Year 8 Cambridge English Learner’s Book

1.1 The leopard

Pages 8-13

By Mr Abdul Wahhab Jamal Al Aany

Learning objectives:

• look at how structural features can be used for effect

• consider how verbs can be used in descriptions
• explore how a writer combines structural and language
techniques
• discuss what might happen next in a story.
A verb is a word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being. It is one of
the main parts of speech in English and is essential for constructing meaningful
sentences.

There are several types of verbs, including:

Action Verbs: These verbs express physical or mental actions. For example: ran,
thought, talk.
Linking Verbs: These verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a subject
complement that provides additional information about the subject. Some
common examples are: is, were, seem.
Auxiliary Verbs: These verbs help to form grammatical constructions such as
tenses, voices and moods. Examples include: has, will.
Modal Verbs: These verbs express possibility, ability, permission, or intention.
Examples include: can, should.
Writers carefully select powerful verbs to bring a
description to life because verbs have the ability to depict
actions vividly and evoke specific emotions or imagery.
Strong verbs can make writing more dynamic, engaging,
and descriptive. By choosing precise and evocative verbs,
writers can create a more immersive reading experience,
enabling readers to visualise and experience the story or
description.
Powerful verbs can contribute to the tone of the writing,
convey the intensity of an action, or paint a more vivid
picture in the reader's mind. They help writers avoid
vague or weak language and make the writing more
precise and impactful. Ultimately, the use of powerful
verbs allows writers to create a stronger connection
between the reader and the story or description being
conveyed.
Notes on a the impression of nature the writer gives in:
The writer gives an impression of nature that is serene
and beautiful. The presence of tall mountain peaks, the
rising sun, the birds, and the peacefulness of the
mountains contribute to a sense of tranquillity and
solitude.
Notes on which characters seem ‘good’ and which ‘bad’:
It is not clear which characters are "good" or "bad" in this
extract.
However, Toad and Stinger (taking into consideration the
connotation of their names), along with Garjan Mankar
(the selfish star), are mentioned as negative individuals
encountered by the protagonist, Ruby, and her friend,
Praveen, the positive ones.
Key words

fiction: stories about imaginary characters and events

tone: the way that someone speaks or how a piece of writing sounds,
which helps suggest mood and feelings

summarise: to explain the main points of a text in a few words

theme: the main subject of a talk, book, film, poem, etc.

characterisation: how a writer conveys a character’s nature and

personality
Key words

structural features: the way that a text is ordered and organized

figure: a recognisable type of character in a story, such as a hero, villain,

victim

narrator: the person telling the story

The use of present tense verbs also adds to the vividness
and liveliness of the descriptions. The sun "rises" behind
the mountain peaks, creating a visual image of the
morning sky. Praveen "spots" the remains of the campfire,
indicating a sudden discovery and heightening the
reader's curiosity.
As Ruby and Praveen "walk" higher and higher, the reader
can almost feel the physical exertion and sense of
elevation. The present tense verbs contribute to a sensory
experience, allowing the reader to imagine the sights,
sounds, and sensations of the mountain setting.
Furthermore, the present tense verbs create a sense of
urgency and tension when the unexpected shot rings out.
The reader experiences the moment as it happens,
intensifying the suspense and capturing their attention.
The present tense enhances the dramatic impact of the
scene, making it more gripping and emotionally charged.
Overall, the writer's choice of present tense verbs in this
extract helps to build detailed and dynamic descriptions,
immersing the reader in the story and heightening the
emotional impact of the events.
Features of characterisation and its effect

- The leopard is seen as a victim figure:

The description of the leopard's snarling and growling in the face
of danger, and its injury, creates sympathy in the reader for its
plight. We also see the leopard as a victim figure because it was
killed despite the efforts of the protagonist to stop it.
Features of characterisation and its effect

- The men are seen as villain figures:

The description of the men towering over the leopard with their
rifles and admiring its coat after killing it creates a sense of
disgust and anger towards them. They are portrayed as ruthless
and insensitive towards the natural world and its inhabitants.
Features of characterisation and its effect

- The link between the narrator and the leopard:

The narrator's previous encounter with the leopard creates a
personal connection between them, which intensifies the
emotional impact of its death. The link between them also
highlights the interconnectedness of all living beings in the
natural world and the importance of preserving it.
Features of characterisation and its effect:

- Vocabulary to show the beauty of the leopard:

Words such as "sandy-coloured coat covered in black rosettes,"
"long white tail," and "velvet sheen" are used to highlight the
beauty of the leopard, emphasizing how tragic it is that such a
magnificent creature has been killed.
Features of characterisation and its effect

- Powerful verbs showing what happens to the leopard and

how the narrator reacts:
The verbs "snarling," "growling," "thuds," and "collapses" create
vivid images of the leopard's struggle and its eventual death.
The narrator's scream and collapse against a tree also intensify
the emotional impact of the scene.
To improve your skills at writing about these methods
and techniques, you could practice analysing different
texts and identifying these features and their effects on
the reader. you could also read literary criticism and
scholarly articles to gain insights and perspectives on
these methods.
Homework:

Year 8 Cambridge English Workbook activities

1.1 The leopard

Pages 5-7
Learning outcomes:

• how a writer structures a story to create specific effects.

• explain how verbs can be used to bring descriptions to
life.
• analyse the effect of language and structural choices in a
text.
• develop a discussion, sharing and listening to ideas on
what might happen next in a story.