book cover
poem - oranges & lemons
Big Joe sings the nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons". The lyrics are :
Oranges and lemons Say the bells of St Clements You owe me five farthings Say the bells of St Martins When will you pay me? Say the bells of Old Bailey When I grow rich Say the bells of Shoreditch When will that be? Say the bells of Stepney I'm sure I don't know Says the great bell at Bow Here comes a candle to light you to bed Here comes a chopper to chop off your head! |
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Questions
Chapter 1
1. What are "Tiddlers" and "Bigguns"?
2. Where is the boys' father? How does Tommo feel about this?
3. Why do you think Molly wanted to be with the Peaceful boys "all the time"?
4. Why do you think Grandma Wolf is ashamed to be part of the family?
5. What does the phrase "salt of the earth" mean?
1. What are "Tiddlers" and "Bigguns"?
2. Where is the boys' father? How does Tommo feel about this?
3. Why do you think Molly wanted to be with the Peaceful boys "all the time"?
4. Why do you think Grandma Wolf is ashamed to be part of the family?
5. What does the phrase "salt of the earth" mean?
Chapter 2
1. What do we know about school life from chapters 1 and 2?
2. How does Tommo feel about his mother?
3. Describe the following two characters, based on what you know from chapters 1 and 2: Grandma Wolf, the Colonel.
4. Why did Big Joe eat rabbit droppings?
5. Do you think Tommo and Charlie bullied Big Joe? Justify uour answer.
6. Do you think Jimmy Parsons is a bully? Justify your answer.
1. What do we know about school life from chapters 1 and 2?
2. How does Tommo feel about his mother?
3. Describe the following two characters, based on what you know from chapters 1 and 2: Grandma Wolf, the Colonel.
4. Why did Big Joe eat rabbit droppings?
5. Do you think Tommo and Charlie bullied Big Joe? Justify uour answer.
6. Do you think Jimmy Parsons is a bully? Justify your answer.
Chapter 3
1. Why does Tommo write "I miss him already"?
2. Why does Grandma Wolf favour Molly over the boys?
3. How did Charlie and Tommo make sure there was enough food for the family to eat?
4. Explain why you think Tommo "had never been so happy."
5. What did Grandma Wolf hate?
6. What did the Peaceful boys take Molly when she was ill?
1. Why does Tommo write "I miss him already"?
2. Why does Grandma Wolf favour Molly over the boys?
3. How did Charlie and Tommo make sure there was enough food for the family to eat?
4. Explain why you think Tommo "had never been so happy."
5. What did Grandma Wolf hate?
6. What did the Peaceful boys take Molly when she was ill?
Chapter 4
1. Why does Grandma Wolf react in the way she does when she is taken to see the boys after they have been caught poaching?
2. Throughout the centuries, arguably until recently, landowners (such as the Colonel) have often also been magistrates. A magistrate is someone who has limited judicial powers to try minor criminal cases. So, they're a kind of minor judge. What is the initial punishment the Colonel gives the boys for poaching? What was the punishment subsequently changed to? Explain in your own words.
3. Why do you think Charlie and Molly now call Grandma Wolf "Wolfwoman"?
4. What do we learn about Grandma Wolf and the Colonel in this chapter?
5. Use just one word to describe how Tommo and Charlie regarded the airplane pilot
6. Who caught the boys poaching?
7. What were the consequenses?
1. Why does Grandma Wolf react in the way she does when she is taken to see the boys after they have been caught poaching?
2. Throughout the centuries, arguably until recently, landowners (such as the Colonel) have often also been magistrates. A magistrate is someone who has limited judicial powers to try minor criminal cases. So, they're a kind of minor judge. What is the initial punishment the Colonel gives the boys for poaching? What was the punishment subsequently changed to? Explain in your own words.
3. Why do you think Charlie and Molly now call Grandma Wolf "Wolfwoman"?
4. What do we learn about Grandma Wolf and the Colonel in this chapter?
5. Use just one word to describe how Tommo and Charlie regarded the airplane pilot
6. Who caught the boys poaching?
7. What were the consequenses?
Chapter 5
1. At the very beginning of the chapter, there is a scene about Bertha. Is there a difference between how Charlie reacts to Tommo, to his mother, and to the Colonel? Explain.
2. Why did Molly stop seeing the Peaceful family?
3. Why does Tommo have a flashback to this particular part of his life (the haystack, the scene with the confrontation between the two mothers, the conversation with Charlie?
4. What reason did the Colonel have for killing Bertha?
5. Is it ever accaptable to be a thief?
6. What was the relevance of Sarajevo?
1. At the very beginning of the chapter, there is a scene about Bertha. Is there a difference between how Charlie reacts to Tommo, to his mother, and to the Colonel? Explain.
2. Why did Molly stop seeing the Peaceful family?
3. Why does Tommo have a flashback to this particular part of his life (the haystack, the scene with the confrontation between the two mothers, the conversation with Charlie?
4. What reason did the Colonel have for killing Bertha?
5. Is it ever accaptable to be a thief?
6. What was the relevance of Sarajevo?
Chapter 6
1. What does Tommo mean with "It's no good wishing for the moon, no good wishing for the impossible. Don't wish, Tommo. Remember. Remembrances are real."
2. "they were singing when we got there, Farmer Cox in full voice". Why was the farmer singing?
3. How did the community react when they heard about Big Joe going missing? What does this tell you about the community?
4. What makes the end of chapter 6 worthy of Tommo remembering?
5. How did Charlie hurt his ankle?
1. What does Tommo mean with "It's no good wishing for the moon, no good wishing for the impossible. Don't wish, Tommo. Remember. Remembrances are real."
2. "they were singing when we got there, Farmer Cox in full voice". Why was the farmer singing?
3. How did the community react when they heard about Big Joe going missing? What does this tell you about the community?
4. What makes the end of chapter 6 worthy of Tommo remembering?
5. How did Charlie hurt his ankle?
Chapter 7
1. Flashback: what does Tommo mean exactly when he talks about the church steeple in Albert "hanging down like a broken promise"?
2. Since Big Joe was found, it seems that the community spirit has become tighter. Explain how this contrasts with Charlie and Molly's wedding.
3. Provide three reasons why Tommo decided to join the army, before he found out you had to be seventeen and so didn't join (as he was only 15).
4. Describe the events that led to Tommo and Charlie joining the army
5. What did Grandma Wolfe write to Mother about?
1. Flashback: what does Tommo mean exactly when he talks about the church steeple in Albert "hanging down like a broken promise"?
2. Since Big Joe was found, it seems that the community spirit has become tighter. Explain how this contrasts with Charlie and Molly's wedding.
3. Provide three reasons why Tommo decided to join the army, before he found out you had to be seventeen and so didn't join (as he was only 15).
4. Describe the events that led to Tommo and Charlie joining the army
5. What did Grandma Wolfe write to Mother about?
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 mainly relates the story of the confrontation between Charlie and Sergeant Hanley. As we know, Molly asked Charlie to write her letters to tell her how he was getting on. Write a letter to Molly, from Charlie, in which he recounts his encounter with Sergeant Hanley (200-250 words).
1. Describe the relationship between Sergeant Hanley and Charlie.
2. Is it important to respect authority? Justify your answer.
3. What are the main features of a recount text?
Chapter 8 mainly relates the story of the confrontation between Charlie and Sergeant Hanley. As we know, Molly asked Charlie to write her letters to tell her how he was getting on. Write a letter to Molly, from Charlie, in which he recounts his encounter with Sergeant Hanley (200-250 words).
1. Describe the relationship between Sergeant Hanley and Charlie.
2. Is it important to respect authority? Justify your answer.
3. What are the main features of a recount text?
Chapter 9
1. What can you say about the flashback Tommo has at the beginning of the chapter?
2. "The Wolfwoman .. smiles all the time "Like Lady Muck". Who is Lady Muck?
3. Why would the German thank Tommo and the rest of the patrol? ("Danke, danke sehr.")
4. Who are Fritz and the Hun?
5. List ten words form the German language with defintions.
Chapter 10
1. When Tommo describes the trenches around Ypres, he says "In places they were little more than shallow dilapidated ditches affording us precious little protection, and the mud here was even deeper than before. There was a sickly-sweet stench about the place that had to be moret han stagnant mud and water. I knew well enough what it was, we all did, but no one dared speak of it." What is Tommo referring to?
At the beginning of this chapter, we learn that even more men are needed to fight the war.
Read the following poem and answer the questions below. (You may need to use the internet to research some of the questions)
1. When Tommo describes the trenches around Ypres, he says "In places they were little more than shallow dilapidated ditches affording us precious little protection, and the mud here was even deeper than before. There was a sickly-sweet stench about the place that had to be moret han stagnant mud and water. I knew well enough what it was, we all did, but no one dared speak of it." What is Tommo referring to?
At the beginning of this chapter, we learn that even more men are needed to fight the war.
Read the following poem and answer the questions below. (You may need to use the internet to research some of the questions)
Chapter 11
Draw an image for each stanza
Recruitment
Lads, you're wanted,
Go and help.
On the railway carriage wall
Stuck the poster
and I thought of the hands
that penned the call.
Fat civilians wishing they
Could go and fight the Hun;
Can't you see them
Thanking God they're over forty one.
Girls with feathers, vulgar songs,
Washy verse on England's need
God and don't we damn-well know
How the message ought to read.
Lads, you're wanted, over there
Shiver in the morning dew
More poor devils, like yourselves
Waiting to be killed by you.
E.A. MacKintosh
1. Who wrote the recruitment posters? Use two words from the poem, and then translate these into your own explanation.
2. What is the relevance of "girls with feathers"? (Tip: look up "white feathers world war one" on the internet)
3. What does the last stanza of the poem mean?
4. Write your own poem based on recruiting soldiers.
Draw an image for each stanza
Recruitment
Lads, you're wanted,
Go and help.
On the railway carriage wall
Stuck the poster
and I thought of the hands
that penned the call.
Fat civilians wishing they
Could go and fight the Hun;
Can't you see them
Thanking God they're over forty one.
Girls with feathers, vulgar songs,
Washy verse on England's need
God and don't we damn-well know
How the message ought to read.
Lads, you're wanted, over there
Shiver in the morning dew
More poor devils, like yourselves
Waiting to be killed by you.
E.A. MacKintosh
1. Who wrote the recruitment posters? Use two words from the poem, and then translate these into your own explanation.
2. What is the relevance of "girls with feathers"? (Tip: look up "white feathers world war one" on the internet)
3. What does the last stanza of the poem mean?
4. Write your own poem based on recruiting soldiers.
Chapter 12
1. Explain the following in your own words: "cowardice" (second paragraph), "firing squad" (third paragraph).
2. Sergeant Hanley orders the soldiers to go over the top and attack the German line, despite the fact that the German dugout they are all in is surrounded by Germans. Charlie deliberately disobeys the order and faces a court martial. Choose ONE of the following:
- write a letter from Hanley to his superior officers explaining the charges of insubordination against Charlie
- write a letter from Charlie to the superior officers in which he defends himself.
Use 100-150 words.
3. Do you think Private Peaceful is guilty?
1. Explain the following in your own words: "cowardice" (second paragraph), "firing squad" (third paragraph).
2. Sergeant Hanley orders the soldiers to go over the top and attack the German line, despite the fact that the German dugout they are all in is surrounded by Germans. Charlie deliberately disobeys the order and faces a court martial. Choose ONE of the following:
- write a letter from Hanley to his superior officers explaining the charges of insubordination against Charlie
- write a letter from Charlie to the superior officers in which he defends himself.
Use 100-150 words.
3. Do you think Private Peaceful is guilty?
Chapter 13
1. Look at the structure of the book. When do you realise which brother is going to be executed?
2. What is the significance of the watch given to Charlie by Captain Wilkes now?
3. What is a posthumous pardon?
4. The clip above is taken from the final episode of comedy series Blackadder Goes Forth (BBC). Watch the entire clip, and give your reaction.
1. Look at the structure of the book. When do you realise which brother is going to be executed?
2. What is the significance of the watch given to Charlie by Captain Wilkes now?
3. What is a posthumous pardon?
4. The clip above is taken from the final episode of comedy series Blackadder Goes Forth (BBC). Watch the entire clip, and give your reaction.
Spellings
Chapter 1
1. Soldier
2. Tough
3. Honest
4. Funeral
5. Remember
6. Belief
7. Believes
8. Memories
9. Memory
10. Childhood
1. Soldier
2. Tough
3. Honest
4. Funeral
5. Remember
6. Belief
7. Believes
8. Memories
9. Memory
10. Childhood
Chapter 2
1. Disabled
2. Bully
3. Bullies
4. Savoured
5. Maid
6. Change
7. Daughter
8. Colonel
9. Friend
10. Friendly
1. Disabled
2. Bully
3. Bullies
4. Savoured
5. Maid
6. Change
7. Daughter
8. Colonel
9. Friend
10. Friendly
Chapter 3
1. Mouse
2. Caught
3. Poach
4. Killed
5. Stone
6. Allowed
7. Aloud
8. Beloved
9. Animals
10. Illegal
1. Mouse
2. Caught
3. Poach
4. Killed
5. Stone
6. Allowed
7. Aloud
8. Beloved
9. Animals
10. Illegal
Chapter 4
1. Duty
2. March
3. Jealous
4. Aeroplane
5. Stable
6. Trespassing
7. Birthday
8. Kennel
9. Luck
10. Apologise
1. Duty
2. March
3. Jealous
4. Aeroplane
5. Stable
6. Trespassing
7. Birthday
8. Kennel
9. Luck
10. Apologise
Chapter 5
1. Howling
2. Forest
3. Thief
4. Thieving
5. Rascals
6. Betrayed
7. Love
8. Affection
9. Decision
10. Letter
1. Howling
2. Forest
3. Thief
4. Thieving
5. Rascals
6. Betrayed
7. Love
8. Affection
9. Decision
10. Letter
Chapter 6
1. Buried
2. Disappear
3. Scared
4. Eventually
5. Church
6. Bell
7. Alarm
8. Shed
9. Barn
10. Thumb
1. Buried
2. Disappear
3. Scared
4. Eventually
5. Church
6. Bell
7. Alarm
8. Shed
9. Barn
10. Thumb
Chapter 7
1. Vicar
2. Marriage
3. Grudge
4. Chase
5. Hymns
6. Pregnant
7. Battle
8. Join
9. Army
10. Coward
1. Vicar
2. Marriage
3. Grudge
4. Chase
5. Hymns
6. Pregnant
7. Battle
8. Join
9. Army
10. Coward
Chapter 8
1. Exercise
2. Receive
3. Horrible
4. Badge
5. Tired
6. Attention
7. Grab
8. Extreme
9. Punishment
10. Rifle
1. Exercise
2. Receive
3. Horrible
4. Badge
5. Tired
6. Attention
7. Grab
8. Extreme
9. Punishment
10. Rifle
Chapter 9
1. Trench
2. Alcohol
3. Sorrow
4. Prisoner
5. Gramophone
6. Crawl
7. Wire
8. Sound
9. Sector
10. Dugout
1. Trench
2. Alcohol
3. Sorrow
4. Prisoner
5. Gramophone
6. Crawl
7. Wire
8. Sound
9. Sector
10. Dugout
Chapter 10
1. Stagnant
2. Mud
3. Stench
4. Bombardment
5. Gas
6. Infantry
7. Surprise
8. Captured
9. Allied Troops
10. Suspicious
1. Stagnant
2. Mud
3. Stench
4. Bombardment
5. Gas
6. Infantry
7. Surprise
8. Captured
9. Allied Troops
10. Suspicious
Chapter 11
1. Recruitment
2. Fight
3. War
4. Poster
5. Men
6. Troops
7. Require
8. Death
9. Sacrifice
10. Country
1. Recruitment
2. Fight
3. War
4. Poster
5. Men
6. Troops
7. Require
8. Death
9. Sacrifice
10. Country
Chapter 12
1. Cowardice
2. Sergeant
3. Court Martial
4. Disobey
5. Superior
6. Officer
7. Delibrate
8. Order
9. Despite
10. Instruction
1. Cowardice
2. Sergeant
3. Court Martial
4. Disobey
5. Superior
6. Officer
7. Delibrate
8. Order
9. Despite
10. Instruction
Chapter 13
1. Execute
2. Watch
3. Significance
4. Grief
5. Loss
6. Finality
7. Conclusion
8. Captain
9. Novel
10. Author
1. Execute
2. Watch
3. Significance
4. Grief
5. Loss
6. Finality
7. Conclusion
8. Captain
9. Novel
10. Author