The Other Side Of Truth Beverley Naidoo

ead the chapter and answer the following questions.

A/ Summary - Fill in the blanks.

(1) The book opens with the death of the _______________ of Folarin Solaja, an outspoken _________________ working for the newspaper _____________. The first scene shows how a scene of everyday life (__________ is preparing her schoolbag) can be abruptly disrupted by sudden violence. As she hears her father _____________, Sade rushes outside only to see her mother lying on the ground, dying: she has been _____________ and a car is heard vanishing in the distance. Unfortunately, the doctor is unable to save Mrs Solaja. Both Sade and her little brother, _________, are in shock and remain speechless. In a discussion in the study, __________ _____________ advises his brother to go to London to their brother ___________'s in order to hide. Although Folarin is reluctant to leave Nigeria, Uncle Tunde manages to make him see sense and he finally agrees to his brother's plan.

B/ Answer the following questions.

(2) Why does Sade want to change clothes?

(3) The truth is the truth. How can I write what's untrue?

Why is in italics? Who says that? What does it reveal about his/her personality?

(4) Was Mrs Solaja aware of the risks related to her husband's articles? Imagine what he must have criticised in them.

C/ Historical context.

(5) Who are Ken Saro-Wiwa and General Abacha?

(6) What do we learn about Nigeria and its regime at the time?

(7) Who are the "buttons" and the "brains"?

Chapter 2

Read the chapter and answer the following questions.

A/ Summary - Fill in the blanks.

(1) Both brothers have decided it would be safer to leave ______________ to go to _______________. Uncle Tunde is to arrange for the __________________. They have to travel under false identities to ________________ the authorities. One month before Mrs Solaja's death, the police had already ________________ their house and searched everywhere for ______________ and Mr Solaja's passport. The children are to leave first with Mrs ______________.

B/(2) Give the following information.

Uncle Tunde's occupation: ______________________

Femi's best friend: _________________________

Femi's favourite pastime: _____________________

Mama Buki's relation to Mama: ___________________

C/ Answer the following questions.

(3) Where was Papa supposed to go one month before? Why?

(4) Why can't they tell anyone that they are planning to leave?

(5) Why is it convenient for the children to go with Mrs Bankole?

D/ Going further

(6) Analyse and compare Sade's and Femi's behaviours in this chapter.

(7) Imagine the children's state of mind when they are told they are leaving this same night.

(8) What metaphor is used to describe the gang of policemen who burst into their house? Explain.

Chapter 3

Read the chapter and answer the following questions.

A/ Summary

(1) Take notes about the main events related in this chapter. Be prepared to talk for about 4 minutes.

B/ (2) Give the following information

Uncle Dele's occupation: ______________________

Uncle Dele's place of work: _________________________

Names of Sade's two favourite ornaments: _____________________

C/ Answer the following questions

(3) Where was Papa supposed to go one month before? Why?

(4) Why can't they tell anyone that they are planning to leave?

(5) Why is it convenient for the children to go with Mrs Bankole?

D/ Going further

(6) Explain what the mother meant by "beans from the same pod".

(7) How many analepses (=flashbacks) are there in this chapter? Why are there so many?

(8) Whose stream of thought are we following?

(9) Analyse Femi's attitude throughout the chapter. What do we know about him before his mother's assassination?

(10) Explain the metaphor in "the blanket covered them like a great thunder cloud".

(11) Explain the last lines of the chapter from "Only a few hours ago" onwards.

Chapter 4

Read the chapter and answer the following questions.

A/ Summary -Fill in the blanks.

(1) Uncle Tunde drives the children to the ______________, where __________________ is to be waiting for them. Their uncle has to _______________ them under a _______________ for fear the

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