LEAVING BY M.G.

VASSANJI

Question 1

The following are the short stories and drama studied in the literature component in English Language.
Tanjong Rhu - Minfong Ho ( retold by Clare West )
Leaving -M.G. Vassanji ( retold by Jeniffer Basset )
The right thing to do - Martyn Ford

Choose any one of the above and answer the question below.
The road to success is paved with challenges
With close reference to the text, how far is this true of the text you have read ?

Question requirement
1. Choose one of the story studied
2. Understand the quotation qiven the road to success is paved with challenges
3. Decide either the statement is TRUE or FALSE / AGREE or DISAGREE
4. Think of the relevant evidende to support your discussion

Outline your answer ( make sure it is always relevant to question requirement )

Based on short story , Leaving , I agree that the road to success is paved with
challenges. In Leaving , Aloo a brilliant student in Tanzania , defies all odds and
Introduction achieves his dreams of studying in America. Aloo is not content to study at the local
university like most of his peers. He is inspired to venture to America where people
can study all kinds of strange and interesting things.

Statement Textual Elaboration Personal Sum up

Content1 evidence response

In order to 1. Aloo takes Despites the

achieve his the trouble to obstacles he
dream of write to faced, Aloo
studying universities in never gives up
overseas, Aloo Americato get on his dream
faces many the necessary and he finally
challenges yet information made it to
he faces them America.
wisely 2. Despite being
offered a
scholarship, his
mother points
out that they
would not be
able to raise the
money for
travel and living
expenses
3. He faces his

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 mothers wrath
when she
accuses him of
being selfish
and abandoning
the family.

4. Mr.Velji , a
school officer,
while impressed
with Aloos
results, also
points out the
downsides of
studying in
America
Content 2 Statement Textual Elaboration Personal Sum up
evidence response

In conclusion, based on what has happened to Aloo, I agree that

Conclusion the road to success is paved with challenges. We should not give
up and must face the challenges wisely.

Sample anwer:-

Based on short story , Leaving , I agree that the road to success is paved with challenges. In
Leaving , Aloo a brilliant student in Tanzania , defies all odds and achieves his dreams of studying
in America. Aloo is not content to study at the local university like most of his peers. He is inspired
to venture to America where people can study all kinds of strange and interesting things.

In order to achieve his dream of studying overseas, Aloo faces many challenges but he faces wisely
. Aloo takes the trouble to write to universities in America to get the necessary information . Aloo
faces many challenges along the way. Despite being offered a scholarship, his mother points out
that they would not be able to raise the money for travel and living expenses. He faces his
mothers wrath when she accuses him of being selfish and abandoning the family. Mr.Velji , a
school officer, while impressed with Aloos result, also points out the downsides of studying in
America. Despites the obstacles he faced, Aloo never gives up on his dream and he finally made it
to America.

In conclusion, based on what has happened to Aloo, I agree that the road to success is paved with
challenges. We should not give up and must face the challenges wisely.

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Question 2

The following are the short stories and drama studied in the literature component in English
Language.
Tanjong Rhu - Minfong Ho ( retold by Clare West )
Leaving -M.G. Vassanji ( retold by Jeniffer Basset )
The right thing to do - Martyn Ford

Choose any one of the above and answer the question below.
Ones decisions in life reflect ones character
With close reference to the text , how far is this true of the text you have read ?

Question requirement
1. Choose one of the story studied
2. Understand the quotation given Ones decisions in life reflect ones character
3. Decide either the statement is TRUE OR FALSE / AGREE OR DISAGREE
4. Think of the relevant evidences to support your discussion

Outline your answer ( make sure it is always relevant to question requirement )

Introduction Based on short story Leaving , I agree that ones decisions in life reflect ones
character. In the story , Aloo is descibed as a determine person.

Statement Textual Elaboration Personal Sum up

Content1 evidence response
Aloo a bright Although he His sight are
young boy , is has been set on
determined to offered a place studying
pursue his at the local medicine and
studies in university in he is
America. Tanzania, he is determine to
not interested live his dream
to study in America.
agriculture
Statement Textual Elaboration Personal Sum up
Content 2 evidence response
In order to Aloo decides to His wish comes
achieve his take the true when he
dream of trouble to receives a
studying write to scholarship
overseas, universities in offer from the
America to get California
the necessary Institute of
information Technology.

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 Statement Textual Elaboration Personal Sum up
Content 3 evidence response
Aloo also dream when and due to his
decides not to his mother determination
give up on his opposes his to further
dream plans, citing studies
financial overseas , his
constraints and mother,
distances despite her
misgivings,
seeks help to
send her son
overseas.

Conclusion In conclusion , Aloos decision to defy the norms of studying in a local university leads
him to great success. It tells us that Aloo is foward thinking , resourceful and
determined to succeed in life.

Sample answer

Based on short story Leaving , I agree that ones decisions in life reflect ones character. In the
story , Aloo is descibed as a determine person . Aloo a bright young boy , is determined to pursue
his studies in America. Although he has been offered a place at the local university in Tanzania, he
is not interested to study agriculture. His sight are set on studying medicine and he is determine to
live his dream in America.

In order to achieve his dream of studying overseas, Aloo decides to take the trouble to write to
universities in America to get the necessary information . His wish comes true when he receives a
scholarship offer from the California Institute of Technology.

Aloo also decides not to give up on his dream when his mother opposes his plans, citing financial
constraints and distances and due to his determination to further studies overseas, his mother,
despite her misgivings, seeks help to send her son overseas.

In conclusion , Aloos decision to defy the norms of studying in a local university leads him to
great success. It tells us that Aloo is foward thinking , resourceful and determined to succeed in
life.

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Question 3
The following are the short stories and drama studied in the literature component in English Language.

Tanjong Rhu - Minfong Ho ( retold by Clare West )

Leaving -M.G. Vassanji ( retold by Jeniffer Basset )
The right thing to do - Martyn Ford

Choose any one of the above and answer the question below.
Name one moral value emphasized in the book you have read.
With close reference to the text , explain how it is potrayed by the characters of the book you have read ?

Question requirement
1. Choose one of the story studied
2. Name one moral value emphasised in the story u choose
3. explain how it is potrayed by the characters focus on 2/3 characters that highlight the value
4. Think of the relevant evidences to support your discussion

Outline your answer ( make sure it is always relevant to question requirement )

Introduction Based on short story Leaving by M.G. Vassanji, one moral value that is emphasised is
love for family.
Statement Textual Elaboration Personal Sum up
Content1 evidence response
(STEPS) This is potrayed Widowed at 33
clearly by , Aloos mother
Aloos mother, did not remarry
who does not as she fears that
want him to go the new
overseas for husband would
studies ask her to send
because she her children to
could not bear a childrens
losing him. home . When ,
her elder
children have
married and left
home , Aloos
mother hopes
rest on her
daughter and
Aloo . Hence,
allowing Aloo to
go to America
to study was
the most
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 difficult
decision she has
to make
Statement Textual Elaboration Personal Sum up
Content 2 evidence response
(STEPS)

Statement Textual Elaboration Personal Sum up

Content 3 evidence response
(STEPS)

Conclusion

Based on short story Leaving by M.G. Vassanji, one moral value that is emphasised is love for family. This is
potrayed clearly by Aloos mother, who does not want him to go overseas for studies because she could
not bear losing him.

Widowed at 33 , Aloos mother did not remarry as she fears that the new husband would ask her to send
her children to a childrens home . When , her elder children have married and left home , Aloos mother
hopes rest on her daughter and Aloo . Hence, allowing Aloo to go to America to study was the most difficult
decision she has to make. Yet, when she sees the eagerness in her son and the pictures of the university,
she relents and seeks the necessary financial aid required to send her boy abroad . It is her love for her son
that had initially made her refuse to grant him permission to leave. Like all parents, she did not want him to
pick up negative habits or forget their traditions. And it is her love for him that makes her finally relent.

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Aloo too, loves his family, heritage and traditions , which makes it hard for him to make a decision . He
does not want to disappoint his mother or to ruin the great relationship he has with her. He would not
leave unless she gives him permission to leave for a better life. He only decides to leave after getting
permission to do so from his mother. Finally, both mother and son compromise because of their love for
each other. Aloo is taking a huge risk in choosing to go to a whole new place and culture without knowing
anyone. His mother allows him to make his own decisions and create his own life because she realises it is
for his own good. She knows that Aloo is talented and intelligent, and yearns to do well in life. Thus, he is
ready to take the scholarship to study in America as there is wider scope there. His mother gives her
blessings as she realises that a better education is what Aloo needs .

In conclusion, , one important moral value that is emphasised in this story is love for family.