RTC 1

“Now I’m back to the point that prompted me
to keep a diary in the first place: I don’t have a
friend.”

Questions:

1. The phrase ‘the point that prompted me’ refers to Anne’s

a) academic difficulties
b) habit of writing regularly
c) emotional loneliness
d) desire to become a writer

2. The tone of the extract can best be described as

a) humorous
b) casual
c) reflective and sad
d) angry and resentful

3. Why does Anne feel the need to keep a diary despite having people around her?

4. How does this extract reveal the difference between having companions and having a true friend?

5. What broader message about adolescence and emotional needs is conveyed through this line?

 

RTC 2

“Our entire class is quaking in its boots. The
reason, of course, is the forthcoming meeting in
which the teachers decide who’ll move up to the
next form and who’ll be kept back.”

Questions:

1. The phrase ‘quaking in its boots’ suggests that the students are

a) excited about the meeting
b) confused about the results
c) extremely nervous and fearful
d) indifferent to the outcome

2. The ‘forthcoming meeting’ represents

a) a routine classroom discussion
b) an informal interaction with teachers
c) a decisive academic evaluation
d) a disciplinary hearing

3. Why does Anne describe the fear of the class collectively rather than individually?

4. How does this extract reflect the pressure created by the education system on students?

5. What does this situation reveal about the power dynamics between teachers and students?

 

RTC 3

“The class roared. I had to laugh too, though I’d
nearly exhausted my ingenuity on the topic of
chatterboxes. It was time to come up with
something else, something original.”

Questions:

1. Anne’s reaction to the class ‘roaring’ shows her ability to

a) feel humiliated easily
b) distance herself emotionally
c) accept humour and criticism positively
d) become defensive under pressure

2. The phrase ‘something original’ highlights Anne’s

a) fear of repetition
b) respect for authority
c) creative confidence
d) academic weakness

3. Why does Anne choose to laugh along with the class instead of feeling embarrassed?

4. What ‘original’ idea does Anne come up with?

5. How does this extract reflect Anne’s attitude towards challenges and criticism?

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ANSWER KEY

RTC 1 – Answers

1. c) emotional loneliness

2. c) reflective and sad

3. Anne keeps a diary because she lacks a true emotional confidant despite being surrounded by people.

4. The extract shows that companions may be present, but a true friend provides emotional understanding and trust.

5. It highlights adolescent loneliness and the need for emotional connection during growing years.

RTC 2 – Answers

1. c) extremely nervous and fearful

2. c) a decisive academic evaluation

3. Anne uses collective fear to show that the anxiety is shared by all students, not just personal.

4. The extract reflects how academic evaluations create stress and insecurity among students.

5. It shows teachers hold decisive authority over students’ academic futures.

RTC 3 – Answers

1. c) accept humour and criticism positively

2. c) creative confidence

3. Anne laughs to handle the situation maturely and avoid embarrassment.

4. Anne writes the essay in verse. She writes about a mother duck and a father swan with three ducklings who were bitten to death because they quacked too much.

5. It shows Anne’s resilience and her willingness to respond creatively to challenges.