Section B: Narrative Text
The text below is about doing voluntary work in Africa.
1
As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was hit by a wall of dry heat. Feeling nervous yet excited, I stepped onto African soil for the first time.
2
Once I had freed my backpack from the luggage conveyor belt, I headed for the bus stop. The bus journey from the city to the village where I was going to do my placement was not the most comfortable one: the deafening roar of the engine and the gusts of blistering hot air that carried the overwhelming stench of burning made me want to run back to the airy space of the arrivals lounge, but I was stuck in the heaving mass around me.
3
Luckily, I was soon distracted by the stunning views from the window. The city’s dazzling rainbow of fabrics, exotic fruits and shop fronts had me mesmerised. Then, unexpectedly, it was as if the colour had been switched off. My eyes could rest on the magnificently vast fields, all in grey and sandy brown, no movement, just the wind silently blowing the leaves on the frail-looking solitary trees in the distance.
4
When I got off the bus in the village, Sibri, my hostess, was waiting for me. She took me straight to her house, where all the neighbours and relatives came to greet me like a long-lost son or brother. They patted my back and shook my hand and talked very fast. I was invited to more meals than I could fit into my entire stay, and was asked an avalanche of questions about my life back home.
5
The following morning, in the low school buildings on the edge of the village, I met Mr Asante with whose class I was going to spend most of my time as a volunteer teaching assistant. He introduced me to his students: bright-eyed, smiling 10 year-olds, all on the edge of their seats as I told them about myself. They gathered around and led me off to show me their school, jumping up and down as they pointed out displays of their work.
6
Soon the school day was over and both the students and their teachers spilled out onto the dusty field behind the school buildings. Without a clear sign from anywhere a spontaneous game of football started. Again, I was given no choice about joining in. My young teammates passed the ball to me, cheering me on as I scored a goal. When the intense game was over, I was dripping with sweat, gasping for breath, but victorious.
7
By the time I got back to Sibri’s home, dinner was ready. I wasn’t sure what to expect as what I hoped would be delicious food was served. Steaming bowls arrived in front of us. A strange, unappetising-looking fish glared up at me. Smiling, I ate what was in my bowl and firmly declined an offer of a second helping.
8
A couple of hours later, lying in bed and thinking about the exhausting experience of my first full day in Ghana, I thought about home, my family and friends. They were so far away. I wished I could tell them about all the events of the day. Still, in the morning I would see Sibri and Mr Asante and all the children at the school for more chats and games of football.
Questions
Qn4. Which phrase in Paragraph 1 tells us that the writer had mixed feelings as he arrived in Africa? [1]
Qn5. ‘The bus journey … was not the most comfortable one: the deafening roar of the engine and the gusts of blistering hot air that carried the overwhelming stench of burning made me want to run back to the airy space of the arrivals lounge, but I was stuck in the heaving mass around me.’ (lines 4-7)
In Paragraph 2, identify the words or phrases from the sentence given above that correspond with what the writer experienced on his way to the village: [4]
What the writer experienced
Matching description from the given sentences
Overcrowded bus
High temperature
Unpleasant smell
Loud noise
Qn6. In Paragraph 3, the writer says that ‘it was as if the colour had been switched off’.
(i) What changes of colour is the writer describing? [1]
(ii) Why do you think the colour has changed? [1]
Qn7. (a) ‘When I got off the bus in the village, Sibri, my hostess, was waiting for me. She took me straight to her house, where all the neighbours and relatives came to greet me like a long-lost son or brother.’ (lines 13-15)
Which phrase in these two sentences indicates that the writer was welcomed as a member of the family? [1]
Qn7. (b) Which phrase later in the same paragraph indicates that the villagers were eager to find out more about him? [1]
Qn8. (a) In Paragraph 5, what does the phrase ‘on the edge of their seats’ suggest about the children’s reaction to the writer’s arrival? [1]
Qn8. (b) Pick out another phrase later in the same paragraph that conveys the same idea. [1]
Qn9. In Paragraph 6, which one word tells us that the football game was not planned? [1]
Qn10. In Paragraph 7, which of the following phrases support the idea that the writer felt disappointed with his meal? Tick two boxes only. [2]
- ‘… what I hoped would be delicious food was served.’
- ‘Steaming bowls arrived in front of us.’
- ‘A strange, unappetising-looking fish glared up at me.’
- ‘Smiling, I ate what was in my bowl…’
- ‘… and firmly declined an offer of a second helping.’
Identify the number phrases:
Qn11. What do the following phrases from Paragraph 8 suggest about the writer’s feelings at the end of the day? [2]
Based on the following phrase:
The writer’s feelings
‘They were so far away.’
‘Still, in the morning I would see…’
Qn12.
Student A – I think the writer found his first days in Africa really difficult.
Student B – I don’t agree. I think he enjoyed them.
Which student do you agree with? Give four pieces of evidence from the text to support your opinion. [4]
I agree with Student
because…