The Wreck of the Zanzibar - Session 5 - Reading Comprehension

In Session 5 of the reading comprehension series on "The Wreck of the Zanzibar," students delve into the motivations and emotional responses of the characters as they face significant changes. The session prompts pupils to consider the reasons behind Billy's departure and the impact it has on his mother, who must cope with the situation. Questions explore the underlying causes of the characters' hunger and the difficult decision made by the family to leave their home on Bryher. The emotional perspectives of Granny May and Laura regarding the departure are also probed, providing insight into their individual feelings about the upheaval.

The session further challenges students to condense the events of October 25th, November 1st, and November 30th into a succinct summary, using no more than 50 words. This exercise in brevity is designed to test their understanding of the key events and their ability to communicate the essence of the narrative effectively. Through these questions, students are encouraged to engage critically with the text, enhancing their comprehension and summarization skills while gaining a deeper understanding of character development and plot progression.