In this section, questions are set on the following short stories:
• ‘THE NEW TRIBE’ by Buchi Emecheta
• ‘THE FUR COAT’ by Sean O’Faolain
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 ‘THE NEW TRIBE’
EXTRACT I
[A discussion between Ginny and Chester.]
5.1.1 Complete the following sentences by using the words in the list below. Write only the word next to the question numbers (5.1.1(a) to 5.1.1(d)) in the ANSWER BOOK.
This story is set in the small town of (a) … where Arthur Arlington is a (b) … The Arlingtons adopt two children, Chester and Julia. Chester is (c) … The first day at school Chester causes some disruption and his teacher, (d) …, saves the day by calling Julia to assist. (4)
5.1.2 Refer to lines 7–8 (‘I just don’t … king any more’)
(a) Why does Chester not ‘want to be a king any more’? (1)
(b) Give a reason why Ginny wants Chester to play this part? (1)
5.1.3 Write down ONE word which best describes how Ginny is feeling in line 9 (‘I just didn’t realise you felt so strongly’). (1)
5.1.4 Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence. Write only the letter (A–D) next to the question number (5.1.4) in the ANSWER BOOK.
When Chester says he ‘gained a little independence’ (line 14) he means he is … A brave enough to ask Arthur about his adoption. B brave enough to tell Ginny how he feels. C insecure and needs his parents’ advice. D accepted by his fellow school mates. (1)
5.1.5 Explain why Chester refers to Arthur as ‘the Rock of Gibraltar’ in line 17. (2)
5.1.6 What does this extract reveal about Chester’s character? Explain your answer. (2)
5.1.7 One of the themes in the short story, ‘The new tribe’, is insecurity. Discuss this theme. (3)
5.1.8 Do you sympathise with Julia? Discuss your view. (3)
AND
5.2 ‘THE FUR COAT’
EXTRACT J
[Molly is talking to Paddy.]
5.2.1 Refer to lines 1–2 (‘And she crashed … into a cellar’).
(a) Why does Molly bang the door after her? (2)
(b) Identify the figure of speech in ‘put the children … into a cellar’. (1)
(c) Explain why this figure of speech is appropriate. (2)
5.2.2 Explain why Paddy is ‘poring over maps and specifications’ (line 3). (2)
5.2.3 What would Molly want Paddy to show when she looks ‘hopefully’ (line 14) at him? (2)
5.2.4 Discuss the irony in what Molly says in lines 21−22, (‘Because I don’t … about a fur coat’). (2)
5.2.5 Compare the ideas that Paddy and Molly have about the use of a fur coat. (2)
5.2.6 Why is the following statement FALSE? Molly eventually buys a fur coat with the cheque that Paddy gives her. (1)
5.2.7 Refer to the story as a whole. Do you think Molly’s behaviour is immature? Discuss your view. (3)
TOTAL SECTION C: 35