Quick thinking. Smart Speaking.

Task 1: I want you to spend 10 minutes maximum preparing an answer that you will
present to the class. You can write a script or a simple set of notes to guide you, but you
must present to the class for 1 minute.
You must include at least one quote to help give evidence for your response.
As a class you will here each other’s responses. Make sure you take notes as you go.

1. How is the image of family expressed in the Golden Age?

2. What do polio and the holocaust have in common?
3. People’s ability to survive is extraordinary. How so?
4. Dying is hard. Living is harder. How does London express the continuity of grief,
loss, or trauma?
5. Explain the significance of the Royal visit to the story. Why does London pay it so
much attention?
6. In what ways do trauma and illness force children to grow up?
7. Meyer criticises the country earlier for being too innocent. What does he mean by
this? Does he change his mind?
8. How important is love in the Golden age? How powerful is it?
9. Each of the Golds accept Australia in their own way. Explain the difference between
their experiences.
10. Why does London continually use the phrase, New Australians?

At this stage in our study, you should be able to write at least 1 paragraph on all of the
questions above.

Task 2

You must write (minium) three sentences in response to each question. You should aim to
summarise the ideas, whilst also covering the different ways you could answer the question.
Think of it almost as if you were planning for a full response.

Example

What is the role of poetry in The Golden Age?

 Poetry allows the reader to understand the characters’ inner most thoughts. “They
are your thoughts”

 Poetry allows characters to come to terms with their existences (death/condition)

 Poetry provides people with a sense of purpose; meaning; a reason to go on

(vocation).

 Poetry is both freed of its own rules, and is symbolic of freedom.

Due Monday 26th February