Using details from the novel you have studied,

• describe a close relationship between two characters

• explain why you would consider them to be very close

Support your answer with close reference to the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

• Choose and write the names of two characters from the story

• Describe their close relationship

• Explain why you would consider them to be very close

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel “Catch Us If You Can” by Catherine MacPhail,

Rory McIntosh and his grandfather share an inseparable

bond.

According to Rory, they are “like a double act”. His father

abandoned his mother and him, so when his mother died, he

was taken care of by his grandparents. The death of his

grandmother had left him with his grandfather. He called him

„Granda‟ and Granda had looked after him all his life and now

it was his turn to look after Granda. However both of

them were incapable of looking after themselves because

Granda was too old and sick while his grandson was too

young to shoulder the responsibility of looking after himself

and his forgetful and sometimes disorientated grandfather.

Whatever the difficulties, Rory and Granda refused to be

separated. Rory argued that sending Granda to a home would

kill his grandfather and forcing him to stay in a children‟s

home would be unbearable. That showed how close they were

and how emotionally dependent they were on each other.

Rory loved Granda so much that he was prepared to make a

lot of sacrifices for the old man. He let go the chance to be in

the school football team because he needed to look after

Granda. He had to run home from school during lunch break

to bring Granda lunch. On several occasions, Granda had

unwittingly „lost‟ or „misplaced‟ Rory‟s homework and that

had earned him the wrath of his teacher, Mrs Foley. Besides

all these, he had to think of the little precautions to take to

keep Granda out of harm. Still, he did not want to part with his

Granda who would have been better off in an old folks‟ home.

Granda felt the same also. The bond between the two was a

special one. However, events took a decisive turn when

Granda accidentally caused a fire in the kitchen of their flat.

Granda was taken to hospital and then to Rachnadar, a home

for the elderly. Rory ended up in Castle Street where he met

the troubled Tess and fought with her.

He was miserable there. Granda fared no better at the home.

Rory felt that they had been cheated by his social worker, Val

Jessup. He plotted on the run while the police launched a hunt

for them. The news of the runway pair was everywhere on

television but they managed to evade the police with the help

from sympathizers along the way. They suffered a lot of

discomfort while on the run and the old man‟s condition

worsened but they seemed happy. Being together has

become a source of strength to them. They were finally

persuaded to go and see Rory‟s long-lost father, Jeff

McIntosh, who had been traced to Liverpool as a result of the

publicity. But before they could do this, Jeff came for them.

They ended up together again, and this time in a flat near

where Jeff and his new family lived. Jeff was finally ready to

assume responsibility for his father and his son.

Rory and Granda were inseparable. It looked as if only death

could separate them. Nothing mattered as long as they were

together.

4.3.2 PRACTICE 2

Using details from the novel you have studied, write on the

theme of happiness. Use evidence from the text to support

your answer.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

• Choose evidence from the novel which relate to the theme of

happiness • State the characters

• Explain what the characters do to be happy

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us If You Can‟, Rory McIntosh has been

living with his grandfather since he was a young boy. On the

surface, this arrangement such as theirs cannot be a happy

one because Granda is old and sick while he is too young to

be able to look after himself, let alone his forgetful and

sometimes disorientated grandfather. Granda would have

been better off at Rachnadar, a home for the aged where his

needs will be taken care of by professionals and Rory would

have been able to lead a more normal life at Castle Street

Children‟s Home. But they refuse to be separated. Despite the

difficulties, they are happy together. In their own obstinate

way, they are guarding their right to be together and be happy.

However, when Granda causes a fire in their flat, the social

worker assigned to them takes Granda to Rachnadar while

Rory goes to the Castle Street home. Rory is upset and so is

Granda. Rory believes the home is killing his Granda. Then,

Rory decides to run away from the home, „rescue‟ his Granda

from Rachnadar and they would run away from all these

meddling people. They are on the run for several weeks and

the television is full of news about them. A

massive search is launched for them. Ironically, while on the

run, they experience some of the happiest moments of their

lives, with the help of sympathizers like Darren, his best friend

who steals his mother‟s caravan key to let them hide

temporarily, Sammy and Ruby who shelter them when the

police close in on them. Then, there are the sympathetic petrol

station operator, Rab and his girlfriend, Annie. Their run

comes to an end when Granda becomes ill

and causes concern to Norma, Annie‟s cousin who is helping

them to get to Liverpool to find Rory‟s father. She calls the

police. All‟s well that ends well when McIntosh‟s long-lost son,

Jeff, who is also Rory‟s father comes for them. He is ready to

assume his responsibility as a son and father.

Rory and Granda are basically searching for happiness

whether as a stubborn pair fiercely defending their rights to

stay together in the flat in the face of insurmountable problems

or whether as runaways, oblivious to the frenzy they are

causing through their actions. They sincerely believe that they

are looking for happiness. After all, nothing matters as long as

they are happy because life is a quest for happiness.

4.3.3 PRACTICE 3

“The title suits the story perfectly”

Using details from the novel you have studied, discuss

whether you agree with the statement above. Give reasons for

your answer. Use evidence from the text to support your

answer.

GUIDELINES

• Read and understand the statement given

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

• Explain how the title suits the story

• Use evidence from the novel to support your answer

SAMPLE ANSWER

The title of the novel “Catch Us If You Can” by Catherine

MacPhail is simple and catchy that suits the novel perfectly

because it captures the actions of a grandfather and a

grandson who cause a frenzy when the police launch a

massive search for them. The grandfather has run away from

an old folks‟ home he hates and the grandson has escaped

from a horrible children‟s home.

The title has the semblance of a challenge to the people

tracking down the pair. It sounds cheeky, insolent and child-

like and it reflects the character of the runaway pair. The

grandfather, suffering from age-related ailments can be

childish and does not realize the implications of what he has

done. In his pursuit, he has caused bodily harm to a youngster

who recognizes his grandson, Rory, from the news on

television and wants to turn them in. Then, he steals a car to

get away. All these can be considered criminal but he is

happily nonchalant or ignorant of all the legal implications. His

grandson and accomplice, Rory, is a child who knows no

better. The expression „If You Can‟ is not only tongue-in-

cheek, but also suggests that tracking them down can be

difficult. One would think it would be easy to catch them but it

is not. Although what they are doing is unbelievably crazy,

they have earned the sympathy of

many people along the way and this has helped them to

evade the police for so long. First, Darren, Rory‟s best friend,

plans the first lap for them when he steals his mother‟s

caravan key for them to hide out while they think of a better

plan after they leave the homes.

Then, they meet Sammy and Ruby who offer them help as the

police are closing in on them. Next, there is Rab at the petrol

station who gives them a respite and convinces them that they

should go and find Jeff McIntosh, Rory‟s father, in Liverpool

because it is time for him to do something „in his whole

useless life‟. After that, there is Annie, Rab‟s girlfriend, who

hands them over to her cousin, Norma. Norma finally brings

the whole saga to an end when she decides to call the police

because she can see that the old man really needs medical

help.

The title suits the story perfectly because it is a story about a

grandfather and a grandson on the run. It is also a reflection of

what the story is – the police are not looking for regular

criminals but just two ordinary people whom the police do not

want to apprehend but to protect and keep out of harm.

4.3.4 PRACTICE 4

Using the details of the novel you have studied.

• describe a decision made by any one character in the novel

• do you think the decision was a wise one?

Support your answer with evidence from the novel.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

• Choose a character from the story

• State the decision made by the character you have chosen

• Give your opinion whether the decision made by the

character you have chosen was

a wise one

• Use evidence from the novel to support your answer

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us If You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, I

would choose the decision made by Rory, when he decided to

get Granda out of Rachnadar and run away.

After the death of his mother, Rory lived with his grandparents.

When his grandmother died, his grandfather, whom he called

Granda, looked after him. Rory and Granda were very close to

each other that they had become inseparable. When Granda

became sick and his memory began to fail, it was Rory‟s turn

to look after Granda. One day, Granda accidentally set fire to

their flat. This brought the authorities to step in. Finding

Granda and Rory incapable of taking care of each other, they

sent Granda to an old folks‟ home, while Rory was sent to a

children‟s home in Castle Street. The authorities had no

choice but to do this for the safety of both Granda and Rory.

Granda might pose a danger not only to himself and Rory but

to those around him.

Rory felt he was wrongly torn away from his Granda.

Furthermore, Rory knew that Granda hated being in

Rachnadar, the old folks‟ home, and Rory himself hated it in

Castle Street. So he made the decision to run away with

Granda so they could be together.

I can understand Rory‟s position but I do not see it as a wise

decision. In the first place, he was too young to make a huge

decision like this. At his age, he should have thought about

school. He should realize that he was incapable of taking care

of his old and sick grandfather. Granda was too old and frail to

go on such a challenging and demanding journey. Moreover,

Granda needed his pills to sustain him. Besides, Rory did not

know where he was going to. Where could they go when they

had no place and no one to care for them? Rory, too, asked

himself the question whether it was a wise decision. People

may say that those who love each other must stay together

but this is based only on emotion. I think Rory made the

decision because he had no one else in his life. It was not only

because he loved Granda so much, but also because he did

not know how to live without his Granda because all this while,

Granda was always there for him.

To make decisions, we must be objective. We must think

rationally. Seeing the unpredictability of things and the health

condition of Granda, and Rory‟s immaturity, I strongly feel that

Rory made an unwise decision in running away.

4.3.5 PRACTICE 5

Using details from the novel you have studied, write on the

theme of forgiveness OR reconciliation.

Support your answer with close reference to the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

• State the characters

• Choose the events from the novel which highlight the theme

of forgiveness or

reconciliation

• Explain what the characters do to show forgiveness

• Support your answer with evidence from the novel

SAMPLE ANSWER

In Catherine MacPhail‟s „Catch Us If You Can‟, Rory has

been cared for by his grandfather whom he calls Granda for

as long as he remembers. According to Granda, his own

father was a spoilt brat of a boy; just mentioning him would

make Granda angry. He grew up to be someone who did not

appreciate what he got and left Rory‟s mother who later died

of heartbreak. And that was when the senior McIntosh decided

to cut all ties with his son. He is adamant that the only son he

had is Rory and he can very well take care of the boy.

The irony of the situation is, Rory has been looking after his

Granda who is not well and needs medications for all sorts of

ailments. As a result, Rory has to look after him, take him to

the doctor, prepare his lunch and make sure he takes his

medicines – all too big a responsibility for a young boy like

him. Despite the difficulties, both Rory and Granda refuse to

be separated, as any solution would entail sending the old

man to a nursing home and the boy, a children‟s home.

However, after Granda accidentally sets fire in their flat, he is

sent to Rachnadar, an old folks‟ home and Rory to the

children‟s home in Castle Street. They cannot bear being

separated. Rory takes Granda out from the home and both go

on a run. Soon, the police is looking for them. News about

them appears on the media. Rory and Granda manage to

evade the police because they get help from people who

sympathize with them along their journey.

Investigations reveal that Rory‟s father, Jeff Mcintosh is in

Liverpool and they are advised to go and see him. While on

their way to Liverpool, Granda becomes too sick. The police is

informed by one of the people who helps them, Norma, who

feels that the old man needs immediate help. Jeff, with the

help of the authorities, arrives to take his father and his son

with him. Both father and son are reconciled and Rory finds

his long-lost father. Jeff is ready to take on his responsibilities

as a son to his father, Granda, and as a father to his son,

Rory.

The story ends with a reconciliation between the ageing and

ailing father and the son he has vowed to disown, Jeff. As for

Rory, it is a happy reunion with the father he has never known.

4.3.6 PRACTICE 6

From the novel you have studied, what is the most important

lesson you have learnt? Support your answer with close

reference to the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

• Think of a lesson you have learnt after reading the novel

• State the characters and the hardships they go through that

have an impact on you

• Explain how the story affects you

• Use evidence from the novel to support your answer

SAMPLE ANSWER

From the novel „Catch Us If You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail,

an important lesson I learnt is to be persistent and determined

when facing challenges. Often, persistence leads to better

results than losing hope easily. Two characters in the novel,

Rory and Granda, handled challenges with determination.

Rory knew that he must be strong and determined in order to

withstand the rigours of the escape. There was never a time

he felt like giving up and turning in to the police. It was the

strong sense of perseverance that helped him bear all the

hardships. It was the same with Granda. When things got

difficult, he was even more persevering even though it was

hard for a man his age to be on the run. He knew he needed

to be strong so that he could be together with Rory.

The escape got very arduous and tough at times. The police

were always after Rory and Granda. There was a wide TV

coverage on them. But Rory and Granda were determined to

pull through. They knew they would be together and not be

separated as long as they continued to run. From the way they

went through their escape, I learn that challenges should be

dealt with determination. One must not easily give up hope

and accept defeat. As long as one has the chance, one must

keep on going till success is met.

4.3.7 PRACTICE 7

The characters in novels often face problems. Some solve

their problems but some do not. Using information from the

novel you have studied, show how

• one character solves his/ her problems

• one who does not solve his/ her problems

Support your answer with close reference to the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

• Choose a character, state his/her problems

• Explain how the character solves his/ her problems

• Choose another character and state his/ her problems

• Explain why the character fails to solve his/her problems

• Suggest what the character should do to solve his/ her

problems

• Use evidence from the novel to support your answer

SAMPLE ANSWER

It is true that characters in novels often face problems. Some

manage to solve their problems but some do not.

In Catherine MacPhail‟s „Catch Us If You Can‟, a character

who manages to solve his problem is Rory. His apartment is

burnt down due to Granda‟s carelessness. He is then forced

to part with his Granda. He is sent to stay at the children‟s

home in Castle Street, and Granda is sent to the old folks‟

home in Rachnadar. Being very close to Granda, Rory can

see that Granda is miserable at the home. Rory can sense

that Granda has lost interest in everything and it breaks

Rory‟s heart to see Granda like that.

So, Rory comes up with a plan to run away with Granda. He

knows, by doing so, he can always be together with Granda.

As long as they are on the run, they will be together. It can

only be for a few days or a couple of weeks, but to Rory and

Granda, their time together is precious.

On the other hand, Tess, a girl whom Rory meets at the

children‟s home, fails to solve her problems. She has a sad

life. Her mother is in prison and all her relatives reject her.

Being homeless and unwanted, she is sent to Castle Street.

Instead of making the best of her life there, she worsens it by

becoming a bitter, angry and violent person.

Her violent outbursts become so bad that she loses control of

herself and her actions. She injures others, making them keep

away from her. She fails to make friends and so, remains

lonely and friendless. She cannot overcome her loneliness

and sense of rejection. If she had chosen to be more positive,

she would probably have made some friends who can help

her instead of feeling rejected and unloved.

4.3.8 PRACTICE 8

From the novel you have studied, write about an important

moral value you have learnt. Support your answer with close

reference to the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

• State an important moral value you have learnt after reading

the novel

• State the characters and the events where the moral value

you have learnt is

emphasized

• Use evidence from the novel to support your answer

SAMPLE ANSWER

From the novel „Catch Us If You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail,

an important moral value I have learnt is that family

relationships should be nurtured and not taken for granted.

Granda looked after Rory after Rory‟s father walked out on

them. Since Granda was old and forgetful, Rory took it upon

himself to look after Granda. Nobody forced or told him to do it

but Rory felt it was the right thing to do. He was willing to

forego things that teenage boys should be doing. He did all

the household chores, made sure Granda took his medication

and had his meals. He even kept Granda‟s pipe to make sure

there wasn‟t any untoward incidents. Granda and Rory did not

take their relationship for granted. Granda, on several

occasions, had expressed appreciation to Rory for always

being there for him while Rory felt proud to have Granda as

his grandfather. Rory was protective and defensive of Granda.

They nurtured their relationship right up to the end even when

they had a family, Jeff and Karen.

Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone also showed a strong family

relationship. Sammy and Ruby were free and easy but

respectful with each other. Ruby would tease Sammy and vice

versa. But, when it came to making decisions, Ruby left it to

Sammy, showing him respect as the head of the family.

Tyrone was respectful and obedient to his parents, Sammy

and Ruby.

All in all, I have learnt from the novel that family relationship

should be nurtured and not taken for granted as family

happiness and stability depend on this positive attitude.

4.3.9 PRACTICE 9

From the novel you have studied, write about the plot of the

story and state what you think of the plot.

Support your answer with close reference to the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

• State the main characters and the important events in the

story • Give a brief summary of the story

• Give your opinion of the plot of the story

SAMPLE ANSWER

Catherine MacPhail‟s novel „Catch Us If You Can‟ revolves

around a teenager, Rory, and his grandfather whom he calls

Granda. Rory and Granda are on an escape adventure from

their hometown to Liverpool because they do not want to be

separated from each other. They have cared for and looked

after each other for a long time and with Granda getting on

in years and becoming forgetful, Rory takes over the

responsibility of looking after Granda on his own initiatives.

One day, when their flat caught fire due to Granda‟s

carelessness, both Rory and Granda are placed in a

children‟s home and an old folks‟ home respectively. Granda

is badly affected as he becomes withdrawn and lost. Rory

knows that Granda is slowly dying in Rachnadar, so he

decides to run away with Granda. Rory and Granda make the

great escape but with no destination in mind. They only want

to be free and to be together. They spend a few happy

carefree days at the caravan site. When the police catch up

with them, Rory and Granda are helped by Sammy who gives

them shelter.

Their journey is a struggle to stay free. Strangers help them all

the way, giving them shelter and making safe plans for them.

Rory has doubts about whether he is doing the right thing. All

doubts are dispelled as Granda looks happy even when he is

exhausted.

Eventually, Rory decides they would travel south to Liverpool

and look for his father, Jeff McIntosh. Granda objects and

rages about this when he realizes what Rory‟s plans are. The

climax of the story is when Granda almost loses his life in the

cold bus shelter. After that, they end up in Liverpool. It is a

happy ending as they meet up with Jeff and become a family

again. The plot runs in chronological order. The reader can

follow Rory and Granda‟s interesting and sometimes

heartbreaking journey from their hometown to their final

destination. Rory as the narrator projects a solid account of

their thoughts, feelings and gives good descriptions of the

setting. The approach makes it easy for the reader to

understand and appreciate the story. I think the plot is simple

and relevant to our society where young people tend to forget

their obligations to the old.

4.3.10 PRACTICE 10

Who is the most interesting character in the novel that you

have studied? Give reasons to support your answer.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. •

Name the character that you consider interesting.

• Explain the role of the character in the novel.

• Give evidence from the novel to support your comments. •

State your opinion again.

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us if You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, I

think Granda is the most interesting character in the book.

Reading through the novel, I found out that he was a caring

and kind grandfather to Rory. The fact that Rory was to return

the favours implies that Granda must have been a good man

and good grandfather. His love for Rory is absolute. Also,

Granda finds it hard to bear that Rory has to be in a home and

wants to get out of hospital to take Rory home. This shows

how much he cares for Rory.

Granda is also a charmer. It is because he easily compliments

others especially women not only for the looks but also for

their talents as he praises Ruby for her cooking. All the times

he remains the perfect gentleman, like opening the door for

the young mother at the clinic.

Other than that, he is quite a fascinating character. He knows

a lot about films and film stars. His love for movie stars makes

him even name his son and grandson after some film heroes

of his time. Also, he loves singing and has no inhibitions about

singing some old songs, however badly, in front of others.

With all the above, I believe that Granda must be an

interesting and remarkable man.

4.3.11 PRACTICE 11

Based on the novel that you have read, write about an incident

that changes the life of a character in the story. Give evidence

from the novel that you have studied.

GUIDELINES

• Name of the novel and the author you have chosen. • State

the incident you have chosen.

• Give reasons why you think this incident changes the life of

the character.

• State your opinion again on the importance of the incident to

the life of the character.

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us if You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, an

incident that changes the life of the character is the great

escape that Rory and Granda undertake. Rory decided to run

away from the town he lived in after taking his Granda out of

the local old folks‟ home. The escape took them to many

places and they met many different people who

helped them on their journey. Rory learnt valuable life lessons

from meeting all the different people. From the travelers, he

learnt about compassion and kindness. From Rab, Annie and

Norma, he learnt about people who offered help sincerely and

treated them kindly. Also, Rory‟s life would never be the same

again. It was because, his father turned up to help him and

Granda. Finally he had a father, a stepmother and two

adorable stepsisters. He had a family and that was a life-

changing moment from him.

Rory was worried about his Granda earlier but then he didn‟t

have to. It was because things started to fall into places for

him. Certain services provided for the elderly made life better

for him and Granda. The escape exposed some of the

problems that the elderly and their caretakers faced in the

course of their daily life.

With all the above, I believe that all those changes would not

have taken place if not for the great escape.

4.3.12 PRACTICE 12

Using the details of the novel you have studied,

• Write about the moral value that has impressed you the

most. • Give evidence from the text to support your answer.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. •

Name the moral value that you have learnt.

• Give examples from the novel to support your answer. •

State your opinion again

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us if You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, I

learn about compassion for fellow human beings. Many

characters exhibit compassion for each other and act in a kind

manner because of their compassionate nature.

Rory and Granda care for each other and there is compassion

in their actions. For example, Rory cares for his grandfather‟s

well-being. For instance, he makes sure his Granda takes his

medicine. Moreover, he always rushes home from school to

ensure Granda takes his lunch. Moreover, Rory protects his

Granda from anything he considers bad,

offensive or dangerous. Rory even keeps Granda‟s pipe to

make sure there isn‟t any untoward incidents. Granda tries his

best to help Rory and unfortunately makes mistakes, but there

is still compassion. He strongly says that no grandson of his is

going to a home for as long as he is around.

In addition, Dr Nicol insists that Granda and Rory get a home

help. This is because he believes that Granda and Rory are

not capable of taking care of each other. Val Jessup, the

social worker, also shows compassion. She shows

enthusiasm to help Rory and Granda. When they are on the

run, Val Jessup pleads on television for Rory and Granda to

come home. The police and the nurse also act

compassionately towards Granda and Rory. They are affected

by the dilemma of an ageing man who is so dependent on a

young boy and therefore do what they think is the best.

Besides, Darren, Rory‟s close friend offers his mum‟s caravan

to them because he cares for Rory and Granda. He warns

them about the arrival of the police.

With all the above, I believe that we must be compassionate to

people. This quality keeps us humane and make the world

appear kinder and the troubles bearable.

4.3.13 PRACTICE 13

In the novel you have studied

• Pick any one decision in the novel made by someone or

some party that you disagree • Explain why you disagree.

Support your answer with evidence from the novel.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. • State

the decision.

• Give reasons why you disagree with the decision. • State

your opinion again.

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us if You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail,

there is one decision in the novel that I disagree with. It is the

one taken by the government to separate both Rory and his

grandfather.

Rory and Granda are very close and each depends on the

other for love and comfort. They are family, a “double act” and

one cannot survive without the other. When Granda accidently

starts a fire in the flat, the State makes a decision to put him in

a home because he may endanger himself and others. I was

so mad with the State.

I can understand that the State has the interest of Rory and

Granda at heart when it makes this decision. But, what makes

me disagree is that it regards them as only a “case” on which

it needs to act, not as people with feelings. It is because each

citizen has a right to run his or her life the way he or she wants

to without outside interference. Unfortunately, it did not

happen that way.

In addition, no discussion has been held with Rory and

Granda how best to solve the problem. When the two run

away, however, the police go after them as if they are

criminals. As a person interviewed on a television rightly said,

the police are wasting their time hunting down an old man and

a young boy instead of chasing criminals and fighting the gun

culture. The way the State tackled the situation pissed me off.

As a conclusion, people should be treated with greater respect

and compassion and not like “cases” to be solved.

4.3.14 PRACTICE 14

“Faith in the God is essential”.

Using the evidence from the novel, explain how this is shown

in the novel you have studied. Support your answer with close

reference to the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen.

• State the character who conveys this message.

• Give examples from the story to support your answer.

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us if You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail,

“Faith in God is Essential” is one of the messages in the story.

Rory‟s prayers are in the form of warm and friendly

conversations with God, which he addresses as „The Big

Man‟. Rory is a character who has faith in God. Rory promises

to be good and do good things if „The Big Man‟ would make

Granda wake up when he sees his grandfather‟s face pale,

his mouth open and he is hardly breathing. In addition, Rory

believes that „The Big Man‟ wanted him to escape as things

go smoothly. Rory promises to collect money for the Salvation

Army if „The Big Man‟ keeps Granda safe. Rory tells „The Big

Man‟ that they both are having great time and Granda is no

trouble at all.

The other evidence that resembles Rory as a person who has

faith in God is when he and his grandfather did not crash since

Granda cannot drive well. Due to that, he believes that „The

Big Man‟ is looking after him.

As a conclusion, prayers play a vital role in keeping Rory‟s

spirit up and prove that faith is essential in life.

4.3.15 PRACTICE 15

“Love, compassion and family relationship are important in

one‟s life.”

Using the evidence from the text, explain how this is true.

Support your answer with close reference from the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. •

Discuss the different aspects of love.

• Give your views with examples from the text.

SAMPLE ANSWER

Catherine MacPhail put the elements of love, compassion and

family relationship in her novel, „Catch Us if You Can‟. From

the beginning to the end of the story, those three elements

hold the story together.

The love between generations shows that love is continuous

and never ending. For example, Rory‟s love for his Granda is

unconditional and vice versa. He is ready to sacrifice anything

so that he remains united with his grandfather. The

grandfather, in turn, has devoted his life to bring up the child

from birth and his whole life revolves around him.

Love in a family and the power of love among family members

are also portrayed in this story. For example, Sammy, his wife,

Ruby and son Tyrone portray a warm and loving family.

Besides that, Bernie, his wife and daughter are equally warm-

hearted and helpful. Rab and Annie are loving and caring too.

Love and respect among Rory‟s friends also keep him from

troubles. They look upon Granda with great affection. Darren,

the one who is the weakest in the class, shows much

compassion for Rory and helps him as much as he can. Mrs.

Foley also shows sincere, love and care for Rory. She shows

her concern towards Rory when Granda is admitted into the

hospital. She realizes that Rory should not be in the children‟s

home.

As a conclusion, the concept of the elements of love,

compassion and family relationship bring beauty to the story.