To Kill A Mockingbird Study Guide

© Department of Basic Education 2015
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x INTRODUCTION Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mockingbird
Question words
Here are examples of question types found in the exam.
Question type What you need to do

Literal: Questions about information that is clearly given in the text or extract from the text
Name characters/places/things ...
State the facts/reasons/ideas … Write down the information without any discussion or
comments.
Give two reasons for/why … Write two reasons (this means the same as ‘state’).
Identify the character/reasons/theme … Write down the character’s name, state the reasons.
Describe the place/character/what happens when … Write the main characteristics of something, for
example: What does a place look/feel/smell like? Is a
particular character kind/rude/aggressive …
What does character x do when … Write what happened – what the character did.
Why did character x do …
your knowledge of the plot.
Who is/did … Write the name of the character.
To whom does xx refer … Write the name of the relevant character/person.
Reorganisation: Questions that need you to bring together different pieces of information in an organised way.
Summarise the main points/ideas … Write the main points, without a lot of detail.
Group the common elements … Join the same things together.
Give an outline of ….. Write the main points, without a lot of detail.
Inference Questions that need you to interpret (make meaning of) the text using information that may not
be clearly stated. This process involves thinking about what happened in different parts of the text; looking
for clues that tell you more about a character, theme or symbol; and using your own knowledge to help you
understand the text.
Explain how this idea links with the theme x … Identify the links to the theme.
Compare the attitudes/actions of character x with Point out the similarities and differences.
character y …
What do the words … suggest/reveal about /what State what you think the meaning is, based on your
does this situation tell you about … understanding of the text.
How does character x react when …. Write down the character’s reaction/what the character
Describe how something affected … did/felt.
State how you know that character x is …
What did character x mean by the expression … Explain why the character used those particular words.
Is the following statement true or false? Write ‘true’ or ‘false’ next to the question number. You
must give a reason for your answer.
Choose the correct answer to complete the following A list of answers is given, labelled A–D. Write only the
sentence (multiple choice question). letter (A, B, C or D) next to the question number.
Complete Write the missing word next to the question number.
missing words …
Quote a line from the extract to prove your answer. Write the relevant line of text using the same words
and punctuation you see in the extract. Put quotation
marks (“ ” inverted commas) around the quote.

xiv INTRODUCTION Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mockingbird
Evaluation Questions that require you to make a judgement based on your knowledge and understanding of the
text and your own experience.
Discuss your view/a character’s feelings/a theme ... Consider all the information and reach a conclusion.
Do you think that … There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer to these questions,
but you must give a reason for your opinion based on
information given in the text.
Do you agree with …
In your opinion, what …
Give your views on …
Appreciation Questions that ask about your emotional response to what happens, the characters and how it is
written.
How would you feel if you were character x when … There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer to these questions,
but you must give a reason for your opinion based on
information given in the text.
Discuss your response to …
Do you feel sorry for …
Discuss the use of the writer’s style, diction and To answer this type of question, ask yourself: Does the
style help me to feel/imagine what is happening/what
your answer.

Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mockingbird INTRODUCTION xv
Overview To Kill a
Mockingbird
Introduction
To Kill a Mocking Bird is about a girl, Scout, and her brother, Jem, who are
Scout’s point of view.
man who is falsely accused of raping a young white woman. Scout’s father,
Atticus, is the lawyer who defends Tom in court. However, despite the
evidence given in court of his innocence, the court decides that Tom is
guilty.
In the book the author explores social issues, such as racism, through
interesting characters is a secretive man called Boo, who remains a

mystery character for most of the book.
1. The author
Harper Lee was born in 1926 and grew up in Alabama – the same
American state in which To Kill a Mockingbird is set. While she was a
university student in the late 1940s she began to write short stories about
racial injustice. She wrote To Kill a Mockingbird in the late 1950s at a time
racial segregation in Alabama and other southern states.

Harper Lee has received many awards and honours for the book, including
the Presidential Award for Freedom. This is the only novel she has
published.
2. Background
This section provides background information about three aspects of life in
racial segregation and how the courts worked in those days.
2.1 The Great Depression

was so bad that many businesses closed down and people lost their jobs.
The events described in To Kill a Mockingbird took place between 1933
areas around them. For example:

Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mocking Bird NOVEL 1
To Kill a Mockingbird
families either did not go to school or had to go without any food for
lunch. In the novel, Walter Cunningham was from such a family.
luxury items. In the novel, Scout’s family did not have very much money,
although Atticus worked as lawyer.
Did you know? 2.2 Racial segregation in America

determine their abilities and that one group is naturally superior to another.
slavery ended in 1865, the way in which black Americans were treated was
slow to improve – especially in the southern states.
The state of Alabama is one of the southern states that supported racial
segregation. The southern states passed laws that black people could
In the novel Scout
and Jem go to a church not eat in the same restaurants, drink from the same water fountains,
for black people. This
would have shocked schools as white people. They even had to travel in the back of buses,
most white people in
the town.
behind white people. There are many examples of racist behaviour in this
novel.
2.3 The way American courts

worked
section explains the way courts were run in Alabama.
judge is in charge of a trial. However, it is not the
made by a jury of 12 people.
juries are made up of men and women from all groups in the population.
prosecutor (a lawyer) tries to convince the members of the jury that
the person on trial is guilty. The defence lawyer tries to convince them
that the person is innocent.
call witnesses in support of the case they are making. Both can then
also cross-examine (ask questions of) each other’s witnesses.
evidence has been heard, the judge instructs the jury to
consider its verdict (decision) very carefully.
together until they decide on a verdict on which they all agree.

2 NOVEL Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mockingbird
Overview
3. Title
A mockingbird is a grey and white bird that can copy sounds that it hears.
vocab
Some copy the songs of other birds, and some even copy the calls of other Mocking: Imitating.
animals or people’s car alarms! It is natural for mocking birds to imitate Mocking also means
the sounds they hear. teasing or making fun of
another person in a nasty
way..
never do any harm, they only provide pleasure for people through their
songs. To kill a mockingbird therefore means to destroy what is good and
innocent.
Two characters in the novel – Boo and Tom – are symbolised by the
mockingbird. They are both innocent people who have been injured or
destroyed by cruel people.
4. How the story is told

This section outlines the different elements in the novel that the writer
uses to tell the story.
4.1 Setting
The setting of a novel refers to where and when the story takes place.
To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in an imaginary
1935.
have been located. It will help you to imagine the town, where the main
characters lived and worked and where events in the novel took place.
4.2 Characters
protagonist. In To Kill a
Mockingbird the protagonist is Scout.
antagonist
protagonist. In To Kill a Mockingbird one of the main protagonists is Bob
Ewell.
notes
Characterisation is the way in which the author reveals characters’
personalities. This is by describing their thoughts, feelings, expressions
and actions. As you read the novel, look for evidence that shows the
characters’ personalities and emotions, and how they change during
the story.

Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mockingbird NOVEL 3
I’ve got a picture

of Maycomb in my
head, it helps me
to remember what
happens where.
Use this section of

the guide to remind
yourself who’s who in
the novel.
Main characters
The main characters are the most important for the development of the
story. This section only gives an outline of the main characters in To Kill a
Mockingbird
of the guide.
Atticus Finch
his children as sensible and intelligent young people,
rape). He does not believe in beating them, but he does
both sides of the argument before taking action.
of the state of Alabama. Although he lives in a racist and sexist society

he does not share the prejudices of those around him. He respects all
people, black and white, male and female, who deserve respect.

Overview
with him for doing so.
Scout Finch
prefers her nickname of Scout, which most people use.

At a time (the 1930s) when girls were expected to wear
dresses and play with dolls, she wears overalls (except
for church on Sundays and for afternoon tea with the missionary circle
ladies) and climbs trees with Jem and Dill.
speaks more like an adult than a child and she learned to read and
concerned about people’s situations.
she is not afraid to express her ideas to adults.
good. As she experiences the events in the book, she realises that some
people behave in mean, unfair and prejudiced ways. Scout is a bit like
Atticus – she stands up for what she believes is right and is prepared to
Jem Finch
and more reserved than Scout, who is his younger sister.

During the almost three years in which the story takes
place he grows from a child into a young teenager.
vocab
Pageant: A public show,
However, he remains her close companion and protector throughout the like a concert.
novel, even risking his life to protect her when they are attacked after
the Halloween pageant.
Aunt Alexandra
social position of the Finch family.
society should work and the way southern women should

behave. She thinks that Scout is growing up “wild” and decides she
needs to learn how to behave like a young lady.
about black people, but ultimately she is loyal to her family.

Calpurnia
the death of his wife, Atticus has relied on her to look after
both the house and the children. She is strict with Scout
and Jem, but also fond of the children.
death and to comfort Helen.
Arthur “Boo” Radley
described as being pale, because he does not go out in the

sunlight. It seems that he has been emotionally damaged
as a result of his father locking him in the house when he
was a teenager.
by this person they have never seen because they have heard many
strange rumours about him. They wonder if he really exists. When he
leaves small gifts for them in the knothole of the tree at the corner of
his yard and mends Jem’s pants, he becomes increasingly real to the
children.
are attacked by Bob Ewell: good triumphs over evil. Boo is one of
the symbolic mockingbirds in the novel: a good person who has been
damaged by the cruel actions and prejudices of others.
Miss Maudie Atkinson
Finch’s house. She spends a lot of time working in her

garden (yard). She is an old friend of the family and
understands Scout and Jem. She lets them play in her
garden, but only if they do not damage any of her plants. They enjoy
spending time with her – especially as she bakes cakes for them.
critical of what she considers to be unfair or mean behaviour. She
Bob Ewell
edge of the town. He is usually unemployed and is likely

to spend the welfare (social grant) money that he gets on
alcohol.
these bruises and of raping his daughter.
information about himself and his lifestyle that everyone in the courtroom

Overview
heard during the trial. This is why he attacks Atticus’s children: to get his
revenge.
Dill (Charles Baker) Harris
Haverford. He is a small boy, with white hair. He is shorter

than Scout, although he is almost 7 at the beginning of
the novel, one year older than Scout.
that he does not see his father, but he makes up stories about him.
with Scout and Jem. He is brave and adventurous, and he has a very
strong imagination.
Minor characters
Other members of the Finch family
Uncle Jack Finch: Atticus’s and Alexandra’s brother, who is a doctor
and who comes to visit at Christmas time
Francis Hancock:
during a Christmas visit to Finch’s Landing
Townspeople
The Finch family’s neighbours
The Radleys:
Miss Rachel Haverford:

aunt.
Miss Stephanie Crawford:
goes to stay with her after her own house burns down.
Mrs Dubose: An elderly woman who suffered from a serious illness.
her drug addiction.

Mr Avery: Scout and Jem build a snowman that looks like him.
Other townspeople
Dr Reynolds:
community;
Heck Tate:
Mr Underwood: The owner and editor of the local newspaper, The
Maycomb Tribune
Mr Gilmer:
trial
Judge Taylor:

Eula May: The operator of the town’s telephone exchange

Mrs Grace Merriweather: A woman who plays a leading role in the
Halloween pageant.
Miss Caroline Fisher:
Miss Gray: Another of Scout’s teachers
Cecil Jacobs: A boy from the town who is in Scout’s class, who scares
Scout and Jem in the dark on the way to the Halloween pageant.
People living on the edge of the town

The Ewells
Bob Ewell is the father of many children – some in the town say six,
others say nine children. Those children named in the novel are Burris
Ewell, who is in Scout’s class at the beginning of the school year but who
of raping her.
Members of the black (Negro) community
Tim Johnson is
the name of the Calpurnia: The housekeeper for the Finch family
rabid dog that
Atticus shoots in Zeebo: Calpurnia’s son, who is the town’s garbage collector
the street
Rev Sykes: The minister of the church Calpurnia goes to
Lula: A member of the congregation of the church Calpurnia goes to
Tom Robinson: A farmworker who is accused and found guilty of raping
by guards in prison.
Helen Robinson:
Mr Dolphus Raymond: A wealthy white property owner who has chosen
to live with the black community.
Members of the farming community

The Cunninghams:
but he works hard and refuses to accept any charity. He always pays his
debts in some way. His son, Walter (junior) is in Scout’s class at school.
Link Deas: A farmer and store (shop) owner who employs Tom and
Chuck Little: A boy who is in Scout’s class at school.

Overview
Make your own character charts

A character chart can help you to keep track of the evidence about a
character as you revise the story. In your character chart:
do it in the other character charts.
e.g. Character chart: Scout (Jean Louise) Finch

Scout is the narrator of the story – it is told from her point of view.
She is the innocent child who learns the hard lesson that human nature also includes being cruel and unfair
to others.
Characteristics Evidence
1. She does not behave the way 1. She wears overalls most of the time, instead of dresses like other girls
girls are expected to behave. do.
2. She likes to do ‘boy-like’ activities like climbing trees, instead of being
‘lady-like’ and playing with dolls.
3. Her Aunt Alexandra is always complaining that she does not behave the
way girls are expected to.
2. She is very intelligent. 1. She learnt to read and write before she started school.
2. The things she notices about her community and her relatives show
that she is a thoughtful child.
3. She is compassionate. 1. Her schoolmate Walter Cunningham comes from a family too poor to
afford school lunches for him. Scout defends him from the insensitive
teacher.
because of the injustice they experience.

3. She is a supportive friend to Dill, who comes from an unhappy family.
1. She is not afraid to express her opinions to adults.
5. She shares her father’s

principles about justice for all. can’t understand why her community has such strange views about
black people.
2. She shows great courage in front of the jail when the group of men try
people to calm the situation.

4.3 Structure and plot development

This section gives an overview of the main plot of To Kill a Mockingbird.
house, or the incident with the rabid dog. These are called sub-plots.
Exposition
arm was badly broken.
left Cornwall, in England, and settled in Alabama in the USA.
Rising action
are frightened of, and, at the same time, fascinated by, a man called
him but they have heard many stories about him. They spend a lot of
time planning how to look into his house or to get him to come outside.
sub-plots in
the novel.
problem
judge appoints Atticus to defend Tom. A complication is that some of

the local people disapprove of a white man defending a black man in
court. The tension rises the night before the trial begins, when Atticus
sits outside the jail where Tom is being held because he is worried that
some men will try to break in and harm him. A group of men does arrive
but Scout calms things down by talking to one of the men whom she
knows and the men leave.
The fact that Tom tension rises
Robinson is found guilty again as the characters wait for the jury to give its verdict.
of a crime that he could
not have committed is
an example of an ironic
twist in the plot. Climax
though Atticus plans to appeal the judgement, Tom feels hopeless and
tries to escape from prison. He is shot and killed.
in the court. The tension rises again and reaches another climax. He
attacks Scout and Jem as they walk home in the dark from a school

Overview
Resolution or ending
where the children were attacked.
Atticus agree that he should not be put on trial. Boo would be upset by
all the attention from the townspeople.
replies that she does, because to put Boo on trial would be “sort of like
shootin’ a mockingbird”.
4.4 Themes
This section provides a summary of the themes in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Good and evil

The theme good and evil is shown by contrasting characters in the novel:
good usually comes out on top.
always come out on top. At the end of the trial, evil wins.
good comes out on top.
Yes, it begins with

Scout telling us that Jem And at the end of the
has broken his arm. She
then takes us back about how Jem’s accident
two years and begins her happened, so the story has
story of the events that come full circle – it has
led up to this. ended where it began!
The timeline for
this story is like a
circle.

The mockingbird Innocence and loss of innocence

symbolises
The word “innocent” can have two meanings:
the theme of
innocence.
innocent of the crime.
know about the bad things in life. At the end of the novel Scout, Jem and
Dill are much less innocent than they were at the beginning. They have
lost their innocence.
Racism
group determine their abilities and that some race groups are naturally
superior to others. In the novel the theme of racism is connected to the
theme of good and evil.
for white people. Throughout the novel, Scout explores the differences
between black and white residents. She enjoys going to church with
Calpurnia and wants to visit Calpurnia’s home. The visit does not take
place, mainly because Aunt Alexandra disapproves.
Social inequality
Scout believes “folks are just folks” (that is, everyone is equal); while Jem
thinks people are considered to be of a higher or lower class according
to how long their relatives and ancestors have been able to write.
own land (at Finch’s Landing) and they have professional jobs (Atticus is
a lawyer and his brother, Jack, is a doctor).
Atticus calls them “trash” because of the way they live and the way Bob
Ewell treats his own children and other people.
higher on the social scale than honest, hardworking members of the
Courage and bravery

Bravery is shown in different ways:
kills the rabid dog and when he faces the mob of men outside the jail.
disapprove of his doing so.
her or her family. Atticus thinks that non-violence is the highest form of
bravery.

Overview
in the courtroom to protect himself. Later he attacks the children to get

his revenge on Atticus.
Education
knows that it is important for the children to be with other children and
to be part of the system. However, he continues to teach them at home
– especially about the importance of non-racism and non-violence.
The law
be treated equally in a court of law and that progress towards racial

equality and social justice can be made through the courts.
that sometimes it needs to be ignored. For example, if the sheriff did not
allow Bob Ewell to continue to hunt for small animals during the months of
the year in which the law stated that hunting was not permitted, his family
forced to experience such public attention. Also, Heck Tate feels justice
Empathy
they behave in certain ways.
people’s shoes” in order to understand how other people see the world.
Revenge
than solving the problem.
because he wants to hurt Atticus for shaming him in court.
Love and caring

for example, between Atticus and his children and in the way Jem protects
Scout.
other.

4.5 Symbols
The mockingbird: See 3. Title in this section of the study guide for more
information on the symbolism of the mockingbird.
5. Style
This section explains some of the features of the way of writing used in the
novel.
5.1 The narrator

The narrator in To Kill a Mockingbird is Scout. This is why the novel is
written in , using the pronoun “I”.
Scout’s eyes. In some parts of the novel Scout’s point of view is childlike
and innocent, but at other times she seems like a wise adult.
– rich or poor, black or white. She is much more accepting of people

than most of the adults in the town. As narrator, Scout reveals the main
which people are judgemental about each other for the wrong reasons.
5.2 Diction and figurative language

Harper Lee uses the local phrases and sayings that would have been used
in Alabama in the 1930s to help the readers feel as if they are in a small,
southern American town. For example:
died:
“ ‘Did you hear about? ... No? Well, they say he was runnin’ fit to
beat lightnin’...’ ” (Chapter 25)
means that he was running away
“It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin
anyway and you see it through no matter what.” (Chapter 11)
You’re licked means you are defeated, but not necessarily in a physical
Harper Lee uses a lot of imagery and throughout the

book. For example:
Simile: like a hand into
a glove ...” (Chapter 13)
Like a hand into a glove means that she found that the people in
hand does in a glove.

Overview
Metaphor: “‘It do,’ another deep voice said. Its owner was a shadow.”
(Chapter 15)
Its owner was a shadow suggests that it was so dark that Scout could
not see the person clearly, he just looked like a dark shadow.
of this guide (To Kill a Mockingbird – chapter by chapter).
5.3 Dialogue
Harper lee uses language in the dialogue that suggests how people from
Alabama in the 1930s would really speak. For example:
than
won’t tell on me now, will you? It’d ruin my reputation if
you did.” - will not; It would
it’ll quieten you.” - it will
hadn’t lost your head I’d have made you go read to
her.” - had not; I would
These are examples
of contractions, which
is a shortened word. An
speak: apostrophe (’) replaces
some of the letters.
ain’t no need to fear a cootie, ma’am.” - is no; madam.
5.4 Tone and mood

from young Scout’s eyes, the tone is often fun, amusing, childish and
innocent.
excited, angry,
shocked and sad. This is sometimes expressed through dialogue, like
in this example when Calpurnia is angry with Scout for being rude to
Walter Cunningham: “Hush your mouth. Don’t matter who they are ...
don’t you let me catch you remarking on their ways like you was so high
and mighty! …”
Mood is the feeling a reader has when reading the novel, such as
happiness, sadness, anger or indifference. How did To Kill a Mockingbird
make you feel?

Chapter by chapter To Kill a
Mockingbird
Introduction
This part of the study guide is divided into sections. Each section covers a
group of chapters.
This section of the study guide contains:
characters in the chapter
the chapter
to these activities.
A mockingbird

Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mocking Bird N OVEL 17
Chapter summaries
The table below gives a brief summary of what happens in each chapter in
the novel, with a timeline so you can see what happens when.
revising particular parts of the story.
Chapter Year and time What happens

of year
Part One
Chapters 1 to 3 The Finch family, Maycomb, and Boo Radley
1 1933 To start the story Scout refers to something that happens to Jem at the end of
Early summer the story. She describes the Finch family (past and present generations) and
2 September
teacher) because she can already read. There are middle-class town children
and poor children from the farms (such as Walter Cunningham) in her class.
3 September
especially the Ewells.
Test yourself: Chapters 1, 2 and 3
Chapters 4 to 8 Scout, Jem and Dill are curious about Boo Radley
4 1934
Late spring/
early summer
5 Late spring/ Atticus Finch catches Jem, Scout and Dill trying to give a note to Boo.
early summer
6 Late summer Jem, Dill and Scout spy on Boo at night. Jem loses his trousers when he tries
to get away through a fence.
7
8 Winter
Scout a blanket to keep her warm.

Test yourself: Chapters 4–8
Chapters 9 to 11 More about Atticus. Atticus agrees to defend Tom Robinson in court
9 1934
Christmas
celebrates Christmas at Finch’s Landing, cousin Francis insults Atticus. Scout
10 1935 Atticus shoots a mad dog (the dog has a disease called rabies).
February
11 Spring
soon afterwards she dies.


Chapter by chapter

of year
Part Two
Chapters 12 to 15 Background information for understanding Tom Robinson’s trial
12 1935 Jem and Scout go to Calpurnia’s church. Aunt Alexandra arrives to ‘look after’
Spring the children.
13 Summer
town’s history. Jem and Scout are not pleased about the way Aunt Alexandra
expects them to behave.
14 Summer
15 Summer
Cunningham and the mob leaves.

Chapters 16 to 21 The trial of Tom Robinson
16 1935 In the court house the trial begins. Scout and Jem watch from the balcony with
Summer the black community.
17 Summer Sheriff Heck Tate and Bob Ewell give their evidence.
18 Summer
19 Summer
20 Summer
sums up the case for the defence. Jem thinks Tom will be set free. Calpurnia
comes to the court house in search of the children.
21 Summer Calpurnia takes the children home for supper but they are allowed to return to

Chapters 22 to 25 Consequences of the verdict in Tom Robinson’s trial
22 1935
Summer gifts of food to Atticus to thank him for doing his best to defend Tom. Bob Ewell
threatens to harm Atticus because Atticus made him look bad during the court
case.


of year
23 Summer Atticus seems unconcerned about Bob Ewell’s threats. Scout and Jem discuss
24 August The missionary circle meets in the Finch home and Scout has to wear a dress
and talk to the women at the meeting. The town hears the news of Tom’s
death. He was shot while he was trying to escape over the wall of the prison.
25 August
cause of Tom’s death

Chapters 26 to 28 Scout’s new teacher. A break-in at Judge Taylor’s house. Scout and Jem are attacked.
26 1935
September
dictatorship and America is a democracy where people are not persecuted.
27 Bob Ewell tries to get his revenge on Judge Taylor (who was the judge in Tom’s
pageant.
28 Scout takes part in the Halloween pageant. She wears a costume that makes
her look like a ham. When she and Jem are walking home afterwards they are
attacked. “Someone” saves them, although Jem is injured. Bob Ewell’s body is
later found at the scene of the attack.
Chapters 29 to 31 Boo Radley saves Scout and Jem. Scout learns to think about other people’s situations.
29 1935
Scout. Jem and Scout learn that Boo saved them.
30 Atticus thinks that Jem stabbed Bob Ewell. Sheriff Tate claims that Bob fell on
his own knife.
31 Scout takes Boo home and looks at the town from Boo’s point of view.

Chapters 1-3 To Kill a
Mockingbird
The Finch family

Maycomb
Boo Radley

Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mockingbird N OVEL 21
1. Structure and plot development

Exposition
The main characters and setting for the novel are introduced:
Atticus and Calpurnia
surrounding it
Rising action
The children’s description of these things builds up the excitement in the

story.
2. Themes
Education:
read and write. (Chapter 2)
Walter comes home for lunch. (Chapter 3)
Empathy
understand another person “until you climb into his skin and walk
around in it”. (Chapter 3)
Love and caring
other to survive. For example, Atticus did not charge money for the help
pay him. (Chapter 2)

Chapters 1-3
3. Tone
setting of the novel. The tone is sad and critical
street turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the court-house
sagged in the square.”(Chapter 1)
4. Chapter by chapter
4.1 What happens in Chapter 1
and who is involved?
who can make up her own mind.
- Scout believes it was the fault of the Ewells.

- Jem disagrees – he says it started when they met Dill.
house.
Landing. Simon became a wealthy landowner and, against the teachings

of his faith, bought several slaves.
is looked after by Calpurnia, a very capable black woman. She is strict

with the children and Scout feels she is stricter with her than she is with
Jem. Atticus always takes Calpurnia’s side.
there but never leaves the house.
mission is to “make him come out”.

The mystery of Boo
home and not let him leave the house.
scissors.
- “When people’s azaleas [flowers] froze in a cold snap, it was because

he had breathed on them.” (Chapter 1)
- “he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why
his hands were blood-stained – if you ate an animal raw, you could
never wash the blood off.” (Chapter 1)
walk past it at night but would cross the road.
Activity 1
When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them,

we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain
that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior,
said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came
1 a) In what way does this extract manage to interest the reader in the
rest of the events in the novel? (3)
strong-willed. (1)
c) When you read the words, “the Ewells started it all”, what is your
for your answer. (2)

2. What is Finch’s Landing? (1)
3.
only a short time.’ (2)

4. In your own words, describe Calpurnia, the woman who has looked
after Scout and Jem since their mother died. (2)
5.
a) Explain why Boo’s father shut Boo up in the house when he was a
teenager. (3)

Chapters 1-3
When Jem does this, what do the children notice? (1)

6.
your answer:
all the children in her class. (2)

[17]
Answers to Activity 1
1 (a) The extract interests the reader in the rest of the novel by
hinting that the Ewells might have caused Jem to break his
more about him. Like the children, the reader would like to
know what this terrifying person called “Boo” looks like. (3)
(b) “maintained” (1)
(c) I would expect them to be bad/dangerous people
because whatever they had done had led to Jem breaking his
arm. (2)
2. Finch’s Landing is the name of the place where the ancestors
of Atticus Finch settled when they came to America from
England. (1)
3. False. The novel states that Atticus was “born and bred in
(2)
4. Calpurnia is strict with the children and expects them to
behave well. She works hard for the family and looks after
them very well. (2)
5 a) When Boo was a teenager he and some other boys took a
car for a ride around the town and when the beadle tried to
arrest them the boys locked him up. When they appeared
in court the judge decided they should be sent to a state
family. He promised the judge he would see to it that Boo

caused no further trouble. He did this by making sure that his
son never left the house. (3)
b) The children notice that a shutter on one of the windows
that Boo had seen them. (1)

6.
(for example Walter Cunningham) are too poor to have money
for lunch.
example, Burris Ewell) do not come to school regularly

because they are too poor or because their families do not
care whether they attend or not.
(2)
[17]


he did not. Scout does not know how she learnt to read. She can’t
remember a time when she couldn’t read.
school. They are very poor and cannot afford proper meals.
they are – just like the rest of the townspeople. However they are better
off than the farmers, who are hardest hit by the Depression.
who treats people, even if they cannot pay him.
Activity 2
Test yourself by answering the questions below.
1.
answer. (2)
2. How had Scout learned to read and write? (2)
3.
answer.
4.
punishment of Scout for having learned to read and write at home.(2)
[8]

Chapters 1-3
1.
teacher is angry with her for being able to read and
write. The teacher also punishes Scout for telling the
class that the Cunninghams are poor but honest. (2)
2. She learned to write when Calpurnia made her copy
extracts from the Bible. Atticus read the newspaper
aloud to her while she sat on his lap. (2)
3. False. The Depression made people poorer so they not
afford to pay for services in cash. People like lawyers
and doctors had to wait before they could be paid. (2)
4. The theme introduced is education.
between the school’s attitude to education and education
at home. (2)
[8]

during break.
to lunch.
Walter does not go to school regularly because he has to help on the

farm.
when she innocently comments on Walter’s eating habits when he

pours molasses (syrup) over his meat and vegetables.
Calpurnia’s side. He explains to Scout that Calpurnia is not being

meaner to her than she is to Jem. He says that Calpurnia is a fair and
good person who looks after the family well.
The children are quite used to it. We get a hint of the kind of people the
he also swears at the teacher and waits “until he was sure she was
crying” before he leaves the classroom
different types of people. He says that you cannot really understand

another person “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”.
between them is that the Cunninghams all work hard and the Ewells do
nothing to improve their situation.

Activity 3
1.
2. Explain why Calpurnia ordered Scout into the kitchen during lunch.(1)
3. Why do you think Atticus agreed with Calpurnia that Scout behaved
badly? (1)
4. Explain what you think Atticus means in the quotation below.
you consider things from his point of view – … – until you climb
into his skin and walk around in it.”
(2)
5. How, according to Atticus, do the Ewells get away with breaking the
law? (1)
6. How does Atticus persuade Scout to go back to school when she
really does not want to? (1)
[9]
1. Scout knows how to read and write. She is frightened by
the “cootie” (louse) the falls out of Burris Ewell’s hair.
Burris yells at her when he leaves the classroom. (3)
2. Calpurnia ordered Scout into the kitchen to stop her from
saying anything more to embarrass Walter. (1)
3. Atticus agreed with Calpurnia that Scout behaved badly
because he believes everybody should be treated with
respect. (1)
4. Atticus means that, to understand another person, you have
to know what their life is like and see their point of view.
you begin to understand them. (2)

5. People know that nothing will make the Ewells change so
they try to ignore the things they do, like not going to school
or hunting out of season. (1)
6. Atticus suggests a compromise. She will go to school and he
will allow her to read with him at home every night. (1)
[9]

Chapters 1-3
words to know
ambled (verb; past walked at a slow, leisurely pace

tense):
apothecary (noun): an early type of pharmacist (person who prepares medicines at a chemist’s
shop or pharmacy)
apparel (noun): clothing
assuaged (verb, past made less or made calmer. Therefore, if Jem’s fears about being able to play
tense): football were assuaged, it means that he no longer feared that he wouldn’t
be able to play the sport.
azaleas:
beadle (noun):
around preserving order at functions such as trials and town hall meetings
brethren (noun): in this case, members of a particular church or sect
corsets (noun): a corset is an undergarment designed to produce a particular effect on
woman, a larger bust and hips.

courteous detachment polite lack of emotion This suggests that Atticus respected his children but
(adjective + noun): did not behave in an emotional way with them.
dictum (noun): in this case, a formal statement of principle
domiciled (verb, past A domicile is a house or a place where a person lives. If you are domiciled
tense): somewhere, that is where you live. The Finch family lived in the northern part
of the county (district).
eaves (noun): the lower edges of a roof which stick out beyond the walls
foray (noun): When you make a foray, you go somewhere or do something that is unusual
or not normal for you. It was certainly not Jem’s usual behaviour to go near
hollering (verb): shouting

human chattels a chattel is a moveable possession; Human chattels are people who are
(noun): owned by the person who bought them; they are slaves
impotent (adjective): powerless; Simon’s fury and anger regarding the Civil War was impotent
because there was nothing he could have done about it.
imprudent (adjective): unwise
malevolent (adjective): evil; wanting to cause harm
meditatively (adverb): thinking seriously
Methodists (noun): members of a Protestant Christian denomination which believes in living and
worshipping in ways that are not extravagant (i.e. not expensive or grand)
mild concession giving in, in a small way, to what someone else wants
(adjective + noun):
nebulous (adjective): unclear, indistinct, vague
phantom (noun): ghost
picket (noun):
picket fence.
piety (noun): devotion to religious duties and practices

words to know
predilection (noun): a predilection is a preference, or a preferred way of doing something; The
doors closed and not receive visitors.

punt (verb): kick a ball (particularly an American football or a rugby ball)
puny (adjective): undersized, small or weak
ramrod (adjective): rigid, severe, straight
read law (verb + noun):
which means being permitted to practice as a lawyer
repertoire was vapid: a repertoire is all the special skills a person has; vapid, in this case, means
(noun + adjective): boring or uninteresting. When Scout says that their repertoire was vapid, she
means that the games they had made up had become uninteresting over
time.
scold (noun):
people or things or criticises
seldom (adverb): not often
self-conscious worried about what other people think about you
(adjective):
shingles (noun): a kind of roof tile
sneered (verb, past looked at or spoke in an unkind way
tense):
spittoon (noun): a container to spit into; usually used to spit tobacco juice into.
strictures (noun): conditions or rules
stinginess (noun): meanness
taciturn (adjective): speaking very little. Apparently, Aunt Alexandra’s husband was a very quiet
man.
tyrannical (adjective): the cruel behaviour of a tyrant (although Calpurnia was not cruel: she just
expected the children to behave well)
unsullied (adjective): untouched, unused, in perfect condition. The fact that Atticus’s edition of the
Code of Alabama is unsullied suggests that he seldom consults this book.
veranda (noun):
wilted (verb, past
tense):

Chapters 1-3
Other useful information for Chapter 1
Andrew Jackson:
(1829-1837)
Battle of Hastings:
ruled England.
collard patch: piece of ground in which a green vegetable like a cabbage is grown
Cornwall: a region in the southwest corner of England
disturbance between This is a reference to the American Civil War (1861-1865) fought between
the North and the the northern states where most people wished slavery to be abolished and
South: the southern states where most people wished slavery to continue.
Dracula
Hoover carts: car bodies that were pulled by horses or mules

Jamaica: an island country in the West Indies, south of Cuba.
John Wesley
(1702-1791):
Meridian, Mississippi:
Merlin:
Mobile: a city in southwest Alabama.

no money to buy it
with:
nothing to fear but
fear itself: speech he made when he became president.
Pensacola: a city in the state of Florida.
Philadelphia: a city in the state of Pennsylvania.
run the Creeks up the The Creeks were native American people who lived in the area that became
creek:
soldiers had chased the Creek people away from their lands, making it easy
for Simon Finch to settle in their territory.
stumphole whiskey: illegally made and sold whiskey that would be hidden in holes in tree stumps
trot lines:
Tuscaloosa: a city in the state of Alabama.

words to know
auburn (adjective): reddish-brown in colour

catawba worms
(noun): United States.
condescended (verb, To condescend is to agree to do something even though you think you are too
past tense): important or in too high a position to do it. Jem condescends to take Scout
sister.
covey (noun): a group
crimson (adjective): deep-red in colour
cunning (adjective): Usually this word means clever, especially in a dishonest or unfair way but in
this case, cunning means cute - perhaps too cute
entailment (noun):
further explanation.
grudge (noun): an unfriendly feeling towards someone because of what they did in the past
hog (noun): pig (American English)
hookworms (noun): a type of parasite; Hookworms usually enter the body through bare feet and
move through the body to the small intestines where they attach themselves
with a series of hooks around their mouths.
immune (adjective): In this case, to be immune to something means that it has no effect on you.
understand it.
indigenous (adjective): belonging to / originating in a particular region or country
recess (noun): break between classes (e.g. lunch break)
scrip stamps (noun): paper money of small denominations (less than US $1.00) issued for
gave out scrip stamps, or sometimes tokens, to needy people.

seceded (verb, past To secede is to break away. During the American Civil War, Alabama was one
tense): of the states that broke away, or seceded from the United States of America.
sentimentality (noun): a show of feelings that is stronger than it should be
smilax (noun): a bright green plant, often used for decorating houses
sojourn (noun): a visit
subsequent Something that is subsequent will follow closely after something else.
(adjective + noun):
teacher from losing self-respect or feeling shameful later on.
uninitiated (adjective): not aware of or not understanding something new
vexations (noun): To vex is to annoy, so a vexation is something that causes annoyance or
problems.
wallowing illicitly In this case, to wallow is to greatly enjoy something. Illicit, used like this,
(verb, continuous tense
+ adverb): Scout feels that, by reading, she has been happily doing something which
she should not have been doing.

Chapters 1-3
Dewey Decimal
System: to what Jem tells Scout, this Dewey has nothing to do with John Dewey, a
famous American educator.
diaries of Lorenzo
Dow: throughout the country, including the state of Alabama.
a quarter: a coin worth 25 cents
the crash:
The Mobile Register: the name of a newspaper. Scout is able to read the information in it about
the stock market
union suit:
Union:

words to know
amiable (adjective): friendly

compromise (noun): an agreement where each person agrees to give up something
contemptuous To be contemptuous is to have the feeling that someone or something is
(adjective): beneath you; that it or they are worthless. The Ewell boy seems to feel this
contentious
(adjective.):
cootie (noun): a slang term for a head louse. A louse (plural: lice) is a bloodsucking parasite.
crackling bread (noun): a type of mealie bread mixed with cracklings (bits of fried pork skin)
diminutive (adjective): very small
disapprobation (noun): disapproval
discernible (adjective): noticeable or understandable
dispensation (noun): a release from an obligation or promise.
dose (of) Magnesia
(noun + noun):
eddy (noun): a current of water that moves against the main current; a whirlpool
erratic (adjective): irregular; Calpurnia usually uses good grammar, but when she is angry, her
grammar is irregular (i.e. sometimes correct and sometimes incorrect).
(adjective):
fractious (adjective): mean or cross
gravely (adverb): seriously
haint (noun): a ghost or spook; someone or something very scary
irked (verb): to be irked is to be annoyed. Scout is annoyed when Jem tells Walter that she
kerosene (noun):
lye soap (noun): Lye is a very strong alkaline substance used for cleaning. Lye soap is very
strong, harsh soap that contains lye.
monosyllabic
(adjective): pronounced with a single, uninterrupted sound. The name ‘Atticus’, for
example, is made up of three syllables: at + ti + cus. Thus, monosyllabic
literally means ‘one sound’. Scout’s monosyllabic replies to Atticus’s
sound words like ‘yes’ and ‘no’.

mutual concessions A concession is an agreement; something that is mutual is done by two or
(adjective + noun): more people. Thus, a mutual concession occurs when two or more people
agree on something.
onslaught (noun): a violent attack
pecans (noun): a pecan is a type of nut that is good to eat
persevere (verb):
phenomenal very unusual
(adjective):
tranquillity (noun): peacefulness; calmness
what the sam hill: an American slang expression meaning what the devil or what the hell

Mockingbird
Scout, Jem and Dill are curious

about Boo Radley


Rising action
The children become more and more daring in their efforts to get Boo to
come out of his house. They put themselves in danger when they try to
peep into the window at night.
2. Themes
Education
Love and caring
about her safety.
3. Tone
There is a sense of excitement among the children as they plan ways to

Chapters 4-8
4. What happens in Chapters 4 to 8

curious children. Although some of the things they do may seem hurtful,
that is not their intention.
is kind and thoughtful.
sticking out of a knothole in the trunk of one of the oak trees outside the
4)
knowing where it came from. (Chapter 4)
4)
(Chapter 6)
her potted plants. (Chapter 8)

Activity 4
1.
2. Atticus is very cross with the children for doing two things which have
3.
do the children decide to do? (1)
4. What happens to Jem’s pants (trousers) that night? (2)
5.
6.
your answer:
7. What do Jem and Scout do with some of the snow? (1)

8.
snowfall? (1)
9. What kind thing does ‘someone’ do for Scout on that night? (1)
[16]
1.
two old pennies, a medal (for success in a spelling
competition), an old pocket watch and wood carvings of
a boy and a girl that look like Jem and Scout. (5)
2. Jem, Scout and Dill act out plays in which they pretend to
They also write a note
to Boo asking him to come out. They try to push the note
through the letterbox of his house. (2)
3.
look through the windows to see if they can see Boo. (1)
4. Jem’s pants get caught on a wire fence and he leaves them
Later,
mended and folded neatly on the fence. (2)

5. (1)
6.
The children had never seen snow before. (2)
7. (1)
8. (1)
9. Someone puts a blanket round Scout’s shoulders while she
(1)
[16]

Chapters 4-8
words to know
arbitrated (verb, past made a ruling

tense):
auspicious (adjective): favourable; suggesting success in the future
hollered (verb, past shouted
tense):
melancholy (adjective): sad and gloomy
quelling (of) nausea:
(verb, continuous tense you get when your stomach is upset and you feel as if you’re about to vomit.
+ noun): Scout is trying to quell her nausea, or make her stomach settle down.
scuppernongs (noun):
suffocating (adjective):
transparent able to be seen through. Scout means that it is easy to work out what Jem is
(adjective): thinking.
unanimous (adjective): when everyone is in agreement
Indian-heads: Before the head of American president Abraham Lincoln was placed on a
US one cent coin (a penny) pennies had the head of a native American (an
American Indian) on them.
One Man’s Family: a radio serial (like a soap opera) which began in 1932 and proved to be
enormously popular for almost 30 years. By acting out their version of the

words to know
asinine (adjective): stupid; silly

benevolence (noun): generous behaviour
benign (adjective): kind and gentle
bridgework (noun): Unlike dentures (false teeth), which replace the upper or lower sets of teeth,
bridgework is made up of sections of replacement teeth that can be inserted
and removed from one’s mouth.
chameleon (adjective): In nature, chameleons are small lizards that have the unusual ability to
change the colour of their skin in order to blend into their surroundings. By
appearance was as changeable as one of these lizards: when she worked

in her garden she wore an old hat and men’s overalls but in the evening she
dressed up.
cordiality (noun): sincere affection and kindness
(noun): education; instruction
gaped (verb, past To gape at someone is to stare at that person with your mouth open.
tense):
inquisitive (adjective): curious; questioning; interested in everything
mimosa (noun):
morbid (adjective): having a strong interest in unpleasant subjects, especially death; gruesome
nagging (noun): the action of asking, over and over again in an annoying way, that someone
should do something
placidly (adverb): calmly; quietly
Protestant (adjective):
Catholic church. Protestant churches mentioned in the novel include the
pulpit Gospel A pulpit is the raised platform or lectern from which a preacher speaks in
(adjective + noun):
heard about the teachings of Christ from the pulpit (preacher) in her own
church has been shaken a bit.
quibbling (verb, a way of arguing in which the speaker brings up small and unimportant
continuous tense): details
tacit (adjective): a word used to describe an agreement, or, in this case, a ‘treaty’ that has
been made without anything being said. The children know that they can play
that it was all right to do so.

tormenting (verb, being deliberately cruel to someone
continuous tense):

Chapters 4-8
Old Testament Pestilence refers to a condition or disease that causes great damage or
pestilence:
plague of locusts.
Second Battle of the a battle in World War I (1914-1918).
Marne:
words to know
collards (noun):
through a patch of collards.
commotion (noun): sudden noise or activity
dismemberment To dismember someone is to tear or cut that person’s limbs (arms and legs)
(noun): off. Although it is unlikely that anyone would have actually pulled off Dill’s
poker.
eerily (adverb): strangely; mysteriously
ensuing (adjective): Something that ensues is something that comes immediately after
something else.
Franklin stove (noun): a cast iron heating stove, invented by Benjamin Franklin
hovering (verb, staying in one place in the air
continuous tense):
kudzu (noun): a quick-growing vine with large leaves, often found in the southern United
States
lattice-work a structure of crossed strips or bars, as in a screen; Light that passes
(adjective): through any kind of a lattice -work would produce lattice-work shadows.
malignant (adjective): very bad; dangerous; evil
prowess (noun): great ability or skill
ramshackle (adjective): loose or rickety; about to fall apart
respiration (noun): breathing
rigid (adjective): very stiff
waning (adjective): becoming less bright, intense, or strong; The moonlight is waning because
it’s getting closer to morning, and the moon is changing its position in the
sky.

words to know
cleaved (verb, past stuck to

tense):
gnats (noun):
hoodooing (noun): actions that cause bad luck; performing a kind of witchcraft
meditative (adjective):
the patch on the tree a meditative pat, he touches it in a thoughtful way.
miniatures (noun): very small copies of something bigger
palate (noun): the roof of one’s mouth
perpetual embalming Something that is perpetual lasts forever. Embalming is the process of
(adjective + noun): preserving a dead body. The Egyptians invented a type of paper (not toilet
paper), as well as embalming which, by its very nature, is perpetual and that
is why Atticus said that Jem did not need to use the word ‘perpetual’.
rendered (her) made her unable to speak
speechless: (verb, past
tense + noun):
vigil (noun): a period of time during which a person or group of people stay(s) quietly for a
whittles (verb, present To whittle is to use a knife to cut away thin shavings of wood, sometimes to
tense): make an object.
Egyptians walked that Jem’s idea about how Egyptians would have walked is probably based on
way: pictures of Egyptian art in which people’s arms and legs were painted facing
sideways.

Chapters 4-8
words to know
aberrations (noun): An aberration is something that is completely different from what usually
and is thus an aberration.

cannas (noun):
caricatures (noun): drawings or descriptions of a person that change some of their features to
make them look silly or strange
cordial (adjective): warm and friendly
(noun):
meteorological anything to do with meteorology or weather
(adjective):
morphodite (noun):
hermaphrodite. Technically, a hermaphrodite is an animal or plant that
snowman is not really a hermaphrodite, but it does have both male and
female characteristics.
near libel (adjective + When you commit libel, you harm someone’s reputation. Atticus tells the
noun): children that they have committed a near libel. Their snowman is almost
libellous because it so closely represents one of their neighbours and could
harm that neighbour’s reputation.
perpetrated (verb, past carried out; committed
tense):
plaited (verb, past braided
tense):
procured (verb, past got; obtained
tense):
prophets (noun): Prophets are people who are able to predict the future.
quelled (verb, past
tense):
roomers (noun): people who rent and live in rooms in a house; boarders or tenants
switches (noun): slender twigs or branches
taffeta (noun): a shiny, stiff fabric sometimes used for women’s dresses, especially formal
wear
torso (noun): the main part of a body, excluding the head, legs and arms
touchous (adjective): touchy; very sensitive
treble (adjective): high sound or note

Appomattox:
Court House, ending the American Civil War.

Bellingraths:
opened their large, beautiful gardens to the public.
Lane cake: a rich white cake.
Rosetta Stone: This was discovered in Egypt in 1799. It is a large piece of rock on which
there is writing in three languages which gave historians many clues to
the meaning of Egyptian hieroglyphs (picture writing). The writing gives
information about a law passed in 196 BC.

Mockingbird
More about Atticus

Atticus agrees to defend Tom Robinson
in court

Rising action
A very important new part of the story is introduced in these chapters. Tom
a young white woman. Atticus has agreed to defend Tom in court. This
the nasty things people are saying about Atticus.
2. Themes
Racism
cousin Francis when he calls Atticus “a nigger lover”. (Chapter 9)

vocab
Courage Rabid:
rabid dog and expertly shoots it. (Chapter
10)
which makes her sleepy and unable to think clearly. (Chapter 11)
3. Tone
The tone is angry and threatening. There is a lot of anger in these chapters
and also the threat of violence. It begins when Scout wants to attack Cecil
Jacobs for insulting Atticus, and goes on to when she does attack Francis.
When Atticus has to shoot the rabid dog there is both tension and fear,
and also relief, once the dog is dead.

Chapters 9 to 11 give readers a lot of information about Atticus: about his
belief in justice, about how he brings up his children, about how he relates
to people in the town, and about his bravery.
Francis is a mean
little boy. He is rude
about Atticus, and 4.1 What happens in Chapter 9
he uses a horrible
metaphor, describing
Dill as a “stray dog”.
“niggers” (an insulting name for black Americans).
really approve of guns.
and Scout go to Finch’s Landing for Christmas with Aunt Alexandra and
lover”.

he does not like playing football.
to shoot at tin cans than at birds but if they do shoot at birds they must
what Atticus means.
In the novel the and that they provide pleasure with their songs. She says:
mockingbird is
a symbol for
goodness, purity us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs,
and innocence.
they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us, that is why it is
sin to kill a mocking bird. (Chapter 10)
For example, they learn that he is a good lawyer and plays checkers (a
board game) well.
rabid dog with one shot. This impresses Scout and she wants to boast
about it to other children, but Jem tells her not to talk about it. He
understands that it is a skill that Atticus does not consider important as
he has never told them about it.

Chapters 9-11

Atticus for defending “a nigger”. Jem gets so angry that he knocks the
afternoons and on Saturdays for a month. Jem does not want to do this
but Atticus insists because it is part of his punishment for destroying
month she tells the children that they have spent enough time with her.
A month later she dies.
a drug that helped with the pain she suffered. She had decided to stop
taking it so that she could think clearly for the last months of her life.
Having the children with her in the afternoons helped her to cope. Atticus
explains to Jem and Scout that it was very brave of her to stop taking the
drug.
way of saying that she has forgiven Jem.

Activity 5
[Atticus talks to Jem about Mrs Dubose.]
Jem opened the box. Inside, surrounded by wads of damp cotton,
Jem’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Old hell-devil, old hell-
devil!” he screamed, flinging it down. “Why can’t she leave me alone?”
5
know, she was a great lady.”
things she said about you, a lady?” 10
mine, maybe ... son, I told you that if you hadn’t lost your head I’d
have made you go read to her. I wanted you to see something about
her – I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting
the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you 15
know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you
bravest person I ever knew.” 20
the camellia, and when I went off to bed I saw him fingering the wide
(Chapter 11)
1.
lead up to this. (4)
2.
3.
Explain how Atticus shows in the novel as a whole that he lives by
these words. (3)
4. What does the extract convey about Atticus as a parent? (3)
5.
[15]

Chapters 9-11 3
1
father representing a black man in court. Jem loses his
As
given to Jem. It is her way of telling Jem that all is forgiven. (4)
2.
even though she is very ill/in great pain. (2)
3. Atticus accepts the challenge to defend a black man against
a white man in a racially divided society. He knows the
the case and defends Tom to the best of his ability, despite
(3)
4. Atticus is a disciplinarian, but he is fair. He wants his
children to recognise other people’s views, even though
they might not agree with them. He teaches his children
the values of fairness and courage so that they will learn to
forgive those who wrong them. (3)
5.
morphine, she is a horrible woman. She is a racist and
takes out her anger towards Atticus on the children and that
is unacceptable.
unacceptable, I admire her courage. She could have

taken the easy way out and remained addicted to morphine.
Through sheer strength of will she overcomes her
addiction. (3)
[15]

words to know
ambrosia (noun): a dessert made up of a mixture of fruits, nuts, and coconut

analogous (adjective): similar to; comparable to
attire (noun): clothing
bawled (verb, past cried out noisily
tense):
bluff (noun):
catwalk (noun): a narrow, raised walkway or ramp – often what fashion models walk on to
show off clothes
changelings (noun): a changeling is a child believed to have been put, secretly, in the place of
another
compensation (noun): To compensate means to do something that makes up for something else.
Aunt Alexandra’s good cooking skills, in some ways, make up for the fact that,
for Scout, spending the holidays with her and Francis is not a lot of fun.
constituted (verb, past made up or consisted of
tense ):
crooned (verb, past To croon is to sing in a low, gentle tone.
tense):
deportment (noun): way of walking or, more generally, of behaving
dim (adjective): unclear; not strong
donned (verb, past put on
tense):
doused (verb, past to douse someone is to pour liquid, in this case water, all over that person.
tense):
evasion (noun): avoidance; to evade is to avoid doing or answering something directly. Uncle
Jack’s evasion occurs when he doesn’t directly answer Scout’s question.
fanatical (adjective): A fanatic is a person whose extreme enthusiasm, interest, zeal, etc. goes
beyond what is reasonable. Aunt Alexandra is fanatical about Scout’s clothes
because, according to Scout, her aunt’s interest in this subject goes beyond
what is reasonable.
gallantly (adverb): kindly and politely (usually used to describe the behaviour of a man to a
woman)
gastric (adjective): of, in, or near the stomach. A stomach ache would be a gastric complaint.
gravitated (verb, past
tense):
yourself being pulled in the direction of that object or person.
guilelessness (noun):
have none of that craftiness. Here, Lee is being ironic since it is obvious
that Simon Finch didn’t trust his daughters at all, and planned his house
accordingly.
harboured (verb, past held in the mind
tense):
hookah (noun):
impaired (adjective): damaged; weakened

Chapters 9-11 3
words to know
indecision (noun): being undecided what to do; Scout’s indecision revolves around whether she
should obey Uncle Jack or run away from him.
indicative (adjective): showing that something is the case about someone or something The
manner in which Simon Finch arranged his house showed something about
him.
ingenuous (adjective): simple; innocent
innate (adjective): something one is born with
inordinately (adverb): excessively; too greatly
invective (noun): Invectives are abusive terms such as curses, insults, or swear words
isolate (verb, present set apart from others
tense):
jar (verb): shake up in an unpleasant way; disturb
jetty (noun): a type of wall built out into water to protect a coastline or restrain currents of
water
mishaps (noun): unlucky or unfortunate accidents
mortify (verb, present embarrass very greatly
tense):
nocturnal (adjective): happening at night
obsess (verb, present to think about something all the time
tense):
obstreperous noisy and unruly
(adjective):
pantry (noun): a small room off a kitchen where foodstuffs and cooking ingredients are
stored
porter (noun): a person who carries luggage, etc., in this case, at a railway station
provocation (noun): To provoke is to excite some sort of feeling; often anger or irritation. Uncle
Jack tells Scout that, as far as cuss words are concerned, he doesn’t see the
use for them unless they are used when one is very angry or provoked to use
them.
ringworm (noun): a contagious (meaning one person can ‘catch’ it from another) skin disease
caused by a fungus
siblings (noun): brothers and/or sisters
still (noun): an apparatus for making alcoholic liquors. The sort of still to which Scout
refers would be an illegal one.
subdued (verb, past Someone who has been subdued has been soothed or softened or
tense): quietened.
tarried (verb, past delayed; waited longer than a person should have
tense):
tentatively (adverb): uncertainly; Francis asks Scout his question tentatively because he is unsure
of what her reaction will be and he is afraid to face her.
tongs (noun): a device used to grab or lift objects. Tongs generally have two long arms that
are hinged together

words to know
trousseau (noun): all the new clothes a bride brings to her marriage
uncompromising Lineaments are distinctive features or characteristics. Uncompromising,
lineaments (adjective
+ noun): uncompromising lineaments are their characteristics that are set and will
never change.
wary (adjective): being cautious or on your guard against something; In this instance, the
children were never afraid of or cautious about their uncle’s appearance.
widow’s walk (noun): a platform with a rail around it, built onto the roof of a house
Yankees (noun): People from the northern American states; during the Civil War, the Yankees
were the enemies of the South.
Confederate veteran: a soldier who had fought for the South in the American Civil War
General Hood:
House of Commons: the lower house of parliament in England
Let the cup pass from
you: are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done [Luke
he might avoid his fate. Uncle Jack’s comment to Atticus shows that he
understands that his brother was not looking forward to his fate: having to
Lord Melbourne
(1779-1848):
The Missouri
Compromise (1820): that no more slave states would be allowed above the southern border of
Mount Everest: The highest known mountain in the world (29,028 feet), Everest is part of the
Ol’ Blue Light: a reference to Stonewall Jackson, who was a leader of the Southern forces in
the American Civil War.
Prime Minister:

Chapters 9-11 3
words to know
alist (adjective): tilted to one side

articulate (adjective): able to speak and express oneself clearly
attributes (noun): characteristics; qualities of a person or thing
bout (noun):
corncribs (noun): A corncrib is a small structure used to store corn (mealies)
crook (of his arm) The crook of your arm is the inside part of your arm where it bends at the
(noun): elbow.
erratically (adverb): not following a normal pattern
feeble (adjective): weak; frail
gingerly (adverb): very carefully; cautiously
inconspicuous To be conspicuous is to attract attention. To be inconspicuous is to do the
(adjective): opposite: to not attract attention. Scout wishes that Atticus would be more
inconspicuous; that is, that he would attract less attention to himself.
Jew’s Harp (noun): a small musical instrument that is played by plucking a piece of metal while
holding the instrument to one’s mouth
jubilantly (adverb): very, very happily
mad dog (adjective + a dog infected with rabies, which makes it act in a crazy, dangerous manner
noun):
mausoleum (noun):
mausoleum because, to her, it was too large and dark and thus like a place
where dead people would be put.
peril (noun): danger
Providence (noun):
rudiments (noun): the most basic parts of a subject
tartly (adverb): sharply
vaguely (adverb): not clearly

words to know
apoplectic (adjective): Apoplexy is a condition of sudden paralysis; a stroke. To be apoplectic, in this

case, is to behave as if one is on the verge of having a stroke.
arbor / arbour (noun): an outdoor area shaded by trees or, in this case, scuppernong vines on a
lattice
bedecked (adjective): covered (with decorations)
calomel (noun): a laxative medicine; often used as a cure for intestinal worms
camellia (noun):
camisole (noun): a woman’s sleeveless undergarment, usually worn under a sheer (one that
can be seen through) blouse
cantankerous bad-tempered
(adjective):
decreed (verb, past
tense): Scout would do.
degradation (noun): a state of dishonour or disrespect
dog-trot hall (adjective): a covered passageway between two parts of a building
escapade (noun): an exciting or reckless adventure or prank
essence (noun): most basic or fundamental part or quality
infuriated (verb, past angered greatly
tense):
interdict (noun): prohibition; restraint
oppressive (adjective): usually means cruel and unfair but in this case it means unpleasant
palliation (noun): to palliate is to lessen the pain, or, in this case, fear and anxiety, of
something without actually making the fear and anxiety go away. Calpurnia
is not a great source of palliation; that is, she doesn’t make the children feel
any less anxious or fearful.
passé (adjective): old-fashioned
philippic (noun): a bitter verbal attack (i.e. an attack made with words)
plate (noun): false teeth; dental plate
propensities (noun): inclinations or tendencies
reconnaissance (noun):
rectitude (noun): uprightness of character
relic (noun): something of historic interest that has survived from the past. In this case
Scout is referring to a gun that would have been used in the Civil War.
skulked (verb, past to move or slink about in a sinister or cowardly manner; The children are
tense): skulking in the kitchen because they are fearful of Atticus’s reaction when he
returns home.
syringe (noun): a device with a rubber bulb on one end and a narrow tube on the other which
tirade (noun): a long angry speech

Chapters 9-11 3
words to know
tranquil (adjective): calm

umbrage (noun): offence (to take umbrage is to take offence at what someone has said)
undulate (verb, to move in waves or in a wavy manner
present tense):
viscous (adjective): sticky
Confederate Army: the Southern army in the American Civil War.

CSA: Confederate States of America - the Southern side in the Civil War.
House of Commons: the lower house of parliament in England
Dixie Howell:
Ivanhoe: a novel written in 1819 by Sir Walter Scott

To Kill a
Mockingbird
Chapters 12-15
Jem and Scout go to church with
Calpurnia
Aunt Alexandra comes to stay
Tensions in Maycomb rise as Tom
Robinson’s trial gets nearer

Chapters 12-15

Rising action
coming to stay with them. They don’t understand why it is necessary

because they are quite happy living with Atticus and Calpurnia.
2. Themes
Racism
(Chapter 12)
15)
Courage and bravery
in jail. (Chapter 15)
Empathy
and appeals to his shared humanity as a way of stopping the angry

group of men turning violent. (Chapter 15)
Love and caring
and appreciation of their concern for him. (Chapter 15)
3. Tone
The tone is anxious and tense in these chapters. The children do not
understand quite why Aunt Alexandra has come to stay, Scout does not
understand why Jem is changing, and the whole family is worried about
Atticus. Atticus is worried about Tom’s safety.
described in these chapters. All of them give readers information that is
in Chapters 16 to 21.

(parliament).

worshipping in this church is different from what they are used to.
members of her own community from the way she behaves with them –
including speaking differently.
because Lula, one of the members of Calpurnia’s church, is not pleased

to see white children there.
enjoys herself so much that she asks Calpurnia if she can come to visit
her at her home. Calpurnia agrees but by the end of the novel this visit
has not taken place.
arrived.

and they are not pleased – especially Scout, because Aunt Alexandra
expects her to behave like a lady, to wear dresses and to be present
Dill makes up stories 4.3 What happens in Chapter 14

about his father because
he is upset that he does
not actually have a
father. He lives with his Calpurnia are not raising the children properly. She also thinks Scout
mother.
Calpurnia are doing a good job.
even to think about it: “Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she
wants to.”
Atticus for representing him.
and sad ones about his family’s lack of interest in him.

leaves the house after supper carrying an electrical extension cord and
why he takes the car instead of walking as he usually does. They collect

Chapters 12-15
Mr Cunninham’s son
he might decide not to attack Atticus and Tom. She mentions: is Walter (Junior), the
boy who had no lunch
- his son, who, she says, is a good boy; and at school and whom
Jem invited home
- the legal problems with his land (the entailment), which Atticus helped for lunch.
him with.
window to talk to Atticus. He had also been watching the courthouse

and he had a gun.
leave, Atticus runs his hand through Jem’s hair to show his love for his
children and appreciation of their concern for him.
Activity 6
[A group of men gathers at the jail.]
substance as light revealed solid shapes moving towards the jail
5
up.”
In obedience to my father, there followed what I later realized was a
near-whispers.
10
woods they won’t get out till mornin’.” 15

“Indeed? Why so?” “Called ‘em off on a snipe hunt,” was the
was still the same, “that changes things, doesn’t it?”

“‘It do,” another deep voice said. Its owner was a shadow. 20
“Do you really think so?”
days, and it meant somebody’s man would get jumped.

(Chapter 15)

1. When Atticus left his home a little earlier, his children found his
different from usual. (2)

2.
3.
sentence suggests about Atticus’s character. (1)
4. Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence:
When Jem and Scout go to the jail ... goes with them.
A Walter
B Calpurnia
C Dill
PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION
NB D Aunt NBAlexandra (1)
5. In lines 7-8 Scout makes the following remark: “there followed what l
later realized was a sickeningly comic aspect of an unfunny situation:
...”
A snipeHINT!
is a type
points. (2)
hint 6.
People do not usually hunt
7.
e.g. snipeEGhunt” isexamples
- worked a The word “it” refers to the “snipe hunt”. Explain why Atticus cannot
believe that Heck Tate was called out on a “snipe hunt”. (2)
8. How does Scout prevent a possible disaster at the jail? (2)
9. Atticus goes to the jail unarmed. Is he brave or foolish? Explain your
exams answer. (2)
Do you think people have the right to take the law into their own
hands in certain circumstances? Discuss your view. (2)
[18]
activity
ACTIVITIES boy
and girl-left and
right of page
activity
Step by step comment comment

Chapters 12-15
NB
HINT!
1. Atticus takes an extension cord/light bulb. He takes the car,
instead of walking like he usually does. It was unusual for hint
him to go to work at that time of day (after supper). (2)
2. Atticus is afraid that the townspeople might harm Tom
so he goes there to protect him. (2)
3. Atticus is a man of conviction. e.g. EG - worked examples
He will not back down or change what he believes in.

exams
He is courageous and brave. (1)
NB
4. C/Dill (1)
5. The men have come to threaten or harm Tom but they
whisper so as not to disturb their victim, which is strange. (2)
6. He is a very poor white farmer. He is independent. He HINT!
is hard-working. He has a sense of pride. He is highly
principled. He is Walter (Cunningham) Junior’s father. (2)
hint activity
ACTIVITIES boy
7. Atticus cannot believe that the men could go as far as sending and girl-left and
right of page
the sheriff out of town on a false alarm so that they can get to
8.
Tom, and that the sheriff would fall for their trick.
Scout talks to Walter Cunningham directly and appeals to his
(2)
e.g. activity EG - worked examples
humanity. By doing this, she makes him realise that what he

is doing is wrong.
exams
and reminds Step by step comment
him that Atticus helped him. (2)

9. Atticus is brave. Although there is a possibility of danger,
he still goes to the jail to protect Tom at all costs. He is
activity
Atticus is foolish. He has been warned twice not to defend
ACTIVITIES boy
Tom, but still goes to the jail unarmed while he is aware of and girl-left and
the possibility of danger. (2) right of page
10. Yes. If they do not trust the justice system, or if it has let them activity
down, they may want to take action to bring about justice.
Although this view is not encouraged, it is understandable.
because if
they take their own revenge, it will lead to chaos. (2) Step by step comment
[18]

words to know
alien (adjective): unnatural; very strange

appalling (adjective): shocking; horrifying
asafoetida (noun): a strong-smelling (like garlic) substance made from a parsley-like plant; often
used in folk medicine to stop illness
austere (adjective): stern and severe
boded (verb, past continued
tense):
church (verb): To church someone is ban a person (usually temporarily) from attending
church because he or she is believed to have done something wrong
clad (verb, present dressed in
tense):
contemptuously To behave or speak contemptuously toward someone is to treat that person
(adverb): as if he or she is unworthy or beneath one’s dignity.
contentious (adjective): always ready to argue
denunciation (noun): To denounce is to strongly disapprove of or condemn something. The
denunciation of sin in the reverend’s sermon indicates his strong disapproval
of sin.
diligently (adverb): industriously; in a hard-working manner
dispelled (verb): driven away
ecclesiastical items used during a church service
impedimenta
(adjective + noun):
frivolous (adjective): silly; not serious
garish (adjective): showy, very bright or gaudy
habiliments (noun):
inconsistent not in agreement with
(adjective):
indignantly (adverb): angrily; You are likely to feel indignant if someone treats you unfairly or
insults you.
lilac talcum (adjective
+ noun):
talcum powder.
rotogravure print
(noun): appeared in newspapers, it is possible that the print in the church had been
taken from a newspaper.
snuff (noun): a preparation of powdered tobacco, usually sniffed through the nose
tapeworm (noun): a parasite that can live in a person’s intestines
to scrape a few
barnacles off the ship is the government . This expression means to clean up the government.
of state:
unceiled (adjective): without ceiling boards inside the roof
voile (adjective): a thin, cotton-like fabric

Chapters 12-15
Blackstone’s one of the most important books ever written on British law
Commentaries:
Bootleggers: people who make and/or sell illegal liquor.
bread lines:
organisations for meals and would line up for simple meals, often of bread
and soup.
Brown’s Mule: a brand of chewing tobacco
castile: a type of soap, originally made in Spain
Garden of
Gethsemane:
Hoyt’s Cologne:
part of the 20th century
Hunt’s The Light of the a well-known painting of Jesus Christ
World:
Octagon soap: a very harsh, strong soap
Shadrach:
three men escaped unharmed.

sit-down strikes:
workplaces. Unlike ‘regular’ strikes, workers in a sit-down strike would
literally ‘sit down on the job’; that is, they would refuse to leave the building
until their demands were met.

words to know
caste system class distinctions based on birth, wealth, etc.

(adjective + noun):
curtness (noun): To be curt is to be brief and short to the point of being rude.
devoid (adjective): completely without
(adjective): foolish; irresponsible
formidable (adjective): impressive in a frightening way
incestuous (adjective): Incest is sexual intercourse between persons too closely related to marry
legally. Atticus’s comment that the Finches might have an incestuous streak
refers to the fact that so many Finches had married their cousins.
irritable (adjective): easily annoyed
mandrake roots The roots of the mandrake plant were often thought to have magical powers
(noun): because it was thought that their shape resembled the human body
myopic (adjective):
who is myopic cannot see clearly.
obliquely (adverb): indirectly
prerogative (noun): exclusive right or privilege
shinny (noun): a slang term for liquor; usually whiskey or bourbon.
sluggish (adjective): lacking energy; lazy
soberly (adverb): seriously
spun (verb, past tense): To spin a tale is to tell a story in a creative, fanciful way.
tactful (adjective): To be tactful is to be able to say the right thing to a person without being
offensive. Scout realizes that her question about her aunt and uncle was not
tactful and may have been offensive or, at least, embarrassing.
tight (adjective): in this chapter, this adjective means drunk
Lydia E. Pinkham: a maker and manufacturer of medicines in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Reconstruction: the period of time, roughly between 1867-1877, when the Southern states
were reorganised and re-established after the Civil War.
Rice Christians: people converted to Christianity in ‘developing countries’ especially those in
parts of Asia.
War Between the the Civil War.
States:

Chapters 12-15
words to know
antagonize (verb, make someone feel unfriendly towards you or angry with you
present tense):
bushel (noun): a unit of measurement for crops such as wheat or fruit
a type of education that usually focuses on morals or values
erosion (noun): a gradual wearing away (often to do with soil)
infallible (adjective): never wrong
manacles (noun): handcuffs
neat (adjective): in this chapter, not mixed with anything, such as water or soda; straight
penitentiary (noun): prison; Scout feels as though she is in prison when she has to wear a stiff,
pink cotton dress
pensive (adjective): thoughtful
pondered (verb, past thought about something
tense):
taut (adjective): tightly stretched

words to know
acquiescence (noun): agreement without protest

(noun): in this case, a condition
aggregation (noun): group; gathering
begrudge (verb, To begrudge someone something is to feel resentment or disapproval about
present tense): the fact that they have something. Atticus says that he doesn’t think anyone
in the town would resent the fact that he has a client.
ecclesiastical church-like
(adjective):
façade (noun): the front of a building; the part facing the street
futility (noun): uselessness, hopelessness
impassive (adjective): showing no emotion
linotype (noun): a typesetting machine that used to be used in publishing (newspapers,
magazines, books)
ominous (adjective): threatening; sinister
shinnied up (adjective): drunk
(verb, present hold back; suppress
tense):
succinct (adjective): clear and brief
uncouth (adjective.): crude or rude
venerable (adjective): impressive on account of age or historic associations
venue (noun): place
battlement: a low wall with open spaces built on top of a castle wall or fort
a buttress (support) connected to a building by an arch
Gothic: a style of architecture developed in Western Europe between the 12th and
16th century
Jitney Jungle: a supermarket chain. Supermarkets were still relatively new to America in the
snipe hunt: a practical joke. The ‘victim’ is taken on a hunt deep into a forest at night and
exist. While the hunter searches, the rest of the party leaves.

Mockingbird
The trial of Tom Robinson


Climax
of the people in the town go to the courthouse to watch what happens.
2. Themes
Racism
community can make sense of why he would choose to live with a black
woman.
Innocence and loss of innocence
can deliver justice. They learn that the courts can be unjust to black
men when racist white men are in control.
The law
innocent Tom to jail. This shows that the members of the jury don’t care
about justice, but care only about protecting their own white community.
The law courts are therefore not a place where justice can be found – at
least for a black man.
3. Tone
Along with the sense of excitement about the trial is a great deal of anger.
upset that Tom is found guilty when he is so clearly innocent.
notes
Who’s who in the court process in Tom’s trial
Judge: Judge Taylor
Jury: 12 white men
Prosecuting lawyer:
Person on trial (the accused):
Defence lawyer: Atticus Finch

Chapters 16-21 5

previous night. vocab
Hyperbole:
morning ... about how we held off a hundred folks with our bare hands.”
This is an example of hyperbole.
their house. They obey during the morning and are still at home when
Atticus comes home for his meal.
that many people, black and white, have come to town to attend the trial
room for them downstairs where white people sit.
sit up in the balcony with the black community and they gladly accept.
4.2 What happens in Chapters 17, 18 and 19 This is evidence

and who is involved? that Tom was innocent.
He could not have hit
Mayella with his left
hand. Mayella is lying.
while her father was out. He came into the house, beat her up, raped her
and ran off when her father returned home.
round him and began to kiss him. Tom tried to push her away. When Bob
Ewell arrived he was angry with his daughter and gave her a beating and
Tom ran away because he was scared of what would happen to him.
face, which suggests that she was probably punched by a person’s left
an accident. Bob Ewell punches with his left hand.

from a container hidden inside a packet. What he is really drinking is
Coca-Cola.

lives with a black woman.

out that the children have disobeyed him and are in the courthouse.
the jury’s verdict.
of seats) in order to leave the courthouse, all the members of the black
community stand up to show their respect for him.
Activity 7
[Scout and Dill meet Mr Dolphus Raymond outside the court.]
5
good sip, it’ll quieten you.”
Dill sucked on the straws, smiled, and pulled at length.
a child.
“Dill, you watch out, now,” I warned. 10
Cola.”
reputation if you did.” 15
Cola?”
(Chapter 20)
1. Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence. Write

only the answer (A-D).
Dill is…

Chapters 16-21
C Calpurnia’s nephew.
2.
3.
characteristics of Dill’s are shown here? (2)
4.
(2)
5.
give a reason for your answer.
6.
answer. (2)
7.
8.
9.
[16]
1. D (1)
2. The children go to court for Tom’s trial. Dill is upset about
Dill and Scout go
(3)
3.
(2)
4.
racist. They are not afraid to be different from the other
(2) PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION
5. (2) NB
6.
a coloured woman. (2)
7. He is sympathetic – he understands what has made Dill feel
HINT!
ill. . He is caring
– he offers Dill a drink to “settle his stomach”. He treats hint
children like grownups because he explains why he behaves
the way he does. (2)
8. Yes. People look down on him/frown/judge him even though
he does nothing wrong. e.g. EG - worked examples
(1)
9. Yes. She learns not to judge people before meeting them. exams
meeting will not change her views. (1)

[16]
activity
© Department of Basic Education 2015 ACTIVITIES boy
and girl-left and
Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mockingbird N OVELS 71 right of page
words to know
(verb, past
tense):
akimbo (adjective): putting hands on hips with elbows bent outward
circuit solicitor (noun): a lawyer who travels to different locations to prosecute in trials
dispel (verb, present drive away
tense):
eccentricities (noun): odd ways of behaving
elucidate (verb, explain
present tense):
fey (adjective): strange; eccentric
khaki (adjective): a yellowish-brown colour; sometimes used as a noun for cotton cloth or
clothing of this colour
litigants (noun): people who bring cases to a court of law
Mennonites (noun): members of a church who believe in living simply and dressing plainly
profane (adjective): not connected with religion or religious matters
prominent (adjective): well-known or important
ruddy (adjective): reddish colour
scripture (noun): religious text (usually referring to the Christian bible)
snickered (verb, past a version of the verb ‘sniggered’ which means an action of ‘half laughing’
tense):
subpoena (noun): a written legal order directing a person to appear in court to give information
subtle (adjective): not obvious; quiet
sundry (adjective): various
Braxton Bragg: The commander of the Western Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Ethiopia:
of Africa.
Greek revival columns: a form of architectural columns
Prohibition ticket: Prohibition was a period in U.S. history (1920-1933) when it was forbidden to
make, transport or sell alcoholic beverages. By voting the straight Prohibition
Prohibition.
William Jennings Bryan was a lawyer, a politician (he ran for president three times), and a
Bryan (1860-1925): famous public speaker. His speeches were major events and would draw
huge crowds.

Chapters 16-21
words to know
acrimonious sarcastic; bitter; nasty

(adjective):
(adjective + noun): shake one’s head up and down to indicate ‘yes’.

amber (adjective): dark orange yellow in colour
ambidextrous able to use both hands equally well (e.g. to write with, paint, etc.)
(adjective):
amiably (adverb): good-naturedly
audibly obscene audible means able to be heard; obscene means offensive and shocking in
speculations (adverb + a sexual way; speculations are thoughts. The judge warns the spectators
adjective + noun): against making any more offensive comments that can be heard.
bantam cock (noun): a small, aggressive rooster
benignly (adverb): kindly; gently
boiling (adjective): in this case this word is used as an adjective to describe an angry or unruly
group
capacity (noun): ability
cast (noun): To have a cast in one’s eye means to have a squint; the eye does not look
straight at people or objects.
complacently (adverb):
congenital (adjective): a congenital condition exists from birth; if a child is born with a weak heart
that weakness is congenital; this is different from a heart that becomes weak
when a person gets older.
contempt charges Contempt, in this case, is open disrespect of a court or judge. A judge may
(adjective + noun): charge a person who acts that way with contempt and send him or her to jail.
corroborating In court, corroborating evidence is evidence which helps to prove that
evidence (adjective + something happened in a particular way (e.g. because a witness saw
noun): something happen).
corrugated (adjective): a series of alternating ridges and grooves, as on roof sheeting
counsel (noun): lawyers (in court)
crepey (adjective):
that is, the skin is thin and wrinkled.
dictum (noun):
dogged (adjective): stubborn determination
(adjective + noun):
were concerned, no matter how the economy of the country might change
their situation was always the same. They were always poor.
edge (noun): in this case, sharpness
gardenia (noun):
genially (adverb): in a friendly manner
geraniums (noun):
gullet (noun): throat; neck
heaved (verb, past lifted something heavy
tense):

Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mockingbird N OVELS 73
words to know
import (noun): importance
(adjective): without end
irrelevant ’n ‘irrelevant and immaterial’. Irrelevant means not related (to something).
immaterial
(adjectives): Ewell can read and write is not related to the case and is unimportant.
load o’ kindlin’ (noun):
namesake (noun):
prosperity (noun): good fortune; wealth

refuse (noun): garbage
ruttin’ on (verb,
present continuous
tense): term is almost always used only to describe the mating habits of animals, not
people.
serene (adjective): calm
scrutiny (noun): the action of watching very closely and carefully
skewed (adjective): not straight; slanted
slop jars (noun): large buckets usually used to receive waste water from a wash basin or the
contents of a chamber pot
smugness (noun):
smugness, or appearance of self-satisfaction, shows on his face.
sulky (adjective): showing annoyance by being quiet
sullen (adjective): in this case, gloomy and threatening
supplemented (verb, added to
past tense):
tenet (noun): a principle or belief generally accepted as true
testifying (verb, giving evidence in court
continuous tense):
title dispute (noun):
turbulent (adjective): stormy; unruly
varmints (noun):
garbage dump
warranted (verb, past gave a reason for; indicated the need for
tense):

Chapters 16-21
fountain pen:
from a bottle
icebox: Before refrigerators, people used iceboxes which were large wood cabinets
kept cold on the inside by blocks of ice that would be delivered to the home.
Model-T Ford (on
blocks): 1909, it was affordable and relatively reliable. A car is put up on blocks for
two main reasons: either it no longer has any tyres, or the owner can’t afford
to drive it and putting it on blocks saves the tyres from the damage caused by
having to carry the weight of the car.
shotgun hall: A hallway that leads directly from the front door to the back door.
words to know
arid (adjective): very dry; without expression

chiffarobe (noun): a large cabinet with drawers and a place for hanging clothes; a wardrobe
constructionalist
(noun):
contorted (verb, past twisted into an unnatural shape
tense):
dusk (noun): the time just before it gets dark at night
exodus (noun): many people leaving a place at the same time
ground-itch (noun): an itchy reaction to hookworms, which usually enter the body through bare
feet
grudging (adjective): describes doing what you don’t really want to do
lavations (noun): washing of the body
(adjective): soothed; calmed down
neutrality (noun): being neutral; not taking part on either side in an argument
perpetual (adjective): everlasting; continuous
pilgrimage (noun): in this chapter, a long walk
proof of the pudding: an expression meaning the test of something is in the results: the proof of
the pudding is in the eating (how the pudding tastes); The proof that Judge
Taylor is a good judge is that higher courts seldom reverse(change/overrule)
his judgements.
riled (adjective): angry
strenuous (adjective): requiring hard work
tedious (adjective): boring
tollable (adjective):
is a person who is fairly good; someone who can be tolerated
wrathfully (adverb): angrily

cotton gin: a for separating cotton from its seeds

Mr Jingle:
talks in short phrases rather than in sentences.
words to know
candid (adjective): open and honest

ex cathedra remarks
(adjective + noun):
expunge (verb): remove completely
grimly (adverb): sternly; without humour
impudent (adjective): disrespectful; cheeky
subtlety (noun) of
Tom’s predicament
(noun):
thin-hided (adjective): thin-skinned; very sensitive
unimpaired (adjective): unhurt; undamaged
volition (noun): will or choice; Scout is saying that someone like Tom would never choose to
go into somebody’s yard on his own or unless he had been invited.

Chapters 16-21
words to know
aridity (noun): extreme dryness

attentive (adjective): paying attention; observant
calibre (noun): strength or quality of character
capital charge charged with a crime that is punishable by death
(adjective + noun):
corrupting (verb, To corrupt someone is to bring that person down to a lower moral level. Since
continuous tense):
that he is corrupting him.
To be cynical, in this case, means to believe that people are only motivated
(adjective + noun):
because they believe it is right. When Atticus talks about the witnesses’
think that everyone will believe their story.

discreet (adjective): careful about what you say or do
fraud (noun): a lie; a trick; a dishonest action
indicted (verb, past formally accused; charged
tense):
iota (noun): a very small amount
minute (adjective):
pauper (noun): an extremely poor person
perpetrated (verb, past committed
tense):
run-of-the- mill ordinary
(adjective):
temerity (noun):
unmitigated unquestionable; without doubt; used to emphasise how bad or extreme
(adjective): something is. In the 1930s in the racist southern states of the USA it would
have been extremely foolish of a black man to say that he felt sorry for a
white woman. According to these white racists Tom should not have any
feelings for white women and especially not feelings of pity for those who are
his ‘superiors’.

all men are created A phrase from the American Declaration of Independence
equal:
distaff side of the
Executive branch: (the Executive branch is the President and distaff, in this case, means wife).
on civil rights.
Einstein:
Rockefeller:
time
Thomas Jefferson: third President of the United States (1801-1809) and author of The
Declaration of Independence
words to know
acquit (verb, present

tense):
charged the jury (verb When Judge Taylor charges the jury, he gives them instructions before they go
+ noun): off to decide on their verdict.
demurred (verb, past raised objections to
tense):
exhilarated (adjective): extremely happy and excited
fretfully (adverb): anxiously or complainingly (often used to describe children’s behaviour)
indignant (adjective): angry because you feel insulted or unfairly treated
intensity (noun): strength or power
peeved (adjective): irritated or cross
railing (noun): a fence or barrier made of rails
relenting (verb, becoming less strict and allowing something that you had not allowed before
continuous tense):
remorse (noun): feeling of being sorry because you have done something wrong
toyed with (verb, past thought about, but not very seriously
tense):

Mockingbird
Consequences of the verdict in

Tom Robinson’s trial

Falling action
their everyday lives.
Yes, all the black

people who were in the
courtroom stood up to
show their respect for
Atticus when he walked
out at the end of
Even though the trial.
the jury found Tom
Robinson guilty, the black
community appreciated And the next
what Atticus had tried day many of them
to do. took gifts of food
to his house.

2. Themes
Love and caring
Tom’s case she sees how upset he is about the verdict and tries to
comfort him: “I’m sorry brother,” she murmured”. (Chapter 22)
in their society. (Chapter 22)
Empathy
asks Jem to try to understand how Bob must be feeling, saying, “see if
you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute”. (Chapter 23)
Innocence and loss of innocence
justice in its verdict, but instead expressed the deep racism of society.
(Chapter 22)
to “the senseless slaughter of songbirds”. He is saying that Tom was

good and innocent. (Chapter 25)
Racism
white woman. In fact, it is very clear he is innocent of this crime.
The law
a court of law, as Atticus likes to believe.
3. Tone
These chapters start with a tone of thankfulness towards Atticus, shown
by members of the black community. The tone changes to one of fear
shocked tone when
Atticus comes home with the news of Tom’s death.

Chapters 22-25
him for doing his best to defend Tom.
during the court case.
because the evidence presented in court showed that Tom had a

damaged left arm and so it is unlikely that he could have attacked
could not have won the case because, in the south of America in the
white woman innocent, no matter what the evidence showed.
and racial equality in her society. This is because Atticus had argued
the case so well that it took the jury several hours to agree on their
verdict. This shows that there was some serious discussion among the
members of the jury before they could arrive at a decision.
Yes, that is
the hard truth that
Jem and Scout have
to deal with.
So Tom was
found guilty because
he is a black man and
Mayella Ewell is a
white woman!


threatening him. He makes a joke about it.
Aunt Alexandra about juries (for example, who is chosen to be on a

jury and how they make decisions); and about “folks” and the way they
behave.

Finch’s home. Scout has to wear a dress and talk to the women at the
meeting.
Even though Atticus was trying to appeal the decision of the court, Tom
had felt hopeless.
happened.

the car, on their way to the house, Atticus and Calpurnia passed Jem
and Dill on the road and the boys persuaded Atticus to take them along.
mouth and screamed.”

Chapters 22-25
Activity 8
[Dill describes Atticus’s visit to Helen Robinson’s house.]
dirt, like a giant with a big foot just came along and stepped on her.
Just ump –”
Dill’s fat foot hit the ground. “Like you’d step on an ant.”
5
two days; two days was enough for the information to spread through 10
the county. “Did you hear about? ... No? Well, they say he was runnin’
fit to beat lightnin’...”
for the future, just run blind first chance he saw. 15

(Chapter 25)
1.
points. (2)
2.
c) What does Dill’s description show you about the effect the news
had on Helen? (1)
3.
4.
a) What does the attitude of the Ewells to Atticus suggest about
5.
Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence.
These words mean that he was running ...
A very fast.
B during a storm.
C dangerously.
D in a criss-cross way. (1)
6.
b) Do you think Tom’s attempt to escape from jail really had “no plan,
no thought for the future”? Explain your answer. (2)

7.
take care of Tom’s family? Discuss your view. (2)
[18]
NB NB
1. Helen’s husband is (unfairly) convicted of rape.
HINT!
Tom tries to escape from jail.
hint Tom is killed/shot. (2)
2 a) A simile.) (1)
b) Helen fell down as if a giant with a big foot had stepped on her. (1)
e.g. EG - worked examples
c) She is devastated/shattered/her whole life has fallen apart. (1)
3. He wants to leave Calpurnia alone to comfort Helen. As women,
PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION they will understand each other. (2)
NB NB
exams Atticus is sensitive and realises that he is not needed there. As the
only man, he feels uncomfortable, so he leaves the women alone. (2)
4 a) They are coarse/vulgar.
HINT! They are rude/disrespectful.
hint They are unforgiving/vengeful.
They are racist. (2)
question 4a) and to question
activity b) The Ewells have this attitude because Atticus defended Tom
/ Atticus revealed the truth about Bob. /
e.g. EG - worked examples ACTIVITIES boy
and girl-left and
PAY SPECIAL ATTENTIONright of page
/ Atticus showed that
NB NB
activity law in those days). / Atticus proved that Bob is an abusive father. (2)
exams 5. A/very fast (1)
6 a) They talk a lot about each other. /They are gossips. /They
HINT! know each other’s business. / They are racist. / They are
hint Step by step
judgemental.
comment comment
b) Yes. He reacted impulsively or out of desperation.
e.g. activity EG - worked examples

his only opportunity to get away.
ACTIVITIES boy
and girl-left and
right of page
but this was part of a plan to kill him.

exams activity (2)
7. Yes. They have a responsibility to look after the family because
everybody knows that Tom was innocent and died because of the
racism of the jury. The least they can do is take care of his family
now.
Step by step comment comment
It is not the
activity community’s fault that Tom tried to escape and was killed. (2)
ACTIVITIES boy [16]
and girl-left and
right of page
activity
Step by step comment comment © Department of Basic Education 2015

Chapters 22-25
words to know
cynical (adjective): unwilling to believe that someone has good reasons for doing something
fatalistic (adjective): accepting that nothing can be done to change something
feral (adjective): wild; savage (usually used to describe domestic animals or birds that have
‘gone wild’)
heathen (adjective): a person without religion or morals
impassive (adjective): not showing any emotion
overstepping (verb): going beyond what one should do or say. In this case Calpurnia is worried
that the Finch family may think that that members of the black community,
who bring gifts to the Finch home to thank Atticuis for what he tried to do for
Tom, are doing something they are not supposed to do. Atticus tells her he is
very grateful but also does not want them to do this again because they need
to keep the food for themselves.
ruefully (adverb): regretfully
words to know
acquittal (noun): being found not guilty of a crime

circumstantial
evidence (adjective + prove it to be so
noun):
commutes (verb, changes to make less severe
present tense):
dry (adjective): sounding serious when making a joke
furtive (adjective): sly, sneaky
‘go to the chair’: This expression means that a person found guilty of a serious crime will be
put to death by being strapped to a chair through which an electric current is
passed (i.e., the person will be electrocuted).
infantile (adjective): childish
statute (noun): a written law
vehement (adjective): full of emotion and strong feeling
wary (adjective): cautious
wryly (adverb): with slightly sarcastic humour

words to know
apprehension (noun): in this case, fear

bellows (noun): a piece of equipment that allows air to be pumped through a system; in this
case, an organ (a piano-like musical instrument)
bovine (adjective): like a cow
brevity (noun): briefness
charlotte (noun): a dessert made with fruit in a mould that is lined with pieces of bread or cake.
devout (adjective): devoted to one’s religion
hypocrites (noun): people who pretend to be something they are not
impertinence (noun): disrespect, rudeness
largo (noun):
apparently speaking to Scout very slowly.
squalid (adjective): miserable; wretched
squalor (noun):
yaws (noun): an infectious contagious tropical disease.
Birmingham: a city in Central Alabama.

Mrs. Roosevelt:
People up there set people in the northern states of the USA are responsible for the fact that the
’em free: slaves were freed
tryin’ to sit with ’em:
for Human Welfare in Birmingham, Alabama, where she sat in the centre aisle,
between whites and blacks, after police told her she was breaking segregation
laws by sitting with black people.
words to know
drowsily (adverb): sleepily

roly-poly (noun): a small bug that can roll itself into a ball
scowling (verb, continuous to look at someone in an angry way
tense):
English Channel:

Mockingbird
Scout’s new teacher

A break-in at Judge Taylor’s house
Scout and Jem are attacked


Rising action
The main events in these chapters build up to the attack on Scout and
Jem as they walk home in the dark after the Halloween pageant at the
high school.
2. Themes
Racism
inequality in her own community. (Chapter 26)
Love and caring
27)
pageant. (Chapter 28)
Courage and bravery
Scout is wise: she

can see that Miss Gates
can’t see the social inequality
very brave. (Chapter 28)
and prejudice in her own
town, even though she has a
lot to say about the injustice
of Nazi Germany! 3. Tone
The trial and death of Tom are still in the children’s minds and the tone
is gloomy. Things are quiet for a while but the tense tone builds from the
time Cecil Jacobs frightens Jem and Scout on the night of the Halloween
pageant until the two are attacked.
dictatorship, which is a kind of government in which the leader has

complete power. She tells the children that America is a democracy,
where people are not persecuted.

Chapters 26-28
vocab
lesson because they were “getting above themselves”. Getting above themselves:
Americans are safe from persecution.

Halloween is on
and who is involved? 31 October. In America,
many children dress up
try to frighten
other people.
her family. He tells Bob Ewell that he will have him put in jail if he does
anything to harm Helen.
dress up as a leg of ham. For this, she will wear a costume made of wire

giving them a fright.
stage. She has to be called loudly (“Po-ork!”) and she arrives on stage
late, so the audience laughs at her.
at and he tries to comfort her. This shows that he is kind and cares vocab
about Scout.
Pork:
a knife. They are saved by an unknown person, although Jem’s arm is
body at the scene of the attack.
to Scout and tries to comfort her.

Activity 9
1. Who is Scout talking about when she says to Jem, “How can you hate
Hitler so bad an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks right at
home?”? (1)
2. Which “folks” is this person speaking badly (“ugly”) about? (1)
3. What happens at Judge Taylor’s home on a Sunday evening while his
wife is at church? (1)
4.
5. What excuse did Atticus and Aunt Alexandra give for not attending
the Halloween pageant? (1)
6. When the children are walking home after the pageant they hear a
7.
(1)
8.
what happened but as she approaches her home she sees a man
carrying Jem. Who is this man? (1)
9.
reason for your answer:
(2)
[10]
1. (1)
2.
(1)
3. Someone tries to break into his house but runs away when
the judge goes to investigate. (1)
4. Bob Ewell had been making insulting remarks to Helen when
she walked past his place on her way to work. (1)
5. They both made the excuse that they were too tired. (1)
6.
on their way to the pageant. (1)
7. Scout’s costume is made of wire and fabric. It makes it very
(1)
8.
(1)
9. True. Aunt Alexandra calls Scout “Darling” and she brings her
favourite overalls for her to wear instead of making her wear
a dress. (2)
[10]

Chapters 26-28
words to know
maniac (noun): (informal English) someone who behaves in a stupid or dangerous way
remorse (noun): a feeling of regret and guilt
recluse (noun): someone who stays away from society and the company of others
spurious (adjective): The Grit Paper is spurious because, although
it looks like a newspaper she believes it is not nearly as good as The Mobile
Register or other newspapers.
Adolf Hitler
(1889-1945):
Adolf Hitler has been
after all the Jews:
Elmer Davis:
Information during the Second World War
holy-roller: a member of a small religious sect that expresses devotion by shouting and
moving around during worship services.
Uncle Natchell story:
Chuck Little has mistaken one of these advertising ‘stories’ for an actual
current event.
words to know
carcass (noun): in this case it means a human body (Bob Ewell’s) but usually this word is used
to refer to the body of a dead animal.
ear trumpet (noun): old-fashioned instrument, shaped like a trumpet, which was held to the ear to
help a person to hear better
(adjective): writing or speaking style that uses more words than necessary
industry (noun): in this case it means steady work
maiden ladies women who have never married
(adjective + noun):
notoriety (noun): fame, usually as a result of having done something wrong or bad
nondescript dull; with no special or interesting qualities
(adjective):
purloined (verb, past stole
tense):

Bob Taylor:
Per Aspera:
dog Victrolas:
gramophones (record players). In the advertisements a dog looks into the horn
of a gramophone or Victrola.
Ladies’ Law: From the Criminal Code of Alabama, Vol. III, 1907: ‘Any person who enters into,
or hearing of the family of the occupant thereof, or any member of his family, or
any person who, in the presence or hearing of any girl or woman, uses abusive,
hundred dollars, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail, or sentenced to
hard labour for the county for not more than six months.’
National Recovery
Act: was a series of programmes set up to help the USA, especially the nation’s
nine old men:

unconstitutional in 1935.
NRA-WE DO OUR
PART:
Syrians: People from Syria, a country to the south of Turkey.
WPA:
government instituted the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and employed
over eight million people.

Chapters 26-28
words to know
boil-prone (adjective):
bigger. To be prone to something is to be inclined to it. If the children had been
boil-prone, they would have been inclined to have a lot of boils.
climbers (noun): social climbers; people trying to move up into a higher social class
crap games (noun): craps is a gambling game played with two dice
divinity (noun): In this case it means a white fudge made from whipped egg whites, sugar and
nuts.
forest primeval (noun a forest that had been untouched or unchanged by man
+ adjective):
gait (noun): way of walking
hock (noun): the joint bending backward in the hind leg of an animal such as a pig. Scout is
dressed as a ham, and a ham is the upper part of a hog’s hind leg, Scout’s hock
would be the part of her costume that resembles the joint of a pig’s leg.
irascible (adjective): angry
mocker (noun): in this case, a mockingbird
pinioned (adjective): held down
repertoire (noun): accomplishments; skills. The repertoire of the mockingbird is all the songs it can
sing and sounds it can make.
rout (verb): defeat
smockin’ (noun): Smocking is decorative stitching on clothing (usually small children’s clothing).
staccato (adjective): distinct; sharp and crisp
three-corner hats, all references to what various soldiers from different wars wore on their heads
confederate caps,
Spanish-American
War hats, and World
War helmets:

To Kill a
Mockingbird Chapters 29-31
Boo Radley saves Scout and Jem
Scout learns to think about other
people’s situation

94 SHORT STORIES Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 Literature CAPS
Chapters 29-31

vocab
However, now we know exactly what happened and how Jem came to
Ironic twist:
through the book. In an ironic twist, Boo turns out to be a brave and caring
man, and not the monster the children had imagined at the beginning of
the novel.
2. Themes
Revenge
Atticus for his humiliation during the court case. (Chapter 29)
Love and caring
after the attack. (Chapter 30)
The law
arrested for the death of Bob Ewell. However, both Heck Tate and
Atticus agree that it was more just to protect Boo from this process.
(Chapter 30)
Courage and bravery
Ewell’s attack. (Chapter 29)
Empathy
community Boo had from his house.
3. Tone
The tone at the end of the novel is a mix of different emotions. Everyone
is shocked because of the attack which left Bob Ewell dead and Jem with
son and shocked daughter.

her and Jem.

it was not Jem, but Atticus thinks Heck is just being kind.
knife.
Ewell to save the children. However, Heck says that he is not going to
arrest Boo. Boo would be damaged by all the attention.
put on trial, she replies that she does. Scout says that to put Boo on trial
would be “sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird”.
4.3 What happens

Yes,
So the they were both in Chapter 31 and
mockingbird innocent people, but
in the title of the in different ways. who is involved?
novel symbolises
both Tom and At least
Atticus and Heck Boo home.
Boo.
managed to protect
Boo, unlike poor
Tom. then stands on the steps of
his house, thinking about how
Boo would view the town. She
is learning how to do what
Atticus believes it is important
for everyone to do: think about
other people’s situations.
descriptions of Atticus caring

lovingly for Scout and Jem.

Chapters 29-31
Activity 10
[Scout describes how she and Jem were attacked by Bob Ewell and
rescued by Boo Radley.]
die. I thought it was Jem at first, but it didn’t sound like him, so I went
and had got wore out—”

“Who was it?” 10
pointed to the man in the corner, but brought my arm down quickly
the wall when I came into the room, his arms folded across his chest. 15
hands against the wall.
sun, so white they stood out garishly against the dull cream wall in the
dim light of Jem’s room. 20
I looked from his hands to his sand-stained khaki pants; my eyes
were thin to hollowness; his mouth was wide; there were shallow,
almost delicate indentations at his temples, and his grey eyes were so 25
feathery on top of his head.

[Chapter 29]
1.
2.
3. Describe Atticus’s feelings after the attack on the children. (2)
4.
Identify and discuss the theme of the novel revealed in these lines.
(4)
5.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A-D) next to the
question number.
A He has to investigate the attack on the children and Bob Ewell’s
death.
B He has come to check the injuries the children received during the
attack.

happened to the children.

D He is the sheriff and has come to arrest Jem for Bob Ewell’s death.
(1)
6.
7.
the sun”. (2)

8. From your knowledge of the novel as a whole, discuss the character
of Bob Ewell. (3)
9.
Write down only the question number (9(a)–9(c)) and the letter (A-D)
of your answer.
(a) Aunt Alexandra A is remarkably calm after Bob

(b) Boo Ewell’s attack
(c) Atticus
C phones the police
D saves the children from Bob Ewell
(3)
10. Describe one or more incidents in the novel which you think are
examples of racist behaviour or racist thinking. (2)
[25]

Chapters 29-31
1. During the trial, Atticus exposes the kind of life led by the Ewells
and proves Bob to be a liar. Bob tries to take revenge on Atticus by
attacking his children. (2)
2. He is
protective/does not want them to come to any harm. He loves
them. (3)
3. Atticus is shocked by the attack. He is unusually calm/rational. (2)
4. The theme of revenge is revealed. Bob Ewell attacks the
children as he wants revenge on Atticus for revealing the truth
about him in court. This shows that Bob is vindictive and
does not hesitate to harm innocent children.
The theme of love/care is revealed.

children and cares about them. He comes to their rescue when
they are attacked by Bob. He does not hesitate to risk his life to
save them as he cares about them. (4)
5. A (1)
6.
release.
his intention was to help the children and this could endanger
his freedom/he might face execution.
As the sheriff of the

county he should not attempt to cover anything up. A man has
lost his life and he should let the law take its course. (3) PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION
NB
7.
teenager. His skin has not been exposed to the sun in all these
years. (2)
8. He is not to be trusted. / He is racist. / He is an alcoholic.
HINT!
/ He is rude. / He is violent. / He abuses his own children
physically, emotionally, verbally and perhaps even sexually. / He hint
is too lazy to work. (3) PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION
9. (a) B NB
(b) D
(c) A (3) e.g. EG - worked examples
10. Even adults who support justice and fairness use racist
HINT!
language.
Tate refer to adult black men as “boys”. hint
exams
his partner is a black woman.

town think it is wrong of Atticus to defend a black man in court. e.g. EG - worked examples
There are many examples of racial segregation: separate schools

activity
for black and white children, separate churches, separate parts of exams ACTIVI
town in which to live, separate sections in which to sit in the court and gir
house. (2) right o
[25]
activity
© Department of Basic Education 2015 activity

Step by step ACTIVI
co
and gir
words to know
hexagonal (adjective): six-sided

reprimand (verb): to tell someone they have done something wrong
words to know
blandly (adverb): smoothly; without excitement

connived (verb): secretly co-operated with or agreed to
instinctively (adverb): naturally, without being taught
stubborn (adjective): refusing to change one’s mind, no matter what
turmoil (noun): a situation in which there is a lot of trouble or confusion
wisteria (noun):
words to know
amiable amiable means friendly and acquiescence means agreement. Scout is puzzled
acquiescence because Atticus is agreeing in a friendly way that she can stay up after midnight
(adjective + noun): because normally her father would insist that she go to bed.
body English: Scout means body language: what one can learn from watching how a person
moves his or her body
pointedly (adverb): showing clear disapproval or annoyance
sedative (noun): a drug given by doctors to make a person relax and usually to sleep

100 NO VEL Mind the Gap English First Additional Language: Paper 2 To Kill A Mockingbird
The Mind the Gap study guide series assists you to make the leap by studying
hard to achieve success in the Grade 12 exam.
This publication is not for sale.

© Copyright Department of Basic Education www.education.gov.za
Call Centre 0800 202 933

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© Department of Basic Education 2015

3. Be positive. It helps your brain hold on to the information.

6. Teach what you are learning to anyone who will listen. It is

© Department of Basic Education 2015

Question type What you need to do

© Department of Basic Education 2015

© Department of Basic Education 2015

Scout’s point of view.

interesting characters is a secretive man called Boo, who remains a

racial segregation in Alabama and other southern states.

racial segregation and how the courts worked in those days.

2.1 The Great Depression

areas around them. For example:

© Department of Basic Education 2015

Did you know? 2.2 Racial segregation in America

2.3 The way American courts

made by a jury of 12 people.

together until they decide on a verdict on which they all agree.

© Department of Basic Education 2015

4. How the story is told

© Department of Basic Education 2015

I’ve got a picture

Use this section of

his children as sensible and intelligent young people,

rape). He does not believe in beating them, but he does

both sides of the argument before taking action.

of the state of Alabama. Although he lives in a racist and sexist society

© Department of Basic Education 2015

with him for doing so.

prefers her nickname of Scout, which most people use.

concerned about people’s situations.

she is not afraid to express her ideas to adults.

and more reserved than Scout, who is his younger sister.

social position of the Finch family.

society should work and the way southern women should

about black people, but ultimately she is loyal to her family.

© Department of Basic Education 2015

death and to comfort Helen.

Arthur “Boo” Radley

described as being pale, because he does not go out in the

Miss Maudie Atkinson

Finch’s house. She spends a lot of time working in her

critical of what she considers to be unfair or mean behaviour. She

edge of the town. He is usually unemployed and is likely

these bruises and of raping his daughter.

© Department of Basic Education 2015

Dill (Charles Baker) Harris

Haverford. He is a small boy, with white hair. He is shorter

Miss Rachel Haverford:

her drug addiction.

© Department of Basic Education 2015

Eula May: The operator of the town’s telephone exchange

People living on the edge of the town

Members of the farming community

Chuck Little: A boy who is in Scout’s class at school.

© Department of Basic Education 2015

Make your own character charts

do it in the other character charts.

e.g. Character chart: Scout (Jean Louise) Finch