English First Additional Language - Term 2 - Week 6

Think about someone you know—maybe your cousin in Khayelitsha who hustles to pay for data, or a neighbour in Polokwane who helps out during load-shedding. Characters in stories are just like us: they have strengths, weaknesses, and dreams. In the short story 'The Taxi Ride', Sipho must decide whether to return a lost wallet he finds in a minibus taxi. His actions show his honesty and the pressures he faces. To describe a character, look for what they say, do, and how others react to them. Don’t just say 'Sipho is kind'—show it with a quote or example from the story. Many learners mistakenly list traits without proof. Always support your answer with evidence. For example, if Sipho helps someone, quote his words or describe his actions. This habit will help you in Paper 2, where every mark counts. Remember, characters are not just names on a page—they are people shaped by their choices.

After the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup, many South Africans felt united. That feeling—unity—is a theme. A theme is the main message or idea the author wants you to think about. In 'The Taxi Ride', the theme is honesty under pressure. Sipho’s choice to return the wallet, even when he needs money, shows this. To find the theme, ask: What lesson does the character learn? How does the setting—like the busy streets of Soweto—add to the message? Don’t confuse theme with topic. 'Taxi rides' is a topic; 'doing the right thing when it’s hard' is a theme. A common misconception is that the theme is just what happens in the story. In fact, the theme is the deeper lesson or message the author wants to communicate. Always look for what the character learns or what the reader is meant to think about after reading.

Imagine writing an exam during load-shedding in Durban. The setting—dark, hot, noisy—affects how you feel and act. In stories, setting is the place and time where things happen. In 'The Taxi Ride', the crowded taxi, the driver’s loud music, and the rush-hour traffic all influence Sipho’s decision. The setting can make a character’s choice harder or easier. For example, the crowded taxi makes it easier for Sipho to keep the wallet unnoticed, but he chooses to return it anyway. When you answer questions about character, always think: How does the setting affect what they do? Many learners forget this link and lose marks in Paper 2. Always connect the place and time to the character’s actions. The setting is not just background; it is part of the story’s action and meaning.

When you answer NSC exam questions, you must use evidence. This means quoting or paraphrasing what happens in the story. For example, if Sipho returns the wallet, you might write: 'Sipho shows honesty when he says, "I can’t keep what’s not mine."' Or you can paraphrase: Sipho decides to return the wallet even though he needs the money. Never just copy long chunks from the text. Choose short, relevant parts. A common mistake is giving a quote that doesn’t match the point. Always check: Does this evidence prove my answer? In Paper 2, you often get one mark for naming the trait and another for supporting it with evidence. Practise finding the best quote or example for your answer. This skill will help you in both short and long questions.

Step 1: Read the question: 'What character trait does Sipho show when he returns the wallet? Give evidence.' Step 2: Think about what Sipho does—he returns the wallet even though he could keep it. Step 3: Name the trait: honesty. Step 4: Find a quote: Sipho says, 'I can’t keep what’s not mine.' Step 5: Write the answer: Sipho shows honesty when he returns the wallet. He says, 'I can’t keep what’s not mine.' Sanity check: The answer names the trait and gives evidence. This matches the 2-mark NSC style.

Step 1: Read the question: 'Explain how Sipho’s actions develop the theme.' Step 2: Identify the theme: honesty under pressure. Step 3: Describe Sipho’s action: He returns the wallet even though he needs money for taxi fare. Step 4: Link action to theme: His choice shows that doing the right thing is important, even when it’s difficult. Step 5: Write the answer: Sipho’s decision to return the wallet, despite needing money, develops the theme of honesty under pressure. Sanity check: The answer links action to theme, as required for a 3-mark question.

Question: What trait does Lerato show when she stands up to the taxi driver who skips her stop? Let’s think: Lerato speaks up even though she’s nervous. That’s courage. Model answer: Lerato shows courage when she tells the driver to stop. She says, 'Please stop, this is my stop.' Now you try: What trait does Ahmed show when he helps an old woman carry her groceries, even though he is late for school? Answer: Ahmed shows kindness when he helps the old woman, even though he is late.

Question: How does the setting of the busy taxi rank affect Sipho’s decision? Let’s think: The noise and rush might make it easier to keep the wallet, but Sipho chooses to do the right thing. Model answer: The busy taxi rank makes it tempting for Sipho to keep the wallet, but he still returns it, showing his honesty. Now you try: How does a power cut during an exam affect Thandi’s choice to keep working or give up? Answer: The power cut makes it harder for Thandi, but she keeps working, showing determination.

1. Name two character traits of Sipho from 'The Taxi Ride.' 2. Give one quote that shows Sipho’s honesty in the story. 3. What is the setting of the story? Describe it in one or two sentences. Try to use details from the text, such as the type of taxi, the time of day, or the atmosphere.

1. Explain how Sipho’s actions show the theme of honesty. Use an example from the story to support your answer. 2. Describe how the setting influences the main character’s decision. Think about what makes the choice difficult or easy. 3. Find a quote that shows Sipho is under pressure. Write the quote and explain how it shows he is feeling stress or temptation.

1. Analyse how the author uses setting to build tension in the story. Give at least one example from the text and explain its effect. 2. Compare Sipho’s choice to return the wallet with a time you faced a difficult decision. Write a short paragraph about your experience and what you learned. 3. Justify whether you think Sipho’s choice was realistic, using evidence from the story. Give reasons for your answer and refer to the character’s situation.

• Dishonesty
• Laziness
• Honesty
• Selfishness

Answer: Honesty

Sipho returns the wallet, showing honesty. Some may choose 'Selfishness', but his actions are the opposite.

• Taxi rides
• Honesty under pressure
• Friendship
• Load-shedding

Answer: Honesty under pressure

The story’s main message is about being honest even when it’s difficult, not just about taxis or friendship.

• A farm in Limpopo
• A minibus taxi in Soweto
• A school in Durban
• A mall in Mthatha

Answer: A minibus taxi in Soweto

The story takes place in a Soweto taxi, not on a farm or in a school.

• "I can’t keep what’s not mine."
• "I wish I had more money."
• "The taxi is full today."
• "I’m tired of school."

Answer: "I can’t keep what’s not mine."

This quote directly shows Sipho’s honesty because he is making a clear statement about his values. The other options do not relate to honesty or his decision about the wallet. Learners often pick a quote that sounds important, but only this one proves the trait.

• It makes the story longer.
• It influences Sipho’s decision.
• It tells us the characters’ names.
• It shows the story is fiction.

Answer: It influences Sipho’s decision.

Setting is important because it creates the environment where the character must make a choice. In this story, the busy taxi and Soweto’s atmosphere add pressure and temptation, affecting what Sipho does. Learners sometimes think setting is just background, but it shapes the action.