Leaving - Answer and Questions

LEAVING BY M.G. VASSANJI SAMPLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1. The following are the short stories and drama studied in the literature component in English Language. Tanjong Rhu

- Minfong Ho ( retold by Clare West )

Leaving

-M.G. Vassanji ( retold by Jeniffer Basset )

The right right thing thing to do - Martyn Martyn Ford Choose any one of the above and answer the question below. “ the road to success is paved with challenges “

With close reference to the text , how far is this true of the text you have read ? Based on short story , Leaving , I agree that the road to success is paved with challenges.In Leaving , Aloo a brilliant student in Tanzania , defies all odds and achieves his dreams of studying in America. Aloo is not content to study at the local university like most of his peers. He is inspired to venture to America where people can study all kinds of strange and interesting things. In order to achieve his dream of studying overseas, Aloo takes the trouble to write to universities in America to get the necessary information . Aloo faces many challenges along the way. Despite being being offered a scholars scholarship, hip, his mother points out that they would not be able to raise the money for travel and living expenses. expenses. He faces his mother’s wrath when

she accuses him of being selfish selfish and abandoning the family. family. Mr.Velji , a school officer, officer, while impressed with Aloo’s results, also points out the downsides studying in America. Despites

the obstacles he faced, Aloo never gives up on his dream and he finally made it to America. In conclusion, based on what has happened to Aloo, I agree that the road to success is paved with challenges. We should not give up and mus face the challenges wisely.

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2. The following are the short stories and drama studied in the literature component in English Language. Tanjong Rhu


Leaving


The right thing to do - Martyn Ford Choose any one of the above and answer the question below. “ One’s decisions in life reflect one’s character”

With close reference to the text , how far is this true of the text you have read ? Based on short story Leaving , I agree that one’s decisions in life reflect one’s character. In

the story , Aloo a bright young boy , is determined to pursue his studies in America. Although he has been offered a place at the local university in Tanzania, he is not interested to study agriculture. His sight are set on studying medicine and he is determine to live his dream in America. In order to achieve his dream of studying overseas, Aloo decides to take the trouble to write to universities in America to get the necessary information . His wish comes true when he receives a scholarship offer from the California Institute of Technology. Aloo also decides not to give up on his dream when his mother opposes his plans, citing financial constraints and distances and due to his determination, his mother, despite her misgivings, seeks help to send her son overseas. In conclusion , Aloo’s decision to defy the norms of studying in a local university leads him to great success. It tells us that Aloo is foward – thinking , resourceful and determined to succeed in life.

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Leaving


The right thing to do - Martyn Ford Choose any one of the above and answer the question below. Name one moral value emphasised in the book you have read. With close reference to the text , explain how it is potrayed by the characters of the book you have read ? Based on short story Leaving by M.G. Vassanji, one moral value that is emphasised is love for family. This is potrayed clearly by Aloo’s mother, who does not want him to go overseas for studies because she could not bear losing him. Widowed at 33 , A loo’s mother did not remarry as she fears that the new husband would ask her to send her children to a children’s home .

When , her elder children have married and left home , Aloo’s mother hopes rest on her daughter and Aloo . Hence, allowing Aloo to go to America to study was the most difficult decision she has to make. Yet, when she sees the eagerness in her son and the pictures of the university, she relents and seeks the necessary financial aid required to send her boy abroad . It is her love for her son that had initially made her refuse to grant him permission to leave. Like all parents, she did not want him to pick up negative habits or forget their traditions. And it is her love for him that makes her finally relent. Aloo too, loves his family, heritage and traditions , which makes it hard for him to make a decision . He does not want to disappoint his mother or to ruin the great relationship he has with her. He would not leave unless she gives him permission to leave for a better life. He only decides to leave after getting permission to do so from his mother. Finally, both mother and son compromise because of their love for each other. Aloo is taking a huge risk in choosing to go to a whole new place and culture without knowing anyone. His mother allows him to make his own decisions and create his own life because she realises it is for his own good. She knows that Aloo is talented and intelligent, and yearns to do well in life. Thus, he is ready to take the scholarship to study in America as there is wider scope there. His mother gives her blessings as she realises that a better education is what Aloo needs . In conclusion, , one important moral value that is emphasised in this story is love for family.

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Leaving

- M.G. Vassanji ( retold by Jeniffer Basset )

The right thing to do - Martyn Ford Choose any one of the above and answer the question below. With close reference to the text , write about the character you like and state how the character showed strength of character. Based on the short story Leaving, the character that I like most in the story is Mother . Mother is a woman in Tanzania who raised her five children single-handedly and who made sure they had a good future. Her youngest boy wanted to further his studies in America. A conflict arises as she was not willing to let her son leave home and go to such a far place. He might have a good future and a good education but she was not willing to let him go. The character I like and who showed strength of character is the mother . Mother want her children to have a good future and education but she would prefer them to stay close to home for their education at whatever level. She was not willing to let Aloo leave and study overseas. She had the traditional attitude that her children should not leave the family and home. She was sure that Aloo would not come back to her. She held on to her opinion for as long as she could. Finally, she had to let go when the school officer explained the situation to her. Again here, although she gave in it was not a show of weakness but strength of character. Knowing that going overseas and accepting the scholarship was good for Aloo, she was willing to accept and sacrifice her stand. This is why I like mother. She had strength of character and held on it until the very end.

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Leaving

- M.G. Vassanji ( retold by Jeniffer Basset )

The right thing to do - Martyn Ford Choose any one of the above and answer the question below. With close reference to the text , write on the theme of ambition as potrayed in the story.

The story, Leaving, is about a woman in Tanzania who raised her five children singlehandedly and who made sure they had a good future. The youngest boy wanted to further his studies in America. A conflict arises as Mother was not willing to let her son leave home and go to such a far place. He might have a good future and a good education but she was not willing to let him go. The story portrays a few themes and one of these is ambition. We see the characters of both Aloo and mother showing their ambitious nature. Mother was ambitious for her children. After the three elder children married and moved away, mother pinned her hopes on the two younger children. She did not want them to spend time at their store. She wanted them to work and study hard and further their education. So she sold the store in town and moved the family to Upanga, a quiet part of town. She felt this was a better place for them to study and they should do better. Aloo was ambitious too. He was good in his studies and wanted to study medicine. He could study in a local university but they only offered him a course in agriculture. So, inspired by a former teacher who returned from America for a visit, he was determined to further his studies overseas. He wrote letters to American universities for the greater part of the year. He did not give up although his mother teased him about it. Finally, he was offered a place and scholarship by the California College of Institute. He was ready to accept the offer. His plam was to live and study in a city and nobody could change the list. The theme of ambition is clearly portrayed in the story.

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Leaving


The right thing to do - Martyn Ford Choose any one of the above and answer the question below. “Difference of opinion strengthens rather than weakens the family unit”

With close reference to the text , explain how far is this true of the story you have read. The story, Leaving, is about a woman in Tanzania who raised her five children singlehandedly and who made sure they had a good future. The youngest boy wanted to further his studies in America. He took the trouble to write to American universities to get information about their courses and scholarships. Mother just smiled at this busy letter writing. She teased him about it. Eventually, an offer of a place and scholarship from the California Institute of Technology came to Aloo. A conflict arises as mother was not willing to let her son leave home and go to such a far place. He might have a good future and a good education but she was not willing to let him go.

Aloo was determined to accept the offer while mother was just as determined not to allow him to leave. Besides the problem of not wanting him to go, mother brought up the problem of finance. She refused to listen to Aloo’s suggestion of solving the money problem.

Tension built up and mother was angry while Aloo cried and even shouted at his mother with anger. But, fortunately all the strife and difference of opinion did not affect their family ties. In fact it made mother and son understand each other better. The narrator began to look at her mother in a different light, as a person not a mother. She realised the hard life and sufferings her mother went through.

Thus, it is true to say that difference of opinion strengthens rather than weakens the family unit .

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Leaving - Answer and Questions

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