Novel Study 1

By Fleur Beale

Assessment Criteria for reading/listening skills

We Are Learning To:
Working
Read/Listen using strategies to Towards
Incomplete
help our comprehension of a text.
Achieved Answers have been completed
Present a scripted scene.
Answers have been completed
Write a response to text essay. Merit
with accuracy
Answers have been completed
Excellence
with accuracy and detail
 Novel Study 2

Before you read

1. Find out about the author at:
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/new-zealand-childrens-authors/fleur-
beale/

Name:

Date of birth:

Living in:

Favourite food:

Favourite school subject:

Best thing about being a writer:

Advice for aspiring writers:

2. Predictions about the text

Look at the cover illustration, title and blurb. Write three sentences about the
characters, setting, plot or theme(s) that you think this book might include. Back up
your ideas using evidence (use an I statement and because in your sentences).

3
 Novel Study 3

Active Listening
Listen carefully as the text is read to you. Draw/write important information to help you
understand the storyline. Try to include aspects of the main characters and the conflicts
that occur between them.
 Novel Study 4

Reading the text:

Fill in the answers at the end of each reading session. The blank lines at the top are
for you to explain the title and/or quotation for each section.

Chapters 1 and 2: Meet the family

I dreamed of being a rally driver. Mum and Dad didnt know that.
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Ever been hit by a tornado? Its not nice I can tell you. What is Greg talking about?
________________________________________________________________________________
Greg compares himself with his older sister, Kitty, and his younger brother, William. Kitty is a
_______________, William is a _____________________. How is Greg different? _____________
________________________________________________________________________________
Greg asked his parents for a ______________ and they gave him a __________________________
Greg is late home and misses his study session with his mum. What is his punishment? ________
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How does William help? ____________________________________________________________
Greg goes to see Mr Carmody. What is the result of this? _________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Mr Carmody says: You might find that your father _____________________ you a bit more if you
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Chapters 3 and 4: Tough Love

I forgot I was hungry. I forgot it was raining.
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Greg bikes around town to several ___________________________ asking for ________________
Why didnt the woman change the flat tyre herself? ______________________________________
What do she and Greg find that they have in common? ___________________________________
Greg rings more _______________________ and _____________________ asking for a job.
Dad gives Greg a list of jobs to do, what are 2? __________________________________________
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 Novel Study 5

What does Greg do with the list? _____________________________________________________

Brad and Holly seem impressed with Greg. What is it that might have impressed them? ________
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Chapters 5 - 8: Brad and Holly

Im leaving home today if you try to stop me doing the one thing Im good at.
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Its a bad sport, said Dad. Name two reasons he gives. _________________________________
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Holly and Brad give Gregs parents reasons for being proud of him. Three of their reasons are:
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How does Gregs mum agree to support him? ___________________________________________
Holly gives Greg a lesson on co-driving. Explain these symbols in the route book:
A tulip __________________________________________________________________________
The black lines between columns _____________________________________________________
Exclamation marks ________________________________________________________________
A blue arrow _____________________________________________________________________
Briefly explain the co-drivers job? ____________________________________________________
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What special gear will Greg need to wear? _____________________________________________

Chapters 9 and 10: Minding the shop

My money. The first Id ever earned. All mine. Awesome.
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How does Greg prove his worth when he is left in charge of the workshop? ___________________
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 Novel Study 6

What is the present Greg gives his mum? ______________________________________________

She says it will remind her that he is __________________________________________________
How else does she stand up for Greg? _________________________________________________
What advice does Holly give Greg? ____________________________________________________

Chapters 11, 12 and 13: First Rally

Got some action of my own lined up.
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Jason was looking as sick as a dead cow. Why? _________________________________________
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What is Mr Shepherds reaction to Gregs news? ________________________________________
Who else in Gregs class is just as keen on rallying? ______________________________________
The three of us went over the car, checking through the list the scrutineers would use. Name four
things they check. _________________________________________________________________
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What had Holly warned Greg that he would need a good supply of? _________________________
What is printed on the side of the car? ________________________________________________
Who are their support crew? ________________________________________________________
Who is their main rival? ____________________________________________________________
What is a triangle used for in the rally? ________________________________________________
What result did Greg and Brad get? ___________________________________________________
How did Greg get the last laugh? ___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 14: Second Rally

We all jumped around and did a sort of dance in the middle of the hall. People stared at us,
laughing.
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Seeing the Cosworth again reminds Greg that ___________________________________________
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 Novel Study 7

What work does Greg do on his dads car? _____________________________________________

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What further work does he advise his father to have done? ________________________________
Greg is careful not to let Ted get to him. Why? __________________________________________
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What is Brads technique for getting through the ford? ___________________________________
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Chapter 15: Mini

It was a red Mini, all set up for rallying. Price $500.
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How does Gregs mum help him buy the car? ___________________________________________
Who does Greg choose to be his co-driver? _____________________________________________
The gymkhana Greg goes to involves a number of tests. Describe one of them. ________________
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What is a handbrake turn? __________________________________________________________
Gregs dad lets him drive on their trip to Auckland. How did this turn out to be a good move? ____
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His dad praises him for the first time. What does he say? _________________________________
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Greg finds out that Kitty and William have been watching out for him. How has William done this?
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Chapters 16 and 17: Mini Rally

Keep it on the road!
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At school, Chris Broadbank takes an interest in Gregs rally driving. Why is Greg surprised? ______
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 Novel Study 8

Who will be Gregs service crew? _____________________________________________________

Brad coaches him on what to do. What is one piece of advice he gives? ______________________
________________________________________________________________________________
After a couple of errors, Greg decides its best to go a bit _______________________ and just get
the hang of things
How is Mr Shepherd useful when the accelerator fails? ___________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Greg is learning more and more about how to handle corners. We __________________ around
the second one like a _____________________________________________________________.
How were the spectators useful when the car went off the road? ___________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Greg realises that speed is less important than he thought. Instead, he tries to cool it and keep it
______________________. The team is pleased with the result. We _____________________.
We came __________________________ - and we had a ball.

Chapters 18 and 19: Friends

I had friends.
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Brad is hoping to get sponsorship. It depends on them getting ____________________ in Class N.
If he gets the sponsorship he will be able to ____________________ his car. Just in case he needs
it, Greg upgrades his ____________________________ licence. What does he have to do to pass
the test? ________________________________________________________________________
How does Greg find the test? ________________________________________________________
What does Greg check on the family car before his parents go to Palmerston North? ___________
________________________________________________________________________________
Where do Greg and Megan go on their date? ___________________________________________
William always puts _______________________________ in the meals he makes.
What has Brad forgotten to ask Greg? _________________________________________________
Ted says, You know about the bad corner on this stage of course. What is he trying to do again?
________________________________________________________________________________
What is ironic about what happens to Ted on this stage? __________________________________
 Novel Study 9

Chapter 20: Spectators

What say we hire a van or something and all go together?
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The exams came and went. What is different about the way Greg copes with exams this time?
________________________________________________________________________________
What do they notice about the behaviour of some spectators? _____________________________
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The top crews all had pace notes. What does this mean? __________________________________
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Chapters 21 and 22: Final Test

I reckon Id slid around the corner and now I was off up the straight.
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How long did Greg and Mr Shepherd last in their next rally in the Mini? ______________________
Gregs mum gives him a poster of a ____________________________________ car. Greg gets up
the courage to ask ____________________________ to the school _________________________
Kissing was a bit like learning to ______________________________________________________
It felt pretty good once _____________________________________________________________
Gregs dad agrees to _______________________________________________________________
Brad damages his ankle when they shift the car back onto the road. This means they will be out of
the rallyor does it? What does Greg tell Brad that changes everything? _____________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Why does Greg think he hasnt done well? _____________________________________________
What cheers him up? ______________________________________________________________
What is their race result? ___________________________________________________________
What does the present Gregs father gives him tell us about how he has changed his attitude to
Greg? ___________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
 Novel Study 10

The Setting
1. Below is a list of place names mentioned in the novel. Use an atlas to locate each place.
2. Mark each place on the map of the North Island (not identified already).
3. Complete the table, describing the event that took place.

Page Place Event

14 Hamilton Gregs hometown; the story takes place here.

16 Bennydale, Pureroa Forest

27 Tuhikaramea

28 Kawhia

66 Maramarua Forest

72 Pokeno

80 Huntly, Taupiri

95 Wellsford

104 Auckland

105 Tokoroa

110 Ngaruawahia

111 Horotiu Freezing Works

118 Tokoroa

132 Palmerston North

133 Otorohonga

150 Cambridge, Pirongia

157 Taupo
Novel Study 11
 Novel Study 12

Update
Fleur Beale published Slide the Corner in 1992.
1. What parts of the story seem out-of-date now?
2. Could these characters and events still occur in 2017, 25 years later? Explain your answer.
 Novel Study 13

Dramatic Presentation
Either:
Reread the argument between Greg and his Dad when Greg threatens to leave
home. With a partner, practise acting out this scene. How are the words delivered
- volume, pace, interruptions, pauses? What facial expressions and gestures would
be used? What is the non-speaking actor doing when the other character is
speaking?
Or:
What do you imagine Gregs parents would say to each other about Greg when he
is not present? Write a short conversation that shows how they view their son, and
their own differences in character. Remember to consider how the two characters
would sit or stand, use gestures, their voice volume, pace, tone, pause, interruption;
and what props and costume items will enhance your delivery.

You will be assessed at Level 5 of the NZ Curriculum using the following criteria:
Working Achieved Merit Excellence
Towards
Ideas about You have presented You have presented Your presentation Your presentation is
character insufficient ideas some relevant and provides interesting thoughtful and
relating to your interesting ideas and thoughtful shows great
character. about your content relating to understanding of
character. your character. your character.
Presentation You have used You have engaged You have You have sustained
(oral and visual minimal presentation the audience by demonstrated a audience
techniques and did speaking clearly and range of engagement through
techniques) not engage the using eye contact presentation skills to the effective and
audience. appropriately. engage the audience. confident use of a
range of
presentation
techniques.

Comment:
 Novel Study 14

Character Study
Greg says Id slid around the corner and now I was off up the straight.

1. What was his character like at the start? Add examples from the text to support your
answer.
2. What was Greg like by the end of the story? In what ways is he different now?
3. What helped Greg to change?
4. What signs are there in the text that his parents have changed in their attitude towards
Greg by the end of the novel?
5. How do you feel about Greg?
 Novel Study 15

Response to Text Essay

Responding to text essays
An important skill is to be able to write a literary response to the texts we study in English. A literary
response shows that you understand the ideas the author has woven into the text. It is like an argument
and you are presenting evidence to support your side. It uses a mixture of your thinking and
understanding, and specific examples from the text.
You should structure (build) your essay like a hamburger:

The body paragraphs should be SEXY:

Statement the main point of this paragraph
Elaborate explain your first sentence in more detail perhaps by expanding on a key word in it
eXample evidence from the text that supports your statement
Your opinion/response/comment a personal sentence showing what you think about the point this paragraph is
about.

Assessment Task:
Write a 5 paragraph essay in answer to this question:
What important ideas does Fleur Beale make readers think about in Slide the Corner?

1. Plan first You have to know what your body paragraphs are going to be about before you can
write your introduction. That is because your introduction tells the reader what the body
paragraphs will be about not in detail more like a list of topics.
2. Use our class brainstorm on friendship, celebrating differences and self-confidence to help shape
your ideas.
3. Write your draft. Remember that its okay for it to be ugly. You can edit it and improve it later.
4. The conclusion should summarise the main points you have made. Try to express the same
information but use fresh language wherever possible. Conclusions may not contain new material.
You may finish the conclusion with a personal overall statement evaluating the text and relating its
messages to your own life and the society we live in.

.
 Novel Study 16

Essay writing help.

What important ideas does Fleur Beale make readers think about in Slide the Corner?
Planning:
In the box are some ideas about friendship, celebrating differences and self-confidence. Highlight the
statements that you think Fleur Beale would agree with. Cross out the ones that are not shown in Slide the
Corner.

Friends support one another and enjoy each others company.

Friends are necessary if you want to enjoy life.
Friends need to share the same age and interests to get along.
Friends will always agree with you.
Without friends, you have to rely on your family.

The world is made up of many different kinds of people.

We should be proud of our strengths and celebrate all types of skills.
Parents cant understand their children if they are different.
It is a good thing that we all have different strengths.
Academic and theory skills are the most important.
Be proud of what you are good at, and dont try to be someone you are not.

Belief in your own abilities and ignoring put downs by others helps you to be happy and successful.
Self-confidence is necessary to pass exams.
Believe in yourself, even if others do not.
Driving fast will increase your self-confidence.
It is hard to have self-confidence when you are stupid.

1. Choose one statement from each group to use in your essay. Write it in the planning boxes on your
sheet.
2. Fill in the elaboration box.
3. Think of an example from the story that shows this point.
4. Add your opinion.
5. Do this for each paragraph.
6. Write the introduction and conclusion.
 Novel Study 17

Introduction Write an answer

to the question as if it were a
one sentence task. Include a
list of the topics your
paragraphs are going to be
about.
Body paragraph 1 Topic
sentence
Elaborate Expand on the topic
sentence by explaining in more
detail what you mean.
Example How does the story
show us this idea?

Your opinion What do you

think of the topic of this
paragraph?

Body paragraph 2 Topic

sentence
Elaborate Expand on the topic
sentence by explaining in more
detail what you mean.
Example How does the story
show us this idea?

Your opinion What do you

think of the topic of this
paragraph?

Body paragraph 3 Topic

sentence
Elaborate Expand on the topic
sentence by explaining in more
detail what you mean.
Example How does the story
show us this idea?

Your opinion What do you

think of the topic of this
paragraph?

Conclusion try to use fresh

language to sum up what the
important ideas in your essay
were about. Add your own
evaluation of the novel.
 Novel Study 18

You will be assessed at Level 5 of the NZ Curriculum using the following criteria:

CRITERIA ACHIEVED MERIT EXCELLENCE

Essay has a clear
Each paragraph is
structure, logical
structured to Essay addresses
in sequence,
Structure express an idea the topic logically,
including an
clearly and with overall flow.
introduction and a
logically.
conclusion.
The ideas are
The ideas are
The ideas are perceptively
developed with
Ideas developed with developed, with
evidence and are
evidence. well chosen
convincing.
evidence.
Appropriate A variety of
Appropriate
language features language features
Language Features language features
are used are integrated,
are used.
effectively. with impact.
There are some Complex
attempts at constructions and
*Grammar, There are few
complex sophisticated
Spelling and errors and these
construction and vocabulary are
Punctuation are not intrusive.
sophisticated accurate and
vocabulary. appropriate.

Comment: