SET 11. Read the extract from the short story Tanjong Rhu. Then answer the questions.Edward, she said, crossing her legs, come and join us?He refused, and was just turning away, when she noticed the binoculars he was holding,And asked what they were.Oh, these, he said. I bought theme today. For the children. He could not think of anything better to say. (p.20)a) Who does the pronoun us refer to?b) Why do you think Edward or Mr Li refuses to join them? c) In your opinion, why didnt Edward tell the truth about the binoculars he bought for his mother?d) What does this incident reveal about the relationship of these two characters?

2. Writing Task HOTSa) If you could change one part of the story, which would you change? Give reasons for your decision.

b) Describe a character in the short story Tanjong Rhu who displays an admirable quality.

SET 2 1. Read the extract from the short story Tanjong Rhu. Then answer the questions.

There was one drawer which would not open. The joss sticks, he thought, must be in there, with all the things that were most important to her. He pulled again at that drawer, harder this time, but it stayed shut. And then he realized that she always kept it locked. And he did not know where she hid the key. (p.35)

a) Where is Mr Li?

b) Why is he looking for joss sticks?

HOTS c) What does the locked drawer symbolise?

HOTS d) If you were Mr Li, what would you do in this situation?

2. WRITING TASK HOTS a) What is the most important lesson you can learn from the short story Tanjong Rhu?

b) Based on the lesson you have learnt, what changes would you make in your life?

ANSWER KEY FOR SET 1Question1a) Mr Li/ Edwards wife and her friends.b) He dislikes these kind of womens social gatherings.c) He could be embarrassed to admit how much he cared for his old mother./ He did not think his wife would understand why he bought the binoculars for his mother. d) Mr Li and his wifes relationship is not very good.

Question 2a. (Suggested answer)The part of the story I would change is the scene at the hospital. Mr Li would ask his mother the question about his childhood and she would be able to answer him. After that, she would tell him where she hid the key to the drawer. I think that this would give the story a more hopeful ending. Mr Li would not have to live with so many regrets. He would be able to revisit his memories of his happy and carefree childhood. If he could be honest about his background and who really is, he would be a happier man. If he had the key to the drawer, he would be able to continue the traditional practice of ancestral worship. This, too, would free him of guilt because he would be able to do what he knows his mother would want him to do. Changing this part of the story would lead to a happier ending.b. Ah-Ma is a person who is honest about her humble background and enjoys the simple life. She is a mother of nine children, grandmother of thirty-four and great-grandmother of seventeen. Her children, like Mr Li, her eldest son, are grown-up, independent and successful. She has every reason to be proud and to enjoy the success of her children. Yet, she prefers to rear a few chickens in her sons garden, and ten to the family altar. She shuns material gifts. Her happiness is based on her memories of the carefree days in a hut on the beach when her husband was still alive. Her character is admirable.

ANSWER KEY FOR SET 2Question1a) In the family altar room.b) He wants to burn some joss sticks for his ancestors like his mother used to do.c) The locked drawer symbolizes the traditional values that Ah-Ma upheld and which her son does not understand. d)(suggested answer) I would call a locksmith to open the drawer for me.

Question 2a. The most important lesson I can learn from the short story Tanjong Rhu is respect for elders. The main character, Mr T.W.Li, is a successful businessman who has little time and patience for the old ways of his culture. Yet, he is a filial son who respects his mother and tries his best to please her. He buys a pair of binoculars for his mother so that she would be able to see more clearly. He respects her wish to have a family altar. He teaches his daughter Ying to treat her grandmother with greater respect. I think this value is important in our culture. b. I would be more conscious of how I treat the elders in my family. I would remind myself to be more patient when I do not see eye to eye with an elder and I would speak respectfully to them at all times.

SET 3

But mother, that was pulled down thirty years ago!You said those see-far glasses could see far away, Ah Wah, she said.Oh! Mother, he sighed You dont understand.It was beginning to get dark. Its all right, I dont need those glasses of yours, she said. I can see Tanjong Rhu just fine. Behind my eyes, thats how I can still see it.Page 23Refer to the extract from the short story Tanjong Rhu of your anthology Leaving No Footprint and answer the questions that follow.

Questions 1-21. What was it that had been pulled down thirty years ago?

2. Do you think Mr. Lis mother understood the use of binoculars? Why do you say so?

Questions 3-4

Sorry, this is going to take a long time!

3. Who said these words and to whom were they spoken?

4. Explain the situation that brought this up.

5. Based on the short story, Tanjong Rhu, write one of the social issues portrayed in the story.

ANSWER KEY FOR SET 3

1. It was his fathers shipyard.2. No, I dont think so. She was told the binoculars could be used to see very faraway places and in her mind it meant that things that can be seen in the distance even if they do not exist anymore.3. They were spoken by Ying and she was speaking to Mr. Li.4. Mr. Li was waiting for Ah Ma to take her to the office and Ying was trying to make Ah Ma cut short her praying session by taking over from her. But Ah Ma would not hear of it. She refused to be hurried.5. one of the social issues is generation gap : the young and the old approach certain issues in life differently Between Mr Li and his mother, between mother and granddaughter Mr Li adopts modern ideas and ways. His mother is conservative and holds on to her beliefs and custom strongly

A. Differentiate the character traits of the characters in the short story, Tanjong Rhu. Complete the table below:

Mr T.W.LiAh Ma (Mr Lis Mother)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Suggested answers:

Mr T.W.LiAh Ma (Mr Lis Mother)

Successful businessmanTraditional thinking

Happy family lifeStrong religious beliefs

Close relationship with the motherMeticulous

Modern in his ways and ideasStrong determination

TolerantGood memory

MeticulousOld fashioned

Patient Proud of her son success

FilialRefuse to accept changes

StrictProud and refuse to admit ill-health

RespectfulLoving

B. Based on the character traits below give evidence from the text.

Mr T.W. Li

Evidence

1Tolerant

2Filial son

3Patient

4Meticulous

5Strict

6Respectful

Ah Ma (Mr Lis Mother)

Evidence

1Traditional

2Good Memory

3Old fashioned

4Strong determination

5Refuse to accept changes

6Proud

Suggested answers

Mr T.W. Li

Evidence

1Tolerant

Does not interfere with his mothers way

2Filial sonMade sure funeral of mother is done in the right way

3PatientWaits for mother to finish prayers although he had to leave for the office.

4Meticulous

Keep track of number of ships every day by counting

5Strict

Does not entertain disrespects from the young

6Respectful

Talk softly to the mother although disagree with her ways.

Ah Ma (Mr Lis Mother)

1Traditional

Values Chinese tradition of ancestor worship

2Good Memory

Can recall the childhood of Mr Li well.

3Old fashionedDoes not believe in having eye operation

4Strong determinationRefuses to allow Ying to do the praying

5Refuse to accept changesClings to the past

6ProudRefuse to admit ill health