English First Additional Language Week 6
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Move from lesson study to exam practice in English First Additional Language.
Think about someone in your community—maybe a neighbour in Soweto or a friend from school—who stands up for what’s right, even when it’s tough. In many South African short stories, characters like Thandi or Sipho face challenges such as poverty, peer pressure, or even load-shedding. For example, in a story set in Khayelitsha, Thandi refuses to join her friends in skipping school to help her mother sell vetkoek at the taxi rank. This action shows her sense of responsibility. When analysing characters, look for what they do, say, and how others react to them. A common misconception is thinking a character’s actions are always good or bad. In reality, characters are complex—just like real people. Focus on their motivations and how they change. This helps you answer Paper 2 questions that ask for character analysis.
Imagine watching a Banyana Banyana match and noticing how teamwork leads to victory. The theme is like the lesson or big idea the story wants to share—such as the power of unity or the struggle for justice. In our short story, the theme might be about overcoming adversity or the importance of honesty. For example, Ahmed, who lives in Durban, chooses to tell the truth about a lost wallet, even though he fears being blamed. The story uses his actions to show the value of integrity. Don’t confuse the theme with the plot—the plot is what happens, while the theme is what it means. In exams, you’ll need to identify the theme and link it to specific events or character choices.
When you answer questions in Paper 2, markers look for clear structure. The PEEL method helps: Point (make your main point), Evidence (give a quote or example), Explain (say what it shows), and Link (connect to the question or theme). For instance, if asked how Lerato shows courage, you might write: 'Lerato shows courage when she stands up to the school bully (Point). She says, "I won’t let you scare me" (Evidence). This shows she is brave, even when afraid (Explain). This links to the theme of standing up for what is right (Link).' Many learners forget to include evidence or to explain it fully—this loses marks. Practise using PEEL to boost your answers.
Step 1: Read the question: 'How does Sipho show responsibility in the story? (3 marks)' Step 2: Identify an action: Sipho helps his younger sister with homework during load-shedding. Step 3: Find evidence: The text says, 'Sipho lit a candle and explained the sums patiently.' Step 4: Explain: This shows Sipho cares for his family and puts others first. Step 5: Link: His actions highlight the theme of family support. Final answer: Sipho shows responsibility by helping his sister with homework during load-shedding. The text says, 'Sipho lit a candle and explained the sums patiently.' This shows he cares for his family, linking to the theme of family support. Sanity check: All PEEL steps are present, and the answer is clear.
Step 1: Read the question: 'What is the main theme of the story? Use evidence. (3 marks)' Step 2: Identify the theme: Honesty. Step 3: Find evidence: Ahmed returns the lost wallet. Step 4: Explain: His action shows the importance of doing the right thing, even when it’s hard. Step 5: Link: This reflects the theme of honesty in daily life. Final answer: The main theme is honesty. Ahmed returns a lost wallet, even though he could have kept it. This shows the importance of doing what is right, even when it’s difficult. Sanity check: The answer is focused, uses evidence, and explains the theme.
Question: 'How does Thandi show determination in the story? (3 marks)' Model thinking: Let’s look for a moment where Thandi faces a challenge. She wakes up early to fetch water before school, even when it’s raining. Worked response: Thandi shows determination by waking up early to fetch water before school, even in the rain. The story says, 'Thandi wrapped her doek tighter and stepped into the cold morning.' This shows she is committed to her responsibilities. Now you try: How does Sipho show kindness in the story? (3 marks) Suggested answer: Sipho shows kindness by sharing his lunch with a classmate who forgot theirs. The story says, 'Sipho smiled and handed over half his sandwich.' This shows he cares about others.
Question: 'Explain how Lerato’s actions support the theme of courage. (3 marks)' Model thinking: Find an action where Lerato faces fear. She reports a cheating incident, even though her friends might be angry. Worked response: Lerato supports the theme of courage by reporting cheating, even though her friends might be upset. The text says, 'Lerato’s hands shook as she spoke to the teacher.' This shows she is brave, even when scared. Now you try: Explain how Ahmed’s actions support the theme of honesty. (3 marks) Suggested answer: Ahmed supports the theme of honesty by returning a lost wallet. The text says, 'Ahmed hesitated, then handed the wallet to the shopkeeper.' This shows he values truthfulness.
1. Name two main characters from the story. For each, write one sentence describing what makes them important. 2. List one action each character takes that shows a personal quality (like honesty or responsibility). 3. Identify the setting of the story and explain in one sentence how it affects the characters’ lives. For example, does living in Polokwane or Khayelitsha change what they do?
1. Explain how Sipho’s actions show responsibility. Use evidence from the story and write at least two sentences. 2. What theme is shown by Thandi’s behaviour? Give a reason and support it with a short quote or example from the text. 3. Write a short PEEL paragraph on how Ahmed demonstrates honesty. Make sure you include a point, evidence from the story, an explanation, and a link to the theme.
1. Analyse how the author uses setting to highlight the theme. Give two examples from the story, explaining how the place or time makes the theme clearer. 2. Compare Thandi and Lerato’s responses to challenges. Who is more determined? Justify your answer with evidence and explain your reasoning in two or more sentences. 3. Answer this exam-style question: 'Discuss how the actions of two characters reveal the main theme of the story. (6 marks)'. Write a structured answer using the PEEL method for each character.
Answer: The lesson or message the story conveys
Many confuse theme with plot (events), but theme is the underlying message or lesson. For example, if a story is about overcoming hardship, the theme might be resilience, not just what happens. Choosing the plot or setting as the theme is a common mistake.
Answer: Structure your answers clearly
PEEL helps you organise your response so that each part of your answer is clear and supported by evidence. This is important for earning full marks in Paper 2. Simply summarising or listing facts does not meet exam requirements.
Answer: Helping his sister with homework during load-shedding
Responsibility is shown by helping others and doing what is expected, especially in difficult situations like load-shedding. Skipping school or ignoring chores are the opposite of responsibility, and arguing with a teacher does not show positive responsibility.
Answer: Theme is the message; plot is what happens
Theme is the deeper meaning or lesson of the story, while plot is the sequence of events. Many learners mix these up, but exam questions often ask for both, so knowing the difference is essential.
Answer: "Ahmed returned the lost wallet to the shopkeeper."
Returning the wallet is an honest action, which directly supports the theme of honesty. The other options show dishonesty or avoidance, which would not support this theme and could cost you marks if chosen.
Answer: She wakes up early to fetch water before school, even when it’s difficult, showing commitment.
Determination is shown by her willingness to face challenges and not give up. Many might say she is just doing her chores, but the fact that she does it in tough conditions, like rain or cold, shows extra effort and strong willpower.
Answer: 2 steps (Point and Evidence)
The answer gives a point ('Lerato is brave') and some evidence ('She reports cheating'), but it does not fully explain or link the answer to the theme or question. Many learners forget to include all four steps, which can lower their marks.
Answer: He is nervous or anxious, possibly about the load-shedding or helping his sister.
Shaking hands suggest strong emotions, not just physical cold. In literature, physical actions often show inner feelings. Many learners might only mention the cold, but the context suggests anxiety or pressure.
Answer: Ahmed, by returning a lost wallet
Ahmed’s specific action demonstrates honesty because he chooses to do the right thing even when he could have kept the wallet. Thandi’s action is responsible, but not directly about honesty. Many confuse responsibility with honesty.
Answer: To make the story more realistic and relatable
Load-shedding is a real challenge in South Africa, making the story authentic and helping readers connect with the characters’ struggles. Choosing other options ignores the importance of setting in making stories believable.
Answer: It shows you have read the story and supports your points
Evidence proves your answer is based on the text, which is required for marks. Without evidence, your answer is just opinion and may not score well. Many learners lose marks by not quoting or referencing the story.