= e- Strange islands In this unit, you will read about mysterious islands around the world, You will write and perform your own drama text, and read an adventure story nd. set on an. > 3.1 The mystery-of Oak Island * identify and comment on implied meanings in a text * _ interpret different language techniques | * explore the effects of informal language and non-standard English * compare how characters are presented in non-fiction texts. eee caer) Stories and real-life accounts of people discovering hidden objects and treasure are very popular. In pairs, discuss why these types of writing fascinate people. Have you ever found something interesting or valuable?3.1. The mystery of Oak Island The Oak Island mystery Read the following informative article about Oak Island in Canada ‘The island is rumoured to contain hidden treasure, Why are treasure hunters fascinated with this Canadian island? ak Island, a mysterious place in Nova Scotia, has long been an open secret in the world of treasure-hunting. Like a magnet, it has drawn many people to it over the years in hope of finding their fortune. The island first captured people's imagination almost 400 years ago. The initial rumour was that a dying sailor told an islander about a huge hoard of treasure buried there by hoard: a collection Captain Kidd. Since then, the whole world has been intrigued of valuable things, by the island, often kept hidden In 1799, while Daniel McGinnis was looking for somewhere to build a farm on Oak Island, he found an area of land that seemed different to the rest. With two helpers, he dug into the ground and found a layer of stones placed less than 1 metre below the surface. As he dug further, he discovered wooden platforms and marks that looked like they'd been made by tools. But then, at about 9 metres down, the men experienced a strange feeling ~ a fear came over them and they stopped digging. In 1909, the Old Gold Salvage Group arrived. They dug 34 metres down, but found nothing. In 1969, Triton Alliance Triton Alliance: an bought most of the island and dug 72 metres down. They sent exploration group a camera into the hole and claimed to have recorded images of tools and wooden chests. People who saw the images said it was impossible to tell what was down there. Soon after that, the hole collapsed and the project was abandoned, ‘As with many such mysteries, strange stories have emerged Some people claim that the treasure Included some unknown plays by William Shakespeare. Others say that a curse hangs over the island, which states that seven men will die before the treasure is found. So far, six men have died trying to find it In 2006, two brothers, Marty and Rick Lagina, bought half of the island. Since then they have found some items, including a coin and a sword, but nothing like the huge hoard of treasure supposedly buried there! The balance between what they have spent and what they have found seems very unequal3. Strange islands > | 4 3 Bven in non-fiction writing, writers use language techniques Make notes on the different people who have searched for the treasure, according to the article. What did each group of person do and what did they find? Explain what is implied by the final sentence: The balance between what they have spent and what they have found seems very unequal. What effect do you think the writer intended to have by ending in this way? Roki To work out what a writer is implying by a particular sentence, use clues from elsewhere in the text. Think about the writer's overall attitude to the topic — how oes it fit with the sentence you are looking at? to imply meaning. Copy and complete the table to suggest how each of the language devices from the first paragraph of the article could be interpreted. An example has been completed for you. Key words ‘oxymoron: a figure of speech that combines two contradictory ideas hyperbole: ‘an open secret in the | oxymoron world of treasure- hunting | Like a magnet, ithas_| simile drawn many people tot. The island first personification | This could be interpreted exaggerated captured people’s in two ways. Either the statements imagination almost land tract 400 years ago land is an attractive Jace, or it is a dangerous place that couses problems for treasure hunters ~ it traps them the whole world has | hyperbole been intrigued by the island3.1 The mystery of Oak Island Diggin’ up the past Now read another article about two Oak Island treasure hunters. stereotype: This article is from a magazine written for young readers, containing a familiar but entertaining accounts of people doing adventurous things. One of the ‘simplified ways it entertains the reader is by using language associated with the character type sioveotype of a pirate The kool kidz diggin’ for Kidd's treasure Meet Marty and Ricky - Michigan's main men and coolest kids when it comes to findin’ treasure! Together, these local heroes are unearthin’ the secrets of Oak island. As anyone from Michigan will tell you, these brothers are not only successful businessmen, they're also hunters ~ set on gettin’ their paws on Cap'n Kidd's buried treasure. Cool! As boys, they read about the mysterious Oak Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada — and they were hooked. They've spent their lives searchin’ and even bought the island! Now that's dedication! These boys have had to be careful, though ~ the island is a place of danger. Six people have died huntin’ the treasure, but that ain't stopped our boys. With a team of experts, they've made some eye-poppingly amazin’ finds. Their loot includes a mysterious Spanish coin, 2 strange metal cross and a Roman sword. The famous Oak Island treasure is in their grasp — it's =! only a matter of time before they strike gold. And if anyone can do it, the Lagina brothers can. Go get ‘em, boys! 4 Write a list of words and phrases that present the Lagina brothers in a positive way. Pomoc non-standard 5 The tone of this article is informal. This comes across in the Ena savers writer’s choice of sentence types and punctuation, such as single- endiemmatcal word sentences, dashes and exclamation marks. The writer also patterns that uses non-standard English word forms, such as dropping the final fall outside the “g’, to sound more like a pirate. conventional forms of English3. Strange islands » In pairs: + Make a list of informal features in the article. Look for sentence and punctuation choices, contractions, words with the final letter missing and any deliberate misspellings. + Discuss the effect of these choices. Does it make the article fun? Does it make the content of the article more or less believable? 6 The two articles present the Lagina brothers differently. Using the last paragraph from ‘Why are treasure hunters fascinated with this Canadian island? and the first paragraph from ‘The kool kidz diggin’ for Kidd’s treasure’, compare the wa Write 150 words. You should comment on y the brothers are presented. + the impression the writers give of the brothers + the language the writers use. Binnie (| 1can work out implied meanings in a text. | Lean explain the meanings arising from the use of different literary techniques. |] I.can comment on the effects of informal language and non- standard English. | can analyse how the same characters are presented in two different non-fiction texts. > 3.2 Strange islands © identify key information in audio and written texts = explore how punctuation can be used to express formality and convey shades of meaning * write and evaluate a descriptive piece.re When listening to explanation texts, try to identify the different stages How can different punctuation choices create different effects? In pairs, experiment with placing brackets, dashes and an exclamation mark to alter the tone of this sentence: Although I’ve travelled to lots of places, including cities on all of the talk, For continents of the world, | was really excited to spend a month on example, the a tiny island. introduction might often contain an You are going to listen to an interview in which an expert explains overview, whereas key details are how islands are formed. As you listen, make notes on the key often found in the Points. Afterwards, use your notes to produce a poster displaying middle stages of information about islands atalk. You can use the structure of the talk to help a ich describe e strange isl you organise your Read this article, which describes some strange islands. rotetaking, Odd Islands Around the Globe Most people think of islands as beautiful places where they can escape from the madness of life. However, while some islands are the perfect holiday destination, others are very unusual indeed Skorpios Where? Greece What's there? Skorpios is a place of sandy beaches, forests ~ and a helicopter landing pad! The super-rich Aristotle Onassis bought the island in 1963 and planted more than 200 different types of tree. Jt was once a place where exciting celebrity parties occurred. But by 2011, there were only five people living there. In 2018, however, a huge luxury * resort was built on the island. Perhaps the fun will return! Strangeness rating: 1/5 ~ Sounds like the perfect holiday!3. Strange islands > Okunoshima Where? Japan What's there? Fancy a week among furry creatures? You're welcome to visit the Japanese island of Okunoshima, but you'd be wise to bring plenty of carrots = there are thousands of completely tame rabbits hopping around the place! The island, which is also known as Usaga Jima, used to be a chemical testing site. Many chemical weapons were used here (there's even a museum dedicated to poison gas on the island), but these days the rabbits are the main inhabitants , Strangeness rating: 2/5 — Who's scared of rabbits? Snake Island Where? Brazil What's there? If you dared to venture on to Snake Island, or Iha da Queimada Grande to uses its proper name, you'd find yourself in the company of deadly snakes, Thousands of them. Snake Island has the largest number of snakes, mainly golden lancehead vipers, in such a small place. Although it was once home to humans (there was a lighthouse there until 1920), the island is now completely | uninhabited. You really wouldn't want to visit ~ and in fact it’s illegal to land on the island ~ but poachers have been known to secretly go. | there to catch and sell the snakes Strangeness rating: 4/5 — Dangerous and strange. Island of the Dolls Where? Mexico What's there? On the Isla de las Munecas — Island of the Dolls ~ you'll find yourself faced with dolls. That's right ... dolls. Or at least parts of dolls! Creepy, eh? The island can be found among the Xochimilco canals in Mexico City. It’s thought that the man originally in charge of looking after the island — Don Julian Santana Barrera ~ found a floating doll and decided to build a collection. It was a long-term project for him, Over the next 50 years he put hundreds of dolls - or parts of dolls ~ around the island! Strangeness rating: 5/5 — Seriously creepy.3.2 Strange islands 2 Make notes in a table to summarise the main points about each island, the subsidiary information and any strange features. Langua There are times when punctuation choices can help to create different effects. Punctuation such as brackets, dashes and exclamation marks are not only ways of organising information in a sentence, they also communicate levels of formality and different shades of meaning. Look at these examples and explanations. * — Iwent for a walk, even though it was getting late, and found myself lost in a maze of streets, ' The commas give this a formal feel and a calm, explanatory tone + |went for a walk (even though it was getting late) and found myself lost in a maze of streets. The brackets still give this statement a formal feel, but they create the impression of an aside ~ as if the narrator is involving the reader in their thoughts a little more * I went for a walk ~ even though it was getting late - and found myself lost in a maze of streets. This example is less formal and more conversational. The dashes make it appear closer to spoken English, as if the narrator is casually (maybe quickly) explaining the situation. * | went for a walk - even though it was getting late - and found myself lost in a maze of streets! This example sounds more dramatic. The exclamation mark suggests heightened emotion, as if the narrator is scared ‘or excited. The choice of punctuation can help the reader to interpret the meaning of a sentence. Notice how the addition of the exclamation mark creates a different meaning to the version containing only commas 3 4 In pairs, look at the range of punctuation in the description of [sland of the Dolls’. How would you describe the overall effect * of these features on the reader? Write a 100-word description of Sable Island in Canada. Use the bulleted information on the next page to help you3. Strange islands » Your description should use the same style of structure, punctuation and language as the information in the article Writing tip “Odd Islands Around the Globe’. When asked to write in on PRET a particular Information about Sable Island: format, start by + Tk belongs to Canada and is near Halifax. identifying the . structural features + Te experiences very strong winds you will use, such a TL as headings and +The extreme weather means that the landscape subheadings. changes regularly Count how many + This known as “The Graveyard of thé Atlantic because words are used in each section of the format + Very few humans live there, but there are a lot of and use this as wild horses and one tree a guide when drafting your text. of the number of wrecked ships near the island “eee b bse Swap your de: description aloud, Focus on reading the text accurately and on using your voice to convey a lively tone cription with a partner, Read each other's ee When you have listened to each other's readings, give your partner feedback * How accurately did your partner read your description? * Did they use their voice to create a lively tone? ‘Which parts were the most engaging to listen to? Why? Bienes I can identify and make notes on the main points in texts | hear and read. I can understand how punctuation choices affect formality and can indicate shades of meaning. 7 Lean write and comment on a descriptive piece ina conversational tone.3.3. Treasure Island: Meeting Ben Gunn > 3.3 Treasure Island: Meeting Ben Gunn sere aca! work out the meaning of unfamiliar words in a text * identify explicit information in a story «explore the different ways a writer creates a character's voice * write and evaluate a monologue. Caren In pairs, write definitions of the words ‘monologue’ and ‘contractions’. Check your definitions in a dictionary. Treasure Island Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson was published in 1882, It tells the story of Jim Hawkins, a boy who finds himself sailing the seas looking for an island that is believed to contain buried treasure. His shipmates are old, strange pirates, They eventually find the island. Read the description of it Py Extract 1 Grey-coloured woods covered a large part of the surface. This even tint was incleed broken up by streaks of yellow sand-break in the lower lands, and by many tall trees of the pine family ‘out-topping the others - some singly. some in clumps; but the general colouring was uniform and sad. The hills ran up clear above the vegetation in spires of naked rock. All were strangely shaped, and the Spy-glass, which was by three or four hundred feet the tallest on the island, was likewise the strangest in configuration, running up sheer from almost every side and then suddenly cut off at the top like a pedestal to put a statue on:3. Strange islands S A 1 When you read older texts, some words will be unfamiliar. Remind yourself of the strategies you used to work out unfamiliar words in Unit 1. Then use these to nderlined words in the extract. Check your definition: 2. Using the description, draw a map showing the island’s features. You will need to invent some details, such as the shape of the island ite down meanings of the ina dictionary Later in the story, Jim meets a pirate called Ben Gunn. Ben was there when another pirate, Captain Flint, buried treasure on the island Extract 2 ‘Who are you?’ | asked ’Ben Gunn," he answered, and his voice sounded hoarse and ‘awkward, like a rusty lock.''m poor Ben Gunn, lam; and | haven't spoke with a person these three years." is skin, wherever it was exposed, was burnt by the sun; even his lips were black, and his fair eyes looked quite startling in so dark a face. “Three years!" | cried. ‘Were you shipwrecked? “Nay, mate,” said he; ‘marooned. I had heard the word, and | knew it stood for a horrible kind of punishment common enough among the buccaneers, in which the offender is put ashore and left behind on some desolate and distant island, Thad made my mind up in a moment, and by way of answer told him the whole story of our voyage. ‘You'te a good lad, Jim,’ he said; ‘and you just put your trust in Ben Gunn. ‘Now, I'll tell You what,’ he went on.'So much Ill fell you, and no more. | were in Flint’s ship when he buried the treasure; he and six strong seamen. They was ashore nigh on a week. Well, Iwas in another ship three years back, and we sighted this island. “Boys, said |, here's Flint's treasure: let’s land and find it. Twelve days they looked for it, and every day they had the worse word for me, until one fine moming all hands went aboard. As for you, Benjamin Gunn; says they, ‘here’s a musket, they says, and a spade, and pick-axe. You can stay here and find Flint’s money for yourself’ they says. Re ing tip When looking up a word in a dictionary, always check the different meanings and word class of the word. For example, the word ‘beat’ is both a noun and a verb. Make sure you identify the right meaning of the word in the context of the sentence. hoarse: having a rough-sounding voice buccaneers: sailors - often ones who were lawless desolate: empty, uninhabited nigh on: very nearly musket: an old type of gunAnswer the following questions. How long has it been since Ben met another person? Describe Ben's appearance. What does ‘marooned’ mean? In your own words, describe how and why Ben was left on the island. Look at the words and phrases in Ben’s direct speech. The writer uses particular features to make the old pirate’s voice interesting. In pairs, identify and discuss the effect of the following aspects of Ben’s dialogue: . + the way he refers to himself + non-standard English + the use of contractions Imagine you are Ben Gunn, Write a as if you were talking to Jim. Tell him about how you night alone. Include d pent your first day and ails about: + how you felt + what you did for food and shelter + what you thought would happen in the weeks ahead Remember to use the same tone, language features and vocabulary as the writer uses for this character to capture Ben Gunn's voice. Now read this sample monologue written by a learner. In pairs, discuss how effectiv: ly you think the response: + addresses the three bullet points in the task + captures Ben's voice. a story or speech given by one character3. Strange islands » I dont mind telling you, Jim, that first day was tough. Real tough. I'm not a pushover, Jim ~ nay — but I wept as I watched me shipmates felt betrayed. I knew the treasure was here, but I couldnt find it, see? And when 1 saw how my shipmates looked at me, I knew no good could come of it. Their ship became a speck in the-distance. And then it was gone. I sat on the sand and cried like a baby, I had a musket and some tools. That was it away, Ben Gunn Islands is funny places, Jim. In daylight, theyre beautiful, I tell you. At night, theyre lonely and full of strange noises. I knew I needed shelter, so I headed inland. I spent the first day trying to find a safe place to sleep. At last Ben Gunn found a clump of bushes, small enough to sit inside. It haS been my home for three long years now. I could make a fire and there was seawater: Lt makes you thirsty, Jim. There were berries to eat and strange fruit, but look at me - Im thinner than a ships cat. The first night was cold and lonely. [ never slept. Strange rustlings I could hear Theres sights and sounds on this island that would make the toughest pirate quake, Jim. When L woke up the next morning, a big cloud of sadness hung over me. The Capn had deserted me. I was alone and thought IA die here. Nay— I knew I'd die here. If you could have seen me, Jim, youd a said ‘That Ben Gurvis a sad sight.’ And youd a been right Seeeseeueae Reread your own monologue and think about how you could improve it * How well have you captured Ben's voice? * Are spellings and punctuation accurate? Stns3.4 Treasure Island: The play > 3.4 Treasure Island: The play * stage a drama script * explore how a drama script is written and structured Pn * write and perform a script based on a novel. eetenene How is a play script different to a novel? What are the ‘rules’ for setting out a script? What are stage directions? Discuss your thoughts with a partner and make some notes. Plays are often created from novels. They sometimes use dialogue from the original novel, but in many cases additional dialogue is needed. Scripts also need stage directions and guidance for actors on how to speak their lines, In grou aloud, It is a version of Jim and Ben's conversation, Decide who will take each of the following roles: Pauses are important when speaking. When performing a talk, use pauses to allow the audience time to take in what you have said. When reading a script, use pauses to help create tension or uncertainty. of four, read this script + Jim + Ben + sound-effects manager (who works out how to ereate the sound effects shown in the stage directions) + director (responsible for advising Ben and Jim about their performance and checking their accuracy). | A) (An overgrown part of the island. Sound of footsteps and branches being hacked | as JIM pushes and cuts his way through the trees and bushes.) JIM: This place is ... weird. (JIM jumps in alarm as the loud sound of a colourful bird is heard.) » JIM: I need fo get off this island. It's not normal (Sound of rustling. Someone is hiding.) JIM: What's that? I can see eyes. Is that ... a man? Hello! |———— EE 3. Strange islands > GiM's ‘hello’ echoes around the island.) Aaaargghhhh! = Aagargghhhh! au (Both JIM and BEN are alarmed. Their screams echo loudly. Birds and other creatures scatter at the sound of their scream. The sound of wings beating and animals running is heard.) Bol Who are you?! BEN S voice is rough. Both are scared. For a few seconds, they stare at each other. im: I'm Jin Hawkins (he says this loudly, altempting fo sound brave) BEN: = And lis Benjamin Gunn sim: Are you ... human? BEN: (laughs) You cheeky young thing! Of course | is human! Have you ever seen a talking bear? (Sound of musket fire in the distance.) BEN! Are they here? Have they come back for me? Is that Captain Flint? imi It's Long John Silver and his men. Do you know them? | BEN: | do, Jim.| do. | sim: How long have you been here? BEN: Three years (his voice trembles). Three long years. Three. Long. Years. JIM: Why? How? Were you shipwrecked here? BEN: — Marooned, Jim. | was marooned im: (questioningly) Ma-what? BEI Marooned. Abandoned, Left behind. Me old mates left me here. Its a tong story, Jim. yim: | think we've got time. | (Both laugh a little. Then the sound of musket fre, louder than before.) BEI Maybe not Jim. 'l be quick. | was in Flin’s ship when he buried treasure somewhere on this island. | don't know where. He never let us see, | But three years later, | came back here with another ship. J And what happened when you found the treasure? BEN: We didn't.Twelve days we spent digging. In the end, they all turned on me. (Pause.) JIM! So they left you here as punishment?3.4 Treasure Island: The play They did. Just me. And a musket. And a spade. And a pickaxe. ‘Find Flint’s money yourself’ they yelled. So | watched their ship disappear and made a life here. | (Musket fire even louder.) JIM: | need fo get off this island Me too. But I'm not leaving without the treasure. jginal story that you 2 Inyour groups, compare the script with the ori read in Session 3.3. * What has been added? Do you think this is effective? + How well do the stage directions allow you to picture the scene and characters? + Are there any parts of the script that you feel do not work as well as the novel?” You are going to write a play version of another scene from Treasure Island, First, read this extract from the novel. Ben wants Jim to give a message to a man named Squire Livesey. Make notes to help you understand what is happening. ) Extract 3 Just you mention them words to your squire, Jim’ he went on.'Nor he weren't, neither - that's the words: And he pinched me again in the most confidential manner. “Then; he continued, then you'll say this: Gunn is a good man (youll say), and he puts a precious sight more confidence in a gen'leman born than in these gen'eman of fortune: ‘Well’ I said, I don’t understand one word that you've been saying. How am I to get ‘on board? | “if the worst come to the worst, we might try that after dark. Hil’ he broke out. What's that?’ For just then all the echoes of the island awoke and bellowed to the thunder of a cannon They have begun to fight!’ | cried. Follow me! And | began fo run, my terrors alll forgotten, while close at my side the marooned man trotted easily and lightly. ‘Leff, left’ says he; keep to your left hand, mate Jim! Under the trees with youl” So he kept talking as | ran, neither expecting nor receiving any answer.3. Strange islands > ieee Dialogue is the main way in which the story is told in a drama script, Sometimes, a character is given a long speech that reveals: their feelings, but dialogue between characters is used to move the plot along and show cooperation or conflict. Playwrights use regular features in their dialogue, including: © questions © short sentences * repeated phrases, questions and exclamations. Writers also indicate in a script what tone of voice an actor should use to show how they are feeling. For example, these three versions of the same line suggest different things about the character's feelings: © Bet: (aggressively) Who's there? — suggests she is angry or possibly afraid Beta: (very quietly) Who's there? — suggests she is calm or perhaps frightened Bern: (annoyed) Who's there? ~ suggests she is irritated. 3 Write a play script version of Extract 3. You should write 150 words. Use some dialogue from the extract, but remember to add more to make sure it is clear what is happening all the time. Use the layout of a script and the features of dialogue: + set each speaker on a new line + put the characters’ names in the margin to show who is speaking * use stage directions + include questions, short sentences and exclamations.3.5 Singing sand 4 In groups, take turns performing each other's scripts. Remember sture to convey the characters, Help each other to redraft lines where needed (| Tan stage a drama script, using my voice to convey character and meaning. (7) Lean explain how a drama script is written and structured. [5) 1ean write and perform a script based on an extract from anovel. to use your vo and g > 3.5 Singing sand * use clues to predict how a story might develop * work out the meaning of unfamiliar words make notes on language and meaning in a story extract * — explore the effect of different sentence types and write compound-complex sentences. Reese cach Stories often contain twists - unexpected developments in the middle or at the end of a story. What books have you read or films have you seen that contain surprising twists? Describe one of these plots to a partner. Try to explain why the twist was so effective. Think about what the writer or director had led you, as a reader or viewer, to believe. In your pairs discuss whether you like “a twist in the tale’ or if you prefer more predictable endings.3. Strange islands > The Lost Island of Tamarind You are going to read some extracts from a novel called The Lost Island of Tamarind by Nadia Aguiar. It tells the story of three children: Maya, her brother Simon and their baby sister, Penny, They have travelled to ‘Tamarind to try to find their parents Mami and Papi — who were last seen on the strange island. They have met a boy called Helix. 1 Thetitle and genre of a story helps readers anticipate what it might is a key part of the reading process, In some stories, writers fulfil these expectations but in | others they add unexpected twists to surprise their readers. The be about. Establishing expectatior omon Lost Island of Tamarind is a story that contains elements of the fantasy, adventure and mystery genres, fantasy: imaginative stories, often set in strange places predictions in pairs. with unusual characters Using all this information, write down some predictions about what will happen in the story and how it might end. Share your 2 Before you read the story, work out the meanings of the underlined words in pairs. Use a dictionary to check your answers. © Extract 1 | The children fell quiet. The jungle behind them and the sea before them were both pitch-black and when a cool breeze blew over them, they felt lost and lonely. ‘Iwish Mami were here,’ said Simon softly. Maya did, too. Her heart ached. A funny sound began to come from | the edges of the darkness, from where the palms leaned over the beach and the shadows multiplied. A high, singing sound, like thousands of delicate crystal chimes, so beautiful it held the children transfixed. After a moment Maya noticed that the sand was shifting around them. A fine surface layer was rolling over itself. It was the particles of sand rubbing against one another that made the singing sound. . ‘Musical sand,’ she whispered. ‘Papi told me about it, that in some places in the world the sand sings’ Tears welled up in her eyes at the thought of her father.3.5 Singing sand Helix returned from bathing in the sea and suddenly Maya and simon both felt more cheerful. He sat down by the fire, Penny was fast asleep already. Lulled by the singing sand, Simon was heawy-eyed and he yawned and nestled down in the sand, his head on his backpack. Eventually the breeze died away, and the muggy breath of the jungle descended on to the beach. The sand lay silent in little hillocks of moonlight. Down by the shore, moonlight shone in the tide pools. ‘Come and see the pools,’ Helix said to Maya. ‘We won't be far away ~ we'll be able to see your brother and sister the whole time’ She nodded and they walked down to the tide pools. 3 Look at Make notes on details of the story and the way it has been written the children’s feelings (find quotations as evidence) b details about the sights and sounds of the island © anyin ing language techniques used by the writer and their effects, Now read the second part of the story. Extract 2 The pools stretched out down the beach, and each one of them contained a reflection of the moon. Maya knelt down to look into one of the pools. As she watched, the reflection of the moon began to recede and a light inside the pool grew brighter and began to rise through the shallows, shattering the moon into dozens of soft, jagged pieces. lt was some sort of sea creature that was casting the light, but it was stil impossible to see the animal clearly beneath the rippling surface. Maya looked up and saw that other bright lights were surfacing in tide pools all the way down the beach When she looked back down at the tide pool, the surface of the water had settled and she could see the creature clearly. Her heart skipped a beat. A tiny, perfect octopus, just like the one that her parents had collected from the sea on their last day together, recede: go back, get smaller shallows: areas where the water is not very deepwas locking up at Maya. its tentacles glowed so brightly that it outshone the moon. Then Maya realized that there were dozens of creatures just like it in the tide pools up and down the beach Was this where all the strange, glowing sea creatures that her parents had been collecting came from? Maybe it wasn’t an accident that the childrenrhad landed in Tamarind, Could their parents have been looking for the island? Did these creatures have something to do with the Red Coral Project? In these extracts, the writer varies sentence types for effect. For example, the simple sentence Her heart ached.in Extract | describes Maya’s feeling directly and shows the reader precisely how the character feels without adding unnecessary detail Look at the first paragraph of Extract 2. Write down one example cach of a simple, a compound and a complex sentence and explain ntence type. Think about what is happening \d how the sentence supports the actions and feelings created the effect of each s in the story3.5. Singing sand ‘A compound-complex sentence contains two main clauses and a subordinate clause. For example: Alihough Maya was tired) she continued staring into the pool until she nearly fell asleep and thenshie saw the strange shell: subordinate clause By the end of Extract 2, the reader has discov but there are also some myster s. + The children’s parents are missing but we do not know how or why. + Theisland has a Simon and Penny to sleep. trange atmosphere ~ the sand seems to cause + Itisnot clear why Helix wants Maya to see the pools. + The octopuses have an unusual glowing quality, + Maya's parents have been collecting creatures but we do not know why. + The Red Coral Project has been mentioned but not explained Using this information, work in pairs to predict how the story will develop. Binaries When writing a compound- complex sentence, start by creating a compound sentence, then add the subordinate clause afterwards.3. Strange islands > > 3.6 Helix eens * use different strategies to spell unfamiliar words * consider how adverbs can add detail and meaning to sentences * explore how writers present and develop characters * respond imaginatively to a fictional character. Getting started What is an adverb? In pairs, come up with some examples of different types of adverb, then write some sentences using them. eee You can try several strategies when spelling unfamiliar or difficult words, such as * sounding out a word. This is where you say aloud the individual letters or syllables to help you hear each sound in the word. * using your knowledge of root words and the patterns of words (morphology). For example, if you know how to spell ‘identify’ then you could work out how to spell ‘unidentifiable’. You could do this by using your knowledge that adding the prefix ‘un-’ doesn't alter the start of the root word. Also, you could remember that when adding the suffix “-able’ to words ending in '-y/ the last letter is dropped Most of the time, you will combine strategies. For example, if you needed to spell the word ‘frustrated’, then you could sound out the first five letters, then use your knowledge of other words using the suffix -ed’ to complete the word 1 In pairs, help each other practise spelling using Session 3. Extract 2. One of you should choose five challenging words for your partner to spell. Then, you should swap roles and repeat the process with different words. Remember to use a range of strategies to help you spell the words accurately. 2 >3.6 Helix Now read the next part of The Lost Island of Tamarind. The first person to speak in this extract is Helix. Extract 3 ‘I didn’t want to tell you earlier,’ he said. ‘in front of your brother. But you may as well know, whether you take the river or come with me on foot, you aren’t going to be able to find help in Port Town. Not the kind of help you're looking for There's no one who can help you on Greater Tamarind.” “What do you mean” asked Maya. The good mood she had been in a moment before abruptly slipped away. “Somebody has to be able to help us.” “You don’t know much about this place yet,’ said Helix. “But | know it isn’t anything like where you came from. If Iwere you ..." he said. He paused. ‘If| were you, I'd try to start forgetting everything in your life before and get used to being here.’ ‘We're going to find our parents,’ Maya said coolly. ‘Well,’ said Helix. ‘You'll see.’ ‘Maya didn’t know what she had been thinking. Helix wasn‘t nice. The earlier mistrust she had felt for him flooded back. She looked at him angrily ‘What do you know?’ she asked, ‘You aren't much older than | am Who are you fo tell me we won't find our parents? And why are you out here by yourself, anyway?" | Helix didn’t answer and Maya grew angrier. 2. One way in which writers build detail and convey feelings and LSI) attitudes is through their choice of adverbs. Look at the three adverb: a word adverbs underlined in the extract above. Each one reveals how that adds detail Maya’s attitude towards Helix has changed. Here are some or information to sentences describing characters’ speech and actions. For each averb sentence, suggest three adverbs that could fit into the gaps Remember that most adverbs end in ‘ly’ a ‘Get away from me!’ shouted Amir b ‘I'm frightened, said Tim ¢ ‘Thope you will be back soon,’ said Sisi3. Strange islands ¥ 3 Readers respond to characters in different ways and we often judge characters by what they say and do, A writer may want their readers to r spond to characters differently at different points ina story. For example, a character who appears kind and thoughtful to ater turn out to be the villain of the story. begin with may How do you judge Helix extracts from the story you have read so far. Note down what Helix says and does, and how he interacts with Maya, By the end of Extract 3, do you think he is a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ character? What clues can you find about how this character will develop? Find evidence from the text to support your ideas. Now the next part of The Lost Island of Tamarind. Extract 4 ‘Oh, forget it,’ she said, beginning to climb down the rocks, so quickly that she scraped her knees. She couldn't wait until she never had to see Helix again. ‘I don’t care what you say, anyway. We're aliations: a going to find our parents, I'm going to make sure of it. And now I'm group of stars tired. Good night.’ = Back with the others, Maya lay down in the sand so that Penny was ina faint sheltered between her and Simon. Forget about Helix, she thought. Think about something else. Name the constelatons, She had memorized them, sitting wrapped in a blanket with her mother. Lying on the sand, Maya started with the constellations in the east and let her eyes travel west and read them across the sky as tiredness overtook her. Further down the beach the glimmer of the tide pools glowed on and she fell into a troubled sleep. Later she thought she half woke, to see Helix sitting close to the fire for light, intently studying the pages of the icg@eq*. She wanted to stop him - he had no right to be looking at their book — but sleep was too powerful and it pulled her back under before She could resist. to shine ay nok: a record of events on a ship nd his actions? Look back at the three3.6 Helix * In this part of the story, Helix appears to take an unusual interest in the logbook, and we get the feeling that something is making Maya sleep against her will, Imagine you are Helix. Write an account from his point of view, In it, you should: + tell the reader about yourself and how you came to the island + give your thoughts about Maya and her search + explain what you found in the logbook You will need to make up many of these details. Write 150 words. Wine When planning an imaginative account from a character's point of view, start by thinking about the character's backstory. backstory: the This means imagining where they are from, what things they fictional history have done and their attitudes. or background created for a character in a ‘Swap your account with a partner and compare your writing: | * What choices have they made that are different to yours? * Which parts of your partner's account do you like? * Which parts do you think could be improved? Make suggestions. RCs men cedlgUneck Answer these questions. 1 What is hyperbole? Give an examp! 2 How do writers use language to create a conversational tone’ 3 Writea summary of Ben Gunn's experiences in Treasure Island 4 — What are the rules for setting out a script? 5 ‘Genre clues can help readers predict how stories will develop’. Explain what this means, 6 Name and explain two strategies you could use to help spell unfamiliar words. In this unit, you have read about strange islands, both real and fictional. In groups, you are going to design your own island. You can decide where the island is in the world, what type of place it is and what happens there. Start by choosing what atmosphere your island will have - it could be a qui strange island or an exciting, busy island filled with holidaymakers As you design your island, you could: think of a name for it p of it design a ma write brief accounts of | the different places and creatures it is home to write a history of the island design a travel brochure for the island write a short story or play Once you have produced some e materials, present them ass, Think about how | you will deliver the information You could use drawings, a visual presentation or even perform a dramatic piece