CHEAT!

FORM 2 SHORT STORY

Originality is very important when you are doing innovative and creative work.
However, every new idea we produced might be inspired from somewhere. So, the
question is that, does originality really exist in this world? What do you think?

Notes on Cheat! by Allan Baillie

Author: Allan Baillie

Setting: The story took place in various places of an Australian school (e.g. hall, library,
classroom, corridor, principals office). It set in the modern and educated social
background where people were appreciate talent in writing.

(p.102) how do you create a character from a one-eyed, dumb red kelpie
From the word kelpie, which is a type of Australian breed dog, we made a guess that
the story took place in Australia.

Step by step guide in understanding the story

Announcement winner for the Holmes Walkins Medal

Lynne opened her eyes and gripped her seat

1. How was Lynne Webbings feel while she was waiting for the result?
Geoff Bolder and Lynne Webbings both wrote very fine short stories for the medal
Lynne felt her mouth moving Lynnes story about a sheepdog in a flood was both
exciting and moving. Geoffs story of a circus elephant running loose in Albert
Park
2. What is Lynnes story about? And what is Geoffs story about?
She made her way to Geoff as he came down from the dais with the medal and
congratulated him. She went home and everything tasted of cardboard that night
3. Who won the medal?
4. How did Lynne feel after the result has announced?
Lynnes discovery

She read it again. And again. The tips of her ears prickled with anger He did not
write it at all, he just copied it down.
1. Why did Lynne feel angry?
Please sir, Geoff beat me in the short story competition and I hate to lose. So I am telling
you how he cheated so you can give the medal to me
2. What was Lynne thinking to do?
Lynnes explosion of anger

or Bradburie. The words exploded from Lynnes mouth in a sudden burst of anger.
1. Why did Lynne suddenly shout Bradburie in the class?

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Later Lynne saw that all the Bradburie books had been taken from the school
library
2. What happens to the Bradburies book in the library?
3. Who has taken the book?
4. Why was the book taken?
In the principal office
I read the book. Theres a story there about an elephant escaping in a park. It is not
much like Geoffs story, but Geoff feels he took the idea from the book without realising it.
He wants me to disqualify him for cheating
What do you think? A story of similar idea but a different story, is it consider cheating?

your story, Lynne, being entirely original, must be considered a little better
So, is Lynne considered as the winner of the medal now?

She began to wonder where it was that she had read a story about a sheepdog in a flood.
Why is she doing that?

CHEAT! BY ALLAN BAILLIE (NOTES)

We found that a lot of readers are looking for the notes on themes, moral values and
characters for this short story. It is quite difficult to find resources. Here we will share
with you the notes.

1. Themes
Explanation and textual
Themes evidence

Explanation
The short story is revolved
around the theme of being
judgemental. There are a few
characters can be related to this
theme. They might jump into
conclusion too soon and it
caused misunderstanding.

Examples

Lynne is one of the characters

who is judgemental. After she
read about the book written by
Being judgemental William Bradburie in the library,

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 she was filled with anger. She
said that Geoff is cheating in the
short story competition even
though she has never read
Geoffs story before.

Another person related to the

theme is Marge. She is the
classmate for Geoff and Marge.
When Geoff mentioned that he
wanted to be a barrister or
lawyer, Marge labelled him as
money minded. It can be hurtful
when we labelled someone.

Explanation
A creative idea or innovation like
is not always original because
we will take idea and inspiration
from different resources to make
improvement. The same goes
with story writing, the
originality does not really exist
because our storys idea will
come from the story that we
read, our experience and our
surrounding.

Example

Lynne emphasised the

importance of originality in the
writing. When she realised that
Geoff is not cheating, she was
wondering whether she had
read any story related to the
Creative writing is not sheepdog in flood.
always original

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 As for Geoff story, although his
story idea is similar to William
Bradburies story, Mr Velos told
Lynne that the story is still
consider original and Geoff is not
cheating.

2. Moral Values
Moral Values Explanation Examples

We consider that
Geoff is an honest
person. After
Lynne shouted at
Geoff, Geoff went
to Mr Velos office
Honesty and to confess that he
courage are about might be cheating
being brave to tell due to the
someone the truth. similarity of his
We must take story and William
responsibility to the Bradburies story.
Honesty and mistakes that we
courage have done.

Lynne used weeks

to complete the
miserable story.
She spent time to
draft and rewrite
the story. Although
in the end, she won
If we are the second place in
perseverance, we the competition, I
will not give up personally
easily even the job consider that it is a
is challenging or good result from
difficult. We will her hard work.
keep on trying until
Perseverance we achieve success.

We must not be After she read

Avoid being judgemental about the book
judgemental because the truth written by William

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 might be different Bradburie in the
from what we think. library, she was
If we do not know filled with anger.
the detail of the She said that Geoff
situation, we should is cheating in the
not make the short story
conclusion too competition even
soon. though she has
never read Geoffs
story before.
3. Characters
Lynne Webbings Textual evidence

Lynne had a big dream to win

the Holmes-Watkins medal in
the short story competition.
When the result announced, she
Ambitious felt really disappointed.

Lynne was jealous and vengeful

when Geoff won the
competition. After she
discovered that William
Bradburies story was similar to
Geoffs story, she wanted to
take revenge by reporting to Mr
Velos so that she could win
back the medal.

Jealous and vengeful

Lynne used weeks to complete

the miserable story. She spent
time to draft and rewrite the
story. Although in the end, she
won the second place in the
competition, I personally
consider that it is a good result
Persevering from her hard work.

Geoff Bolder Textual evidence

Geoff tried to cheer Lynne by

telling her a joke. Geoff joked
about how Mr Velos picked the
Humorous winner by climbing up to his

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 lovely special mahagony desk
and dropped both papers, and
the papers that hit the floor
first wins.

Although Geoff has potential in

writing, he wants to be a
barrister because he says that
there is more money in law.

Realistic

Geoff confessed to Mr Velos

that he had read a book by the
American Humourist, William
Honest Bradburie three years ago.

COMPREHENSION SHORT WRITING (PT3)

In the non-linear text comprehension question of your PT3 examination, you will need
to complete one short writing task. Most of the time, it requires you to write a friendly
invitation. This is one of the example question.

You intend to encourage your friend to join you in an English camp which will be held
soon. In about 50 words, write an invitation card to your friend.
In your invitation card:

Encourage him/her to join you

Give reasons why he/she should join you
Add any other relevant information to make your writing interesting.
How to do the short writing?
1. Make sure you read and underline what the question wants.

So in this letter, you need to encourage your friend to join you in English Camp and give
reasons why your friend should join you.

2. Try to make your writing without copy from the text

3. You can make your own event. (you dont have to follow the text unless the question
ask you to follow the text)

4. Usually we use the 5W1H to plan the writing: What, when, where, who, why and how.
For Example
a. What is the event?

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b. When is that?
c. Where is that?
d. Who will be there?
e. Why we need to join? Is it good?
f. How we go there?
Here is the writing structure that you can follow. Always remember the following things
when you do short writing:

1. Imagine that you are talking to your friend and you want your friend to somewhere
with you, you have to make sure they know the details.
2. Follow this process to start your writing with (greetings) (what events) (when is
that) (where is that) (who will be there?) (gives about 3 reasons) (tell them
how to join) (Closing with see you or bye bye) (your sincerely, and sign your
name)
Writing Structure
Dear ___________,

How are you? My school is organising (what event). I would like to invite you to join
me. The event is held on (when is that) in (where is that). (who will be there it can
be teachers. Friends, or your favourite idol?). Im sure that this event will be very
interesting.
We should join this events because (reason 1). At the same time, we can also (reason
2). Besides, this event can help us to (reason 3).
I really hope that you can join me in (what event). Please give me your reply by
this Friday so that I can submit our name to the teacher in-charge. See you soon.
Your sincerely,

(signature)

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ANSWERING TECHNIQUE FOR SIMILAR MEANING

Technique to Answer the Similar Meaning Question in Comprehension (PT3)

Students are required to match the similar meaning in both of the linear and non-linear
text comprehension. A lot of students will have a difficult time finding word/phrase
from the text to matching the meaning. In this post I wish to share the technique in
answering this question.

First of all, when you read the passage, underline all the interesting vocabulary/ difficult
words in the text (including phrasal verbs and idioms). The reason to do this is that
usually the questions will test you on interesting/ difficult words rather than a simple
one.

Then, try to match the words that you have underlined with the similar meaning
question. You may be able to match for 1 or 2 questions.

Note: If the words you underline, none of them is matched for the questions, then you
have to search for them one by one and line by line from the text.
1. _______
2. (answer2)
3. _______
4. (answer4)
Now, you will attempt to find the answer for question 1 and question 2. The hint is that,
usually the answers are in the sequence (not all the time). For example, the answer for
question 1 usually will appear before the (answer2) in the text and answer for question
2 will usually appear in between (answer2) and (answer4) in the text.
Lastly, try to match your answer with the question structure.

Example

is a good substitute for energy drinks (in text)

1. replacement for (substitute)

Try to look at the left and right words of your answer in the text is
a good substitute for energy drinks. Then, try to match the structure with the
question. Better answer will be substitute for

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Cheat moral value/nilai murni

1. We should have the spirit of competitiveness in order to further our good

character traits.
2. We should be honest in whatever we do
3. Creativity is a positive attitude and can increase our self-confidence and skills.
4. We should learn to let go and talk out our anger whether it is with friends or
enemies.
5. We should not be overly presumptuous and take situations or people for granted.
6. Friends are an important part of our daily life and so we should have faith and not
judge them too harshly.
Themes/tema

1. competitiveness
2. honesty
3. creativity and self-confidence
4. keeping anger in oneself
5. presumptuous and taking situations for granted
6. keeping faith with friends
Synopsis:
Cheat!
About two schoolchildren and their attitude to peer achievements and
relationships.
The short story competition is won by Geoff and he wins the Holmes-Watkins
Medal.
Lynnes story is placed second and she feels disappointed.
She learns to accept her failure and decides to let go.
Then, she comes across a short story of write William Bradburie.
Geoffs story of a circus elephants escapade in the park is similar to Bradburies
story.
Immediately, Lynne assumes that Geoff has cheated and did not write his own
story.
She is in dilemma as to whether and how she should expose Geoff.
The consequences may be too drastic for Geoff.
During the class discussion on careers, lynne holds back exposing Geoff but later
she inadvertently mentions the name Bradburie and notices Geoffs reaction.
A few minutes later, she is called into Headmaster Velos office and Geoff is ther
too with the Holmes-Watkins Medal.

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 Mr Velos explains that Geoff feels he might have taken his story from Bradburies
collection.
So, he decides to reverse the results and Lynne wins the prize.
But, Lynne is unhappy with the way the situation has turned out.
She begins to have doubts about her own story.

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