Reader 7

Unit 2 Making Things Simple!

1. Where was Durrell working? Answer: Durrell was working as a student-keeper or an odd-beast boy at the Whipsnade Zoological Society. 2. What happened to one of Durrells foxes? Answer: One of his foxes had developed a boil at the base of its tail. 3. How did Durrell plan on catching the fox? Answer: He planned on catching the fox using something that looked like a big butterfly net. Once the fox was let out of its den, it would start running around the cage and all Durrell would have to do is place the net in front of it. 4. Did he have to be careful with the net? Why? Answer: He had to be careful because the net had a metal rim which could be dangerous, even though it was padded. 5. Was he able to catch it? What happened? Answer: Just as the fox started running towards the net, Durrells concentration was disturbed when Billy shouted from behind him. This caused Durrell to raise the net two inches higher and the foxs forelegs got caught in the rim, causing the right foreleg to snap. 6. Did the captain come to help the fox willingly? Answer: No, the captain did not come to help the fox willingly. He wanted to complete his bath leisurely and not be disturbed. 7. How many members were there in the captains family? What did he want them all to do? Answer: The captains family comprised of the captain, his wife Mrs Beale, his son Billy and daughter Laura. 8. What was the old method that the captain wanted to do away with? Answer: The captain said that in the old days, one had to splint, bandage and then use the plaster-of-Paris. The captain wanted to do away with this method because it was messy. 9. Why did the captain want to remove the hair on the foxs leg? Answer: The captain wanted to remove the hair on the foxs leg because plaster would not stick on hair. 10. What happened when the captain took the bandage out of the tin? Answer: First the captain unrolled a couple of yards of the bandage. Soon, the whole floor was covered with rolls that were heavily laden with plaster-of-Paris.

Revision/Challenge Question:
11. What did the situation remind Durrell of? Answer: All the plaster-of-Paris Paris on the floor made it look like the office had been hit by a light snowfall. 12. Was the captain happy with the way things turned turn out in the end? Answer: Yes, the captain was very satisfied with the job he had done, even though he had left a trail of mess around the office. 13. Did the captain realise why there was so much confusion? Answer: No, the captain went about his business without any plan in mind. He did not n realise why there was so much confusion. Instead, he proclaimed that he had done a successful job by keeping things simple.