ENGLISH PANEL SENSE OF URGENCY PROGRAM 2015

NOVEL SAMPLE ANSWERS SET 2 (5 D, E, & F)

PRACTICE 1
It is important to have someone that you can trust.
How is this shown in the novel you have read? Support your answer with close reference to the
text.
Suggested answer
Introduction

The novel that I have read is 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine

MacPhail. The novel has an interesting storyline with wonderful characters.
The novel highlights the message that it is important to have someone that
you can trust especially when you are in trouble or face problems.

Content
Textual evidence

Of course it is not easy to trust strangers, not even when they

sincerely offer help. Rory and Granda could have rejected the help offered to
them due to mistrust. But they choose to trust these strangers instead.
Rory and Granda have to put trust in strangers like Tyrones family and
Rab. These people are sincere in giving their help to Rory and Granda. Rory
and Granda learn that these people are kind to those in need of help. Their
trust in these kind people pay off for, not only do they get help, they also get
new friends.
Rory meets Rab when he wants to put petrol in the stolen car. Rab
offers help immediately because he knows about them running away from
the authorities. At first, Rory does not accept Rabs offer of help. But then,
Rory decides Rab can be trusted and he makes the right decision. Rab proves
to be very helpful. Later, Rabs girlfriend, Annie, helps them to escape to the
hill where it all ends well with a reunion between Rory, Granda and his
fathers family.

Closing
Conclusion

In conclusion, it is clear that from these examples, it is important to trust

someone especially when you are in trouble or face problems.

PRACTICE 2
Love is important in a family.
How is this shown in the novel you have read? Support your answer with close reference to the
text.
Suggested answer
Introduction

The novel that I have read is 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine

MacPhail. The novel has an interesting storyline with wonderful characters.
In the novel, the love and commitment between Rory and his grandfather
are amazing and heart-warming. Both want to keep the family united no
matter what happens.

Content
Textual evidence

Rory loves his Granda very much. He makes sure that his
grandfather takes his medicine on time and does not miss a meal. He also
ensures that his basic hygiene is taken care of.
Other than that, Rory even gives up the school football team so he
can spend time with his Granda. At times, he even trains his Granda on how
to behave in public. In return, Granda loves Rory very much and refuses to
be parted from him even if it means he has to be away from medical help.
When Rory realises that he is to be separated from his Granda, he
then makes plans to run away with Granda. They are lucky that along the
way, many kind people help them to continue their journey together.

Closing
Conclusion

In the end, after all the hardships and challenges they face, Rory and
Granda manage to stay together.

PRACTICE 3
The writer describes the main character as a very determined person.
Using details from the novel that you have studied, write about:
some examples that show the characters determination
how the determination affects his/her family
Suggested answer
Introduction

The novel that I have read is 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine

MacPhail. The novel has an interesting storyline with wonderful characters.
In the novel, Granda is a very determined person. Although old Granda
suffers physical pain and experiences memory loss, he is very singleminded in his determination to be with his only grandson, Rory. When his
only son Jeff, abandoned his wife and Rory, Granda took care of Rory and
his mother.

Content
Textual evidence

Later, when they become separated, Granda is still determined to be

with Rory. Despite his sickness and need for medical attention, he agrees to
run away with Rory so that they can be together. He cannot imagine a life
without his grandson.
Although his health condition worsens, he still leaves the hospital
and goes on an adventure in order to be with his grandson.
His determination also makes him hit a thug who wants to reveal their
identity to the police for reward. Granda also manages to steal a car to run
away from the police and those who want to separate him from Rory.
When they are later reunited with his son, Jeff, Granda is determined
to stay with Rory though he loves his other grandchildren very much.

Closing
Conclusion

In conclusion, Granda proves that being sick and old, does not
weaken his spirit and determination to be with his grandson, Rory. Granda
shows that one should not give up when faced with many challenges.

PRACTICE 4
Using the details from the novel that you have studied,
describe what happens at the end of the novel
explain why you find the ending either happy or sad
Suggested answer

Introduction

The novel that I have read is 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine

MacPhail. The novel has an interesting storyline with wonderful characters. I
enjoyed reading the novel, as it has a happy ending to the story. Rory gets to
stay with his grandfather and is also reunited with his father, Jeff.
At first, I was surprised by the happy ending as the story began with so
much suspense and the characters faced with many challenges. I thought the
story was going to have a sad ending.

Content
Textual evidence

Towards the end of the story, we find Rory and his grandfather running
away from the authorities. They stop at a bus shelter to rest because Granda
is tired. When Rory wakes up, he tries to wake up Granda but he does not
move.
In panic, Rory runs to the nearest house for help. The police and
ambulance are called. Rorys father, Jeff also turns up. Luckily, Granda
recovers after a stay in the hospital. While his Granda is in hospital, Rory
meets his fathers wife and stepsisters. Rory gets along well with them.
Once Granda recovers, he and Rory moves into a flat, not far from
Jeffs home. They always have meals together and Rory gets help to take

care of his Granda. Rory finally has a family, other than Granda.
Closing
Conclusion

I am glad that the story has a happy ending because I feel that Rory
deserves one. He is a brave, loving and responsible boy who finally gets the
family that he has always wanted.

PRACTICE 5
Based on the novel that you have read, write about an important incident that you remember.
Give reasons why you remember the incident.
Suggested answer
Introduction

The novel that I have read is 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine

MacPhail. The novel has an interesting storyline with wonderful characters.
In the novel, the one incident that I remember most is when Rory thought
Granda had died.

Content
Textual evidence

After a narrow escape from the authorities, Rory and his grandfather
stopped to rest in a bus shelter. When Rory could not wake up Granda, he
thought Granda had died. The frightened Rory ran to get help and when he
returned to where his Granda was, he noticed his grandfather had fallen and
appeared to be dead.
I remember the incident the most because I thought that Granda had
died. I felt sad for Rory because all his efforts would have been for nothing
and he would have felt guilty for taking his grandfather away from
Rachnadar. Luckily, Granda did not die. Rory managed to get help in time
and Granda was taken to the hospital.

Closing
Conclusion

These are the reasons why I remember the incident the most.

PRACTICE 6
How is the theme love shown in the novel you have read? Support you answer with close
reference to the text.
Suggested answer
How is the theme love shown
Paragraph
The novel that I have read is 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine MacPhail. Introduction
The novel has an interesting storyline with wonderful characters. One of the
main themes of the novel is love.

First and foremost, Granda has been taking care of Rory ever since his mother
Evidence +
passed away and his father walked out of their life. Granda sees the needs of
Example
Rory in schooling and goes to see the class teacher whenever being called.
On top of that, Darren gives the key of his moms caravan to Rory in the Great
Evidence +
Escape. Tyrone agrees with her mother Ruby to help Rory and Granda in their
Example
journey because he could empathies with Rory and his Granda.
Apart from that, Rab gives shelter to Rory and Granda knowing that they are in
Evidence +
trouble. Norma and her daughter, Nicola allow Rory and Granda to stay
Example
overnight at their house.
To sum up, the theme love is shown between the main character, Rory and the people
surrounding him that is his grandfather, his best friend, Darren and the new friends like Tyrone
and his family, Rab and friends. It is true that love does not count and a friend in need is a
friend indeed.
PRACTICE 7
Write about a character you sympathize with/admire. Give reasons for your choice.
Suggested answer
A character you sympathize with/admire
Paragraph
The novel that I have read is 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine MacPhail. The Introduction
novel has an interesting storyline with wonderful characters. From the novel, the
character I sympathize with/admire is Rory. There are many reasons why I
choose him.
The first reason I choose Rory is because he was a loving grandson. Ever since Evidence +
his grandfather had not been well, Rory took care of almost everything. He
Example
would make sure that Granda took his medicine every day. He would also buy
food for Granda during his school lunch break. To Rory, Granda was everything
and he loved his grandfather very much because after his mother died, Granda
was the only person who brought him up.
Another reason is because Rory was a brave boy and acted like a savior to his Evidence +
grandfather. First, when he knew that his grandfather would not last long at
Example
Rachnadar, the resting home, he planned an escape for both of them. He ran
away from the orphanage in Castle Street and saved his grandfather from
Rachnadar. This shows that Rory is brave and cared very much of his
grandfather.
In addition, Rory is also a high risk taker because he ran away with an old and Evidence +
sick grandfather. His plan almost cost him his grandfathers life when at one
Example
point, his grandfather collapsed and fainted while they were escaping from a
house of Rabs friend, Norma. He received the news from Nicola, Normas
daughter that her mother had gone to the police to report their where about.
Therefore, Rory and Granda ran away again. He planned to take his grandfather
to Liverpool with an intention to reunite with his long lost father.

Based on the reasons and evidence from the novel, I really sympathize
with/admire Rory. From the beginning until the end of the story, he had to face
so many problems. However, in the end he managed to save both himself and his
beloved Granda. He was also united with his own father and his family.

Conclusion

PRACTICE 8
Describe what happens at the end of the novel. Explain how you find the ending of the story.
Support your answer with close reference to the text.
Suggested answer
What happens at the end of the novel (Plot)
Paragraph
The novel that I have read is 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine MacPhail. The Introduction
novel has an interesting storyline with wonderful characters. Based on the novel,
at the end of this novel, Rory had a great shock in his life when he thought that
his grandfather was dead before he at last met his biological father and together
with his grandfather, they both reconciled with Jeff McIntosh, Rorys father, his
stepmother and his two sisters. Rory then had a happy time with his new found
family.
When Granda fainted at the bus shelter while on their run, Rory ran away to get Evidence +
help, leaving Granda at the shelter. He received a help from a stranger who
Example
recognised him from the news on the television. He and his grandfather were
taken to the hospital but on their way, a man whom Rory thought a policeman in
plain clothes sat beside him in the patrol car and he later found out that the man
was his father.
Rory spent the next few days with his new found family while at times visiting Evidence +
his grandfather who was recovering at the hospital. His fathers wife, Karen was
Example
kind as she came and asked Rory to go and stay with them while Granda was
hospitalised. He also found out that he got two little sisters, Ronda 5, and Ava, 3.
Granda loved the granddaughters soon as he saw them even though he was still
mad at his son.
Rorys dad was an apologetic man. He asked for forgiveness from Rory and Evidence +
Granda every now and then. He was sorry about leaving his son away with his
Example
father because he could not accept the insults from his father. He asked Rory to
give him a chance to be a good father and a good son to his ailing father. They
were given a flat and helps came around every day which made him wonder why
not before? But he realized that he had found what he had looking for.
In conclusion, I find that the ending of the novel is a joyful one. This is because Rory had found
what he had been looking for, a family of his own and a comfortable life for his grandfather. It is
very convenient to find that Rory could forgive everyone who had caused him pain and fear of
losing hope. I am also happy to cherish the friendships that Rory had built with the people he
met along his journey: Ruby, Sammy and Tyrone; Norma, Nicola, Annie, Rab; not forgetting his
ever good buddy, Darren.

PRACTICE 9
Choose a message that you obtained from the novel that you have read and say what you have
learned from it.
Suggested answer
A message that you obtained from the novel
Paragraph
The novel that I have read is 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine MacPhail. The Introduction
novel has an interesting storyline with wonderful characters. One important
message the author conveys is that we must show respect and concern for others
and uphold their rights.
We are told that people like Granda need special care and attention. Rory Evidence +
remembers that the good days when his Granda made toffee apples for him, put
Example
up Christmas trees and carried him on his shoulders at footfall matches. He
remembers Grands better moments and therefore wants to care for him now.
Rory hides Grandas smoking pipe and drills him on how to behave at Parents
Night. Rory treats his Granda with respect all the time and even when he teases
Granda, it is done in a kind and humorous manner.
The authorities think that Granda should be put away in an old folks home but Evidence +
both Rory and Granda think that is not right. Granda is unhappy about it and does
Example
not want to be separated from Rory. I think the elderly should have their wishes
respected and be cared for at the same time. They must have proper home help,
meals and medical care. They have done much for us before. Now it should be
our turn to do good for them. Let them live their remaining days in pride and
dignity.
Children need to be given the right care and attention too. When they become Evidence +
carers, it is harder for them to enjoy the childhood they are entitled to, go to
Example
school and get the right education. So it is important that they get the use of
proper services from the authorities. They emotional needs too must be addressed.
People who are different from us must be treated with respect. Take the travelers for example.
People look down upon them, but they have their rights too and need to be treated with respect
and dignity. This is an important message that is most relevant in todays world.
BEYOND THE TEXT (HOTS)-HIGHER ORDER THINKING SKILL
I.
As a student, do you think Rory should be burdened with the responsibility of looking
after his grandfather who was not well?
II.
Imagine that you are in Rorys shoes; would you have done what he did that is to take
Granda on an escape adventure with no definite destination? Why?
III.
Do you feel that Granda was being selfish in wanting to keep Rory by his side all the
time?
IV. Why was there no generation gap between Rory and his grandfather?
V. What do you think the title of the novel means?