The Pearl

Tips:
1 Read the question carefully. If there are two parts, answer both parts.

2 Use only one tense throughout. E.g. If you start with the present tense, continue the rest of the essay. Check for grammatical errors.

Here are some questions to think about

1 Describe an event in the novel you have read which teaches you a life lesson?
(Plot and Moral value)
Key words: Describe event; life lesson

Example: Describe the event where Kino hits his wife...lesson you learn - one should not abuse our spouse

2 Describe an event in the novel you have read which portrays a theme of the novel?
Key words: describe event; theme

Describe the event where the doctor comes to see Kino the minute he hears that Kino has found the Pearl of the World..he frightens Kino into allowing him to treat Coyotito...he gives a capsule of white powder to Coyotito and goes home. The white powder makes Coyotito sick. He comes back in an hour and gives him three drops of ammonia to make him better. He asks for payment...pretending not to know about the pearl...

Theme - greed

THIS IS IT!!!!!!

LAST MINUTE TIPS FOR DIRECTED WRITING

1 Do not spend too much time on this section and neglect continuous writing.

2 Spend some time preparing first before you start writing:
i. Task: what is required of you? Formal letter? Informal? article? report? etc
ii. Tone: Formal or informal
iii.Points given: count the number of points given
If it is less than 12, are you required to elaborate or add your own points?
iv. Vocabulary: think of some apt vocab to add into your writing.
Do not overuse proverbs or idiomatic expressions.
v. Check for grammatical errors..past tenses/present tenses or future tenses
3 Do not count the number of words. One and a half page should suffice.

For trial exam questions, go to http://koleksisoalan.blogspot.com/

Question for practice

Describe a decision that is made by one of the characters in the novel that you have read and how this decision changed the rest of his life and others around him.

SUGGESTED OUTLINE

1 Describe the decision
For example: Kino decided not to sell his pearl to the pearl buyers and
decided to go to the capital...(give more details)


2 Discuss how this decision changed the rest of his life

- how he punched and kicked Juana
- killed a man
- they had to leave La Paz
- house was burnt down, canoe destroyed
- eventually hunted by trackers
- lost Coyotito

Questions on Character

Which character do you dislike? Give reasons with close reference to the text.


Notes:

Character you dislike: The Doctor

Describe the doctor - of a race who had mistreated Kino's race for over 400 years

Reasons:

ignorant doctor - does clumsy abortions - everyone has seen his corpses being sent to the church; only treats the rich in the town

selfish and greedy - refuses to treat Coyotito because Kino had only eight misshapen ugly pearls to pay him - but when he heard that Kino had found the pearl of the world, he claimed that Kino is a client of his and immediately came to Kino's house

cruel - frightens Kino into allowing him to treat Coyotito - gives Coyotito a capsule of white powder which made him sick - came back in a hour and treated him with 3 drops of ammonia. Then, he demanded payment, pretending not to know about the pearl.

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Past years' questions on The Pearl

THE PEARL
2001 Which character do you like best? Give reasons to support your answer.
2002 Write a detailed account of an event in the novel which teaches you an important moral lesson
2003 Which character do you sympathise with in the novel you have studied. Explain why you sympathise with this character. Support your answer with evidence from the novel
2004 Choose an event in the novel you have studied which you find to be the most memorable. Give reasons for your choice and with close reference to the text, discuss the event.
2005 Love is important in a family. Discuss how this is shown in the novel.
2006 The writer describes the main character as a very determined person. Using the details from the
novel, write about
- some instances that show the character’s determination
- how the determination affects his/her family.
2007 - Describe a character you admire and give reasons.
2008 - Do you like the ending of the novel you have studied? Give reasons for you choice with close reference to the text.

2009 - ??????????????? Theme???? Moral lesson?????

Perak Trial Exam -= The Pearl

The Trial Exam question on The Pearl was:
Describe an important event
Give reasons why you choose the event

Outline:

There are two parts to the task given. First, to describe an important event and second, give reasons why you chose that event as the most important.

Example:
Important event - when Kino found the greatest pearl
(Describe this event, not mere mention of the event)
Reasons: give at least two reasons.
The most important event is when Kino found the greatest pearl of the world. He had felt very dejected and angry toward the doctor who refused to treat his son, Coyotito because he did not have money. So, early in the morning, he had set out for the sea with Juana, with much hope. He dived into the sea and as he was young, he could remain underwater a long time. Suddenly, he spotted a very large oyster and got a glimpse of a shiny object within. He opened the smaller oysters first and found nothing. Then, he opened the large oyster and there, he found, a large pearl, as big as a seagull's egg, perfect as the moon. Kino gave a loud scream, overcome with emotion.
I chose this event as the most important event because the finding of the pearl triggered many other events. This event was the start of all of Kino's troubles and finally, he would lose his son while trying to protect the pearl from the trackers.

Besides, this event also revealed the true character of Kino, who became very stubborn and refused to let go of the pearl even though he was warned repeatedly by Juana that the pearl was evil. Juan Tomas, also warned him about going against the system.
Finally, this event revealed the greed of the many people of La Paz. Immediately after he found the pearl, Kino had a visit from the priest who hoped to get some donation from him. Then, the doctor came to visit, frightening Kino to allow him to treat Coyotito who by then had become well again. He even offered to keep the pearl for Kino. Even the pearl buyers also collaborated to cheat Kino.

Comments: This answer fulfills the task set. The event is described in detail and three reasons given. Many students just described the event without giving reasons, or some just mention the event and citing many reasons. Marks will be deducted for that.