Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Each Friday morning the whole school spent the pre-recess period in writing their Weekly Review. This was one of the Old Man’s pet schemes; and one about which he would brook no interference. Each child would review the events of his school week in his own words, in his own way; he was free to comment, to criticize, to agree or disagree, with any person, subject or method, as long as it was in some way associated with the school …..

(i) Why did Mr. Florian feel that the weekly review was of advantage to both pupil and teacher? 

(ii) Why did Braithwaite feel both relief and disappointment at the first weekly review his students had written since he joined the school? 

(iii) How was he given the silent treatment by his students? 

(iv) What does Braithwaite term the second and more annoying phase of his relationship with his students? What did some students do to disrupt his class? 

(v) Mention two qualities in Braithwaite’s character which help him to become a model teacher. Give suitable examples to illustrate your choice.

Answer 1

(i) If the matter is important to the child he will write carefully and in detail / that will improve his written English / teachers get a good idea of what the children think of them / if the children did not enjoy a well-prepared lesson, it will help the teacher to plan better

(ii) Very little attention was given to Braithwaite / they had mentioned they had a new black teacher / they were more concerned with the failure of the radiogram during their dance session / and the success of some boys as representatives of the local club’s boxing team

(iii) They would do any task he set them / without interest or enthusiasm / they would sit and stare at Braithwaite / he would feel their eyes on him and look up to see them watching him

(iv)

• Noisy treatment
• Someone would lift the lid of a desk and let it fall with a loud bang
• Especially when he was reading or speaking to them.

(v)

•  Patient / intelligent / loving and caring / hard working / innovative /sensitive/able to motivate his students
• Personal response.