Boy Tales of Childhood (Reading Log)

by Roald Dahl


1. How does the text relate to the theme of a journey?

This is a life journey of a person called Roald Dahl. He wrote some of the incidence throughout his young days at school and a number of things happens and never forgets. He wrote his journey of life from the day he was born until he went to work for Shell Oil Company in Africa. He changed physically and mentally as he grows older. This is common among human being to undergo changes from childhood to adulthood. Lots of interesting events had happen while he was in his school. This book sounds more like his diary of childhood.

2. What is the main issue in the text?

The main issue here is love towards family. This can been clearly seen in Roald Dahl’s father, Harald Dahl. Even though he had one of his arm amputated, he worked very hard to support the family. He did not give up easily and abandon the family. Besides that, his mother, Magdalene Hesselberg is the women of love. After her husband passed away she stand on her own legs to bring them up. She emphasized on her children’s education. When she got to know that her son was caned, she went to meet the Headmaster and solved the problem. Roald Dahl has great attachment with his family members. He cares about his mum and always write letter to her sharing his feelings. He misses his home while he was in boarding school. He came up with reasons to go home and spend time with his family.


3. What quality do you admire or dislike in a character?

One of the most interesting part of the story is when Roald Dahl placed a dead rat into the Gobstopper jar in Mrs Pratchetts shop and caused a huge chaos. He is daring and mischievous. He stands for his rights. When he was accused of copying during Prep, he argued with the headmaster and explained to him. He shows bravery. His very active in sports and was the captain of fives and squash racquets. Even though he had so many posts, he was humble. Besides that, he had a good relationship with his mother. He loves his mother and family. He felt homesick while he was studying in boarding school and he came out with a reason that he has appendicitis so that he can go back home. Nowadays sometimes I feel the same too when I am away from my family. He is honest and open. When he was offered to work in Egypt he rejected it because he did not want to work there. He did not hide anything. Furthermore, he is also good at photography. He won lots of awards and prizes.

4. How does the text develop your understanding of the world?

This story gives me a better understanding of education system in overseas and in a boarding school. The education system in England is totally different from Malaysia. Discipline is one of the most important aspects in boarding schools. This enables a person to be more disciplined. People in boarding school had to undergo a lot of sufferings and they are under control every moment. I also got to know more about corporal punishment in schools in overseas. Although the school that Roald Dahl enrolled is one of the best schools, they do practice corporal punishment.

Falling Leaves (Reading Log)

by Adeline Yen Mah





1. How does the text relate to the theme of a journey?

This is a very heartrending story. It is the life journey of an unwanted Chinese daughter who is called Adeline, from the day she was born until she becomes an adult. Adeline’s mother passed away after giving birth to her and she was brought up by her stepmother. She was the youngest child in the family who enjoyed rare privileges; she was sent to boarding school. Aunt Baba was the person who showered her with love and care. After finishing her schooling in Hong Kong, she went to London to do medicine and became a physician. She got married and had her first child. But unfortunately her marriage was unsuccessful. Then she found her perfect match. Finally, she also found the true colour of her siblings but she did not bother. She was satisfied with her life. This is the journey of her life.

2. What is the main issue in the text?

This novel mainly revolves family problems faced by the main character, Adeline. After her mother passed away, her father remarried Jeanne Prosperi, who is referred as Niang. Niang treated the children badly and was unfair to them. She gives more attention to her own kinds, Franklin and Susan. Niang did not like Adeline because she was close and taken care by Aunt Baba. Aunt Baba was concern about Adeline’s education and so on. Niang came up with an idea to sent Adeline to a boarding school and she was left there like an orphan. No one went to visit her in the boarding school. Adeline was lonely and she was lacking of mothers love. After she was married, she did not have a peaceful life. Her husband was not understanding and tolerant. Adeline was again treated badly.Therefore, she had to end up that relationship. Besides that her own siblings betrayed her. For example, Lydia. Adeline helped Lydia but Lydia did not appreciate it. Lydia wrote letters to Niang telling negative things about Adeline. Niang excluded Adeline from the will.



2. What quality do you admire or dislike in a character?

She is a very determined character. Adeline struggled for independence as she moved from Hong Kong to London. One of her characteristics that attracted me was her love towards family. She came all the way from United States to Hong Kong to visit her Eurasian stepmother who was ill, even though her stepmother had been cruel to her during childhood. I learned to be tolerant after reading this novel. Adeline portrayed tolerance throughout this novel. Even though her siblings ignored her and gave her all sorts of problems, she tolerated everyone. Adeline is the symbol of patience. Her sister Lydia betrayed her by writing to Niang, inciting Niang to hate Adeline. But Adeline kept calm. Adeline loves her father and she has faith in him. She knows that her father did not exclude her in the will. She went searching for her father’s will even though Niang had written another will. At last, she found her father's will. She did not forget her Aunt Baba who took care of her. She visited Aunt Baba who was ill.



4. How does the text develop your understanding of the world?

I felt very touched after reading this story. I could feel how a girl is when she is being isolated from the family. Certain parts of the story made me cry. I would never want to experience such a life where I have to live like an orphan when I have family. Furthermore, I realised that many people in this world are selfish and they do not care about other people's feelings. Everyone should learn to love each other. Fair and justice is the most important key for the happiness of the family. I also learned that life is not as soft as a bed of roses. There are lots of ups and down in life. We should have strong determination like Adeline to overcome all those. We should not give up easily the problem easily. Adeline struggled until the end to stand for her rights.

Desert Flower ( Reading Log)

by Waris Dirie



1. How does the text relate to the theme of a journey?

This is a life journey of a Somalian nomad who was born in a desert in Africa and then she escaped to London because of her own determination and begins her new life. Waris Dirie, was born in a poor African family with 5 siblings. Due to ancient ritual in Africa, she was circumcised at 5 and a marriage was arranged by her father with an old man. She fled and became a Pirelli girl in her teens. She became a model and settled in her life. She's now a UN Ambassador who fights against sexual discrimination and circumcision of female.

2. What is the main issue in the text?

This book revolves the discrimination of women in Africa. Girls had to be circumcised before they get married. Women undergo lots of pain and suffering during and after circumcision. Men look down and do not want to marry those girls who are not circumcised. Furthermore, men treat women badly. They are very evil towards women. This can be seen clearly when Waris was tried to rape by a few men. She has to protect herself from men most of the time. Besides that,men have misconception that women are weak and they are able to bully women easily. For example, Waris’s dad remarried because he thinks that Waris’s mum is already old. Furthermore, women are treated as an item to trade. This is obvious when Waris’s dad arranged marriage for Waris with an old man just because the old man is willing to 5 camels.


3. What quality do u admire or dislike in a character?

I am proud to be a woman after reading this book. This is because a woman brings another human being into this world and woman in Africa are very strong and bold. I personally admire Waris. She had faced lots of pain at a very young age and with her determination she was able to overcome all the difficulties. She showed great perseverance in the face of difficulty. I could feel the pain when she was circumcised by the gypsy woman and when she first peed after being circumcised. Being an UN Ambassador is an award for outstanding bravery. She dares to criticize her own ancient tradition. Because of a ritual of ignorance, most of the women on the continent of Africa live their life’s in pain. Her courage impressed me a lot. Even though she did not have knowledge of English language, somehow she manages to survive in London. She did not give up easily but worked hard to learn English. Her characteristics have influenced me a lot and her experiences teach me survival in foreign country. I dislike one of her characteristic. She abandoned Nigel who helped her when she was in trouble of getting a passport to travel. We should not treat someone who had helped us badly.


4. How does the text develop your understanding to the world?

After reading this novel, I found that I am very lucky to be born in Malaysia and not in a desert. One we open the tap water pours out, but people in desert have to walk millions of miles to get water. I learn to save water after knowing the importance of water and the demand for it in the desert. Furthermore, I understand the life of Africans. Before reading this novel, I did not know that girls in Africa have to be circumcised. I also get to know the lifestyle of a model and the hardships they undergo in their carrier life. I personally feel that there are plenty of things happening around us and we do not realise them. We should always keep our eyes open and be alert so that we are able to avoid obstacles. Waris manage to pass most of the hurdles in her life and became successful.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Reading Log)

by Lewis Carrol


1.How does the text relate to the theme of a journey?

This is a story of Alice's extraordinary adventures. She experiences strange events and bizarre during her journey after falling into the rabbit hole. She came across unforgettable characters in Wonderland throughout the journey. The journey in Wonderland taught little Alice lots of new things and she was also able to discover her weaknesses and correct them. But at the end, she realized that her journey was only a dream.


2.What is the main issue in the text?


One of the main issues in text is the loss of childhood innocence. Alice had to undergo a variety of absurd physical changes when she enters adolescence. Her size changes now and then. For example, when she drinks a sip of drink she shrinks and when she eats bite of cake she grows bigger. She can’t control the body parts. This shows the discomfort and struggles during puberty. Furthermore, mental changes do occur during puberty. Alice had to overcome that too. Most of the time Alice was irritated by the creatures in Wonderland. However, she manages to assimilate into Wonderlands nonsensical rules.


3. What quality do you admire or dislike in a character?


During the journey Alice met animals like White Rabbit, Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, the Mock Turtle and a baby who turns into a piglet. The animals who live there cannot only speak but positively argumentative. The character that attracted me the most in this story is Alice herself. She can be described as a fearless and inquisitive child, observant and forthright, scared at times but more often level headed in the face of a world which has been turned upside down. At this point I admire Alice, although she is a kid, she is able to cope with everything she meets. Wonderland is totally opposite from the real world that she lives. Everything that happens in Wonderland is ridiculous and strange. She is brave enough to handle everything on her own when she is in a completely new place and environment. She became more matured and able tolerate those silly characters in Wonderland.


4. How does the text develop your understanding of the world?

After reading this story, I learned that we should adapt to all sorts of environment and surroundings. For example, Alice adapt herself to the condition of Wonderland even though every was different to her. Besides that, maturity is something that each an everyone has to undergo when the time comes. Alice shows a marked progress throughout the course of the book. At the beginning she cries a lot but by the end of the novel, she is self-possessed. In today’s world we should be prepared to manage everything without fear.

THILA the little girl...

As everyone knows, many memorable events occurred in the year 1991 – Lithuania became independent, Germany was unified, World Cup Soccer, the Vision 2020 Programme was launched and many more. One of the most exciting events that took place in Mr Tiagarajan’s family was the birth of their eldest daughter Thila after 6 years of their marriage life. She was born on the 3rd early morning in a private hospital in Pearl of Orient. She was given the name Thilageswary by her grandmother who took care of her since the day she was born.She is proud of my name because it is unique and she finds it meaningful. She was named according to the Indian traditional custom but as she went to school and started to mix around, her name was shortened to Thila. This was because it was easier for her friends and teachers to pronounce. She was very satisfied with her new nickname because it sounds more stylish and modern.The first impression she gives to others is a homely and motherly looking Indian girl. That is what her friends tell her most of the time.But she does not thinks so.

Thila started her schooling life in one of the most well -known girls’ school in Penang, SMK Convent Green Lane. She continued her secondary education in the same school. She was always bothered by the fact that she was the shortest among her friends. But now she is matured enough to accept that fact. Like everyone, Thila changed physical and mentally. When she stepped into year 1, she was very timid and silent but now she is total opposite of how she was when she was in primary school. She turned from a little innocent girl to a more outspoken and outgoing girl. These changes took place as she grew older and faced the reality. After taking a good look at what was going around her, she decided that she has to undergo transformation to excel in her studies and also in all her undertakings. Making friends is one of her talent. She was a prefect in school and she is well known in her school until today because she is very strict.But among her friends, she is one of the most funniest and she craps most of the time.Her friends are understanding and accept her for what she is. The day Thila entered KBU International College, she was shocked to see that she was the only Indian girl in her course but she did not bother about it. She mingles around with everyone without prejudice. Today, Thila is well-known as a talkative girl among the JPA scholars. She used to speak in a quiet voice but now her friends could hear her from the other end of the building.

As Thila is the eldest daughter in the family, she was showered with love by her parents. Two years after her birth, she had a cute and lovely sister. She loves and cares a lot for her sister because she does not have any other siblings. One of the most interesting part in Thila’s life is her parents are not highly educated but she managed to excel in her studies until she obtained a scholarship from JPA and at the moment she is doing AUSMAT Programme in KBU International. Thila’s mum was very worried about Thila’s achievement in education as she enrolled in Year 1.This was because her mum is from India and not able to guide her in her studies as all subjects were in Malay language. Thila worked hard on her own to achieve excellence in studies and became a role model to her younger sister. Even though her parents could not help her in her studies, but they are always with her to give moral support. Her dad was a bread vendor. He works day and night to support the family. He never rejected whatever that Thila ask for .The only way she could make her parents proud and happy is by showing excellence in studies and behaviour. To Thila her image is one of the most important aspects in her life, so she always upholds her image .

Like other girls, Thila spends her free time going window shopping. She loves window shopping is because she is able to update herself with the latest fashion and trend. Accessories attract her attention whenever she goes shopping. The first thing that comes to her mind after taking her morning is “What should I wear to college today and which earring matches my dress?” She wants to be unique and extraordinary. She has a large collection of earrings and hair bands. Most of the time, her friend will be amazed to see her wearing new earring which goes along well with her attire. Besides that, Thila thinks cooking is interesting. Cooking is one of her hobby and she cooks many dishes. When she was in Form 3, she won first placing in a cooking competition which was held in her school. As she grows older, she explores more new things to do during her free time. She learned driving and started to drive around the island. During her childhood, she was even very scared to ride a bicycle but now she could ride a motorbike. Thila is proud of herself because she changed into a braver person. She also enjoys taking photographs of herself. This might be because she is too vain.

At the moment Thila’s ambition is to pass her AUSMAT examination with flying colours and be able to fly to Germany and pursue her studies in engineering field. Pride and happiness of family is Thila’s heartbeat, so she will put all her hard work to achieve her dream. Thila always believes that nothing can be achieved without putting in effort. She always has faith in God. She believes that, when God walks in fear walks away, when fear walks away, faith walks in. When faith walks in, worries walk away. Thila finds that time management is important to avoid worries. Even though she pays attention to her studies, she does allocate some time for relaxation. A person should have a peaceful mind when he studies, so that he is able to absorb everything. Lastly she is a very understanding, determined, loving, caring girl who talks nonstop. Her friends tried to stop her from talking too much and too loud but unfortunately they could not. She enjoys talking.She tries to control herself from talking in the class but sometimes it fails. That is Thila and her uniqueness.She enjoys being different from the rest.

Looney teens

What does the cartoon have to say about teenagers and their lives?
1. How does the teenager feel about exam tension?

He had confidence that he can do the exam well because he had done enough preperations and had revised his works. But after taking a look at the exam paper, his mind becomes blank ( his brain jumps out ) and he becomes tensed up. Tension causes the teenager to have trouble in answering the exam paper.

2. In what way is there a communication gap between the teenager and his parents?

The parents are being concern towards him but he answers them in a sarcastic manner. The age gap between the teenager and his parents may cause this communication gap.Besides that, the teenager might have felt bored because the parents ask him the same question everyday and his school life is like a routine, he does the same thing everyday in school and nothing is interesting.

3. What point is the teenager trying to get across to his father in this cartoon?

He feels that he father is outdated and he does not know much about the development of technology. He is indirectly trying to convey the message to his father that the internet system is down and immediate solution is needed so that he is able to surf the net.

4.In what way does the father understand his son well?

He knows that his son's life is full of stress and he get stessed up easily. The father thinks it is better when they communicate less.

Create your own slogan / tag line for the advertisement

" Grandma, what is wrong with your teeth? When did your teeth grew?"

Emotive language
Emotive language relies on the feelings and emotions associated with words rather than just their literal meanings to influence and persuade.

Examples: I am firm, you are obstinate, he is pig-headed.

A fluent and forcible speech delivered by members of our own party is eloquent.
The same speech by a member of the opposite party is bombastic.


What is the connotation of " an incurable romantic" or " a love sick swine" or "lovelorn"?
an incurable romantic - a person who is extremely romantic

a love sick swine - a person who cannot think clearly and behave well or in a sensible way because falling in love with someone, especially someone who does not love him/her.

lovelorn - when you are lovelorn, meaning that you are unhappy because someone you fall in love with does not love you.

What is the connotation of being " madly in love" and " head over heels in love"?
madly in love - when you are madly in love, meaning that you love someone very much, until you can do anything for your loved one, besides behaving irrationally.

head over heels in love - love someone deeply and passionately, and is intoxicated by the feeling of love.


What is the connotation of " stop bugging me" and " do not disturb " ?
stop bugging me - stop annoying and irritating someone

do not disturb - do not interrupt somebody when they are sleeping, working etc. (but not necessary annoy and irritate them)

(I'm trying to finish my assignment at the 11th hour) Older brother to irritating sister
“Stop bugging me !”

(Can I borrow your car mom to take my girlfriend on a trip ) Mother's turning down plea of teenage son who has just gotten his learner's driving licence.
“I think you are madly in love.”

Posted outside the cage of a sleeping tiger
Do not disturb

A sign on the door of the oral interview room
Do not disturb.

Posted on the door of a hotel room
Do not disturb

( I'm in the middle of an important meeting with a client) husband on the hand phone
“I am busy at the moment”

Word Collocation

A collocation is two or more words which often go together.

Natural English Unnatural English

fast food quick food

a quick shower a fast shower

(Tip: when you learn a new word, write down other words that collocate with it)

Eg.: make + the bed/ time/breakfast/friends/fun/a joke/money

Exercise

Both options make sense. Underline the one which forms a common collocation

1. Many small houses and huts were (flooded away / washed away) when the river bursts its banks.

2. Poor farming methods are responsible for soil (devaluation / erosion )in many areas of Saharan African.

3. During the earthquake, many people were( buried / covered )alive.

4. The forest fire left a wide area of the mountainside blackened and (ablaze / smouldering).

5. Villagers are hoping for rain this month after nearly a year of (dry weather / drought.)

6. Before the hurricane struck, many people were (evacuated /shifted) to higher ground.

7. Thousands of children in the famine-striken area are suffering from (malnutrition / undernourishment).

10. Heavy snow has fallen in the mountains and many villages have been (blocked out / cut off) for the past two days.

11. The Aids (epidemic / plague) is having serious effects in some countries.

12. Many small islands in the Indian Ocean are threatened by rising sea (waters / levels).

Working Retired

There are only a few magic numbers in American civic life.You can vote(and get drafted)at age 18.You can drink at 21.You can become president at 35.You can retire at 65.
But on that last one-do Americans really want to?Now that so many Americans are living healthfully until 85,fewer and fewer actually retire at 65.Today there are 5 million people 65 or older in the U.S. labor force,almost twice what there were in the early 1980s.And that number is about to explode.
Some people are working past 65 because they have to:Health care costs are rising,and Social Security payments-at an average of about $1,000 a month-don't cover what they used to.But the bigger trend in Senior Work is the fact that Americans love -and now that we're living longer,we want to work longer too.We just can't get enough.My friend and mentor Harold Burson,the co-founder of the global PR firm Burson Marsteller,where I am CEO,just turned 86,and comes to work every day,bursting with ideas.
On average,Americans work over 1,800 hours per year,substantially more than most workers around the world.Although we get fewer vacation days per year than other Western countries(13 days,compared to 28 in the UK,and 37 in France),we let more than twice as many go unused.And really,what's a vacation to us these days without our BlackBerry?In 2006,almost a quarter of us (23%) checked our work e-mail and voice mail while away-up from just 16% in 2005.A lot of us love to work.
In fact,the impulse to work is so basic that the Fourth Commandment is to take off one day a week.Not working for a day is right up there with not murdering,not committing adultery,and not stealing.We tend to assume that most people want off-waiting all week for the Friday afternoon whistle so they can stream out of work.To be sure,many jobs are terrible-even life-threatening-and people reasonably can't wait to get home.But as work overall has become more managerial,consulting,and software-oriented-and as manufacturing jobs have been on the decline-a lot of people have changed their attitude toward work,and the number of workaholics has skyrocketed.How many times have you heard the old saying that no one ever lay on his deathbed wishing he had spent more time at the office?And yet,a lot of people are doing just that.The sandwich generation is going to be in for a shock when they call their 70-year old parents at the office and find they are just too busy to babysit their grandkids.
Add to America's general obsession with work the fact that it is now the baby boomer generation who is nearing 65,and it becomes clear that the traditional idea of "retirement"-with its gold watch,rocking chair,and golf course-is just about ready for retirement itself.
Boomers reinvented youth in the 1960s and economic success in the 1980s;they are not to do their senior years by someone else's formula.According to a 2005 survey by Merrill Lynch,more than 3 in 4 boomers say they have no intention of seeking a traditional retirement.Rather they look ahead to their 20 more years (when Social Security was created in 1935,a 65 year old could expect just 13 more years)_and they say Bring It On.Some want to keep their health insurance,or have enough funds for the extra years-but more of the boomers surveyed said they wanted to keep working in order to stay mentally and physically active and to stay connected to people.


"Microtrends-the small forces behind tomorrow's big changes" Mark J. Penn (2007)Hachette Book Group
Questions

1. What do the magic numbers of 18,21,35 and 65 represent in American civic life?
This numbers refers to the ages where an American is allowed to vote (18), can drink (21), can become a president (35), and can retire (65).


2. Why do some people work past 65?
Most of them are healthy until 85. They also need to pay the health care costs which are soaring, while the Social Security payments are not enough for them. Moreover, they work as they love working, and this is further encouraged by their ability to live longer.


3. What does the phrase " bursting with ideas"when he comes to work at the age of 86 implies about Mr. Harold Burson?
He is energetic everyday and able to contribute lots of new ideas.Furthermore he is healthy and strong. Ability to work does not depend on age.

4. Give examples to show that American employees are workaholics by choice?
On average,Americans work over 1,800 hours per year, substantially more than most workers around the world. According to a statistic, more and more people check their work e-mail and voice mail while away - 16% in 2005 but 23% in 2006. Besides that, a survey by Merrill Lynch also indicates that more than 3 in 4 boomers do not intend to retire at the age of 65, but look ahead to their 20 more years.


5.What is the tone of the writer when he mentions that "not working for a day is right up there with not murdering,not committing adultery and not stealing"?
He is being sarcastic.

6. What example is given to show that the grandparents of the present generation do not fit with the traditional stereotypical image of grandparents in the past?

In the past, when people became grandparents, they had already retired, hence they had more time to spend at home with grandchildren. On contrary, grandparents nowadays are still working even after their retirement age. Consequently, they are so busy with work until do not have time for family.


7.Explain in your own words the sentence"it becomes clear that the traditional idea of "retirement"-with its gold watch,rocking chair,and golf course-is just about ready for retirement itself."
Traditional concept of retirement is being forgotten. Gold watch, rocking chair, golf course indicates that it is time to retire and take rest. But nowadays people tend to work and work because they love to work and not to earn money.

Word Collocation
Which word completes each set of collocations or fixed phrases?

a) an instrument panel
a panel of experts
a control panel
a wooden panel

b) a secret ballot
a secret agent
keep it a secret
meet in secret
the secret of success


c) take control of the situation
it's out of control
the control exchange
the control market


d) a time sheet
a time zone
only time will tell
long time no see
for the time being


e) a childminder
child abuse
child care facilities
a child prodigy
behaving like a child

Phrasal verb
verb + preposition/s
eg. : run down
run out of
run into

1. Guess who I ran into at the club!

2. She's always running down her husband.

3. I need to go to the market. I've run out of oil, meat and rice.

Put in a suitable preposition in each space.

1. Hundreds of people turned up in the rain to see the celebrity.

2. Most of my time is taken up with answering the phone.

3. Don't be put off by the price, a cool $ 20,000.

4. Something funny is going on.

5. I think she made up the whole story!

6. Not many people turned up for the last lecture.

7. Don’t worry, you can count on me.

Classifying Thinkers (A summary of the previous text)

We don't really know how to define intelligence. However, this does not discourage some people from categorizing others according to their intelligence or lack of it. In his essay, "Thinking as a hobby," author William S. Golding does exactly this. Golding divides people into three categories: grade-three thinkers, grade-two thinkers, and grade-one thinkers.

According to Golding, 90 percent of the population represents the largest category, called grade-three thinkers. These people are docile. They follow orders and they obey other people's wishes. They never learn to think for themselves and cannot distinguish truth from lies. A dictator could take control of them and make them do whatever he wanted, as if they were sheep. The resulting mob would be brutal and ugly.

Grade-two thinkers, Golding's second category, are less likely to be influenced by a dictator. These grade-two thinkers, who make up 9 percent of the population, see corruption in the world. For example, grade-two thinkers may question the honesty of religion or political institutions,but they fail to find new ideals to believe in.

The remaining 1 percent of the population are what Golding calls grade-one thinkers. They not only see corruption, but they also know how to seek truth. Their lives are defined by beauty, wisdom and knowledge. Such thinkers are creative and imaginative geniuses, like Mozart, Michelangelo, and Einstein, who opened new worlds in music, art and science.

One wonders in which category Golding would place himself. Surely not among the "sheep"! Golding may prefer to believe that intelligence prevents people in the top tenth percentile of the population from following political dictators, but the number of doctors, teachers, lawyers, and writers in many countries who were willing supporters of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao shows that this belief is incorrect. In fact, sometimes the common sense and compassion of the ordinary man is all that stands between civilization and barbarism. As one of the so-called sheep, I say bah to Mr. Golding!


Answer the Questions:

1. Circle the thesis statement. How does Golding classify people?
Golding divides people into three categories: grade-three thinkers, grade-two thinkers, and grade-one thinkers.

2. Underline the topic sentence of each body paragraph.
Paragraph 2 - According to Golding, 90 percent of the population represents the large category, called grade-three thinkers.
Paragraph 3 - Grade-two thinkers, Golding's second category, are less likely to be influenced by a dictator.
Paragraph 4 - The remaining 1 percent of the population are what Golding calls grade-one thinkers

3. How does the author describe 90 percents of the population? The remaining 9 percent? The final 1 percent?
He describes 90 per cents of the population as submissive people, while 9 per cent of the people are less likely to be influenced by dictators, besides realising the existence of corruption in the world. The creative, imaginative grade-one thinkers, who are able to see corruption and then find out the truths, make up the remaining 1 per cent of the population

4. Underline the examples used in the third body paragraph to describe "Grade-one thinkers.
Mozart, Michelangelo, and Einstein

5. What is the writer's opinion of Golding's essay? In which paragraph do you find this opinion?
Goding's belief, which states that intelligence prevents people in the top tenth percentile of the population from following political dictators, is not exactly true.It can be found in the last paragraph.

6. What support (facts, examples) are used in the conclusion to argue the writer's point of view?
.............but the number of doctors, teachers, lawyers, and writers in many countries who were willing supporters of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao shows that this belief is incorrect