line. (1)
(b) Explain this figure of speech as used in the extract. (2)
5.1.3 Why is the following statement FALSE?
Only the girls in the dormitory benefit from this ‘coughing’ (line 4). (1)
5.1.4 Refer to lines 13–15 (‘Well, I thought … told him so’).
What is the boy from Port Elizabeth’s response after the speaker
‘told him so’? State TWO points. (2)
5.1.5 Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence.
Write only the letter (A–D) next to the question number (5.1.5) in
the ANSWER BOOK.
The speaker is … years of age when she relates her
transformation.
A eighteen
B seventeen
C sixteen
D nineteen (1)
5.1.6 State ONE difference in the attitude of the boy from Port Elizabeth
and the speaker when they first meet. (2)
5.1.7 What does this extract reveal about the character of the other girls
in the dormitory?
Substantiate your answer. (2)
5.1.8 The praise poet plays the most important part in bringing about a
change in the speaker.
Discuss your view. (3)
AND
5.2 ‘A CHIP OF GLASS RUBY’
EXTRACT J
[Jimmy defends his mother’s actions.]
5.2.1 Describe the setting of this extract. (2)
5.2.2 To what does ‘there’ refer in line 1? (1)
5.2.3 Explain the irony of Jimmy’s words when he says, ‘That’s all the
kids need to know’ (lines 2–3). (2)
5.2.4 Refer to lines 8–9 (‘Of course, you … mumbled at him’).
(a) What tone would Mr Bamjee use in these lines? (1)
(b) Why would Mr Bamjee use this tone in these lines? (1)
5.2.5 What is Mr Bamjee’s state of mind in the last THREE lines of this
extract? Substantiate your answer. (2)
5.2.6 How does Girlie assist the family during Mrs Bamjee’s absence? (2)
5.2.7 One of the themes in ‘A Chip of Glass Ruby’ is sacrifice.
Discuss this theme. (3)
5.2.8 In this short story Mr Bamjee can be regarded as selfish.
Discuss your view. (3)
TOTAL SECTION C: 35