2

Section A: Reading For

Teacher’s
Use
Spend 30 minutes on this section.

Read the text in the Insert and then answer questions 1–14.

1 Which words from lines 1–3 show Mafatu has always lived by the sea?
‘(He............................................................................................................................................
had been surrounded by it) ever since he was born’. [1]

2 Look at lines 1–3.

Give one thing that Mafatu does not like about the sea.
The............................................................................................................................................
loud noise it makes / ‘the thunder of it filled his ears’ [1]

3 Look at lines 4–10.

Give one phrase that suggests the boats are far apart from each other.
‘scattered at wide intervals along the reef’
............................................................................................................................................ [1]

4 Look at lines 8–10.

Why are the people ‘ill at ease’?

Tick ( ) one box.

because of the changing weather /

because it was late afternoon

because of dangerous animals

because they were feeling unwell

[1]

5 What language feature is ‘it seized the frail craft’ (line 13) an example of?

personification
............................................................................................................................................ [1]

© UCLES 2017 E/S8/02

 3

6 Look at lines 15–20. For

Teacher’s
Use
Give two ways that the writer builds up a sense of danger in these lines.

Support each answer with examples from the text.

Mafatu and his mother are crying – ‘his mother’s despairing cry’, ‘he set up a loud wailing’.
• ...............................................................................................................................................
• The impending darkness seems threatening – ‘closed down upon them’.
• The sea.................................................................................................................................................
sounds aggressive – ‘rushed at them screaming’. This personification makes it seem like a terrible
enemy.
• The waves are described as though they are battling among themselves
• ...............................................................................................................................................
– ‘lifted and struck at one another’.
• The sea seems to be alive and like a threatening animal – ‘hissing’.
............................................................................................................................................ [4]

7 ‘But the palms of Tekoto beckoned with their promise of life’ (line 25).

What impression of the isle of Tekoto do these words give?

- The isle is a welcoming place

............................................................................................................................................ [1]
- It seems safe
8 Look at lines 23–26.

Give two examples of Mafatu’s behaviour which show his fear.

He holds tightly around his mother’s neck

• ...............................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

He buries his head in her neck

• ...............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................ [1]

9 Give one word from line 28 that shows the sea wanted to take Mafatu.

hungry
............................................................................................................................................ [1]

© UCLES 2017 E/S8/02 [Turn over

 4

10 Look at lines 18–30. For

Teacher’s
Use
What impression does the writer give of Mafatu’s mother?

Identify two characteristics and support each one with examples from the text.

loving / protective
Characteristic: .........................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................
• ‘sprang forward to seize her child’
Example: .................................................................................................................................
• ‘the woman fought on’ / ‘pull her child beyond reach of the sea’s hungry
fingers’
.................................................................................................................................................
• brave/strong
Characteristic: .........................................................................................................................
• selfless / puts her child first
• resilient.
.................................................................................................................................................

Example: .................................................................................................................................
• ‘managed to press the cool, sustaining meat to her child’s lips’.

............................................................................................................................................ [4]

11 (a) How does the writer show that Mafatu’s experience of the storm is a memory?
• He was three when the storm happened, but he is 15 when he is telling the story./ It is twelve years later now.
• It says he ‘could remember that terrible morning’.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
• ‘Sometimes now’ suggests everything else happened in the past.
• ‘These pictures still coloured his dreams.’
(b) How does the mood in the text change in lines 31–32?
The mood changes from dangerous and stressful to calm and peaceful.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

12 Look at lines 31–34.

How does Mafatu feel about the sea now? Give a word or phrase from these lines to support
your answer.

• ‘Mafatu awoke and sat upright’

.................................................................................................................................................
• ‘a terrible trembling seized the boy’s limbs’
• ‘a cold sweat broke out on his forehead’.
............................................................................................................................................ [2]

13 Look at lines 35–38.

Identify one quotation about the sea in these lines and explain its effect.

‘mighty seas’ ‘hurled themselves’

Quotation: ................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

The word ‘mighty’ makes the sea sound God-like or like an all-powerful/
Effect: ......................................................................................................................................
unbeatable monster.
It makes the sea sound like a terrifying enemy that has no fear for its own
............................................................................................................................................ [2]
safety.

© UCLES 2017 E/S8/02

 5

14 Look at lines 38–39. For

Teacher’s
Use
What effects does the writer create by using the following?

Effect

It refers back to the beginning at the end of the

text.
‘Perhaps that was the beginning of it.’ It gives a circular structure to the text.
It makes the reader more interested in what is to
come.

Introducing Mafatu’s other name, The name contrasts with the fear he has shown
‘Stout Heart’ throughout the text.

It shows uncertainty about Mafatu’s future.

Ending with a question It makes the reader continue to think
about the text even after they have
finished reading.

[3]

© UCLES 2017 E/S8/02 [Turn over

 6

Section B: Writing For

Teacher’s
Use
Spend 30 minutes on this section.

15 Write a story in which a person or a group of people face a dangerous event.

You will need to think about:

Character A narrator?
A group of friends?
A group of strangers?

Setting At home?
On holiday?
Somewhere strange?

Plot What makes it dangerous?

How do they overcome the dangerous event?

Spend about five minutes planning your story.

Space for your plan:

Write your story on the next page. [25 marks]

© UCLES 2017 E/S8/02

 7
For
Teacher’s
................................................................................................................................................. Use

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................
© UCLES 2017 E/S8/02 [Turn over