Unit 2 The Calm of the Evening
Let's talk What noises do you hear at night? Think of onomatopoeic words to describe them. Reading Skim the first two paragraphs. What is the setting of the story? What is the problem? The Calm of the Evening
Description of the setting:
Melissa was sitting on the front steps of the veranda, feeling the gentle breeze on her cheeks. A book was lying on her lap but she was not reading. Night was falling like a cloak around her and the air was filled with the thick scent of jasmine. She listened to the peeps, squeaks and staccato whistles of the frogs. Soon, Granny would call her to help in the kitchen but, for the moment, Melissa was relishing the calm of the evening. She gazed at a tiny grey lizard which was snatching its supper of insects around the bare light bulb. Gradually, Melissa became aware of another, less pleasant smell that was overtaking that of the jasmine. Her body stiffened as she gave the smell her full attention. It was smoke. Had Granny burnt something in the kitchen? No it wasn’t the sharp smell of burnt food. Nor was it the sweet, musky smell of a bonfire. This smoke was bitter and unpleasant and it seemed to be drifting over from the house next door. Curious rather than fearful, 3
1
What the character can feel, smell, see and hear
2
Melissa decided to investigate. She turned over the corner of the page she had been reading and put the book down on the top step. She went down into Granny’s little front garden, and made her way between the flowers and fragrant herbs growing in tubs. With cautious steps, she followed the smell of smoke across the patch of bare earth in front of Mr. Joe’s house. Then she froze. Tiny tongues of flame were darting out from beneath Mr. Joe’s front door. Melissa turned and ran.
Long sentences
Short sentences
What do you think will happen next?
• Help students to see that the long sentences show that Melissa is relaxed and not in a hurry. The short sentences change the mood, introducing some excitement and suspense. • Encourage students to suggest several different ideas for what might happen next. • Extension: Mr. Joe’s garden is very different from Granny’s garden. Ask students which words tell us that. • Extension: Ask students which elements of the story are present and which are missing.
34
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog