Page 3 - Mijbil the Otter

(B) “Mr Keesing had a good laugh at my arguments, but when I proceeded to talk my way through the
next lesson, he assigned me a second essay. This time it was supposed to be on ‘An Incorrigible Chatterbox’.
I handed it in, and Mr Keesing had nothing to complain about for two whole lessons. However, during the
third lesson, he’d finally had enough. “Anne Frank, as a punishment for talking in class, write an essay
entitled-‘Quack, Quack, Quack, said Mistress Chatterbox’.”
i What convincing argument was made by Anne?
a) She was talkative just like any other student in the class.
b) She had the right to be talkative, as it was a classroom and not a prison.
c) She had inherited the trait from her mother, so couldn’t stop being talkative.
d) She found it impossible to be quiet like the others as she couldn’t change herself.

ii What does ‘had a good laugh’ imply, in the context of Mr. Keesing?
It means that he
a) celebrated his ability to make Anne write the essay.
b) ridiculed Anne in front of the whole class.
c) pulled up Anne for her arguments in the essay.
d) realised the humour in it and was amused.

iii Based on this extract, pick the option with the list of words that best describe Mr Keesing.
a) jovial and creative
b) strict and innovative
c) tolerant and strict
d) innovative and jovial

iv Why do you think Mr Keesing chose the title - ‘An Incorrigible Chatterbox’ - for Anne, to write on?
This was so because he expected
a) Anne to express her inability to elaborate on such a topic.
b) that this would embarrass Anne and would check her indiscipline.
c) her to apologise and not repeat her talkative behaviour.
d) Anne to explore her creative writing skills.

v How did Anne feel when she was punished the third time by Mr Keesing?
She
a) was happy as she had to write three essays on the same topic.
b) enjoyed making fun of Mr. Keesing in her own way.
c) was worried as she had run out of original ideas for her essay.
d) was thrilled at another opportunity to showcase her writing abilities.

C Answer in 20-30 words
i Enumerate any two reasons that justify Mr. Keesing’s displeasure at Anne’s talking in class.
ii Comment on the teacher-student relationship shared between Anne and Mr. Keesing.
iv Anne wrote in her diary to get things off her chest. List any two reasons why getting things off one’s
chest is recommended by counsellors as therapeutic.
v Explain the emotion vested in Anne’s statement, “…I was plunked down on the table as a birthday
present for Margot.”
vi Clarify why it is fair to say that Mr Keesing was innovative with his punishments.

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