"ITE#AT$#E C%&!

%'E'T (%# (%#& )

Short St ory

QWERTYUIOP
by Vivien Alcock Table of Contents
Introduction About Short Stories The Writer Synopsis Elements Activities Beyond The Text Assessment Answer Key lossary !anel of Writers

Curriculum Development Division. Ministry of Education Malaysia. 2009

SHORT STORY

Introduction
Welcome to the World of Literature and to Short Stories!

We hope you will enjoy working with this guidebook, which has been specially designed to help you prepare your students enjoy the Literature Component of the KBS syllabus" !nglish Language

# brief e$planation of the short story genre has been pro%ided together with suggested acti%ities, teaching steps and worksheets&handouts" #n answer key with suggested answers has been pro%ided at the end of the guide to assist you" 'here is also an assessment section with conte$tual (uestions and ideas for authentic assessment and a glossary at the end of each story"

We recommend that the acti%ities in this guidebook be adapted for your students) needs and be carried out creati%ely in order to de%elop students) appreciation and critical analysis of the short stories" Be ready to listen to students) %iews and opinions, and encourage them to work out the answers"

*t is our sincere hope that the acti%ities and worksheets in this guidebook will act as a springboard for your own ideas and methods of e$ploring the indi%idual stories"

SHORT STORY

About Short Stories

What is a Short Story? Can you e$plain what makes a short story+ Well, a short story is a short piece of fiction aiming at unity of characteri,ation, theme and effect" *t aims to produce a single narrati%e effect with the greatest economy of means and utmost emphasis" -id you know that modern short story writers tend to base their narrati%es on their own e$perience+ .ere the focus is much more on the less spectacular aspects of life, on the significance underlying what is apparently tri%ial" 'he result of such percepti%e writing is to re%eal the subtleties of the human mind and of human beha%iour" Lets listen to the story The Fruitcake Special

Hmm.. Wonder if mum will make fruitcake for us today??

What makes a ood short story? # short story is a piece of prose fiction which can be read at a single sitting" *t ought to combine matter/of/fact description with poetic atmosphere" *t ought to present a unified impression of temper, tone, colour, and effect" *t mostly shows a decisi%e moment of life" 'here is often little action, hardly any character de%elopment, but we get a snapshot of life" *ts plot is not %ery comple$ 0in contrast to the no%el1, but it creates a unified impression and lea%es us with a %i%id sensation rather than a number of remembered facts" 'here is a close connection between the short story and the poem as there is both a uni(ue union of idea and structure"

Short Story Elements Can you suggest some elements of a short story+ Let)s find out in the section below" Settin // 'he time and location in which a story takes place is called the setting" 2or some stories the setting is %ery important, while for others it is not" 'here are se%eral aspects of a story3s setting to consider when e$amining how setting contributes to a story 0some, or all, may be present in a story14 !lace / geographical location" Where is the action of the story taking place+ "ime / When is the story taking place+ 0historical period, time of day, year, etc1 Weather conditions / *s it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc+ Social conditions / What is the daily life of the characters like+ -oes the story contain local colour 0writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc" of a particular place1+ Mood or atmosphere / What feeling is created at the beginning of the story+ *s it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening+ !lot // 'he plot is how the author arranges e%ents to de%elop his basic idea5 *t is the se(uence of e%ents in a story or play" 'he plot is a planned, logical series of e%ents ha%ing a beginning, middle, and end" 'he short story usually has one plot so it can be read in one sitting" 'here are fi%e essential parts of plot4 #ntroduction &$rientation/ 'he beginning of the story where the characters and the setting is re%ealed" %isin &ction / 'his is where the e%ents in the story become complicated and the conflict in the story is re%ealed 0e%ents between the introduction and clima$1" Clima' / 'his is the highest point of interest and the turning point of the story" 'he reader wonders what will happen ne$t5 will the conflict be resol%ed or not+ (allin action / 'he e%ents and complications begin to resol%e themsel%es" 'he reader knows what has happened ne$t and if the conflict was resol%ed or not 0e%ents between clima$ and denouement1" %esolution ) Denouement / 'his is the final outcome or untangling of e%ents in the story"

6enerally, it is helpful to consider the clima$ as a three/fold phenomenon4 the main character recei%es new information accepts this information 0reali,es it but does not necessarily agree with it1 acts on this information 0makes a choice that will determine whether or not he&she gains his objecti%e1" Conflict// Conflict is also essential to the plot" Without conflict there is no plot" *t is the opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the plot mo%e" Conflict is not merely limited to open arguments, rather it is any form of opposition that faces the main character" Within a short story there may be only one central struggle, or there may be one dominant struggle with many minor ones" -id you know that there are two types of conflict+ 'hey are 7 81 E'ternal 91 #nternal pain, (uiet their temper, resist an urge, etc" Conflict can also occur in the following situations4 Man vs. Man 0physical1 / 'he leading character struggles with his physical strength against other men, forces of nature, or animals" Man vs. Circumstances 0classical1 / 'he leading character struggles against fate, or the circumstances of life facing him&her" Man vs. Society 0social1 / 'he leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people" Man vs. *imself)*erself 0psychological1 / 'he leading character struggles with himself&herself5 with his&her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc" / # struggle with a force outside one3s self" / # struggle within one3s self5 a person must make some decision, o%ercome

Hi can you !uess what character means?

Character // 'here are two meanings for the word character4 'he person in a work of fiction" 'he characteristics of a person"

!ersons in a +ork of fiction / &nta onist and !rota onist Short stories use few characters" :ne character is clearly central to the story with all major e%ents ha%ing some importance to this character / he&she is the ;<:'#6:=*S'" 'he opposer of the main character is called the #='#6:=*S'" "he Characteristics of a !erson , *n order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real" Characteri,ation is the information the author gi%es the reader about the characters themsel%es" Characters are con%incing if they are4 consistent, moti%ated, and life/ like 0resemble real people1 Can you guess how does the author re%eal a character+ Well, it is done in se%eral ways through4 a1 his&her physical appearance b1 what he&she says, thinks, feels and dreams c1 what he&she does or does not do d1 what others say about him&her and how others react to him&her

Characters can -e ... 8" #ndividual / round, many sided and comple$ personalities" 9" Developin / dynamic, many sided personalities that change, for better or worse, by the end of the story" >" Static / Stereotype, ha%e one or two characteristics that ne%er change and are emphasi,ed e"g" brilliant detecti%e, drunk, scrooge, cruel stepmother, etc"

"o you think "a#id $mos is a static character?

!oint of .ie+ ;oint of %iew, or p"o"%", is defined as the angle from which the story is told" #nnocent Eye / 'he story is told through the eyes of a child 0his&her judgment being different from that of an adult1 " Stream of Consciousness / 'he story is told so that the reader feels as if they are inside the head of one character and knows all their thoughts and reactions" (irst !erson / 'he story is told by the protagonist or one of the characters who interacts closely with the protagonist or other characters 0using pronouns *, me, we, etc1" 'he reader sees the story through this person3s eyes as he&she e$periences it and only knows what he&she knows or feels" $mniscient/ 'he author can narrate the story using the omniscient point of %iew" .e can mo%e from character to character, e%ent to e%ent, ha%ing free access to the thoughts, feelings and moti%ations of his characters and he introduces information where and when he chooses" 'here are two main types of omniscient point of %iew4 a1 $mniscient /imited / 'he author tells the story in third person 0using pronouns they, she, he, it, etc1" We know only what the character knows and what the author

allows him&her to tell us" We can see the thoughts and feelings of characters if the author chooses to re%eal them to us" b1 $mniscient $-0ective G 'he author tells the story in the third person" *t appears as though a camera is following the characters, going anywhere, and recording only what is seen and heard" 'here is no comment on the characters or their thoughts" =o interpretations are offered" 'he reader is placed in the position of spectator without the author there to e$plain" 'he reader has to interpret e%ents on his own"

%m $nna. %m !oin! to tell my story from the first person point of #iew&

"heme // 'he theme in a piece of fiction is its controlling idea or its central insight" *t is the author3s underlying meaning or main idea that he is trying to con%ey" 'he theme may be the author3s thoughts about a topic or %iew of human nature" 'he title of the short story usually points to what the writer is saying and he may use %arious figures of speech to emphasi,e his theme, such as4 symbol, allusion, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or irony" Some simple e$amples of common themes from literature, 'H, and film are4 Things are not always as they appear to be. Love is blind. Believe in yourself. People are afraid of hange. !on"t #udge a book by its over.

Source Source
?<L 4 http://homepage.bnv-bamberg.de/gk_english/short_story ?<L 4 http://homepage.bnv-bamberg.de/gk_english/short_story -ate accessed 4 8> :ctober 9AAF -ate accessed 4 8> :ctober 9AAF
*=CL?-!;*C'?<! @http4&&thm/aA9"yimg"com&image&Bff>eB9dfBCBeAfB@ DE !<6!2:< #'*=!' *=CL?-!;*C'?<! @http4&&thm/aA9"yimg"com&image&Bff>eB9dfBCBeAfB@ DE !<6!2:< #'*=!'

QWERTYUIOP

The Writer

.ivien &lcock 08F9B G 9AA>1 was an author of children3s books" Born in Worthing, West Susse$, in !ngland, her family mo%ed to -e%i,es in Wiltshire when she was aged 8A" She then studied at the :$ford School of #rts" She was married to author Leon 6arfield, with whom she adopted a daughter, named Iane after Iane #usten" 'hey met during World War **, when Hi%ien was an ambulance dri%er" .er first book was The $aunting of %assie Palmer which was followed by The &onster 'arden and others" 02rom (ikipedia.org)

QWERTYUIOP

Synopsis

JKW!<'L?*:;) by Hi%ien #lcock is about a young graduate named Lucy Beck who has just finished her J:) le%els at Belmont Secretarial College" Being a slow learner herself, she has no confidence that she will find a job" 2ortunately, she is offered a job by r" <oss, the anager of <oss and Bannister)s" -uring her first day, she encounters many peculiar incidents" Later, she finds out that there is a spirit lingering around the office who is adamant in holding on to her position as the company)s secretary" 'owards the end of the story, Lucy tries to get rid of the spirit that has been haunting that place for many years by putting the spirit at peace"

10

QWERTYUIOP

Elements

SE""#12 'he story re%ol%es around two main settings4 Lucy)s house which she shares with her mother and her ?ncle Bert, and the office of <oss and Bannister)s where Lucy works as a secretary" C*&%&C"E%S Lucy Beck 4 She is a young, shy and insecure graduate of secreterial studies" She is dissatisfied with her current life and is determined to impro%e it" She obtains a position with <oss and Bannister)s, only to find that the position comes with a chilling secret" 6host of s" 4 She was the pre%ious employee of <oss and Bannister)s" She is unwilling to Bloome let go of her position and continues to defend her post, e%en after her demise" Lucy)s mother 4 # housewife who li%es a hard life" She has to support her brother" ?ncle Bert .arry -arke r" <oss "*EMES ;ossible themes that can be found in the short story are determination, possessi%eness, loyalty, loneliness, commitment, the supernatural, and compassion" -!'!< *=#'*:=4 -espite the supernatural nature by which the secretary" s" Broome badgers and demoralises Lucy, she shows no signs of gi%ing in to her demand" *nstead, she is steadfast in defending her position as 4 -epends on his sister for support" .e is also a drunkard" 4 <oss and Bannister)s handyman" .e is an old man who has been working with the company for years" 4 'he younger partner of the company"

11

;:SS!S*H!=!SS4 =ot e%en death could part s" Broome from what she feels is rightfully hers" She continues to haunt the office through her electronic typewriter" L:L#L'L4 #s with her possesi%eness towards her job, employer" L:=!L*=!SS4 Loneliness can be a strong influence in a person)s life" went beyond the gra%e" C: *' !='4 s" Broome" Both are e$tremely committed s" Broome had no life outside of her office" 'hat made her more possesi%e of her position in the company5 a possesi%eness that s" Broome was also e$tremely loyal towards r" Bannister" !%en after she passed on, her spirit continued in its endea%our to ser%e her

'his attribute can be clearly seen in both Lucy and to their profession" '.! S?;!<=#'?<#L4

*t is interesting that such an integral character in the story happens to be an ethereal entity" Let this theme is rather prominent in the story" C: ;#SS*:=4 'his theme holds water especially in the final confrontation between Lucy and not through hatred nor coercion that Lucy manages to outsmart through compassion and understanding of M$%&/ .&/3ES -o not judge a person merely through credentials or (ualifications We must be committed and responsible to our %ocation or profession We must %alue our family" s" Broome)s intentions" s" Broome" *t is s" Broome, rather, it was

12

QWERTYUIOP

ACTIVITY SS1

Twinkle Twinkle Little Plot

Aim Aim
'o present a graphic representation of the plot of a short story BA minutes

&aterials &aterials
Worksheet SS8scissors, strings, glue or cellophane tape Worksheet SS8scissors, strings, glue or cellophane tape

Steps Steps
;lace students into groups of B G M"#sk groups to identify the plot of the short story" ;ro%ide the groups with the materials" Write the %arious e%ents of the plot on the corresponding stars" Cut the completed stars and string them up around the class walls" 6roups present their stories based on the information in their stars"

'otes
2or weak students, pro%ide the plot randomly on the whiteboard for them to select"

13

QWERTYUIOP

WORKSHEET SS1

Twinkle Twinkle Little Plot

(ill the follo+in stars +ith the appropriate plots from the short story.

INTRODUCTION

14

CONFLICT

15

CLIMAX

16

RESOLUTION

17

QWERTYUIOP

ACTIVITY SS2

And Your Point Is?

Aim Aim
'o introduce the main and sub/themes of the story4 -etermination, ;ossessi%eness, Loyalty, Loneliness, Commitment, element of Supernatural BA minutes

&aterials &aterials
Worksheet SS9 Worksheet SS9

Steps Steps
-i%ide the class into N groups" -istribute the e$tract sheet to the groups" *nstruct students to discuss and identify the themes based on the e$tract pro%ided"

'otes
2or weaker students, pro%ide the themes by writing them on the whiteboard"

18

QWERTYUIOP

WORKSHEET SS2

And Your Point Is?

E'tract 4

(or (oran anhour5 hour5she she-attled -attled+ith +iththe themachine. machine.&s &sfast fastas as6WE%"73#$!s 6WE%"73#$!s and andun+anted un+antedcapitals capitalsappeared5 appeared5she sheattacked attacked+ith +ithloaded loaded-rush. -rush."he "he +hite fluid ran do+n the typin paper like meltin ice8cream5 and +hite fluid ran do+n the typin paper like meltin ice8cream5 and dripped thickly into the depths of the type+riter. dripped thickly into the depths of the type+riter. 7$39%E 7$39%ED%$W1#12 D%$W1#12ME5 ME5ititcomplained complainedpathetically5 pathetically5and andshe shes+iped s+ipedat at the +ords +ith her -rush. the +ords +ith her -rush. *E/!: *E/!: &nother s+ipe. &nother s+ipe. !/E&SE: !/E&SE: ;ut ;ut/ucy /ucysho+ed sho+edno nomercy. mercy."he "helar lar ee-ottle -ottle+as +ashalf8empty half8empty+hen +henshe she reached the end of the letter in triumph. reached the end of the letter in triumph. 7$3%S faithfully5 7$3%S faithfully5 2eor %oss 2eor ee %oss She typed5 and sat -ack +ith si of relief. She typed5 and sat -ack +ith si hh of relief.

19

E'tract 2

YOU ARE SITTING IN MY to inform you that GO AWAY aa ne+ YOU ARE SITTING IN MY CHAIR CHAIR to inform you that GO AWAY ne+ line of WE DO NOT WANT YOU HERE ..QWERTYUIOP line of WE DO NOT WANT YOU HERE ..QWERTYUIOP GO AWAY, MISS BECK GO AWAY, MISS BECK Why sho !" I# Why sho !" I#

I AM SEC ETA Y !E E ,, $%$% s%&%'", %h$s %$(' $) I AM SEC ETA Y !E E s%&%'", %h$s %$(' $) *'" !'%%'*
*'" !'%%'* +I%,s (y -o. )o/, ++ sh' s&$". +I )''" $%. Sh' 0&),% h&1' $%$% 2o*'1'*, $%,s )o% +I%,s (y -o. )o/, sh' s&$". +I )''" $%. Sh' 0&),% h&1' 2o*'1'*, $%,s )o% 2&$*. I%,s )o% 2&$*. I%,s (y % % *) )o/.3 2&$*. I%,s )o% 2&$*. I%,s (y *) )o/.3 Mr. Darke told me you used to -e secretary to Mr. ;annister< Mr. Darke told me you used to -e secretary to Mr. ;annister< ## &M5 interrupted the type+riter5 &M5 interrupted the type+riter5

20

E'tract =

21

E'tract >

22

E'tract ?

23

E'tract @

24

QWERTYUIOP

ACTIVITY SS4

"uess Who?
Aim Aim
'o help students make mental associations of the %arious characters BA minutes

&aterials &aterials
Blank papers, colouring materials, newspaper Blank papers, colouring materials, newspaper

Steps Steps
2orm groups of B/M" -istribute the materials to the groups" #sk them to select a character from the short story" List all the items that are associated with that character 0!"g" iss Lucy Beck4 J:) Le%el diploma, typewriter, office desk, telephone, etc1" Students cut and paste those items onto the paper gi%en using the newspaper or draw them" Students write fi%e adjecti%es that describe the character related to the collage"

'otes
;ictures can be cut out from maga,ines as well

25

QWERTYUIOP

ACTIVITY SS5

Climb Th#t Mount#in$

Aim Aim
'o present a graphic representation of the plot of a short story

'o help BA students minutes make mental assoc characters

&aterials &aterials
Worksheet SSM Worksheet SSM

Steps Steps

;lace students in pairs" Write the %arious e%ents of the plot on the corresponding bo$es" 6roups present their findings to the class" Correct the pair)s findings where necessary

'otes
;ictures can be cut out from maga,ines as well

26

QWERTYUIOP

WORKSHEET SS5

Climb Th#t Mount#in$

(ill the -o'es +ith the appropriate information -ased on the short story

INTRODUCTION

CONFLICT DEVELOPMENT

CLIMAX

RESOLUTION

27

QWERTYUIOP

ACTIVITY SS6

Li%hts& C#mer#& Action$

Aim Aim
'o e%oke interest in understanding the characters through acting out the selected scenes

'o present OA minutes a graphic representation o

&aterials &aterials
Worksheet SSN Worksheet SSN

Steps Steps

-i%ide the class into groups" 6i%e the cut out copies of the scene 0.andout S991 to the groups" #fter discussion, they will act out the scenes gi%en" 'here are three scenes to be acted out"

'otes -iscuss with the students what they ha%e learnt from the acti%ity

28

QWERTYUIOP

WORKSHEET SS6

Li%hts& C#mer#& Action$

SCE1E 4A B;e positive59 Mrs. ;rice told the departin students5 as she shook them -y the hand in turn. B2o out into the +orld and +in: # have every confidence in you.9

SCE1E 2A /ucy ;roome /ucy ;roome /ucy ;roome /ucy ;roome /ucy ;roome

A &re you from outer space? A #D#$" A Who are you? A M#SS ;%$$ME A *o+ do you do? # am Miss ;eck A 2$ &W&75 M#SS ;ECC A Why should #? A # &M SEC%E"&%7 *E%E A 1o5 youDre not: # am: A 6WE%"73#$!: 6WE%"73#$!:

29

SCE1E =A /ucy ;roome /ucy ;roome /ucy

;roome /ucy

A Dear Ms. ;roome5 Mr Darke told me you used to -e secretary to Mr. ;annister< A # &M: A # am sorry to have to tell you that Mr. ;annister <passed on three years a o5 at the a e of ei hty8si'.. A /#&%: # D$1D" ;E/#E.E 7$3: A #tDs true Ms. ;roome. # have seen his rave in the cemetery. #tDs not far from yours. # +ent alon last ni ht and left you flo+ers< Mr. Darke is +orried a-out Mr. ;annister. *e doesnDt kno+ ho+ he +ill mana e +ithout you... A *E "$/D ME "$ 2$: ;%&SS C/$CC5 W*&" D#D # W&1" W#"* ;%&SS C/$CC: # W&1"ED M7 E$;: A *e must miss you. *eDs pro-a-ly in an a+ful muddle up there5 mislayin his +in s. /osin his harp. *e needs someone to look after him.. ood-ye5 Miss ;roome. ;est of luck in your ne+ 0o-. 7ours sincerely5 /ucy ;eck5 secretary.

30

QWERTYUIOP

ACTIVITY SS7

The Mor#l '( The Story

Aim Aim
'o identify possible moral %alues found in the te$t

'o present BA minutes a graphic representation o

&aterials &aterials
Worksheet SSC Worksheet SSC

Steps Steps
*dentify as many moral %alues the students can find from the four e$cerpts in the worksheet" Look for other phrases or paragraphs in the story that may contain moral %alues and identify them"

'otes
#s an e$tention, other e$cerpts from the te$t can be selected for moral %alue analysis

31

QWERTYUIOP

WORKSHEET SS7

The Mor#l '( The Story

6uotations
PBe positi%e,Q rs" Brice told her departing students, as she shook them by the hand in turn" P6o out into the world and win! * ha%e e%ery confidence in you"Q

Moral .alueFsG

She was early" She smoothed down her windy hair, and waited" 2or an hour, she battled with the machine" #s fast as KW!<'L?*:;s and unwanted capitals appeared, she attacked with a loaded brush" P?ncle Bert7"Q She began" PWhat+Q .e looked at her warily" P*)m sorry" *)m sorry, ?ncle Bert" PQ*)m sorry too, Lucy,Q he said" P* know it)s a nuisance, ha%ing me here"Q P=o! =o, it isn)t! We want you,Q she said" &dditional task4 Look for other phrases or paragraphs in the story that show possible moral %alues and identify what those moral %alues are"

32

QWERTYUIOP

ACTIVITY SS8

Yes or )o?
Aim Aim
'o help students make associations of the %arious characters BA minutes

&aterials &aterials
'he te$t 'he te$t

Steps Steps
'eacher selects O students to represent the different characters in the story" 'he rest of the class is di%ided into M groups" 'he cast of characters stand in front of the class" !ach group takes turn to ask (uestions but the character is only allowed to answer PLesQ or P=oQ" !ach group is only allowed M (uestions" Students to guess the identity of the characters by analysing the clues gathered from the (uestion session" 'he group who guesses correctly gets a score" 'he game ends when all characters are re%ealed" 'he group with the highest score wins"

'otes
'eacher asks students to select (uestions which will gi%e them clues on the characters"

33

QWERTYUIOP

ACTIVITY SS9

*r#w Me
Aim Aim
'o design or draw a character poster BA minutes

&aterials &aterials
#ny materials for poster design" #ny materials for poster design"

Steps Steps

;lace students into small groups" !ach group selects a character" 'he group creates a poster which re%eals the characteristics of the character" Students may use any forms of illustrations to portray the characteristics, e"g" symbols or pictures" !ncourage creati%ity in designing the posters" 'he class will %ote for the best illustrated poster and justify their choice"

'otes
Same acti%ity can be done for different scenes in the story"

34

QWERTYUIOP

ACTIVITY SS1:

Lit
Aim Aim

#ider

!$plore the te$t to find e$amples of literary de%ices in the short story JKW!<'L?*:;)

BA minutes

&aterials &aterials
'he te$t, numbered en%elopes, cue cards to be put in the en%elope 'he te$t, numbered en%elopes, cue cards to be put in the en%elope

Steps Steps
;lace students into groups of M" Select a leader and a secretary for the group 2ind the si$ en%elopes placed in %arious places hidden around the classroom&school" 6roups sol%e the problems gi%en in the cue cards" 6roup secretaries list the si$ literary terms they ha%e learnt at each point during the game on a piece of paper" 6roups present their findings"

'otes
!ncourage students to discuss their findings and ideas"

35

QWERTYUIOP

ACTIVITY SS11

Where? When? Wh#t?

Aim Aim
*dentify the settings in the short story JKW!<'L?*:;) BA minutes

&aterials &aterials
Worksheet SS88 Worksheet SS88

Steps Steps

Students complete the task in the worksheet" -i%ide students into groups of B/M" -iscuss their answers" odify answers based on their discussion" -iscuss answers in class"

'otes
!ncourage students to discuss their findings and ideas"

36

QWERTYUIOP

WORKSHEET SS11

Where? When? Wh#t?

Who are the people in%ol%ed in the story+ Who are the people in%ol%ed in the story+ Where did the e%ents in the story take place+ Where did the e%ents in the story take place+ Why didn)t Lucy and her uncle Bert get along+ Why didn)t Lucy and her uncle Bert get along+ .ow did Lucy)s mother react to her daughter getting a job+ .ow did Lucy)s mother react to her daughter getting a job+ What strange thing happened to Lucy on her first day of work+ What strange thing happened to Lucy on her first day of work+ .ow did Lucy handle the situation+ .ow did Lucy handle the situation+ Why was s" Broome unhappy+ Why was s" Broome unhappy+ .ow did Lucy persuade s" Broome to Jlea%e her job)+ .ow did Lucy persuade s" Broome to Jlea%e her job)+

37

QWERTYUIOP

BEYOND THE TE;T SS1

)#rr#ti+e Writin%
Aim Aim
'o narrate an eerie or frightening e$perience" OA minutes

&aterials &aterials
!$ercise book !$ercise book

Steps Steps
Write a story about an eerie or frightening e$perience that you ha%e" *t can be based on a real story or imaginary" ake sure that it is as graphic and e$pressi%e as possible"

'otes
'he process writing approach can be used to impro%e the (uality of the writing" Students are encouraged to illustrate their work"

38

QWERTYUIOP

BEYOND THE TE;T SS2

*e#r Sir&
Aim Aim
'o master social skills of job application" OA minutes

&aterials &aterials
Blank paper Blank paper

Steps Steps
Compose an application letter re(uesting the position of a secretary at <oss and Bannister)s"

'otes
<e%ise the con%entions of formal letter writing"

39

QWERTYUIOP

BEYOND THE TE;T SS<

,ourn#l Entry
Aim Aim
'o e$plore the thoughts and feelings of a character through journal entries" BA minutes

&aterials &aterials
-iary or journal -iary or journal

Steps Steps
-i%ide the class into three groups" 6i%e different situations to each group" 0<efer to handout1 !ach group studies their situation and plans how to role play their situation" 6roups role play their situations" ;eer e%aluation by other groups.

'otes
-iscuss with the students what they ha%e learnt from the acti%ity

40

QWERTYUIOP

BEYOND THE TE;T SS4

Act It 'ut
Aim Aim
'o encourage critical thinking" BA minutes

&aterials &aterials
.andout SSB .andout SSB

Steps Steps
-i%ide the class into three groups" 6i%e different situations to each group" 0<efer to handout1 !ach group studies their situation and plans how to role play their situation" 6roups role play their situations" ;eer e%aluation by other groups.

'otes
-iscuss with the students what they ha%e learnt from the acti%ity

41

QWERTYUIOP SS4

HANDOUT

Act It 'ut
S#"3&"#$1 4 7our house has -een haunted -y a host called Miss ;roome. What +ould you do to et rid of the host?

S#"3&"#$1 2 #ma ine you are Miss ;roome5 the host typist. /ucy has sho+n that she is still not leavin her position in the office despite all the distur-ances you have created. What +ould you do to et rid of her?

S#"3&"#$1 = #ma ine you are Mr. ;annister and /ucy has come to you a-out the H hostD in her office. She +ants to Iuit her 0o-. Create a dialo ue -et+een /ucy and yourself. What +ould you say to persuade her to stay on as the typist?

42

QWERTYUIOP

BEYOND THE TE;T SS5

Co+er Me
Aim Aim
'o encourage creati%ity" BA minutes

&aterials &aterials
-rawing block, coloured pencils, pictures, illustrations, etc" -rawing block, coloured pencils, pictures, illustrations, etc"

Steps Steps
;lace students into groups of B G M" *nstruct the groups to be creati%e when thinking of a suitable illustration for the co%er page of the story When the posters are completed, instruct the groups to present their posters and gi%e a brief e$planation of their illustration" -isplay posters on the wall around the classroom"

'otes
!ncourage students to reproduce the story in a creati%e form" Students may create their poster on the net and then print it out"

43

QWERTYUIOP

ASSESSMENT SS1

Se-uence Me
%E8&%%&12E "*E SE1"E1CES ;E/$W &CC$%D#12 "$ "*E SE63E1CE $( E.E1"S #1 "*E S"$%7.

a" b"

Lucy finds out from .arry -arke who She makes

iss Broome is"

iss Broome)s spirit understand why she should not remain

in the office any longer" c" She continues to type and correct the letter but is constantly challenged by the typewriter" d" e" .arry -arke shows her the table and typewriter that she will use" #s she starts typing her first letter, something unusual happens5 the word KW!<'L?*:; keeps appearing repeatedly" f" g" Lucy is offered a position as a secretary at <oss and Bannister)s" Lucy is worried that she might ne%er find a job with her present skills and (ualification"

44

QWERTYUIOP

ASSESSMENT SS2

!#+e I .nderstood?

!ractice !ractice**
&ns+er the follo+in Iuestions -ased on the e'cerpt. Lucy Beck was young and small and mouse/coloured, easily o%erlooked" She had a lonely J:) le%el and a typing speed that would make a tortoise laugh" PWhoe%er will want to employ me+Q she had asked rs" ;rice once, and rs" ;rice had been at a loss to answer" Lucy wanted a job" ore 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"

8"

What do you think the author means when describing Lucy as Peasily o%erlookedQ+ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

9"

What is the author implying when saying that Lucy)s typing speed would Pmake a tortoise laugh+ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

>"

Which words or phrases ha%e similar meanings to the following+ a1 'o hire b1 ?sed items 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR rs" ;rice answer Lucy when she asked whether she would e%er find a

B" job+

Why couldn)t

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR M" *f you were in Lucy)s situation, how would you feel+ !laborate"

45

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

!ractice !ractice++
&ns+er the follo+in Iuestions -ased on the e'cerpt. She was early" She smoothed down her windy hair, and waited" #t fi%e past nine, an elderly man, with small dark eyes like currants and a thick icing of white hair, came hobbling up the stairs" .e was jingling a bunch of keys" P#h,Q he said, noticing ary" P;unctuality is the courtesy of kings G but a hard necessity for new brooms, eh+ Lou are the new broom, * suppose+ =ot an impatient customer waiting to see our new range of Sunburst cushions, by any chance+Q

8"

*n your opinion, why did Lucy arri%e early that

onday morning+

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR 9" Which words or phrases from the story ha%e similar meanings to the following+ a1 Being on time b1 Selection >" 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

!$plain what the author means when describing Lucy as a Jnew broom)" RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

B"

-escribe the man who opened the door for Lucy" RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

M"

;araphrase the e$cerpt4 P;unctuality is the courtesy of kings/but a hard necessity for new broomsQ" RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

46

!ractice !ractice,,
&ns+er the follo+in Iuestions -ased on the e'cerpt. 2or an hour, she battled with the machine" #s fast as KW!<'L?*:;s and unwanted capitals appeared, she attacked with a loaded brush" 'he white fluid ran down the typing paper like melting ice/cream, and dripped thickly into the depths of the typewriter" L:?)<! -<:W=*=6 !, it complained pathetically, and she swiped at the words with her brush" .!L;! #nother swipe" ;L!#S!! But Lucy showed no mercy" 'he large bottle was half/empty when she reached the end of the letter in triumph" Lours faithfully, 6eorge <oss, She typed, and set back with a sigh of relief" 'he machine began to rattle" 'oo late, Lucy snatched the completed letter out of the typewriter" #cross the bottom of the otherwise faultless page, it now said in large, red capitals4 * .#'! L:?! 2uriously she painted the words out"

8"

-escribe the Jbattle) between Lucy and the typewriter" RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

9"

Which words or phrases from the story ha%e similar meanings to the following+ a1 *n a sorrowful state 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR b1 Without error 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

>"

Why was the typewriter complaining that Lucy was drowning it+ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

B"

Which sentence showed that Lucy was ruthless in the Jbattle)" RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

M"

-escribe the outcome of the Jbattle)" RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

47

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

QWERTYUIOP

ASSESSMENT SS<

Structured

esponse

-escribe the life of Lucy Beck" 2ocus on4 -escribe the life of Lucy Beck" 2ocus on4 .er relationship with her family .er relationship with her family .er work .er work .er Jrelationship) with s" Broome .er Jrelationship) with s" Broome *n your opinion, why do Lucy and her mother ha%e a strained relationship with Lucy)s *n your opinion, why do Lucy and her mother ha%e a strained relationship with Lucy)s ?ncle Bert+ ?ncle Bert+ PBeggars can)t be choosers"Q .ow does this e$pression apply to Lucy with regards to PBeggars can)t be choosers"Q .ow does this e$pression apply to Lucy with regards to her job+ her job+ Why was s" Broome reluctant to let go of her job+ Why was s" Broome reluctant to let go of her job+ *n your opinion, did Lucy do an amicable job at persuading rs" Broome to mo%e on+ *n your opinion, did Lucy do an amicable job at persuading rs" Broome to mo%e on+ Iustify your answer" Iustify your answer"

48

QWERTYUIOP

Answer /ey

Wor-sheet Wor-sheetSS* SS*

*='<:-?C'*:=4 / Lucy Beck graduates from the Belmont Secretarial College with a lonely J:) le%el / / / Lucy was such a slow typist that the ;rincipal worried that she would not find a job" Lucy li%es with her mother and uncle" She wants a job because she does not want to be poor anymore and she wants to lea%e the house and get away from her uncle" 6oes for an inter%iew at <oss and Bannister)s and is immediately accepted as a secretary"

C:=2L*C'4 / Lucy arri%es early for work" She meets .arry -arke who e$plains her job description" / / / #fter describing her job, .arry -arke lea%es the office to do his errands" Lucy finds some letters that r" <oss had left for her to type"

Lucy is a touch/typist so she doesn)t need to look at the letters as she types"

CL* #S4 / She was shocked to see KW!<'L?*:; typed repeatedly so she tears it and types again" 'he typewriter automatically takes o%er and types a threat to her" / / Lucy decides to perse%ere and types some (uestions on the typewriter" .er (uestions were replied by a *SS B<:: ! who claims to be the rightful secretary" 'he typewriter then goes berserk by typing KW!<'L?*:; repeatedly" Lucy retaliates by swiping correction fluid o%er them e%ery time the typo emerges" She finally finishes her letters" r" <oss returns to the office and finds some letters to be signed" .e en(uires if Lucy had any problems completing them"

49

.arry is surprised to see Lucy back the ne$t day" She asks about tells her of Broome)s story"

iss Broome and he

<!S:L?'*:=4 / 'he ne$t day, Lucy goes back to work and communicates to ms Broome %ia the typewriter" / / Lucy tells Broome about r" Bannister)s passing and persuades her that her ser%ices are needed more Jup there) than down on earth" s Broome finally relents and Lucy bids her goodbye"

Wor-sheet Wor-sheetSS+ SS+

!$tract 84 -etermination !$tract 94 ;ossessi%eness !$tract >4 Loyalty !$tract B4 Loneliness !$tract M4 Commitment !$tract N4 !lements of the supernatural

Wor-sheet Wor-sheetSS. SS.

*='<:-?C'*:= 4 / Lucy graduates with a single J:) Le%el / 6ets a secretarial job at <oss and Basnnister)s / 'ells the good news to her mother C:=2L*C'&-!H!L:; !=' / Shows up for work / Briefed by .arry -arke / 'yping work disturbed by the ghost of s" Broome / JBattles) s" Broome and finishes her job" CL* #S4 / 2inds out about s" Broome from .arry / .as an argument with ?ncle Bert but reconciles / 2inally persuades s" Broome to mo%e on <!S:L?'*:=4 / 2olds the letter into a paper plane and launches it / 'he plane is blown away by the wind / r" <oss is happy with his new secretary"

50

Wor-sheet Wor-sheetSS/ SS/

8" 9" >" B" We must ha%e confidence in people)s abilities" We must be punctual & we must %alue time We must not gi%e up so easily when faced with hardship or problems We must %alue our family members"

Wor-sheet Wor-sheetSS*0 SS*0

C3E C&%DS *' *S =:' !#SL ': :B'#*= #= :CC?;#'*:= W*S.*=6 S: !:=! #LL '.! B!S' B?' !S;!C'*=6 '.! W:<S' W.!= 2#C!- W*'. # .#<- L*2!, W! ?S' =:' B! C.::SL5 W! ?S' 6<#B !H!<L :;;:<'?=*'L" ': 2L#?=' W*'. ;<*-! H*!W*=6 S: !'.*=6 W*'. #;;<!.!=S*:= #=- S?S;*C*:= B:SS!S '#K! '.!*< '* !5 =!W W:<K!<S :BS!<H! *' <!L*6*:?SLL"

!*%&SES ) 63$"&"#$1S PIobs don)t grow on treesQ 0p" F1 Pwishing a snowman a happy summerQ 0p" F1 PWe are jumble sailors on the rough sea of lifeQ 0p" F1 Pwearing strings of J:) le%els round their necks like pearlsQ 0p"8A1 Pas if a stranger coming late to their doorQ 0p" 881 P;unctuality is the courtesy of kings G but a hard necessity for new broomsQ 0p" 891

Wor-sheet Wor-sheetSS** SS**

8" 9" >" B" M" N" C" O" Lucy Beck, her mother, ?ncle Bert, s" Broome, rs" ;rice, r" <oss, .arry -arke" Lucy)s house and <oss T Bannister)s office" Because she resented him for being a drunk" She was surprised and almost in belief" 'he electronic typewriter started typing on its own" She decided to fight back and attacked the typewriter with correction fluid" Because they let her go when she was unwilling to lea%e her job" She managed to con%ince s" Broome that r" Bannister needs her help

51

Assessment AssessmentSS* SS*

6uestion & ; C D E ( 2 &ns+er @ J ? = > 2 4

Assessment SS+ 1 !ractice * Assessment SS+ 1 !ractice *

4. /ucy does not have a commandin presence)She is not a noticea-le person. 2. *er typin is very slo+. =. iG employ iiG second8hand >. ;ecause she kne+ that /ucy +ould not -e a reat secretary)*er Iualification is not impressive. ?. Sad)Disheartened5 -ecause # kno+ that it +ould -e much harder for me to et a 0o-.

Assessment AssessmentSS, SS,

8" a1 #lthough Lucy is close to her mother, she has a strained relationship with her uncle" b1 She is the secretary for the <oss T Bannister)s" She is determined to keep the job" c1 She had a surprise encounter with the spirit of s" Broome" 9" Because they see him as a drunkard who is merely a burden to the family" >" She has a miserable (ualification" 'herefore, she does not ha%e the lu$ury of choosing the job she wants" B" Because she had no life outside her occupation M" Les, she did" She appealed for s" Broome)s loyalty towards r" Bannister instead of continually pro%oking her wrath in challenging her"

QWERTYUIOP

"loss#ry
52

KW!<'L?*:; 'he first alphabetic line on a keyboard drinking up 0pg F1 0phrasal %erb1 taking another)s money 0esp" to buy alcohol1 pay packet 0pg 8A1 0noun1 salary damasked 0pg 9>1 0%erb1 decorated, marked daffodils 0pg 9>1 0noun1 # type of flowers bedsit 0pg 9M1 0noun, Brit" !ng"1, a room that you rent and use for li%ing and sleeping only" fi%er 0pg 9N1 0informal, noun1 fi%e pounds

SHORT STORY

P#nel o( Writers
53

I ra Bhat t acharyya (Panel Head) Rahmah Hj Sayut i Adrian Robert Xavier Manickam Rashid Hj Abdul ! alil So Sue" Pink # Push$arani Subramaniam (B%P)

& ' M %unku I rene"a Marina %unku Ma"lan ((oordinat or)

54