H4 literatuur bespreking

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

1) Tara’s grandmother (her father’s mother) is called Grandma-down-the-hill. Does she agree with the way her son is raising his family? Give two examples/reasons why (not. (2 T2)

2) What is Buck’s Peak? (1 R)

a. A house

b. A junkyard

c. A mountain

d. A shop

3) Why do you think Tara’s parents don’t want their children to go to school? (1 T1)

4) Tara’s mother starts working as a midwife. Tara’s father thinks women shouldn’t work. Why does he allow his wife to work? Give two reasons. (2 T2)

5) What nickname does Shawn give Tara? (1 R)

a. Fish Eyes

b. Milky Way

c. Siddle Lister

d. Snickers

6) Shawn has an accident with his motorcycle and Tara takes him to the hospital. This makes her feel ashamed, why is that? (2 T2) 

7) In one of Tara’s first lectures, there is an awkward moment when Tara says something about it. Why are the others shocked? (1 R)

a. Tara doesn’t believe the Holocaust happened.

b. Tara has never heard about the Holocaust.

c. Tara is freaking out about the Holocaust.

d. Tara is making a joke about the Holocaust.

8) Tara’s story is incredible: She had no formal education until she was 16. She still has no high school diploma, but she has a doctorate/PhD (the highest university degree). What does this book tell people who are in a similar situation? (2 I)

9) Tara gets a study grant from the government. According to Tara, what is the best thing about money? (1 R)

a. She can afford a root canal for her tooth.

b. She can focus on other things than money.

c. She can pay her tuition fees and study books.

d. She can travel to see her family more often.

10) In some countries, home schooling is quite normal. Do you think Tara was properly home schooled? Answer in some detail with (at least) 3 arguments. (4 I)

What does Louisa see as the final proof that the cat is a reincarnation of Franz Liszt? (1 R)

a. The cat’s ability to play a few notes on Louisa’s piano.

b. The cat’s dislike of a certain music piece by Chopin.

c. The cat seems to meow to the rhythm of Liszt’s music.

d. The way the cats walks through the house.

12) Explain how both main characters can be described as the “mad one” in the story (2 I)

13) What happens to Katina in the end? (1 R)

a. She is shot down by a German aircraft.

b. She is taken by Greek soldiers.

c. She kills herself during an attack.

d. Someone from the squad kills her by mistake.

14) What are the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) aircraft called? (1 R)

a. Hurricanes

b. Lightning Bolts

c. Thunderstorms

d. Tornadoes

15) Describe the main characters in The Boy Who Talked with Animals in about 20-35 words each. Focus on the narrator and David. (4 T2)

What happens to the boy who talks with animals? (1 R)

a. He goes missing.

b. He is kidnapped.

c. He stops talking.

d. He takes his own life.

17) Which adjectives could be used to describe the tone of the story Pig? Explain your choice(s) with (at least) 2 examples from the story. (2 T2)

19) What makes Mrs Foster very nervous? (1 R)

a. A cluttered house

b. Gossiping neighbours

c. Her husband’s forgetfulness

d. The idea of being late

20) What journey does Mrs Foster take? (1 R)

a. She visits her daughter in Paris.

b. She visits her granddaughter in Barcelona.

c. She visits her sister in Berlin.

d. She visits her son in Vienna.

Explain whether you think Madness is the correct title for this collection of short stories or not. Use 50 – 100 words to support your arguments (give at least 3). (4 I)

21) Who is Maureen? (1 R)

a. Harold’s cleaner

b. Harold’s friend

c. Harold’s neighbour

d. Harold’s wife

22) When did Harold retire? (1 R)

a. Six days ago

b. Six weeks ago

c. Six months ago

d. Six years ago

23) When Harold is on his way, he gets hungry and goes into a petrol station to buy something to eat. He starts talking to the girl working there ('the Garage Girl'). (2 T1)

a. What important lesson does the Garage Girl teach him?

b. The Garage Girl talks about her aunt who had cancer but survived. Why is this story important for the rest of the book?

24) Do you think Harold is a good father? Explain your answer. (2 T2)

25) What does Harold do when he finally arrives at the hospice? (1 R)

a. He calls his wife to let her know he arrived.

b. He presses the buzzer but nobody opens the door.

c. He takes off his rucksack and waits.

d. He turns around and walks away.

26) What happened to David? (1 R)

a. He went away to college

b. He killed himself

c. He ran away from home

d. Harold threw him out of the house

27) What is the connection between Maureen’s garden and David? Explain your answer. (2 I)

29) Why did Queenie not talk to Harold when he visited her? (1 R)

a. She had died just before he arrived.

b. She had no tongue.

c. She was in a coma.

d. She was still angry with him about the past.

30) You have read 2 novels and one collection of short stories. Do you prefer to read a novel or short stories? Do not give answers like: short stories, because they are short, but try to give well- reasoned arguments (give at least 3). 50-100 words. (4 T2)