The Wreck of the Zanzibar - Session 2 - Reading Comprehension

The second session of the "The Wreck of the Zanzibar" reading comprehension focuses on understanding the nuances of the text and the characters' emotions. Questions inquire about the meaning of idiomatic expressions, such as 'by a whisker', which students are expected to interpret. They are also asked to consider the local perception of Granny May, who is referred to as 'a mad old stick', prompting an exploration of character descriptions and how they inform the reader about community dynamics. Further questions delve into the figurative language used to describe Father's temperament, likening him to a 'squall', and what this suggests about his personality.

The session also addresses the significance of events in the narrative, such as the death of Molly and her calf, and the impact these events have on Laura's family. Students are encouraged to think about how characters like Joseph Hannibal capture everyone's interest. Additionally, they explore Laura's emotional state on the 15th of February, described as 'the worst day of my whole life', and the reasons behind Billy's request for Laura to bid farewell to Mother and Granny May. The atmosphere in the house following Billy's departure is another point of discussion, as is the task of summarising key events over three days in a concise 50-word limit, challenging students to distil the essence of the narrative into a brief recap.