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
SHORT STORY
0
"ITE#AT$#E C%&!%'E'T (%# (%#&
)
Short Story
Welcome to the World of Literature and to Short Stories!
We hope you will enjoy working with this guidebook, which has been specially designed to help
you prepare your students enjoy the Literature Component of the KBS !nglish Language
syllabus"
# brief e$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
1
Introduction
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"
What makes a good 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"
2
About Short
Stories
Lets listen to the
story The Fruitcake
Special
Hmm..
Wonder if
mum will
make
fruitcake for
us today??
Setting // '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

Place / geographical location" Where is the action of the story taking place+
Time / 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+
Plot // '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

Introduction &Orientation/ 'he beginning of the story where the characters and the
setting is re%ealed"
Rising Action / '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+
!alling 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"
Resolution " #enouement / '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
3
acts on this information 0makes a choice that will determine whether or not he&she gains
his objecti%e1"
Con$lict// Conflict is also essential to the plot" Without conflict there is no plot" *t is the
opposition of forces which ties one incident to another and makes the plot mo%e" Conflict is not
merely limited to open arguments, rather it is any form of opposition that faces the main
character" Within a short story there may be only one central struggle, or there may be one
dominant struggle with many minor ones"
-id you know that there are two types of conflict+ 'hey are 7
81 Eternal / # struggle with a force outside one3s self"
91 Internal / # struggle within one3s self5 a person must make some decision, o%ercome pain,
(uiet their temper, resist an urge, etc"
Conflict can also occur in the following situations4
Man %s& Man 0physical1 / 'he leading character struggles with his physical strength
against other men, forces of nature, or animals"
Man %s& Circumstances 0classical1 / 'he leading character struggles against fate, or
the circumstances of life facing him&her"
Man %s& Society 0social1 / 'he leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or
customs of other people"
Man %s& 'imsel$"'ersel$ 0psychological1 / 'he leading character struggles with
himself&herself5 with his&her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations,
choices, etc"

Character // 'here are two meanings for the word character4
4
Hi can you !uess
what character
means?
'he person in a work of fiction"
'he characteristics of a person"
Persons in a (ork o$ $iction / Antagonist and Protagonist
Short stories use few characters" :ne character is clearly central to the story with all major
e%ents ha%ing some importance to this character / he&she is the ;<:'#6:=*S'" 'he opposer
of the main character is called the #='#6:=*S'"
The Characteristics o$ a Person ) *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" Indi%idual / round, many sided and comple$ personalities"
9" #e%eloping / 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"
5
"o you think
"a#id $mos is a
static character?
Point o$ +ie(
;oint of %iew, or p"o"%", is defined as the angle from which the story is told"
Innocent Eye / 'he story is told through the eyes of a child 0his&her judgment being
different from that of an adult1 "
Stream o$ 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 Person / '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$periences it and
only knows what he&she knows or feels"
Omniscient/ 'he author can narrate the story using the omniscient point of %iew" .e
can mo%e from character to character, e%ent to e%ent, ha%ing free access to the
thoughts, feelings and moti%ations of his characters and he introduces information where
and when he chooses" 'here are two main types of omniscient point of %iew4
a1 Omniscient ,imited / 'he author tells the story in third person 0using pronouns they,
she, he, it, etc1" We know only what the character knows and what the author allows
him&her to tell us" We can see the thoughts and feelings of characters if the author
chooses to re%eal them to us"
b1 Omniscient O*-ecti%e ? 'he author tells the story in the third person" *t appears as
though a camera is following the characters, going anywhere, and recording only what is
seen and heard" 'here is no comment on the characters or their thoughts" =o
interpretations are offered" 'he reader is placed in the position of spectator without the
author there to e$plain" 'he reader has to interpret e%ents on his own"
6
%m $nna. %m
!oin! to tell my
story from the
&rst person
point of #iew'
*=CL@-!;*C'@<! Ahttp4&&thm/aB9"yimg"com&image&Cff>eC9dfCDCeBfCA EF !<6!2:<#'*=!'
@<L 4 http://homepage.bnv-bamberg.de/gk_english/short_story
-ate accessed 4 8> :ctober 9BBG
*=CL@-!;*C'@<! Ahttp4&&thm/aB9"yimg"com&image&Cff>eC9dfCDCeBfCA EF !<6!2:<#'*=!'
@<L 4 http://homepage.bnv-bamberg.de/gk_english/short_story
-ate accessed 4 8> :ctober 9BBG
Theme // '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$amples of common themes from literature, 'H, and film are4
Things are not always as they appear to be.
Love is blind.
Believe in yourself.
People are afraid of hange.
!on"t #udge a book by its over.
QWERTYUIOP
7
The Writer
Source
Source
+i%ien Alcock 08G9C ? 9BB>1 was an author of children3s books" Born in Worthing, West
Susse$, in !ngland, her family mo%ed to -e%i,es in Wiltshire when she was aged 8B" 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
8
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"
QWERTYUIOP
9
Eleents
SETTI./
'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'ARACTERS
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 4 -epends on his sister for support" .e is also a drunkard"
.arry -arke 4 <oss and Bannister)s handyman" .e is an old man who has been
working with the company for years"
r" <oss 4 'he younger partner of the company"
T'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 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
the secretary"
;: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
10
#s with her possesi%eness towards her job, 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
employer"
L:=!L*=!SS4
Loneliness can be a strong influence in a person)s life" 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
went beyond the gra%e"
C:*'!='4
'his attribute can be clearly seen in both Lucy and s" Broome" Both are e$tremely committed
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 s" Broome" *t is
not through hatred nor coercion that Lucy manages to outsmart s" Broome, rather, it was
through compassion and understanding of s" Broome)s intentions"
MORA, +A,0ES
-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"
QWERTYUIOP ACTIVITY SS1
11
T!inkle T!inkle
"ittle Plot
'o present a graphic representation of the plot of a short story
Worksheet SS8scissors, strings, glue or cellophane tape
Worksheet SS8scissors, strings, glue or cellophane tape

;lace students into groups of C ? 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"
QWERTYUIOP WORKSHEET SS1
12
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
2or weak
students, pro%ide
the plot randomly
on the
whiteboard for
them to select"
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
T!inkle T!inkle
"ittle Plot
!ill the $ollo(ing stars (ith the appropriate plots $rom the short story&
13

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
14

CONFLICT

CONFLICT
15

CLIMAX

CLIMAX
QWERTYUIOP ACTIVITY SS2
16

RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION
And Your Point
Is#
'o introduce the main and sub/themes of the story4
-etermination, ;ossessi%eness, Loyalty, Loneliness,
Commitment, element of Supernatural
Worksheet SS9
Worksheet SS9

-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"
QWERTYUIOP WORKSHEET SS2
17
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
2or weaker
students, pro%ide
the themes by
writing them on
the whiteboard"
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
And Your Point
Is#
Etract 1
Etract 2
18
!or an hour3 she *attled (ith the machine& As $ast as 4WERT50IOPs
and un(anted capitals appeared3 she attacked (ith loaded *rush& The
(hite $luid ran do(n the typing paper like melting ice6cream3 and
dripped thickly into the depths o$ the type(riter&
5O07RE #ROW.I./ ME3 it complained pathetically3 and she s(iped at
the (ords (ith her *rush&
'E,P8
Another s(ipe&
P,EASE8
9ut ,ucy sho(ed no mercy& The large *ottle (as hal$6empty (hen she
reached the end o$ the letter in triumph&
5O0RS $aith$ully3
/eorge Ross
She typed3 and sat *ack (ith sigh o$ relie$&
!or an hour3 she *attled (ith the machine& As $ast as 4WERT50IOPs
and un(anted capitals appeared3 she attacked (ith loaded *rush& The
(hite $luid ran do(n the typing paper like melting ice6cream3 and
dripped thickly into the depths o$ the type(riter&
5O07RE #ROW.I./ ME3 it complained pathetically3 and she s(iped at
the (ords (ith her *rush&
'E,P8
Another s(ipe&
P,EASE8
9ut ,ucy sho(ed no mercy& The large *ottle (as hal$6empty (hen she
reached the end o$ the letter in triumph&
5O0RS $aith$ully3
/eorge Ross
She typed3 and sat *ack (ith sigh o$ relie$&
YOU ARE SITTING IN MY CHAIR to in$orm you that GO AWAY a ne( line
o$ WE DO NOT WANT YOU HERE ..QWERTYUIOP
GO AWAY, MISS BECK
Why sho!" I#
I AM SECRETARY HERE, $% s%&%'", %h$s %$('
$) *'" !'%%'*
+I%,s (y -o. )o/, + sh' s&$". +I )''" $%. Sh' 0&),% h&1' $% 2o*'1'*, $%,s )o%
2&$*. I%,s )o% 2&$*. I%,s (y %*) )o/.3
Mr& #arke told me you used to *e secretary to Mr& 9annister:
I AM3 interrupted the type(riter3
YOU ARE SITTING IN MY CHAIR to in$orm you that GO AWAY a ne( line
o$ WE DO NOT WANT YOU HERE ..QWERTYUIOP
GO AWAY, MISS BECK
Why sho!" I#
I AM SECRETARY HERE, $% s%&%'", %h$s %$('
$) *'" !'%%'*
+I%,s (y -o. )o/, + sh' s&$". +I )''" $%. Sh' 0&),% h&1' $% 2o*'1'*, $%,s )o%
2&$*. I%,s )o% 2&$*. I%,s (y %*) )o/.3
Mr& #arke told me you used to *e secretary to Mr& 9annister:
I AM3 interrupted the type(riter3
Etract ;
19
Etract <
20
Etract =
21
Etract >
22
QWERTYUIOP ACTIVITY SS4
23
$uess Who#
'o help students make mental associations of the %arious
characters
Blank papers, colouring materials, newspaper
Blank papers, colouring materials, newspaper

2orm groups of C/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"
QWERTYUIOP ACTIVITY SS5
24
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
;ictures can be
cut out from
maga,ines as
well
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
%lib Th&t
'ount&in(
'o present a graphic representation of the plot of a short story 'o help students make mental associations of the %arious
characters
Worksheet SSM
Worksheet SSM

;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

QWERTYUIOP WORKSHEET SS5
25
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
;ictures can be
cut out from
maga,ines as
well
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
%lib Th&t
'ount&in(
!ill the *oes (ith the appropriate in$ormation *ased on the short story
QWERTYUIOP ACTIVITY SS6
26
INTRODUCTION
CONFLICT/
DEVELOPMENT
CLIMAX RESOLUTION
"i)hts* %&er&*
Action(
'o e%oke interest in understanding the characters through acting
out the selected scenes
'o present a graphic representation of the plot of a short story
Worksheet SSN
Worksheet SSN

-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"
QWERTYUIOP WORKSHEET SS6
27
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
-iscuss with
the students
what they ha%e
learnt from the
acti%ity
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
OB minutes
"i)hts* %&er&*
Action(
28
SCE.E 1?
@9e positi%e37 Mrs& 9rice told the departing students3 as she shook
them *y the hand in turn& @/o out into the (orld and (in8 I ha%e
e%ery con$idence in you&7
SCE.E 2?
,ucy ? Are you $rom outer space?
9roome ? I#IOT
,ucy ? Who are you?
9roome ? MISS 9ROOME
,ucy ? 'o( do you do? I am Miss 9eck
9roome ? /O AWA53 MISS 9ECA
,ucy ? Why should I?
9roome ? I AM SECRETAR5 'ERE
,ucy ? .o3 youBre not8 I am8
9roome ? 4WERT50IOP8 4WERT50IOP8
SCE.E ;?
,ucy ? #ear Ms& 9roome3 Mr #arke told me you used to
*e secretary to Mr& 9annister:
9roome ? I AM8
,ucy ? I am sorry to ha%e to tell you that Mr& 9annister
:passed on three years ago3 at the age o$ eighty6si&&
9roome ? ,IAR8 I #O.BT 9E,IE+E 5O08
,ucy ? ItBs true Ms& 9roome& I ha%e seen his gra%e in the
cemetery& ItBs not $ar $rom yours& I (ent along last
night and le$t you $lo(ers: Mr& #arke is (orried
a*out Mr& 9annister& 'e doesnBt kno( ho( he (ill
manage (ithout you&&&
9roome ? 'E TO,# ME TO /O8 9RASS C,OCA3 W'AT #I# I
WA.T WIT' 9RASS C,OCA8 I WA.TE# M5 CO98
,ucy ? 'e must miss you& 'eBs pro*a*ly in an a($ul muddle
up there3 mislaying his (ings& ,osing his harp& 'e
needs someone to look a$ter him&& good*ye3 Miss
9roome& 9est o$ luck in your ne( -o*&
5ours sincerely3 ,ucy 9eck3 secretary&
QWERTYUIOP ACTIVITY SS7
29
The 'or&l O+ The
Story
'o identify possible moral %alues found in the te$t 'o present a graphic representation of the plot of a short story
Worksheet SSD
Worksheet SSD

*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"
QWERTYUIOP WORKSHEET SS7
30
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
#s an e$tention,
other e$cerpts
from the te$t can
be selected for
moral %alue
analysis
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
The 'or&l O+ The
Story
4uotations Moral +alueDsE
PBe positi%e,Q rs" Brice told her departing
students, as she shook them by the hand in
turn" P6o out into the world and win! * ha%e
e%ery confidence in you"Q
She was early" She smoothed down her
windy hair, and waited"
2or an hour, she battled with the
machine" #s fast as KW!<'L@*:;s and
unwanted capitals appeared, she
attacked with a loaded brush"
P@ncle Bert7"Q She began"
PWhat+Q .e looked at her warily"
P*)m sorry" *)m sorry, @ncle Bert"
PQ*)m sorry too, Lucy,Q he said" P* know it)s
a nuisance, ha%ing me here"Q
P=o! =o, it isn)t! We want you,Q she said"
Additional task 4
Look for other phrases or paragraphs in the story that show possible moral %alues and
identify what those moral %alues are"
QWERTYUIOP ACTIVITY SS8
31
Yes or ,o#
'o help students make associations of the %arious characters
'he te$t
'he te$t

'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"
QWERTYUIOP ACTIVITY SS9
32
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
'eacher asks
students to
select (uestions
which will gi%e
them clues on
the characters"
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
-r&! 'e
'o design or draw a character poster
#ny materials for poster design"
#ny materials for poster design"

;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"
QWERTYUIOP ACTIVITY SS1:
33
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
Same acti%ity
can be done for
different scenes
in the story"
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
"it R&ider
!$plore the te$t to find e$amples of literary de%ices in the
short story JKW!<'L@*:;)
'he te$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

;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"

QWERTYUIOP ACTIVITY SS11
34
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
!ncourage
students to
discuss their
findings and
ideas"
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
Where# When#
Wh&t#
*dentify the settings in the short story JKW!<'L@*:;)
Worksheet SS88
Worksheet SS88

Students complete the task in the worksheet"

-i%ide students into groups of C/M" -iscuss

their answers" odify answers based on their
discussion" -iscuss answers in class"
QWERTYUIOP WORKSHEET SS11
35
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
!ncourage
students to
discuss their
findings and
ideas"
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
Where# When#
Wh&t#
QWERTYUIOP BEYOND THE TE;T SS1
36
Who are the people in%ol%ed in the story+
Where did the e%ents in the story take place+
Why didn)t Lucy and her uncle Bert get along+
.ow did Lucy)s mother react to her daughter getting a job+
What strange thing happened to Lucy on her first day of work+
.ow did Lucy handle the situation+
Why was s" Broome unhappy+
.ow did Lucy persuade s" Broome to Jlea%e her job)+
Who are the people in%ol%ed in the story+
Where did the e%ents in the story take place+
Why didn)t Lucy and her uncle Bert get along+
.ow did Lucy)s mother react to her daughter getting a job+
What strange thing happened to Lucy on her first day of work+
.ow did Lucy handle the situation+
Why was s" Broome unhappy+
.ow did Lucy persuade s" Broome to Jlea%e her job)+
,&rr&tive Writin)
'o narrate an eerie or frightening e$perience"
!$ercise book
!$ercise book

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"
QWERTYUIOP BEYOND THE TE;T SS2
37
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
'he process writing approach can be
used to impro%e the (uality of the
writing"
Students are encouraged to illustrate
their work"
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
OB minutes
-e&r Sir*
'o master social skills of job application"
Blank paper
Blank paper

Compose an application letter

re(uesting the position of a secretary
at <oss and Bannister)s"
QWERTYUIOP BEYOND THE TE;T SS<
38
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
<e%ise the
con%entions of
formal letter
writing"
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
OB minutes
.ourn&l Entry
'o e$plore the thoughts and feelings of a character through
journal entries"
-iary or journal
-iary or journal

-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.
QWERTYUIOP BEYOND THE TE;T SS4
39
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
-iscuss with the
students what they
ha%e learnt from
the acti%ity
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
Act It Out
'o encourage critical thinking"
.andout SSC
.andout SSC

-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.
QWERTYUIOP HANDOUT
SS4
40
&aterials
&aterials
'otes
-iscuss with the
students what they
ha%e learnt from
the acti%ity
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
Act It Out


QWERTYUIOP BEYOND THE TE;T SS5
41
SIT0ATIO. 1
5our house has *een haunted *y a ghost called Miss 9roome& What
(ould you do to get rid o$ the ghost?
SIT0ATIO. 2
Imagine you are Miss 9roome3 the ghost typist& ,ucy has sho(n that
she is still not lea%ing her position in the o$$ice despite all the
distur*ances you ha%e created& What (ould you do to get rid o$ her?
SIT0ATIO. ;
Imagine you are Mr& 9annister and ,ucy has come to you a*out the
FghostB in her o$$ice& She (ants to Guit her -o*& Create a dialogue
*et(een ,ucy and yoursel$& What (ould you say to persuade her to
stay on as the typist?
%over 'e
'o encourage creati%ity"
-rawing block, coloured pencils, pictures, illustrations, etc"
-rawing block, coloured pencils, pictures, illustrations, etc"

;lace students into groups of C ? 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"
QWERTYUIOP ASSESSMENT SS1
42
&aterials
&aterials
'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"
Steps
Steps
Aim
Aim
CB minutes
Se/uence 'e
RE6ARRA./E T'E SE.TE.CES 9E,OW ACCOR#I./ TO T'E SE40E.CE O! E+E.TS
I. T'E STOR5&
a" Lucy finds out from .arry -arke who iss Broome is"
b" She makes 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" .arry -arke shows her the table and typewriter that she will use"
e" #s she starts typing her first letter, something unusual happens5
the word KW!<'L@*:; keeps appearing repeatedly"
f" Lucy is offered a position as a secretary at <oss and Bannister)s"
g" Lucy is worried that she might ne%er find a job with her present
skills and (ualification"
QWERTYUIOP ASSESSMENT SS2
43
0&ve I
Understood#
Ans(er the $ollo(ing Guestions *ased on the ecerpt&
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 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
b1 @sed items 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
C" Why couldn)t rs" ;rice answer Lucy when she asked whether she would e%er find a
job+
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
M" *f you were in Lucy)s situation, how would you feel+ !laborate"
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
44
!ractice *
!ractice *
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"
!ractice +
!ractice +
Ans(er the $ollo(ing Guestions *ased on the ecerpt&
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 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
b1 Selection 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
>" !$plain what the author means when describing Lucy as a Jnew broom)"
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
C" -escribe the man who opened the door for Lucy"
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
M" ;araphrase the e$cerpt4 P;unctuality is the courtesy of kings/but a hard necessity for
new broomsQ"
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
45
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 ? 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
!ractice ,
!ractice ,
Ans(er the $ollo(ing Guestions *ased on the ecerpt&
8" -escribe the Jbattle) between Lucy and the typewriter"
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
9" Which words or phrases from the story ha%e similar meanings to the following+
a1 *n a sorrowful state 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
b1 Without error 4 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
>" Why was the typewriter complaining that Lucy was drowning it+
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
C" Which sentence showed that Lucy was ruthless in the Jbattle)"
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
M" -escribe the outcome of the Jbattle)"
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
QWERTYUIOP ASSESSMENT SS<
46
2or an hour, she battled with the machine" #s fast as KW!<'L@*:;s and unwanted
capitals appeared, she attacked with a loaded brush" 'he white fluid ran down the typing
paper like melting ice/cream, and dripped thickly into the depths of the typewriter"
L:@)<! -<:W=*=6 !, it complained pathetically, and she swiped at the words
with her brush"
.!L;!
#nother swipe"
;L!#S!!
But Lucy showed no mercy" 'he large bottle was half/empty when she reached the
end of the letter in triumph"
Lours faithfully,
6eorge <oss,
She typed, and set back with a sigh of relief"
'he machine began to rattle" 'oo late, Lucy snatched the completed letter out of the
typewriter" #cross the bottom of the otherwise faultless page, it now said in large, red
capitals4
* .#'! L:@!
2uriously she painted the words out"
QWERTYUIOP
47
Structured
Response
-escribe the life of Lucy Beck" 2ocus on4
.er relationship with her family
.er work
.er Jrelationship) with s" Broome
*n your opinion, why do Lucy and her mother ha%e a strained relationship with Lucy)s
@ncle Bert+
PBeggars can)t be choosers"Q .ow does this e$pression apply to Lucy with regards to
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+
Iustify your answer"
-escribe the life of Lucy Beck" 2ocus on4
.er relationship with her family
.er work
.er Jrelationship) with s" Broome
*n your opinion, why do Lucy and her mother ha%e a strained relationship with Lucy)s
@ncle Bert+
PBeggars can)t be choosers"Q .ow does this e$pression apply to Lucy with regards to
her job+
Why was s" Broome reluctant to let go of her job+
*n your opinion, did Lucy do an amicable job at persuading rs" Broome to mo%e on+
Iustify your answer"
*='<:-@C'*:=4
/ Lucy Beck graduates from the Belmont Secretarial College with a lonely J:) le%el
/ Lucy was such a slow typist that the ;rincipal worried that she would not find a job"
/ Lucy li%es with her mother and uncle" She wants a job because she does not want to be
poor anymore and she wants to lea%e the house and get away from her uncle"
/ 6oes for an inter%iew at <oss and Bannister)s and is immediately accepted as a
secretary"
C:=2L*C'4
/ Lucy arri%es early for work" She meets .arry -arke who e$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"
/ .arry is surprised to see Lucy back the ne$t day" She asks about iss Broome and he
tells her of Broome)s story"
<!S:L@'*:=4
48
Ans!er 1ey
Wor-sheet SS*
Wor-sheet SS*
/ 'he ne$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"
!$tract 84 -etermination
!$tract 94 ;ossessi%eness
!$tract >4 Loyalty
!$tract C4 Loneliness
!$tract M4 Commitment
!$tract N4 !lements of the supernatural
*='<:-@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"
49
Wor-sheet SS+
Wor-sheet SS+
Wor-sheet SS.
Wor-sheet SS.
8" We must ha%e confidence in people)s abilities"
9" We must be punctual & we must %alue time
>" We must not gi%e up so easily when faced with hardship or problems
C" We must %alue our family members"
C0E CAR#S P'RASES " 40OTATIO.S
*' *S =:' !#SL ': :B'#*= #=
:CC@;#'*:=
PIobs don)t grow on treesQ 0p" G1
W*S.*=6 S:!:=! #LL '.! B!S'
B@' !S;!C'*=6 '.! W:<S'
Pwishing a snowman a happy summerQ 0p" G1
W.!= 2#C!- W*'. # .#<- L*2!,
W! @S' =:' B! C.::SL5 W!
@S' 6<#B !H!<L :;;:<'@=*'L"
PWe are jumble sailors on the rough sea of
lifeQ 0p" G1
': 2L#@=' W*'. ;<*-! Pwearing strings of J:) le%els round their
necks like pearlsQ 0p"8B1
H*!W*=6 S:!'.*=6 W*'.
#;;<!.!=S*:= #=- S@S;*C*:=
Pas if a stranger coming late to their doorQ 0p"
881
B:SS!S '#K! '.!*< '*!5 =!W
W:<K!<S :BS!<H! *'
<!L*6*:@SLL"
P;unctuality is the courtesy of kings ? but a
hard necessity for new broomsQ 0p" 891
8" Lucy Beck, her mother, @ncle Bert, s" Broome, rs" ;rice, r" <oss, .arry -arke"
9" Lucy)s house and <oss T Bannister)s office"
>" Because she resented him for being a drunk"
C" She was surprised and almost in belief"
M" 'he electronic typewriter started typing on its own"
N" She decided to fight back and attacked the typewriter with correction fluid"
D" Because they let her go when she was unwilling to lea%e her job"
O" She managed to con%ince s" Broome that r" Bannister needs her help
50
Wor-sheet SS/
Wor-sheet SS/
Wor-sheet SS*0
Wor-sheet SS*0
Wor-sheet SS**
Wor-sheet SS**
Assessment SS*
Assessment SS*
4uestion Ans(er
A >
9 H
C =
# ;
E <
! 2
/ 1
1& ,ucy does not ha%e a commanding presence"She is not a noticea*le person&
2& 'er typing is %ery slo(&
;& iE employ
iiE second6hand
<& 9ecause she kne( that ,ucy (ould not *e a great secretary"'er Guali$ication is
not impressi%e&
=& Sad"#isheartened3 *ecause I kno( that it (ould *e much harder $or me to get a
-o*&
8" a1 #lthough Lucy is close to her mother, she has a strained relationship with her
uncle"
b1 She is the secretary for the <oss T Bannister)s" She is determined to keep the job"
c1 She had a surprise encounter with the spirit of s" Broome"
9" Because they see him as a drunkard who is merely a burden to the family"
>" She has a miserable (ualification" 'herefore, she does not ha%e the lu$ury of choosing the
job she wants"
C" 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
51
Assessment SS+ 1 !ractice *
Assessment SS+ 1 !ractice *
Assessment SS,
Assessment SS,
$loss&ry
KW!<'L@*:;
'he first alphabetic line on a keyboard
drinking up 0pg G1
0phrasal %erb1 taking another)s money 0esp" to buy alcohol1
pay packet 0pg 8B1
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
52
P&nel o+
Writers

53
Ir& 2h&tt&ch&ryy& 3P&nel 0e&d4
R&h&h 05 S&yuti
Adri&n Robert
6&vier '&nick&
R&shid 057 Abdul .&lil
So Sue8 Pink
97 Pushp&r&ni Subr&&ni& 32TP4
:7 Y7'7Tunku Irene8& '&rin& Tunku '&8l&n
3%oordin&tor4