Synopsis

Rory and his grandfather, Granda, have lived together

for as long as he could remember and looked after each
other since Rory's dad walked out on them. Their life is
put to trial when Rory has to really look into Granda's
every need since Granda is slipping into lapses of
memory and keeps doing irresposible acts which have
put himself and others in danger on several occasions.
Despite this, Granda is well-known to everyone
especially among Rory's friends for his generous heart
and great charm. Rory acts as his carer and tries his best
to put Granda on his best behaviour until an unexpected
fire incident at their flat forcing the authorities to take
action by separating them. However, Rory is
determined to have Granda together with him and so,
this has taken them to embark on an escape but with
their faces made publicly known on every television
screen and in newspaper, which has made their escape
almost impossible. Their journey is full of surprise
betrayals and unexpected friends as they attempt to
evade the authorities and eventually track down the man
who has left them both high and dry.
NOVEL QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE
1. Based on the novel of your choice, discuss the problems faced by a
character. How does he/she overcome the problems?
2. Write about a moral value you have learnt in the story.
Support your answer with evidence from the novel.

3. 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.
4. Choose an event in the novel you have studied which you find to be
the most memorable. Give reason for your choice and, with close
reference to the text, discuss the event.
5. Love is important in a family. How is this shown in the novel you
have read? Support your answer with close reference to the text.
6. The writer describes the main character as a very determined person.
Show the determination affects his/her family.
7. Choose a significant event from the novel you have studied. With
close reference to the text, explain how this event has changed the
character of a person in the novel.
8. Using the details from the novel that you have studied; describe what
happens at the end of the novel and explain why you find the ending
either happy or sad.
Support your answer with close reference to the text.
9. Using the details from the novel that you have studied, write about a
difficult decision made by ONE of the characters. With close reference to
the text, do you think this was the right decision?

SPM Questions & Sample of Answers

Love keeps a relationship alive
How is this shown in the novel that you have read? Support your answer with close reference to the
text. (MRSM 2011)

Love keeps a relationship alive is wonderfully portrayed by Catherine McPhail

in the novel Catch Us If You Can. The love is shown between a grandfather and his
grandson, Granda and Rory. The love between both characters can be felt by
readers when we then see the strong family bond that is keeping Grandas and
Rorys relationship alive.
Rory and Granda are very loving towards each other and take care of one
another. Rory remembers the time when Granda used to help him put up the
Christmas tree and carry him on Grandas shoulders to football matches. The

wonderful moments remembered when Granda took care of him makes Rory feel
responsible of taking care of Granda whom is senile, how Rory shows his love by
tending to Grandas needs such as preparing his lunch, hiding Grandas pipe and
reminding Granda to take his medication. He also drills Granda on how to behave
during Parents Night to prevent Granda from being forgetful just like setting himself
on fire at Dr. Nicoles clinic. On the other hand, even though Granda is senile he still
can show his love towards Rory by appreciating Rorys care towards him. He tells Dr.
Nicole that he is glad to have Rory as a grandson.
The love between these two characters keeps them from being separated by
many parties. Who would count on a child to take care of an old person? That is why
people such as Dr. Nicole advises Rory and Granda to get a home help. Mrs Foley
also intends to foster Rory to loosen his burden. Val Jessup a social worker sent by
Dr. Nicole helps them with their household chores. One day Granda was sent to the
hospital and Val Jessup told Rory they were going to be separated as Granda was to
be sent to an old folks home, Rachnadar. Rory cried and protested the fact that he
was being separated from Granda. In order to stay together as a family, Rory
devised a great escape to run away from everyone who was trying to keep them
apart. Even though Rory and Granda faced many problems along the way, they both
used their minds to solve it and prevent from being separated again. Their
relationship is still kept alive even when they had to run away from authorities that
were hot on their trail.
Love can also be seen between the minor characters that are the travellers
consisting of the gypsies. Even though travellers and gypsies are looked down by
people, they do not care as long as they can travel together as one big family. That is
why love keeps a relationship alive is truly portrayed in this novel.
mrsm pc student's work

another good sample of my student's work

Based on the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, the value of
love in a relationship is constantly pondered upon. Indeed, love makes the
world spin, and in this case, it keeps a relationship alive.
Rory is an average boy, only with a peculiar lifestyle. Society accepts the
norm that the old takes care of the young. In Rorys case, it is vice versa. He was the
one who took care of his Granda. His estranged father, Jeff, was nowhere to be
found. Granda was always old and forgetful. He was not even able to take care of
himself, much less Rory. Rory took care of their meals, and tended to Grandas
medications. He even ignored his passion for sports. He did not mind a bit, due to his
unconditional love for Granda.
When Rory was separated from Granda, he stayed at Castle Street in agony,
knowing that Granda was falling apart without him. His love for Granda pursued him
to maintain their relationship by running away. He devised a brilliant plan, taking the
consequences into consideration. He never lost sight of what was really important,
and that was he was all that Granda had, and Granda was all he had, too. It is

proven here that Rorys love for Granda keeps the relationship alive. Rory might not
be an adult yet, but his actions showed otherwise.
Rorys love for Granda was not one-sided. Granda was well aware of his
complexities and Rorys patience when dealing with them. Ever since Jeff
abandoned Rory, Granda treated him like he was his own son. He loved him more
than anything in the world. His love for Rory was obviously shown during their
escape adventure. He proved himself worthy of the name Granda when he made
breakfast in the morning after their escape. Rory seemed glad that his Granda was
returning back to his capable self again. His love for Rory also drove him to do
unexpected things; such as whacking a persons head with a bottle when Rory was
threatened. He impulsively decided to steal a car when they had no more means of
transportations during their escape. Rory was scared out of his wits, but secretly
impressed by his Grandas confidence. Reaching to the end, we can see how
Granda was losing strength. However, he kept going. He had only Rory in mind.
Eventually, he lost consciousness and Rory had to ask for help. Fortunately, he
survived and kept going on living with his love for Rory. Grandas love for Rory kept
their relationship, and eventually himself, alive.
With these evidences, it is shown in the novel that love really keeps a
relationship
alive.
Hats
off
to
Catherine
MacPhail.

5F

2012

student's

work

The writer describes the main character as a very determined person. Using the details from
the novel that you have studied, write about:
Some instances that show the characters determination
How the determination affects his family

In the novel Catch Us If You Can woven by Catherine McPhail, I noticed how the
writer skillfully braided the theme of determination and show it to the enthusiastic
readers on how the theme of determination delivered affect the family of those with
determination.
In the fine art of written words, readers can learn how the main protagonist and
narrator of the story, Rory McIntosh was portrayed as a boy with huge determination
set in him when it came to achieving what he wanted. Growing up in an unusual
lifestyle, Rory was very determined to stay with his old and senile grandfather even if
it meant for him to toil with all the burden of caring for a weak and forgetful old man.
Instead of living like other normal kids his age, Rory had to face huge burden of
taking care of Grandas needs and deteriorating health condition, and problems of
losing his homework and sacrificing his passion for football game. Despite what the
people around him say, including his teacher and his bestfriends moms
disagreement of such trouble that a young boy like him had to shoulder, his
determination nestled strongly in his heart to make him carry out his duty unfailingly
towards his beloved Granda by getting him food and medicine, and meeting his
Grandas appointment with his doctor.

In his undisputed determination, Rorys further move in his goal to keep his one
and only family together with him is simply an eye-opener. An evidence can be
simply found during the grand night of Rorys scheme to escape from his prison, an
orphanage called Castle Street and to sneak into his grandas prison, an old folk
home. His attempt was carefully executed, smuggling granda out to freedom to the
outside world so that they can stay together as a family, even with the risk of being
called fugitives.
With cops on their tails, their faces aired on every news nationwide and pleads
from people for them to show up, Rory displayed great determination in surviving
and continuing with his struggle to tend to Grandas state of health for the sake of
their plight for family unity. Though doubts crept into his heart throughout their
journey, especially with Grandas worsening condition, his determination bears fruits
of triumph and joy for their family. Unexpectedly, they were reunited with distant
family member they had lost hope of meeting, and can now settle in a comfortable
place they can simply call home.
A persons determination can bring back positive outcomes for him and his
familys future. It is just a matter of place and time. As for Rory, with his will and
determination, he has won the best prizes one could ever get; to finally be together
with Granda for good, reunited with his father and getting a handful of friends who
have supported them throughout his great adventure. Enough said, McPhail had
shown her skill in creating this literature and her good message of the importance of
determination and how this can impact the family and the character himself in many
ways.
The themes that Catherine Macphail wanted to display to the readers are
sacrifi ces,determination,strong passion,love and fi nally friendship.
How much sacrifi ces has the old man- Granda done for Rory.It is defi nitely
immeasurable.The readers were brought back to memories of old days when Jef
Macintosh walked out from the house and Granda took over the total responsibility of
rasing up the baby until he became a young,educated,responsible and committed
boy.Rory knew all these and reciprocated to his granda by sacrifi cing so many things
in return.He make sure Granda is safe and sound despite bearing the mental lapses
which his granda had.Rory did a couple of great things such as running back home to
feed Grandas medication.Then bought pies for his lunch.Dropping his favourite game
of football just to take care of granda has proven his great sacrifi ce. Granda often
misplaces Rory's homework. In order to protect his Granda. Rory with the help of his friend,
Darren, comes up with creative stories to tell Mrs. Foley about his missing homework. Mrs. Foley
tries to make him do his homework at lunchtime but Rory always runs away.
Granda is a very determined individual.Though old and ailing and experiencing
memory loss as well as physical pain. he is single-minded in his resolution to he with
his only grandson,Rory.Later, when they become separated, Granda is still determined to
be with Rory. Despite his sickness and need for medical attention, he agrees to run
away with him so that the pair can be together. He cannot imagine, nor couldhe accept,
a life without his grandson. In spite of his deteriorating medical condition he left the hospital
and went on an adventure in order to be with his grandson.

His determination also sees him hitting a thug who wants to disclose their identity to the
police for a reward. Granda also manages to steal a car by "hot-wiring" it in a bid to escape
the police and those who want to separate him from his beloved grandson.
Granda's determination is also evident in the fact that he does not leave Rory
orphaned. He keeps his spirits alive and is determined to be there for his grandson.
Though he is later reunited with his son, Jef, he is determined to stay with Rory though
he loves his other grandchildren very much and dot on them. Theextended family live very
near each other. Thus the family remains intact despite the challenges.
Therefore, love a a family is important and is clearly shown in this novel.
The ending too is exciting and heart wrenching. For a moment, we think Granda is really dead. He
is not breathing. We feel angry with Norma for reporting to the police about Rory and Granda.
But, later we understand that she did theright thing for Granda. She was worried about his health.
But it is good that they are not caught. In a way, Rory's 'Big Escape' is successful. Rory himself
gets help for Granda and finally meets his father. Jef and his family.
Besides, this novel teaches us many moral values. For example, we learn responsibility and
determination from Rory. His granda looked after him from young when his father left him and for
that Rory loves Granda and takes care of him no matter what. He is not in the school football
team which he loves because he has to buy Granda lunch and make sure he takes his medicine.
He is protective of him. Mrs. Foley tells him of for not doing his homework but he does not tell her
his granda threw it away with the rubbish. We learn that family love is important.

Theme of Forgiveness or Reconciliation

Novel, Catch Us If You Can Theme of Forgiveness or Reconciliation
Using details from the novel you have studied, write on the theme of
forgiveness OR reconciliation.
Support your answer with close reference to the text.

SAMPLE ANSWER
In Catherine MacPhails Catch Us If You Can, Rory has been cared for by his
grandfather whom he calls Granda for as long as he remembers. According to
Granda, his own father was a spoilt brat of a boy; just mentioning him would make
Granda angry. He grew up to be someone who did not appreciate what he got and
left Rorys mother who later died of heartbreak. And that was when the senior
McIntosh decided to cut all ties with his son. He is adamant that the only son he had
is Rory and he can very well take care of the boy.
The irony of the situation is, Rory has been looking after his Granda who is not well
and needs medications for all sorts of ailments. As a result, Rory has to look after
him, take him to the doctor, prepare his lunch and make sure he takes his medicines
all too big a responsibility for a young boy like him. Despite the difficulties, both

Rory and Granda refuse to be separated, as any solution would entail sending the
old man to a nursing home and the boy, a children s home.
However, after Granda accidentally sets fire in their flat, he is sent to Rachnadar, an
old folks home and Rory to the childrens home in Castle Street. They cannot bear
being separated. Rory takes Granda out from the home and both go on a run. Soon,
the police is looking for them. News about them appears on the media. Rory and
Granda manage to evade the police because they get help from people who
sympathize with them along their journey.
Investigations reveal that Rorys father, Jeff Mcintosh is in Liverpool and they are
advised to go and see him. While on their way to Liverpool, Granda becomes too
sick. The police is informed by one of the people who helps them, Norma, who feels
that the old man needs immediate help. Jeff, with the help of the authorities, arrives
to take his father and his son with him. Both father and son are reconciled and Rory
finds his long-lost father. Jeff is ready to take on his responsibilities as a son to his
father, Granda, and as a father to his son, Rory.
The story ends with a reconciliation between the ageing and ailing father and the son
he has vowed to disown, Jeff. As for Rory, it is a happy reunion with the father he has
never known

Plot of The Story

Novel, Catch Us If You Can Plot of The Story

From the novel you have studied, write about the plot of the story and state
what you think of the plot.
Support your answer with close reference to the text.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Catherine MacPhails novel Catch Us If You Can revolves around a teenager,
Rory, and his grandfather whom he calls Granda. Rory and Granda are on an
escape adventure from their hometown to Liverpool because they do not want to be
separated from each other. They have cared for and looked after each other for a
long time and with Granda getting on in years and becoming forgetful, Rory takes
over the responsibility of looking after Granda on his own initiatives.
One day, when their flat caught fire due to Granda s carelessness, both Rory and

Granda are placed in a childrens home and an old folks home respectively.
Granda is badly affected as he becomes withdrawn and lost. Rory knows that
Granda is slowly dying in Rachnadar, so he decides to run away with Granda. Rory
and Granda make the great escape but with no destination in mind. They only want
to be free and to be together. They spend a few happy carefree days at the caravan
site. When the police catch up with them, Rory and Granda are helped by Sammy
who gives them shelter.
Their journey is a struggle to stay free. Strangers help them all the way, giving them
shelter and making safe plans for them. Rory has doubts about whether he is doing
the right thing. All doubts are dispelled as Granda looks happy even when he is
exhausted.

Eventually, Rory decides they would travel south to Liverpool and look for his father,
Jeff McIntosh. Granda objects and rages about this when he realizes what Rory s
plans are. The climax of the story is when Granda almost loses his life in the cold
bus shelter. After that, they end up in Liverpool. It is a happy ending as they meet up
with Jeff and become a family again. The plot runs in chronological order. The reader
can follow Rory and Grandas interesting and sometimes heartbreaking journey from
their hometown to their final destination. Rory as the narrator projects a solid account
of their thoughts, feelings and gives good descriptions of the setting. The approach
makes it easy for the reader to understand and appreciate the story. I think the plot is
simple and relevant to our society where young people tend to forget their
obligations to the old.

An Important Moral Value You Have Learnt

Novel, Catch Us If You Can An Important Moral Value You Have Learnt
From the novel you have studied, write about an important moral value you
have learnt. Support your answer with close reference to the text.
SAMPLE ANSWER
From the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, an important moral
value I have learnt is that family relationships should be nurtured and not taken for
granted. Granda looked after Rory after Rorys father walked out on them. Since
Granda was old and forgetful, Rory took it upon himself to look after Granda. Nobody
forced or told him to do it but Rory felt it was the right thing to do. He was willing to
forego things that teenage boys should be doing. He did all the household chores,
made sure Granda took his medication and had his meals. He even kept Granda s
pipe to make sure there wasnt any untoward incidents. Granda and Rory did not
take their relationship for granted. Granda, on several occasions, had expressed
appreciation to Rory for always being there for him while Rory felt proud to have
Granda as his grandfather. Rory was protective and defensive of Granda. They

nurtured their relationship right up to the end even when they had a family, Jeff and
Karen.
Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone also showed a strong family relationship. Sammy and
Ruby were free and easy but respectful with each other. Ruby would tease Sammy
and vice versa. But, when it came to making decisions, Ruby left it to Sammy,
showing him respect as the head of the family. Tyrone was respectful and obedient
to his parents, Sammy and Ruby.
All in all, I have learnt from the novel that family relationship should be nurtured and
not taken for granted as family happiness and stability depend on this positive
attitude.

Catch Us If You Can - Interesting Character

Question: Based on the novel you have studied, who do you think is the most interesting
character? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer:
In the novel Catch Us If You Can by Cathrine MacPhail, the character I think
interesting is Rory, the main character in this novel.
Rory is very patient especially in taking care of his Granda who suffers from memory
lapses. This can be seen when Rory asks Granda where he put his homework. He notices
a bulge in his rucksack. It is a bag of rubbish in his rucksack. Granda has absentmindedly thrown away his homework and kept the rubbish instead. The next day in
class, Mrs Foley asks Rory about his homework and Rory tells Mrs Foley the truth, that
he has lost his homework. Mrs Foley asks him to stay back at lunchtime to do his
homework but Rory cannot stay as he has to rush home to prepare Grandas lunch. Rory
knows that Granda does not do it deliberately and he does not scold or blame Granda.
Rory is also very determined. He shows this when he plans the Great Escape for
three days after Darren suggests hiding in his mothers caravan. He gives Rory the
spare key to the caravan. Rory carefully carries out his plan. He packs his and Grandas
things. He visits Granda after school, as usual. He wedges open the emergency exit.
Later that night, he visits Granda and prepares Granda by dressing him up and then tells
him that he is getting out of the home. Rory takes Granda away from there while Val is
having coffee with the nurses. Both of them successfully sneak out through the
emergency exit and out to a quiet train station where they are not noticed. They arrived
at the train final stop and go uphill in a fine drizzle and then up a long winding path that
leads to the caravan site.
Another good thing about Rory is, he is a loving boy. After the fire at the flat,
Rory is sent to Castle Street and Granda to Rachnadar. Rory is not happy. Granda does
not like to stay there and he is upset and cries. Rory sees Granda sitting on his bed and
crying at Rachnadar. It breaks his heart . Granda and Rory cannot live without each
other. Rory decides to run away with Granda.
Although Rory is still a boy, he has many good qualities many boys of his age do not
possess. Because of this, I think Rory is a very interesting character.

Question: Based on the novel you have studied, write about an

event and how it affects one of the characters. Give evidence to
support your answer.
In the novel Catch Us If You Can, by Catherine McPhail, an event that affects one of the
characters in the story is when Rory takes Granda out from Rachnadar, a home for the aged. After
taking his Granda out from Rachnadar, Rory decides to escape from the town where they both lived.
Their escape takes them to many places and they meet many people who help them. Rory
learns valuable lessons from these people. For example, Rory learns about compassion and kindness
from Sammy and Rubys family. From Rab, Annie and Norma, Rory learns that there are people in this
world who would help others and the help comes in many forms. When Norma reports Rory and
Granda to the police, she does so out of the kindness of her heart. This makes Rory touched and
grateful.
This event has changed Rorys life. His life has changed for the better when he and his
Granda are reunited with Rorys father. Now, Rory not only has a father, he also has new family
members; a stepmother and two stepsisters. Granda has also learned to accept and forgive Rorys
father and this makes Rory very happy.
Before this escape, Rory was worried about his Granda and as he has to take up the
responsibility of taking care of Granda, he cannot lead a normal life of a young, growing boy. Finally,
at the end of the story, however, Rorys life has improved as there are certain services provided for
the elderly. He also has his father who is willing to take care of Granda whom he has neglected for
years. Due to this, Rory can lead a normal life like his schoolmates. All these positive changes would
not have happened if Rory had not taken his Granda out from Rachnadar

Novel - Catch Us If You Can

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.