Junior Cycle English UNSEEN - Fiction: Maria Andanu Okire is a young Af

Question

Maria Andanu Okire is a young African refugee who is living in the remote village of Cullaugh. She has had to flee her country, Malanga. In this excerpt, Jonah Kegale, a member of the dreaded Malangan secret police, is about to abduct Maria and to hold her hostage. Maria is on her way to visit her only friend, David O'Brien.

OUT OF THE FLAMES

Maria desperately wanted to see David and was tempted to walk all the way to the O'Briens. But fear prevented her and to make matters worse, it began to rain.

On the point of turning back to the hostel, she heard a vehicle approach. It was a camper van. It slowed and stopped. The driver wound down the window.

"Will there," he said, "I'm looking for the O'Briens' place. You wouldn't know where they live, would you?"

Maria felt apprehensive; the driver was no real reason for it. The driver, who was a stranger to her, certainly seemed friendly.

"Sure," she said, "I would be happy to help.  I should be asking you. Anyway, I think I'm going to turn back. I don't want to be out in the rain."

"Thanks a million," he said. "The rain is fierce isn’t it? Take care now."

He began to pull away, then stopped.

"Are you going the road?" he asked. "Can I give you a lift?"

The rain was falling heavily now and she was getting wet. There wouldn’t be any danger. This man driving the camper van seemed much friendlier than many of the locals.

"Thanks," Maria said, "I think I'll go to the O'Briens' too."

"Well now," he said, "isn’t that a bit of luck! Then in here the back out of the rain."

There was a sliding door on the side of the vehicle and he caught the handle and pulled the door back. "Hop in there," he said.

Maria moved forward, she stepped up and pulled herself inside. But as she entered, she sensed fear; her worst instinct immediately knew something was wrong. Then she saw Jonah Kegale. Reacting instantly, she turned to the door and he grabbed her, dragging her like a rag doll towards the rear of the vehicle. Maria found her voice and screamed. She struck her head against the side. She stumbled but he was right behind her and knocked her again, knocking her senseless. Kegale was strong and his eyes were ablaze with hatred. He was the realization of all her fears and terrors, for an instant she thought of the life she had left Malanga.

Maria Andanu Okire is a young African refugee who is living in the remote village of Cullaugh - Junior Cycle English - Question 5 - 2010

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Maria Andanu Okire is a young African refugee who is living in the remote village of Cullaugh - Junior Cycle English - Question 5 - 2010

A. How does the driver of the camper van succeed in gaining Maria’s trust?

B. What evidence is there in this extract that Maria is frightened and lonely in Cullaugh?

C. For Maria, Jonah Kegale was "the realization of all her fears and terrors." How does the extract show that she was right to feel this way?

D. The blurb on the back cover of this novel describes it as "an action-packed story of conflict, danger and courage." What evidence can you find in this extract of:

Join the Junior Cycle students using SimpleStudy...