Question: Write about a sad event and its effect on the characters in the novel that

you have read. Give evidence to support your answer.

Answer:

The novel that I have studied is Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail. This
novel is about a young boy named Rory who lived alone with his grandfather. When
Rory and Granda were separated due to a fire, Rory made a decision to run away
with Granda so that they could be together.
One of the sad event in this novel is when a fire broke out at the flats where Rory
and Granda were staying. On that day, Rory was heading to the bakery as usual to
get lunch, the baker told him that something was going on at his flats, the Fire
Brigade had gone there and someone had been sent to the hospital. Rory rushed
home immediately to find many people surrounding the building. He tried to get
into the building. A policeman told him that Granda had been admitted to the
hospital but he was going to be all right. Rory heard that Granda had probably left
the chip pan on and forgot about it. Then, Rory was taken to the hospital to see
Granda.
This event triggered a few other important events which changed their lives forever.
As a result of the fire, Rory had to be sent to stay in Castle Street, the children's
home and Granda was sent to Rachnadar Hospital. Rory hated Castle Street as he
had to face the terrible Tess who bullied everyone around her. He ended up fighting
with her. At the same time, Granda was suffering at Rachnadar Hospital. He blamed
himself that Rory had ended up in Castle Street. Rory saw that he was retreating
further and further into his shell and he did not want Granda to die 'inside'. So, he
made a decision to run away.
During the Great Escape, Rory and Granda had to move from place to place. This
affected Granda's health. First, they went to Darren's mum's caravan. When Rory
received news from Darren that they were found out, they escaped again. This time
they were rescued by Ruby and family. They went on an adventurous journey from
place to place. At one time, Granda even had to hit a boy who was threatening to
catch Rory. Then, Granda hotwired a car and they escaped again. Their adventure
ended when Granda fell unconscious at the bus shelter while they were on the run
from the police. Finally, Rory had to ask for help and Granda was sent to the
hospital. There, they were reunited with Jeff, Rory's father and his new family.
Thus, we can see that the fire that caused Rory and Granda to be separated
triggered other events which changed their lives forever. In the end, Rory's
problems were solved when they could stay somewhere near his father and they
also received home help for Granda and their meals are taken care of by 'meals on
wheels'.

What is one life lesson that you have learnt from the main character in the novel
that you have studied? Support your answer with close reference to the text.

I have studied the novel 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine MacPhail. The story is
narrated by Rory, a young boy who lived alone with his grandfather, Mr. McIntosh
whom he lovingly calls 'Granda'. Rory's father had left him when he was still small
and his mother had died of a broken heart.
One life lesson that I have learnt from Rory is that one should be a responsible
family member. Rory was a very responsible boy even though he was still a young
kid. He realised that Granda had looked after him all his life and now that Granda
needed him, he would take care of him. He did the shopping and cooking. He
cleaned the house.
Rory also gave up football for Granda. Mr Hood, his football coach had asked him to
join the football team but he lied that he did not like football anymore. The truth
was, he needed to look after Granda. Granda relied on him to get his lunch and he
also had to make sure Granda took his pills. Sometimes, he rushed home during
lunchtime to buy two hot pies for their lunch.
When Granda was hospitalised at Rachnadar, Rory realised that if he left Granda
there, he would be very miserable and sick. He was very frightened when he visited
Granda and he did not respond to him. He was afraid that he would 'be dead inside'.
He decided to run away with Granda in order to save him.
Darren's mother was concerned for Rory. She felt that Rory should not have to bear
this kind of responsibility. However, Rory felt that it was his responsibility since there
was nobody else. Finally, when he found out about his father, he felt that it was high
time he lived up to his responsibility as a son and father.

Telling: The girls were excited.

Showing: Giggles and screams filled the arrival hall. Their hair were now damp with
perspiration. They held tight to each other, trying to contain themselves. The
moment was here.
Telling: The room was vacant.
Showing: The door opened with a resounding echo that seemed to fill the house.
Cob webs once attached flowed freely in the air. The light revealed the peeling paint
on the walls and to the silhouettes once covered by pictures. Faded and torn white
sheets covered the furniture now drowning in dust.

Telling: The pizza was delicious.

Showing: Steam rising up off the melted cheese made my mouth water. At the first
bite, my teeth sinked into the cheese through the tomato sauce and into the moist
crust. I chew and swallow rapidly. Even the cheese and tomato sauce, sticking to my
fingertips, begged to be licked.
Telling: She is angry.
Showing: Her hands held tightly to the sides of her table. Her jaw tightened. Her
eyes flashed heat waves at me. She hissed at me, "I want to see you outside, right
now."
Now, try to do the following:
Telling: The morning was beautiful.
Showing:

From Basic To Complex

In order to write a good essay, students should learn how to write complex
sentences.
1. Take a basic sentence:
Julie lost her bag.
2. Expand on it: (add an adjective)
Julie lost her pink handbag.
3. Expand again with additional information:
Julie lost her pink handbag in a bus station.
4. Combine two sentences:
Julie lost her pink handbag. She was waiting for her bus.
Julie lost her pink handbag while waiting for her bus.
Julie lost her pink handbag while waiting for her bus at the bus station.
5. Make substitutions:
Julie lost her handbag ...
Juan lost her mobile phone...etc.
6. Add information and construct a short narrative around the sentences

students have created:

Julie was waiting for her bus at the bus station when she lost her handbag. She also
lost her mobile phone and everything else in the handbag.

Now, try expanding the following sentences.

1 She likes to play badminton.

2 Cigarette smoking is hazardous to health.
3 A thief entered my house.

DESCRIBING PLACES AND SCENES

SUGGESTED VOCABULARY
Apart from the common words such as nice and beautiful, there are other words
which you can use to describe a place or scene.

Marvellous time
Terrific place
Exciting activities
Breathtaking beach
Magnificent buildings
Fascinating sunset
Spectacular view
Picturesque beach
Delightful play
Inspiring show
Thrilling performance
Panoramic view
Captivating sight
Relaxing room
Lively town
Vibrant people

Delicious food
Mouth-watering desserts
Unique

Unpleasant day
Dull show
Nerve-wrecking journey
Awful time
Dreadful room
Depressing scene
Disappointing show
Miserable time
Frustrating weather
Upsetting news
Tiring event
Crowded room
Chaotic roads
Deserted town
Crammed room
Feel discontented
Boring film

50 IDIOMATIC EXPRESSSIONS YOU MUST KNOW

The correct use of idiomatic expressions will earn you merit points when you write your essays.
1 ace
Get an "A" on a test, homework assignment, project, etc.
I heard that Susie aced the test yesterday
2 As easy as a pie
very easy
The test was as easy as a pie.
3 at the eleventh hour
at the last minute; almost too late.
He finished the project at the eleventh hour and he nearly lost his job.
4 all ears
eager to hear what someone has to say.
Tell me about your latest trip overseas. Im all ears.
5 be broke
be without money.
I need to borrow some money. I am broke.

6 be on the go
be very busy (going from one thing or project to another).
I am very tired. I've been on the go since 5 in the morning.
7 beat
exhausted; very tired
I need a break after this. I'm beat!"
8 beat around the bush
evade an issue; avoid giving a direct answer.
Stop beating around the bush! Just tell me what happened to my car.
9 bite off more than one can chew
take responsibility for more than one can manage.
Mrs Lee finds it difficult to finish all her work. She has bitten off more than she could chew!"
10 blow one's top
become extremely angry.
My father blew his top when he found out I had taken his car without his permission.
11 burn the midnight oil
study/work all night or until very late at night.
Johan is not ready for the test. He will have to burn the midnight oil."
12 call it a day
stop work for the day.
The labourers call it a day after working for five hours on the field.
13 can't make heads or tails of something
can't understand something at all;
find something confusing and illogical.
I cannot make heads or tails of your notes. Were you sleepy during the class?
14 catch one's eye
attract one's attention/interest.
This colourful advertisement caught my eye when I was in the bus.
15 change one's mind
decide to do something different from what had been decided earlier.
David did not go to Australia. He changed his mind when he heard that his mother is ill.
16 cost (someone) an arm and a leg cost a lot;
be very expensive.
This car costs him an arm and a leg. He has to get another job to help pay for it.
17 couch potato
someone who spends too much time watching TV.
You are becoming a couch potato. You need to get out and do some exercise.
18 Don't count your chickens until (before) they hatch (they've hatched) Don't assume that

something will happen until it has happened.

I think you should not count your chickens until theyve hatched. Wait till the boys win the
competition this Sunday.
19 drop someone a line
write to someone
Do drop me a line when you have time.
20 drag one's feet delay;
take longer than necessary to do something.
Why are you dragging your feet? You should have finished your homework by now.
21 an eager beaver
a person who is always willing to volunteer or do extra work.
Rahim is an eager beaver. He is the first to volunteer for any job to be done.
22 feel blue
feel sad and depressed.
Rita is feeling blue because she has not heard from her boyfriend for a long time.
23 fire someone
dismiss someone from a job because of poor performance. Lokman might be fired if he continues
to be late for work.
24 get it
understand something (often negative).
I dont get it. Could you please explain it to me again?
25 get on one's nerves
irritate someone; make someone upset.
His constant chatter is getting on my nerves. Please tell him to keep quiet.
26 get out of hand:
become out of control; become badly managed.
The situation is getting out of hand. The relief centre can only hold forty people but we have one
hundred people to care for.
27 give someone a hand
i. help someone.
ii. applaud someone
Please give a hand to the poor old lady. She is trying to cross the road.
The gardener has done a wonderful landscaping job. Lets give him a hand.
28 Hard-headed
have one's hands full stubborn; inflexible; unwilling to change.
Its pretty difficult to get Simon to change his mind. He is hard-headed.
29 have one's hands full
extremely busy
Peggy usually has her hands full in the beginning of a new school term.

30 in the black:
profitable; not showing a financial loss.
The company is back in the black after suffering from great losses the last two months.
31 in the red:
unprofitable; showing a financial loss.
The company is in the red. We have to stop some of the workers if the situation continues.
32 keep an eye on
check something regularly.
Please keep an eye on the children while I go to the bank.
33 keep one's fingers crossed
hope for the best.
He is keeping his fingers crossed while waiting for the results of his interview.
34 lend someone a hand
help someone.
Can you please lend a hand at the relief centre for the flood victims?
35 live from hand to mouth
survive on very little money; have only enough money
to pay for basic needs.
Ros and the children live from hand to mouth after the fire destroyed their house.
36 make a mountain out of a molehill
make something seem much more important than it really is.
Susila is making a mountain out of a molehill. I am sure the boys are perfectly capable of
looking after themselves.
37 make up one's mind
decide what to do
Moses has to make up his mind whether to continue his studies or take up a job.
38 on the dot exactly at a given time.
If you do not come on the dot, we will leave without you.
39 (on the) cutting edge
using the most recent technology
This car boasts of having a cutting edge technology. It has a computer and tracking system.
40 pull someone's leg tease someone by trying to make her/him believe something that's untrue.
She pulled my leg when he said that he had quit his job to get married.
41 Rain or shine
no matter what the weather
"We're leaving for Cameron Highlands, rain or shine."
42 rain cats and dogs
Rain heavily
Its raining cats and dogs now. You better leave later.
43 read someone's mind:
know what someone is thinking.
I can read your mind. I know you are very hungry and I have ordered pizza.

44 rub someone the wrong way

irritate someone
I cannot stand Robert. He seems to rub me the wrong way every time we discuss something.
45 sleep on it take some time to think about something before making a decision.
You should sleep on it first and we will discuss again tomorrow.
46 To make his own bed; now let him lie in it.
Someone has caused his/her own problems; he/she will have to solve them himself/herself.
He insisted that he should take up the project alone. So, he has made his own bed, let him lie in
it.
47 under the weather
ill; unwell.
Susan was feeling under the weather yesterday, so she decided not to go to work."
48 until you're blue in the face
forever
You can advise him until you're blue in the face, but he wont change his ways.
49 wet behind the ears inexperienced and naive.
I do not think Suresh is suitable for this project. He is still wet behind the ears, having only
joined us last month.
50 wishy-washy:
without an opinion of one's own.
You better check with the other members. John can be wishy-washy at times.