Sci-Fi Story Stage 3 Comp Chapter 4 - Comprehension Pack.pdf

STAGE 3 Unit focus: Science Fiction Text focus: Narrative Chapter 4 - A Solution “We need to get to the machine,” Burroughs said for the hundredth time. He paced back an...

STAGE 3 Unit focus: Science Fiction Text focus: Narrative Chapter 4 - A Solution “We need to get to the machine,” Burroughs said for the hundredth time. He paced back and forth across the small room until Edgar moaned at him to stop. “Face it,” his lanky master suggested, “We’re going to face the chop tomorrow. I’ll be honest; at least it’s quick and easy. I can’t imagine what Queen Victoria will do to us if we return without knowing where her bracelet is.” “That’s it!” Burroughs yelled, leaping to his feet. “One of the bracelets that the King was wearing - I’ve seen it before. It’s the one that Victoria has lost!” “That’s Queen Victoria, boy. Let’s not show her disrespect just because she hasn’t been born yet.” Burroughs shook his head. “Whatever. Listen, I think we can solve both problems with one solution. It’ll be risky, though. I’ll need you to do exactly as I say, and trust me.” “It’s a bit unheard of for you to come up with the ideas, Burroughs, but let’s hear it.” “We confess to the King.” Edgar’s face shifted through several distorted looks before finally settling on one that looked pained and confused. Burroughs continued. “We ask to confess to him and be spared. If we do it now, he’ll come straight from the coronation, or we’ll be taken to him. Either way, we steal the bracelet.” “How?” “I used to be a pickpocket.” “You mean before I so generously took you under my wing, saved your life and offered you prospects that you could only ever dream of?” Burroughs’ brow furrowed. “The very same, sir. Anyway, I was very good at it. I can have the bracelet off his wrist and away before he knows what’s hit him. I won’t stop there. I’ll take two of them.” “Don’t get greedy, boy.” Edgar stood up and stretched his legs. “I won’t. The other one, I’ll plant on one of the knights. Then, I’ll make a comment about how nice it looks. The King will go mad, everyone will start arguing-“ “And we can escape!” Edgar finished, cu ng Burroughs short. “Of course! It’s definitely one of my best plans yet.” He turned to Burroughs and waved him into action. “Get to it, boy. Summon the all resources ©2022 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com guards, and let’s put my plan into action.” It didn’t take long for the guards to arrive at the room after the two prisoners started shouting. It took a bit longer to explain that they actually wanted to confess. Apparently, criminals didn’t usually do that. The knights explained that the coronation had just finished and that they could see the King shortly. The march back to the Abbey didn’t take long, and they were soon back in the same small room as before. A handful of knights stood against the walls as guards, and the King bustled into the room looking harassed and flustered. Burroughs was relieved to see that he was still wearing the bracelet. Sensing he needed to seize control, Burroughs threw himself to his knees at the King’s feet. He reached out and grabbed the royal’s hand, and began kissing it profusely. Between every snotty, slobbering kiss, he tearfully apologised and begged for forgiveness. The King recoiled in horror but allowed the pantomime to continue. When Burroughs was certain that the two bracelets were nestled safely in his pocket, he stood, wiped his nose and looked at Edgar. For a moment, Edgar looked as horrified as the King. Eventually, he shook his head and began the same act as his apprentice. Whilst that was going on, Burroughs sidled up to one of the knights and began the final part of their plan. INFERENCE FOCUS 1. How does the reader know that Burroughs is panicking at the beginning of the text? 2. What evidence is there that Edgar is a big supporter of Queen Victoria? 3. How can you tell that Edgar is quite self-centered? 4. Why might Edgar have been confused by Burroughs’ plan? 5. What effect did Edgar pleading with the King have on the plan? VIPERS QUESTIONS R What did Burroughs want to steal? V Find and copy a word that describes the plan unfolding as being silly or ridiculous. V What impression do you get of how somebody moves from the word “sidled”? R Where did they meet the King to conduct their plan? S What did Burroughs do just before he began the plan? all resources ©2022 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com