There are some examples of diary or journal entries in the ‘Before You Read’ section. Compare these with what Anne writes in her diary. What language was the diary originally written in? In what way is Anne’s diary different?
The diary of Anne was originally written in Dutch. It was different from the others in many aspects. It is closer to the memoir in which the name of Raj Kapoor has been mentioned. It was written in Dutch originally. It has informal tone which explains the careful nature of a teenager.
What made Mr Keesing allow Anne to talk in class?
Chubukov says of Natalya: “... as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat...” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.
Are there people like Lencho in the real world? What kind of a person would you say he is? You may select appropriate words from the box to answer the question.
greedy naive stupid ungrateful
selfish comical unquestioning
Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?
Did Lencho try to find out who had sent the money to him? Why/Why not?
What ideals does Nelson Mandela set for the future of South Africa?
Anne says teachers are most unpredictable. Is Mr Keesing unpredictable? How?
How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country
(i) in the first decade, and
(ii) in the final decade of the twentieth century?
Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it?
Do you think Mr Keesing was a strict teacher?
When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?
Did Wanda have a hundred dresses? Why do you think she said she did?
What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of
(i) school children
(ii) Mij?
Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?
What group of animals do otters belong to?
Have you made a journey that was unforgettable in some way? What made it memorable?
How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.
What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal who needs love?
What did Mij do to the box?
How does Wanda feel about the dresses game? Why does she say that she has a hundred dresses?