High Level

OUTLINE

Introduction State the novel selected and the author

Content 1 + Evidence State ideas/opinion + examples and evidences
Content 2 + Evidence State ideas/opinion + examples and evidences
Content 3 + Evidence State ideas/opinion + examples and evidences
Conclusion Conclude by stating personal responses/opinions

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.
Clues: - Identify the character and discuss on his/her attitude.
- Give your views with examples from the novel.

Introduction

Content 1 + Evidence

Content 2 + Evidence

Content 3 + Evidence

Conclusion

Notes:
 “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.
Clues:
- Identify the characters that show love is important in a family
- Give your views with examples from the novel.

Introduction

Content 1 + Evidence

Content 2 + Evidence

Content 3 + Evidence

Conclusion

Notes:
Based on the novel that you have read, write on an important incident that you remember. Give reasons
why you remember the incident.
Clues:
- Describe the important incident that you remember
- Give reasons why you remember it

Introduction

Content 1 + Evidence

Content 2 + Evidence

Content 3 + Evidence

Conclusion

Notes:
Based on the novel that you have read, write on an important incident that you remember. Give reasons
why you remember the incident.
Clues:
- Describe the important incident that you remember
- Give reasons why you remember it

Introduction

Content 1 + Evidence

Content 2 + Evidence

Content 3 + Evidence

Conclusion

Notes:
5. Write on a difficult decision made by one of the characters and how does the decision affect the
character.

Clues:
- Identify the difficult situation
- Discuss on the effects

Introduction

Content 1 + Evidence

Content 2 + Evidence

Content 3 + Evidence

Conclusion

Notes:
Question 1

‘It is important to have someone that you can trust.’

Suggested answer

Introduction The novel, ‘Catch Us If You Can’ by Catherine MacPhail

highlights the message that it is important to have someone that you
can trust especially when you are in trouble or face problems.

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

=-Textual evidence 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 Tyrone’s
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 Rab’s offer
of help. But then, Rory decides Rab can be trusted and he makes the
right decision. Rab proves to be very helpful. Later, Rab’s girlfriend,
Annie, helps them to escape to the hill where it all ends well with a
reunion between Rory, Granda and his father’s family.

Closing In conclusion, it is clear that from these examples, it is important

-Conclusion to trust someone especially when you are in trouble or face
problems.

Question 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 In the novel, “Catch Us If You Can” by Catherine MacPhail,

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 Rory loves his Granda very much. He makes sure that his
=-Textual evidence 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 In the end, after all the hardships and challenges they face,
-Conclusion Rory and Granda manage to stay together.

Question 3

The writer describes the main character as a very determined person.

Using details from the novel that you have studied, write about:

 some instances that show the character’s determination

 how the determination affects his/her family
Suggested answer

Introduction In the novel, “Catch Us If You Can” by Catherine MacPhail,

Granda is a very determined person. Although old Granda suffers
physical pain and experiences memory loss, he is very single-
minded 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 Later, when they become separated, Granda is still

=-Textual evidence 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 In conclusion, Granda proves that being sick and old, does
-Conclusion 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.

Question 4

Using the details from the novel that you have studied, write about a difficult decision made
by one of the characters.
With close reference to the text, do you think this was the right decision?

Suggested answer

Introduction In the novel, “Catch Us If You Can” by Catherine

MacPhail, I believe the decision Rory made to run away with
Granda was the right one. It was indeed a difficult decision to
make because it would change their lives forever.

Content Rory and Granda had been separated- Rory was placed in
=-Textual evidence the children’s home while Granda was in Rachnadar, a home for
elderly. Both are deeply unhappy about this. Rory finally decided
to run away with Granda when he saw how unhappy his Granda
was.
Rory managed to rescue his Granda from further mental
trauma and during their journey to freedom; he met many kind
people such as Sammy, Ruby, Nicole and Rab. I believe if Rory
had stayed at the home and Granda at Rachnadar, he would have
eventually run away from there as he could not stand Tess’ violent
behaviour. He also would remain separated from his Granda. In
addition, Rory would not have been reunited with his father and
met his new family.

Closing Thus, despite the tough decision Rory made, it was the right
-Conclusion one. He is able to stay with his grandfather and have the support
of a family.
Question 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 In the novel, “Catch Us If You Can” by Catherine MacPhail,

the one incident that I remember most is when Rory thought
Granda had died.

Content After a narrow escape from the authorities, Rory and his
=-Textual evidence 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 These are the reasons why I remember the incident the
-Conclusion most.
PRACTICE 1-3 ON POEM “In the Midst of Hardship”

Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow.

In the Midst of Hardship

At dawn they returned home

their soaky clothes torn

and approached the stove

their limbs marked by scratches

their legs full of wounds

but on their brows

there was no sign of despair

The whole day and night just passed

they had to brave the horrendous flood

in the water all the time

between bloated carcasses

and tiny chips of tiny barks

desperately looking for their son’s

albino buffalo that was never found

They were born amidst hardship

and grew up without a sigh or a complaint

now they are in the kitchen, making

jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

PRACTICE 1

From stanza 1,

(a) which phrase suggests that ‘they’ were drenched?

…………………………………………………………………………. (1 mark)
(b) what happened to their hands?
…………………………………………………………………………...(1 mark)
(c) why do you think ‘they approached the stove’?
……………………………………………………………………………(1 mark)
(d) in your own words, suggest ways to handle hardships in our life?
………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………….(2mark)

PRACTICE 2
From stanza 2,
(a) why do you think ‘they’ were enduring the terrible flood water?
…………………………………………………………………………………..(1 mark)
(b) which phrase shows that the flood had caused the loss of lives?
……………………………………………………………………………….….(1 mark)
(c) what was the people’s feeling at that time?
………………………………………………………………………………….(1 mark)
(d) do you think the buffalo was valuable to the family? Why?
…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………. (2 marks)

PRACTICE 3
From Stanza 3,

(a) what type of life is a life of hardship?

…………………………………………………………………..……………. (1 mark)
(b) list two activities that they did to relax and unwind.
i. ………………………………………………………………………….. (1 mark)
ii …………………………………………………………………………. (1 mark)
(c) The poem is about a flood disaster. In your own words suggest two ways that
you can do to help the flood victims.
…………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………...………….. (2 marks)
PRACTICE 4-7 ON POEM “He Had Such Quiet Eyes”
Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow.

He Had Such Quiet Eyes

He had such quiet eyes

She did not realise
They were two pools of lies
Layered with thinnest ice
To her, those quiet eyes
Were breathing desolate sighs
Imploring her to be nice
And to render him paradise

If only she’d been wise

And had listened to the advice
Never to compromise
With pleasure-seeking guys
She’d be free from “the hows and whys”

Now here’s a bit of advice

Be sure that nice really means nice
Then you’ll never be losing at dice
Though you may lose your heart once or twice

Bibsy Soenharjo

PRACTICE 4

From stanza1,

(a) what was the woman blind to?

………………………………….…………………………………….…..………. (1 mark)
(b) which line suggests that the woman was unaware of the kind of man ‘he’ was?
…………………………………………………………………………..……….. (1 mark)
(c) in line 3, what does the ‘two pools of lies’ refer to?
….……………………………..…………………………………………..……... (1 mark)
(d) in your own words, suggest how the woman had been tricked?
…………………………………………………………………………….…
………………………………………………………………………………. (2 marks)
PRACTICE 5
From stanza 1,
(a) how did the man try to attract the woman? Mention two ways.
i…………………………………………………………………………………… (1 mark)
ii-…………………………………………………………………………………. (1 mark)
(b) what did the man desire from the woman?
……………………………………………………………………………………. (1 mark)
(c) do you think the woman was foolish for falling in love with the man?
Give a reason for your answer.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………..……… (2 marks)
PRACTICE 6

From stanza 2,

(a) what could have saved the woman from committing the mistake?
…………………………………………………………………………………. (1 mark)
(b) what was the advice given to the woman?
…………………………………………………………………………………. (1 mark)
(c) what is meant by the phrase ‘the hows and whys’?
……………………………………………………………………………….… (1 mark)
(d) do you think the woman regretted falling in love with the man? Why?
………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………..….… (2 marks)

PRACTICE 7
From stanza 3,

(a) What is meant by the phrase ‘nice really means nice’?

………………………………………………………………………………….. (1 mark)
(b) Why love is compared to playing dice in the poem?
………………………………………………………………………………….. (1 mark)
(c) What does the phrase ‘lose your heart’ mean?
……………………………………………………………………….………….. (1 mark)
(d) State two lessons that you can learn from the poem?
………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………..……… (2 marks)

PRACTICE 8-9 ON POEM “Nature”

Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow.

Nature
We have neither Summer nor Winter
Neither Autumn nor Spring.
We have instead the days
When the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields-
Magnificently.
The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs
And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies
And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds.
Also there are the days when leaves fade from off guango trees
And the reaped canefields lie bare and fallow to the sun.

But best of all there are the days when the mango and the logwood blossom
When the bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey,
When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air,
When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars
And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

HD Carberry
PRACTICE 8
From stanza 1,
(a) what are the two seasons found in Jamaican weather?
…………………..……………………….…………………………..………… (1 mark)
(b) which phrase tells you that the wind blows strongly?
……………………………………………………………………….………... (1 mark)
(c) how do the canefields look after being harvested ?
………………………………..……………………………………..……….… (1 mark)
(d) would you like to live in a country with different weather conditions? Why?
……………………………..……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………. (2 marks)

PRACTICE 9
From stanza 2,

(a) what can be smelled on the day the persona cherished the most?
………………………………….……………………………………………… (1 mark)
(b) state two things that take place on a day when the weather is good.
i ………………………..……………………………..………………………… (1 mark)
ii ……………………………………………..…………….…….…………….. (1 mark)
(c) And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.
what do you think this last line means in relation to man’s life?
…………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………….. (2 marks)

PRACTICE 10-12 ON POEM “Are You Still Playing Your Flute?”

Are You Still Playing Your Flute?

Are you still playing your flute?
When there is hardly time for our love
I am feeling guilty
To be longing for your song
The melody concealed in slim hollow of the bamboo
Uncovered by the breath of an artist
Composed by his fingers
Blown by the wind
To the depth of my heart.

Are you still playing your flute?

In the village so quiet and deserted
Amidst the sick rice field
While here it has become a luxury
To spend time watching the rain
Gazing at the evening rays
Collecting dew drops
Or enjoying the fragrance of flowers.

Are you still playing the flute?

The more it disturbs my conscience
to be thinking of you
 in the hazard of you
my younger brothers are unemployed and desperate
my people disunited by politics
my friend slaughtered mercilessly
this world is too old and bleeding.
.
Zurinah Hassan

PRACTICE 10
From stanza1,

(a) in line 1, to whom does the word ‘you’ refer?

………………………………….…………………………………….…..…………... (1 mark)
(b) why do you think the persona feels guilty to be longing for the music?
…………………………………………………………………………..……….......... (1 mark)
(c) write down two words that are related to how a flute is played.
i …………………………………………………………………………………………(1 mark)
ii ……………………..………………………………………………………………… (1 mark)
(d) why do you think the persona can hear the songs of the flute?
..……………………………………………………………………………………….. (1 mark)

PRACTICE 11
From stanza 2,

(a) how does the persona describe her village?

……………………………………………………………..…………..……………... ( 2 marks)
(b) why do you think the rice fields are described as ‘sick’?
………………………………………………………….……………………………… ( 1 mark )
(c) name two activities that are considered as luxury to be done.
i ……………………….……………………………………………………………… (1 mark)
ii …………………….……………………………………………………………..…. (1 mark)

PRACTICE 12
From stanza 3,
(a) in line 2, what does ‘it’ refer to?

………………………………………………………………………………….. (1 mark)

(a) name one of the problems faced by the nation.

…………………………………………………………………………………. (1 mark)
(c) give the meaning of the phrase ‘slaughtered mercilessly”.

..………………………………………………………………………………… (1 mark)

(d) ‘The world is too old and bleeding’

. in your own words state the meaning of the last line of the poem.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………..…… (2 marks)
 SUGGESTED ANSWERS

POEMS

PRACTICE 1-3 ON POEM “In the Midst of Hardship”

a Their soaky clothes

PRACTICE 1 b Marked by scratches / covered by cuts/bruises

c  To cook a meal/ to prepare food

 To warm themselves
 Have strength/courage
 Never give up
d  Have positive attitude towards life
 OR any POSSIBLE ANSWERS

a To look for/ to search for their son’s albino buffalo

PRACTICE 2 b Bloated carcasses

c Desperate

Yes, their son loves the buffalo very much and that is why the parents brave the terrible
flood to look for the buffalo.
d
-OR any POSSIBLE ANSWERS

a Difficult life / A life of suffering

PRACTICE 3 b i-making jokes / joking with each other

ii-rolling their cigarette leaves/ smoking

 Donate food
 Donate clothes
 Donate money
c
 Give moral support
 OR any POSSIBLE ANSWERS
 PRACTICE 4-7 ON POEM “He Had Such Quiet Eyes”
a She was blind to the man’s ill intention / the man’s bad intention

PRACTICE 4 b She did not realize

c The man’s quiet eyes

-The woman had been tricked by the man’s clever dramatisation of sadness and
loneliness asking her to give pleasure /

-The woman had been tricked by the man’s look and appearance
d
-OR any POSSIBLE ANSWERS

i-His eyes were breathing desolate sighs /

PRACTICE 5 telling the woman of his loneliness or sadness

ii-imploring the woman to be nice /

pleading her to kind to him

a
iii-asking her to render him paradise /

requesting the woman to give him pleasure

ANSWERS are INTERCHANGABLE

ACCEPT ANY TWO ANSWERS

b Pleasure / to have fun

c Yes, because the man was deceiving her with his superficial appearance

a  Being wise / or
 Listen to the advice
PRACTICE 6
Not to be deceived by man /
b
Not to compromise with pleasure-seeking man

The questions the woman asked herself as she tried to come to terms with her bad
c
experience

Yes, because she had learnt a lesson in a hard way /

d
Yes, because she had been deceived by a pleasure-seeking man
 Yes, because she had discovered how superficial and shallow the man was

-OR Any POSSIBLE ANSWERS

Take time to assess people /

PRACTICE 7 a Do not judge people by mere appearance /

Be wary of people who pretend to be good

b Love is a gamble

c Falling in love

i-We must not be take in by looks or appearance

ii-We must listen and take heed of good advice

d
-OR any POSSIBLE ANSWERS

PRACTICE 8-9 ON POEM “Nature”

a Hot days and Rainy days

PRACTICE 8 b The high Jamaica winds

c Bare and Fallow

Yes, it will be very interesting / or

No, it will be difficult for me to adjust to the weather

d
-OR any POSSIBLE ANSWERS

a The scent of honey / The smell of honey / Honey

PRACTICE 9 i-the mango and the logwood trees blossom / are flowering

ii-the buzzing bees busy collecting nectar

b iii-the tall grass sways and shivers to the soft breeze

iv-the buttercups cover the land with yellow stars

 ACCEPT ANY TWO ANSWERS

Life has its ups and downs, so we have to go through bad days in order to appreciate the
good days
c

PRACTICE 10-12 ON POEM “Are You Still Playing Your Flute?”

a The flautist / the flute player / the man playing the flute

PRACTICE 10 b Because it is the right time anymore for their love

c i. breath
ii. fingers
The sound is blown by the wind /

d The persona can hear it in her heart due to her love

a Quiet and deserted

PRACTICE 11 b Gloomy and barren / being abandoned by people

i-watching the rain

ii-gazing at the evening rays

iii-collecting dew drops

c iv-enjoying the fragrance of flowers

(ACCEPT ANY TWO ANSWERS)

a The song / the sound of the flute

PRACTICE 12 i-young men are jobless / and are desperate / unemployment

ii-People are divided by politics

b
iii-People are killed in war / or war has broken out

(ACCEPT ONLY ONE ANSWER)

c Killed brutally / killed heartlessly

 The persona feels trapped in a world that is dying and collapsing due to the serious
d
problems mentioned.