PERSONAL JOURNEY FOR IELTS

STIJN DE WAAL

Laurie is really upset after seeing the film about the Holocaust. What
event in history upsets you? Why?
My event that I chose is The Holocaust, the reason why I chose this event is
because it happened on such a large scale. Because it stayed hidden for such a
long time. Also because we learned so much from it, if the Holocaust had not
happened racial issues would not be the same as it is today. The most peculiar
thing is that they (the nazis) tried to cover it up, the things they did so they must
have known that what they were doing was wrong. What is even more upsetting
is the fact that no one was spared. The other thing we learned is the importance
of democracy.
What do you think is the function (purpose) of the first chapter? Explain
I think the first chapter serves as an introduction to all the characters. The
chapter sets the location of the book. It also serves as a setting for the mood and
it kicks of the first event that will unfold in the rest of the book. The event I am
revering to is of course the movie the teenagers watch about the second world
war. This event introduces us to the subject of the lesson and the different
opinions student have about the subject. And it also gives us a look in the
average lesson from Mr. Ross, the sloppy homework is also something that we
learn about this class.
Give a short description for each of the following characters:
Laurie Saunders:
Nerd- A student- Editor in chief of the schoolpaper called the Grapvine- Popular
Amy Smith:
Also a nerd- Best friend of Laurie- Popular- Doesnt show how smart she isStudent
Mr. Gabondi:
Dull- French teacher
Ben Ross:
Enthusiastic- Teacher- Becomes easily obsessed by his own projects
Brian Ammon:
Student- Quarterback- Not motivated- Gets bad grades
Robert Billings:
Student- Class Loser- Bad grades- Has an overachieving brother
David Collins:
Student- Running Back for the football team- Lauries boyfriend
How do you think might this help his students to better understand the
Nazis actions?
I think that the students didnt really care about the subject after watching the
movie, it was just another history lesson. For the students to be impressed and
interested in the subject they needed something bigger than a movie. They
needed to experience the actions of the nazis up close to really grasp the
concept of it.
In chapter 5, what effect does Ben Rosss new teaching method have to
his students moral standards? How have they changed? Use the word
moral in your answer.
After the lesson in chapter 5 the moral spirit of the students was uplifted, so
much so that some students stayed after the bell rung. Even though at the
beginning of the lesson they were bored and not in a place they wanted to be.

David begins to teach his football team The Waves motto. Why?
He begins to teach the moto of the wave to the football team because in the
history class it worked really well to get order. It helps the team to be more like a
team which they need because they are very divided or as David says it: This is
just what I am talking about, we are supposed to be a team. (page 54)
Many students think The Wave works. How might their new beliefs
affect their future behaviour?
Every student who joins the wave there will be equally treated. I how ever think
that inside the wave there will still be people who put themselves above others
and who think they are better that others because they were in the wave earlier
than others. This would mean that nothing changed once you were in the wave
except your own mind set.
How has Roberts identity changed since The Wave began? How do
Wave members view themselves in comparison to non-members?
Robbert is a quite boy who always lives in the shadow of his older brother, this is
a description of Robbert before he joined the wave. After he joined the wave his
spirit became uplifted and he was enthusiastic about school. He also got bullied
by the other students which stopped after he joined the wave a shown on page
58 after Laurie says: you know Robbert Billings, the class creep? Even he is part
of a group. No one has picked on him 2 hole days. The other wave members start
to think they are more privileged then the non-wave members more superior. The
wave members become one identity as the book progresses so much so that they
have their own tribune at the matches. Laurie looked up at the crowded stands.
You mean everyone in the stands gave you the salute? (Page 111)