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Read the extract and answer the following questions.
Extract:
‘Paper has more patience than people.’ I thought of this saying on one of those days when I was feeling a little depressed and was sitting at home with my chin in my hands, bored and listless, wondering whether to stay in or go out. I finally stayed where I was, brooding: Yes, paper does have more patience, and since I’m not planning to let anyone else read this stiff-backed notebook grandly referred to as a ‘diary’, unless I should ever find a real friend, it probably won’t make a bit of difference.
(From the Diary of Anne Frank)
Question (i)
State TRUE or FALSE.
The speaker of this extract is feeling cheerful and optimistic about her life.
Answer:
As written by the student:
FALSE
Step-by-step explanation of the answer:
- 📝 To answer this question, we need to identify the tone and mood of the speaker from the words and phrases she uses in the extract.
- 📚 The tone is the attitude or emotion that the speaker conveys through her language. The mood is the feeling or atmosphere that the speaker creates for the reader.
- 📖 In this extract, the speaker uses words and phrases such as " depressed", "bored and listless", "brooding" and "it probably won't make a bit of difference" to express her feelings. These words and phrases indicate that the speaker is feeling sad, hopeless, lonely and frustrated with her situation.
- ✅ Therefore, based on this evidence, we can infer that the speaker of this extract is not feeling cheerful and optimistic about her life, but rather the opposite. Hence, the statement is FALSE.
Question (ii)
What does the saying "Paper has more patience than people" mean in the context of this extract? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer:
As written by the student:
The saying means that paper can listen to the speaker's thoughts and feelings without judging or interrupting her, unlike people who might not understand or care about her.
Step-by-step explanation of the answer:
- 📝 To answer this question, we need to explain the meaning of the saying and how it relates to the speaker's situation and purpose of writing a diary.
- 📚 A saying is a common expression that conveys a message or advice based on experience or observation. In this case, the saying compares paper to people in terms of patience. Patience is the ability to tolerate or endure something without getting angry or upset.
- 📖 In this extract, the speaker uses this saying to justify why she writes a diary instead of confiding in someone else. She feels that paper can listen to her without judging or interrupting her, unlike people who might not understand or care about her. She also feels that paper will not betray her secrets or mock her sentiments, unlike people who might do so. She writes a diary as a way of coping with her isolation and expressing her true self.
- ✅ Therefore, based on this analysis, we can explain that the saying means that paper can listen to the speaker's thoughts and feelings without judging or interrupting her, unlike people who might not understand or care about her.
Question (iii)
Identify and name one literary device used by the speaker in this extract to emphasize her contrast between paper and people.
Answer:
As written by the student:
The literary device used by the speaker is anaphora.
Step-by-step explanation of the answer:
- 📝 To answer this question, we need to define what a literary device is and identify one example of it from the extract.
- 📚 A literary device is a technique that a writer uses to create a special effect or meaning in their writing. Some common literary devices are metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, alliteration, etc.
- 📖 In this extract, the speaker uses a literary device called anaphora. Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses. It is used to create emphasis, rhythm or coherence. For example, in this extract, the speaker repeats the word "paper" three times at the beginning of three sentences: "Paper has more patience than people.", "Yes, paper does have more patience," and "unless I should ever find a real friend, it probably won't make a bit of difference." This repetition emphasizes how paper is more reliable and trustworthy than people for the speaker.
- ✅ Therefore, based on this identification, we can name the literary device used by the speaker as anaphora.
Question (iv)
What is the significance of the name "Kitty" that the speaker gives to her diary? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer:
As written by the student:
The name "Kitty" signifies that the speaker considers her diary as a friend, a companion and a confidant who can share her secrets and emotions.
Step-by-step explanation of the answer:
- 📝 To answer this question, we need to understand the meaning and implication of the name "Kitty" that the speaker gives to her diary.
- 📚 The name "Kitty" is a common nickname for girls or cats. It is usually used as a term of endearment or affection. It can also suggest cuteness, playfulness or innocence.
- 📖 In this extract, the speaker gives her diary the name "Kitty" and addresses her diary entries as letters to Kitty. This shows that the speaker considers her diary as a friend, a companion and a confidant who can share her secrets and emotions. She also implies that she does not have any real friends in her life, and that she hopes to find one someday. She writes a diary as a way of escaping from her loneliness and expressing her true self.
- ✅ Therefore, based on this interpretation, we can explain that the name "Kitty" signifies that the speaker considers her diary as a friend, a companion and a confidant who can share her secrets and emotions.
