| << Chapter < Page | Chapter >> Page > |
We will now read a story about a girl called Shamila, her friend Frieda and a very special competition.
Note : Do not read the whole story at once. It is divided into sections. Each section will be followed by a number of activities.
Enjoy the story !
Mila’s Magic
Mila’s family background and living conditions
1 Hidden among a number of dreary dunes along the gloomy Cape Coast stood a lonely fisherman’s cottage. Its battered roof bore evidence to the many fierce Cape storms it had endured. The clothesline displayed a few shabby rags.
2 Jos and Sara were in charge of the family taking shelter in this shabby cottage. Sara’s disposition was one of constant disapproval and frustration. It seemed to increase in the presence of Shamila, her eleven year-old niece. Sara never understood why her mother had sent her sister’s child to live with them after the accident. Sara didn’t like children and wondered how they would cope with an extra mouth to feed and an extra body to clothe!
3 Mila, the timid eleven year-old, had been sent to her mainland relatives, Jos and Sara, because it was believed she would have a better future there. Life turned out to be pretty similar to that on the island, except that now she missed school in order to do menial jobs to contribute to the challenging family budget. To avoid harsh words and Sara’s occasional backhand, Mila saw to the needs of her five younger cousins as best she could.
4 On rare occasions, Mila would steal away among the dunes to be by herself. Her regular companion was Spot, the family mutt. The spotty mongrel would cock its ears as Mila unfolded a crumpled paper from underneath her ragged jersey to unveil a little notebook. She would caress the pages as they whisked her thoughts back to her earlier home. (All too soon, of course, Sara’s yells would force her back to reality.)
5 The pages transported Mila’s mind back to her island-village where Gram and her grandpa led their simple, but happy and fulfilling lives. Close to where her parents enjoyed their eternal rest, was the vegetable patch. This was Gram’s paradise.
Reminder: We have now read only the beginning of the story. Make your own notes while you listen to and discuss the work in class.
Your teacher will now discuss a number of aspects of the passage in class, e.g.
Note: When you answer the questions you . . .
Let’s see how well you understood what you have read and discussed in class.
Answer the following questions about the first five paragraphs in Mila’s Magic .
Paragraph One
1. How do we know that the people living in the cottage were poor? Give TWO reasons.
2. Choose and write down descriptive words ( adjectives ) which have negative connotations.(paragraph one) AND
Notification Switch
Would you like to follow the 'English first additional language grade 8' conversation and receive update notifications?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|