EXTACTS FROM THE SISTERS BY PAULINE SMITH
Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
Extract A
[Marta agrees to marry Jan Redlinghuis.]
| And she said again: “Sukey, my darling, listen now! If I marry old Jan Redlinghuis he will let the water into my father’s furrow, and the lands of Zeekoegatt will be saved. I am going to do it, and God will help me.” I cried to her: “Marta! Old Jan Redlinghuis is a sinful man, going at times a little mad in his head. God must help you before you marry him. Afterwards it will be too late.” And Marta said: “Sukey, if I do right, right will come of it, and it is right for me to save the lands of my father. Think now, Sukey, my darling! There is not one of us that is without sin in the world and old Jan Redlinghuis is not always mad. Who am I to judge Jan Redlinghuis? And can I then let my father be driven like a poor- white to Platkops dorp?” And she drew me down on to the pillow beside her, and took me into her arms, and I cried there until far into the night. The next day I went alone across the river to old Jan Redlinghuis’s farm. No one knew that I went, or what it was in my heart to do. |
QUESTIONS
- Complete the following sentences by using the words provided in the list below. Write only the words next to the question numbers (1a) – 1d)).
orange; Jan Redlinghuis; Sukey; Grootkops; Ghamka; Marta; Burgert de Jager; Platkops This short story is set near the a) … river in a place called b) … The narrator of the story is c) … and her father is d) … (4)
- Why does Marta’s father ask her to marry Jan Redlinghuis? State TWO points. (2)
- Using your own words, explain why Marta agrees to marry Jan Redlinghuis. (2)
- Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence. Write only the answer (A–D).
Sukey’s father’s agreement with Jan Redlinghuis proves that he is …- arrogant.
- careful.
- selfless.
- selfish. (1)
- Sukey thinks that Jan is “a sinful man” and often “a little mad” (line 5).
In your opinion, is he mad? Give a reason for your answer. (2) - Briefly describe the relationship between the two sisters, Marta and Sukey. Give an example to substantiate your answer. (2)
- Name TWO aspects of Marta’s character that are shown in this extract. (2)
- Sukey goes to see Jan Redlinghuis the next day.
- Explain why Sukey goes to see Jan Redlinghuis. (2)
- Identify the theme which is shown here. (1)
- Discuss your views on Marta’s decision to marry Jan Redlinghuis. (2) [20]
ANSWERS
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Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
Extract B
[Marta has died.]
| We buried Marta in my mother’s grave at Zeekoegatt … And still they could not find Jan Redlinghuis. Six days they looked for him, and at last they found his body in the mountains. God knows what madness had driven old Jan Redlinghuis to the mountains when his wife lay dying, but there it was they found him, and at Bitterwater he was buried. That night my father came to me and said: “It is true what you said to me, Sukey. It is blood that I have led on my lands to water them, and this night will I close the furrow that I built from the Ghamka river. God forgive me, I will do it.” It was in my heart to say to him: “The blood is already so deep in the lands that nothing we can do will now wash it out.” But I did not say this. I do not know how it was, but there came before me the still, sad face of my sister, Marta, and it was as if she herself answered for me. “Do now as it seems right to you,” I said to my father. “Who am I that I should judge you?” |
QUESTIONS
- Which aspect of her personality caused Sukey’s mother to be severely saddened and upset by the feud between her husband and Jan Redlinghuis? (1)
- Is the following statement TRUE or FALSE? Write “true” or “false” and give a reason for your answer.
Mrs de Jager died of cancer. (2) - Give ONE reason why the people are looking for Jan Redlinghuis (lines 1–3). (1)
- Explain why Jan Redlinghuis goes to the mountain. (2)
- Refer to line 8 (“It is blood … on my lands”).
- Identify the figure of speech used here. (1)
- Explain the meaning of this line in the context of the story. (2)
- Briefly explain how Burgert de Jager changes in this story. (2)
- Quote a sentence which proves that Sukey is submitting to her father. (1)
- In your opinion, who is to blame for Marta’s death? Explain your choice. (3) [15]
Answers
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