Penguin Readers Factsheets
Level 4 – Intermediate
Teacher’s Notes
About a Boy
by Nick Hornby
Summary
Will is 36 but behaves like a teenager. He’s single, rich and cool.
He has no responsibilities – no parents, no children, no family.
Marcus is 12 and behaves like an adult. He has just moved to
London with his mum, Fiona. He isn’t much like other kids of his
age and he’s having trouble at his new school. Fiona, meanwhile,
is heading for a breakdown.
Will and Marcus meet by chance on the day that Fiona tries to
kill herself. She recovers, but Marcus thinks she will try again and
leave him on his own. He realises that Will can teach him how to be
a kid and fit in at school. Will doesn’t know how to cope with a
suicidal mother, but he does know what trainers to wear and what
music to listen to.
Marcus and Will change each other’s lives forever. Marcus
teaches Will not to walk away from responsibility. Will teaches
Marcus how to live in today’s world.
About the author
Nick Hornby lives in the Islington area of north London where many
of his novels are set. His son, Danny, born in 1993, was diagnosed
as autistic when he was only two years old. Hornby and his wife
helped to set up TreeHouse, a special school for autistic children.
Looking after Danny is a huge part of his life.
Although his books are London-based, Hornby says that he feels
more comfortable with contemporary American literature than
British. He likes writing that is simple and accessible, but sharp and
intelligent. He is currently pop music critic for the New Yorker
magazine.
About the film
The film of Nick Hornby’s book About a Boy was a big hit. It stars
Hugh Grant as Will and Toni Collette as Fiona. The film is set in
north London and remains close to the book until the end.
Instead of having the adventure on the way to Cambridge,
Marcus enters for a rock concert at school. The act before him is a
cool breakdancing act starring Rachel’s son, Ali. Marcus then
comes on to stage to sing a famous 1960s ballad. Will knows the
kids in the audience will laugh at him, so he comes on stage with
Marcus and accompanies him on the electric guitar. He makes an
idiot of himself but saves Marcus. The film ends with Christmas at
© Pearson Education Limited 2003
About a Boy
Will’s flat – guests include Rachel, Ali, Marcus, Fiona, Ellie. Not
couples, but a big group of people. That’s the way Marcus likes it.
Nick Hornby says the revised ending of the film is true to the spirit
of the book and makes the film work. He wishes he’d thought of it
when he was writing the book.
Background and themes
About a Boy explores growing up and learning to have
relationships. The author develops this theme through the
character of Will, his unlikely hero. When we meet Will, he doesn’t
care about anything or anyone, not even his friends. He has no
commitments – no job, no family, no long-term relationship. But
through his contact with Marcus and Fiona, despite their messed
up lives, he comes to realise that a cool lifestyle is not enough – he
needs someone to care about otherwise he’s nothing. When he
meets Rachel and falls in love, a feeling he has never experienced
before, he understands how shallow he is and he admits to himself
how important Marcus has become to him. He understands that
relationships give meaning to life.
Single parenting is an important theme. Single mother Fiona is
so wrapped up in her own problems that she can’t see what’s
happening in Marcus’s life. When Fiona attempts suicide, Marcus
realises that two people cannot be a secure and happy unit – what
if one of them dies? The author suggests that making single
parents into couples is not necessarily the answer. His solution is
to make a community of people who are close to each other and
who care about each other. By the end of the story, Marcus has
gathered Will, Rachel, Ali, Ellie, his father, his mother and his
father’s girlfriend into a group around him.
Marcus suffers at school because he is different from the other
kids and attracts the attention of bullies. The author acknowledges
bullying as a fact of life that will always be there. He talks about
ways of living with it. The head teacher advises Marcus to keep out
of the bullies’ way. That doesn’t work for Marcus because the
bullies follow him. Will suggests that Marcus tries to fit in better with
a good haircut, the latest trainers and trendy glasses. He needs to
get into the culture of his own age group and not like music from his
mother’s generation. Will says he can be as weird and different as
he likes inside his head, but he needs to look as if he fits in on the
outside.
Although it is a comic novel, About a Boy has a serious side. Its
darker elements include Will’s amoral attitudes to women, Fiona’s
attempted suicide, the bullying that Marcus suffers and Ellie’s
vodka drinking.
Penguin Readers Factsheets
Teacher’s Notes
Communicative activities
The following teacher-led activities cover the same sections of text
as the exercises at the back of the reader, and supplement those
exercises. Further supplementary exercises covering shorter
sections of the book can be found on the photocopiable Student’s
Activities pages of this Factsheet. These are primarily for use with
class readers, but with the exception of pair/group work questions,
can also be used by students working alone in a self-access centre.
ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK
Debate. Will Freeman has never worked in his life. He is rich and
he doesn’t need to. If you were as rich as Will, would you work or
not? Divide the class in two. One half argues that it’s okay not to
work. The other half thinks of reasons why they should work. At the
end of the debate, take a vote.
ACTIVITIES AFTER READING A SECTION
Chapters 1–2
Divide the class into small groups. They are at the SPAT party. One
person in each group is Will. The others are single mothers. The
mothers ask Will questions about himself, his ex-wife and Ned.
Chapters 3–4
Students work in small groups. Ask each group to write down three
adjectives to describe Will, Suzie, Fiona and Marcus. Each group
in turn reads out their words. Write them on the board. Encourage
students to give reasons for their choices.
Chapters 5–6
Discussion. Marcus is bullied at school. The head teacher says he
should keep out of the way of the bullies. Will thinks he should try
to look more like other kids. His mum says it will take time. What is
the best way to deal with bullies? Students discuss their ideas
either in small groups or as a class.
Chapters 7–8
Family parties at Christmas or other holiday times are often difficult.
Put students into groups of five or six. Tell them they are at a family
party. Each student invents a character, like a bad-tempered dad or
an auntie who tells jokes all the time. They then improvise a tense
or difficult conversation sitting around the dinner table.
Chapters 9–11
On page 65 Marcus and Ellie find themselves in a police station in
Royston. A telephone chain is set in action as various people need
to be called to the police station. Pick pairs of students to improvise
each conversation in this order:
The police phone Clive; the police phone Ellie’s mum; Ellie’s
mum calls Fiona; Fiona calls Clive, Marcus’s dad; Fiona calls Ellie’s
mum to offer her a lift.
ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK
Explain how the film ends differently from the book (see About the
Film). Discuss with the class which ending they prefer. Put students
into groups of three or more. Groups devise a new ending and then
present it to the class.
© Pearson Education Limited 2003
Level 4 – Intermediate
Glossary
It will be useful for your students to know the following new words. They are
practised in the Before You Read sections of exercises at the back of the book.
(Definitions are based on those in the Longman Active Study Dictionary.)
Chapters 1–2
anyway (adv) this word is used to say that someone does
something although something has happened
blond(e) (adj) blonde hair is pale or yellow (blonde to
describe a woman’s hair; blond for a man’s)
About a Boy
bully (v) to frighten someone or hurt them, especially if
they are smaller or weaker than you
cool (adj) informal – used to show you like someone or
something that is fashionable, interesting, attractive or
relaxed
depress (v) to make someone feel sad and not hopeful
about the future
ex-wife (n) a person who used to be someone’s wife
godfather (n) a man who promises to look after a child’s
religious education; the child’s parents usually choose
relatives or very good friends (also: godmother)
guy (n) informal word for a man
involve (v) to include someone in something
kid (n) informal word for a child
picnic (n) a meal eaten outdoors
quiz (n) a competition in which you have to answer
questions
royalties (pl n) payments made to the writer of a book or a
piece of music
weird (adj) unusual and strange
Chapters 3–4
duck (n) a water bird
jumper (n) a piece of warm clothing made of wool that
covers the top half of your body and your arms
pump (v) to move liquid from one place to another by
machine
truth (n) the true facts about something
vegetarian (n) a person who doesn’t eat meat or fish
Chapters 5–6
cope (v) to succeed in doing something that is difficult or
working through a difficult problem
sweatshirt (n) a piece of thick cotton clothing that covers
the top half of your body and your arms, used especially
for playing sports
trainers (pl n) shoes worn for sports such as running
trust (v) to believe that someone is honest and will not
harm you
Chapters 7–8
fancy (v) to think someone is very attractive
headphones (pl n) a piece of equipment that you wear
over your ears to listen to a radio or recording
keen on (v) to like something very much
Chapters 9–11
cardboard (n) very thick paper used for making boxes
hug (v) to put your arms around someone and hold them
tightly to show love or friendship
victim (n) someone who is affected by a crime
vodka (n) a clear alcoholic drink from Russia
Published and distributed by Pearson Education
Factsheet written byJane Rollason
Factsheet series developed by Louise James
Penguin Readers Factsheets

Level 4 – Intermediate
Student’s activities

About a Boy
by Nick Hornby

These activities can be done alone or with one or more other
students. Pair/group-only activities are marked.
ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK
Look at the introduction on page iv.
About a Boy
2 Marcus thinks he sees his mother in the park, but she isn’t
really there. Can you explain this experience? Talk to another
student.
3 Describe each person’s reaction to Fiona’s body on the sofa.
(a) Suzie

Photocopiable
(b) Marcus
(a) Which of these words and phrases could describe Will at the
(c) Will
beginning of the story?
Chapter 4
lazy always tells the truth loves children
single parent hates responsibility 1 This chapter is called ‘Marcus’s Plan’. What is Marcus’s plan?
Describe it in a few sentences.
(b) Which of Nick Hornby’s books hasn’t been made into a film
yet? 2 Answer these questions.
(a) Fiona says she didn’t think she’d ever have to remember
ACTIVITIES WHILE READING THE BOOK the letter. Why not?
(b) Why does Marcus think that two people in a family aren’t
Chapter 1
enough?
1 Correct these sentences. (c) Why does Will buy Time Out?
(a) Will enjoys complicated relationships with his girlfriends. (d) Fiona isn’t Will’s ‘type of woman’. Why not?
(b) He often spends his evenings watching TV quiz shows. (e) How does Will feel when Fiona and Marcus sing an old
(c) He thinks John and Christine are the happiest couple he pop song?
knows.
Chapter 5
(d) He is very worried about Christine’s tiredness.
(e) He is very pleased when they ask him to be Imogen’s 1 Which of these things happen in this chapter?
godfather. (a) Marcus has his hair cut.
(b) Will buys Marcus some Adidas trainers.
2 Marcus feels he is different from the other kids at school. In
(c) Will asks Fiona to be his girlfriend.
what ways is he different? Make a list. Compare it with
(d) Marcus has his shoes stolen.
another student’s.
(e) Marcus gets some new glasses.
Chapter 2 ( f ) Fiona finds out that Marcus is visiting Will.
1 How does Will feel: 2 What does Fiona learn about Marcus in this chapter? Do you
(a) when Angie says that she wants to go out with him? think she will change the way she looks after him? Why does
(b) when she tells him that she has two small kids? she find it hard to understand Marcus? Talk to another
(c) when he spends time with Angie? student.
(d) when she ends their relationship?
Chapter 6
2 Marcus is only 12 but he has a lot of problems at home and
1 Who:
at school. If you were his friend, what advice would you
(a) doesn’t exist?
give him?
(b) is always in trouble at school?
Work with a partner. One of you is Marcus. The other is his
(c) likes Nirvana?
friend. Talk about Marcus’s problems.
(d) likes Joni Mitchell and Mozart?
3 (a) Why does Will like SPAT? (e) rides a Harley Davidson?
(b) Why does Marcus hate SPAT?
2 Answer these questions.
Chapter 3 (a) Why does Ellie tell Marcus that Kurt Cobain is a
1 Different characters say these things in the story. Which are Manchester United footballer?
the truth and which are lies? (b) Why doesn’t Marcus tell Mrs Morrison who the bullies
(a) ‘And she’s taken my car, too.’ are?
(b) ‘I hate football.’ (c) Why does Will tell Marcus that it’s no good asking him
(c) ‘Most people.’ anything?
(d) ‘He’s a really nice boy.’ (d) What kind of help can Will give Marcus?
(e) ‘I think I’ve killed a duck.’ (e) Why does Ellie like Marcus?
(f ) ‘Marcus loves ducks, don’t you, Marcus?’

© Pearson Education Limited 2003

Penguin Readers Factsheets

Level 4 – Intermediate
Student’s activities

Chapter 7
1 How does Will feel:
(a) about Christmas?
(b) about spending Christmas with Marcus and Fiona?
(c) when he sees Fiona’s ex-husband and his girlfriend at
Fiona’s house?
(d) when they’re all watching TV after lunch?
(e) when Suzie arrives with Megan?
2 You are Will. You decide not to go to Marcus’s for Christmas.
Plan your day. Compare your plan with another student’s.
Chapter 11
1 Who:
(a) can’t understand the connection between Clive’s broken
arm and the music shop window?
(b) is nearly sixteen?
(c) gets a lift to Royston with Fiona and Will?
(d) gives Ellie a big hug?
(e) finds that he quite likes real life?
2 The title of this chapter is ‘Growing Up’. Which of the main
characters grow up at the end of the story? Talk to other

About a Boy
students.
3 Think of three things to buy Marcus for Christmas.
Chapter 8 ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK
1 Answer these questions. 1 Who do you think is the real ‘boy’ of the title? Use your ideas
(a) What is Rachel’s job? to write a paragraph.
(b) Why doesn’t Ali like Marcus?
2 The soundtrack to the film About a Boy was written by Badly
(c) What do you think Rachel will say when she learns the
Drawn Boy and produced as a CD. Imagine you were asked
truth about Will and Marcus?

Photocopiable
to choose the background music for the film. What would you
2 Use these phrases to replace the phrases in italics in the choose?
sentences.
3 Write an extra scene for the book. For example, Marcus
act as if you are doesn’t like feeling anxious
thinks he sees his mother in the park but she isn’t really
really like really likes spends time
there. He tells Will about it afterwards. Or Fiona meets Suzie
(a) I want you to pretend to be my son. after the Royston incident and tells her about it. Or use your
(b) I’m really interested in this woman. own ideas.
(c) Are you worried about that?
4 You are Marcus. Write your diary for a day at the beginning of
(d) If your dad goes out with my mum, you’re dead!
the story just after you have moved to London and started
(e) She’s not keen on him!
your new school. Then write your diary for a day after the end
(f ) Will really fancies you.
of the story. Compare them.
Chapter 9
1 Answer these questions.
(a) Will never actually said to Rachel that Marcus was his
son. Was he honest or not?
(b) Will says he can choose trainers for Marcus but he can’t
make his mum feel better. Is he a good friend to Marcus?
(c) Marcus is upset when Ellie tells him about Kurt Cobain.
Why?
(d) Why does Will decide to do something about Fiona?
2 Find out more about one of these people: James Dean,
Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix. Make some notes and tell your
class.
Chapter 10
1 Put these events in order.
(a) Ellie gets out of the train at Royston.
(b) Ellie opens her bottle of vodka.
(c) Marcus and Ellie meet at King’s Cross Station.
(d) Marcus learns that Kurt Cobain is dead.
(e) Marcus’s dad falls down some steps.
(f ) She breaks the window of a music shop.
2 Lots of people crowd round Ellie and Marcus after they break
the shop window. Describe the scene. Talk to another
student.

© Pearson Education Limited 2003 Published and distributed by Pearson Education

Factsheet written by Jane Rollason
Factsheet series developed by Louise James