Teen@ Readers

~~~~~~~~-

The ELI Readers collection is a

complete range of books and plays
for readers of all ages, ranging from
captivating contemporary stories
to timeless classics. There are three
series, each catering for a different
age group; Young ELI Readers, Teen
ELI Readers and Young Adult ELI
Readers. The books are carefully
edited and beautifully illustrated to
capture the essence of the stories and
plots. The readers are supplemented
with 'Focus on' texts packed with
background cultural information about
the writers and their lives and times.

A2
-

Maria Luisa Banfi.

A Faraway
World
Illustrated by LibellulArt

lllliltllM

Teen

(lJj

Readers

Contents

AFaraway World
by Maria luisa Banfi
Activities by Angela Tomkinson
lllustrated by libellu!Art
ELI Readers
Founder and Series Editors
Paola Accattoli, Grazia Ancillani, Daniele Garbuglia (Art Director)
Eli Editorial Staff
Natalie Bayne
Eli Design Department
Fabrizio Redaelli
Production Manager
Francesco Capitana
Photo credits
Shutterstock. Marka
The publisher would like to take this opportunity to thank Sarah Howell for her contribution
to the development of the project.
The publisher would like to take this opportunity to thank lisa Kester Dodgson

Characters

Befare you read

10

Chapter 1 The New School

18

Activities

20

Chapter 2 A Good Friend

28

Activities

30

Chapter 3 Alex's Birthday

38

Activities

40

Chapter 4 A Serious Problem

48

Activities

so

Chapter 5 Bullies

56

Activities

58

Focus on ... Wales

60

Focus on ... Immigration in Britain

62

Test yourself

63

Syllabus

2009 El! s.r.I.

P.O. Box 6
62019 Recanati MC
ltaly
T+39 071750701
F+39 071977851
info@elionline.com
www.elionline.com
Typeset in 13/18 pt Monotype Dante
Printed in ltaly by Tecnostampa Recanati - ERT201.01
ISBN 978-88-536-0432-3
First edition: September 2009
www.elireaders.com

These icons indicate thepartsof the storythat arerecorded

start ... stop

Before you read

3 Complete the crossword with 9 family members.

'"''"''''""''"'''''""'''''"''''''""''"'''"''"''"'''""'''''''""'''''"'''''"'

Vocabulary

2
F

3 p

1 Read the descriptions of school vocabulary. What is the

word for each one? The first letter is already there. There
is one space for each other letter in the word.

The exercises you do at home after school

h Q !]] . '!'! Q [_ !s..

u
9

1 The school you go to after nursery school

p ______ school

N
H

2 French, physics, music, drama are ali examples

s ______ _

10 1B1

3 In the classroom you usually sit ata d __ _

4 lt's where you eat your lunch at school

e _____ _
5 The person who works in a school and teaches
the students

t _____ _

Look at the pictures of adjectives of feeling. Solve the

anagrams to find the right words.

Match the parts of the body to the pictures.

~~ ~
1 __b__
<:l
..,,.

.~n ~..
'T

1;

..
2

--

~~~
..
~
_...,,.,.,
)

~
8

DAS
sad

1 SEPUT

~ ~
9

e skin

d eyes

e face

f hand

g body

J(feet

i back

j nose

3 RADECS

!'.

10

b mouth

2 HYS

<Sl ? ~~~

a lips

4 PRUSIDERS

5 GARNY

6 FODECUSN

J fia:pter

A Faraway World

The Neiv School

When he's got time, he also works in his father's

~2

1\.1\ARQ.VA r is

14 years old. He lives with his

supermarket. Marquat doesn't like working in the

family in Cardiff, in Wales. He lives with his family

supermarket because he finds it really* boring!

in a small flat in Westgate Street, near Bute Park. His

He prefers reading and studying, but his father

parents come from Nigeria, a country in Africa, but

doesn't understand this, 'Marquat, you study too

Marquat feels* British because his home is here, in

Britain.

much! Why don't you work for me and make

Today is a very important day for him because it's

his first day at the new school, new classmates*, new
teachers, new everything!

sorne money? I know school is important, but

money is, too!'
His mum and dad always talk about money. They
work very hard* and they make enough* money

School starts at about 9.15, but before going to

to look after the family and the house. They also

school Marquat has to* take his two little sisters to

send money back to Nigeria where Marquat' s

their schools: one is at nursery school* and the other

is at primary school*.

grandparents still* live. Marquat's mother always

Marquat's mother always says to him, 'School is

says that they need the money. 'Poor grandma

and grandpa!' thinks Marquat to himself.

important, Marquat, but you have to help at home,

too!' Marquat knows this and he usually helps his
mother at home.
feels (here) is
classmates the other people in his class
has to it's necessary
nursery school the school you go to between 3and 5years of age
primary school tl1e scl1ool vou go to between 5and10 years of age
10

really very
hard (here) alot
enough sufficient
still (here) continue to live in Alrica
11

Chapter 1

Marquat wants to study. When he finishes school,

he wants to go to Cardiff University and then he
wants to find a job as a journalist. It's very hard
when you have to study and work at the same
time, but he knows he can do it!
Marquat learns things very fast, faster than his
classmates. All his teachers know this and one of
them, his English teacher, always says, 'You have
to keep* studying, Marquat, because you've gota
bright future ahead of you*!'
In class, Marquat sits at the front*. There is always
a free desk there. His new classmates don't usually
like sitting at the front because they're too close to
the teacher! They like sitting at the back.

keep continue
abright future ahead of you your future looks very good
at the front at the front of the class
12

Chapter 1

A Faraway World

The boy sitting next to Marquat is small and

wears glasses.

Marquat's classmates don't talk to him very much.

At school, Marquat knows everything. He always

Marquat smiles at him and says, 'Hi, I' m ... ' but

answers the teacher' s questions and he always

he doesn't finish his sentence because the boy puts

a finger to his lips* and says, 'Shhh ...'
Just then *, the teacher walks in and explains
what they are going to study this year. Then he
calls out* everybody's name.

<loes his homework.

'He's a swot*!' says the small boy with the
glasses. He doesn't like Marquat.
Kylie and Jay are two girls in his class. They
sometimes talk to Marquat, but he's very shy* and

When he says, 'Marquat!' all the other students

quiet. He just answers 'yes' or 'no' when they ask

look at him because his name isn't English. The

him something.

small boy sitting next to him asks, 'What's your

name?' but he doesn't wait for Marquat to answer.
He just laughs.

He doesn't talk to anyone because he thinks

that nobody likes him.

The next day, when Marquat goes and sits at his

desk, he's all alone.

,. . . .

..tJ UNIVERSIDAD DEL NORTE$

diBLIOTECA

puts afinger to his lips moves his finger to his mouth to say 'be quiet'
just then at that moment
calls out reads, says

14

'.i~Bb. C. PARR!.SH ~
swot (slang) aperson who works very hard al school
shy tim1d

15

Chapter 1

'My skin's black,' he says to his mum, 'and I'm

very good at school. That's why nobody likes me.'
His mother looks at him, confused*, 'Marquat,
that's ridiculous*! I've got black skin, too, but I've
got lots of friends. A lot of people have got black
skin: that doesn't mean you can't have friends!
You're very special, my love*, especially* because
you're so good at school!' she smiles.

confused (here) she doesn't understand

ridiculous silly
mv love (here) an affectionate way of talking to somebody
especially part1cularly

16

After-reading Activities

Grammar

''"''''''''''''''''''''"'''''''''''''''"''''''''''"''''''''''"''''''''''''''~'''''''''''
Reading

3 Complete this summary. Write ONE word in each space.

Marquat is 14 and .......... /i.Y.ft~ .......... in Cardiff, but
grandparents live in Nige ria . Marquat
is (2 ) ...... .... ................. .. .. very busy person . He helps his Mum
(3) ...... ......................... home and his Dad at the superma rket.
He likes studying and always ( 4 ) .................. ......... .. .. his
homework. He also wants to go es) .............................. .
uni versity.

1 Are the sentences 'Right' or 'Wrong'? lf there is not

Cl ) ......... ...... .. ..............

enough information to answer 'Right' or 'Wrong' choose

'Doesn't say'.
Marquat lives in Scotland .
A Right
1

B Wrong

IZJ

C Doesn 't say 0

Marquat's parents were born in Nigeria.

0 B Wrong 0 C Doesn't say

A Right

Pre-reading Activities

2 Marquat lives with his parents and sisters.

A Right

B Wrong

C Doesn't say

"'""""""""""""""""""'"""""'"""""""""""''"'"""'''''""''
Who do you think says these lines? Choose between:

3 Marquat doesn't like studying very much.

A Right

B Wrong

C Doesn't say

Marquat / Marquat's friend. Discuss in pairs.

4 Marquat's grandparents also live with them in Cardiff.

A Right 0
B Wrong 0
C Doesn 't say 0

1 Every bod y likes y ou . You ' re very popula r.

5 Marquat has a science lesson on his first day at school.

A Right O
B Wrong O
C Doesn 't say O

Grammar
2

have to get good ma rks this year.

Underline the correct word in the sentences.

Marquat is fourteen / thirteen.

1 School starts ata quarter to nine / past nine .

2 Marquat's parents a!ways / often talk about money.
3 Marquat never / sometimes has problems learning
things at school.

4 Marquat always sits at the front / back of the class .

5 Marquat does / doesn't do ali his homework.
6 Marquat talks / doesn't ta!k to his classmates.
7 Marquat's Mum / Dad tells him he is special.

3 This is my country. My count ry is Brita in .

~ 3

5 Listen to the next chapter. Check your predictions from

exercise 4.

18

19

ter 2

A Faraway World

A Good Friend
Marquat doesn't say anything because he doesn't

~3

l\J\ARQ.U Ar has only got one friend at school.

His name is Alex. Marquat sits with him during*
the lunch break*. After school they sometimes
walk home together because they live next <loor*
to each other.
Alex is very chatty* and fun to be with.
'Everybody likes you, Alex! You're very
popular,' Marquat tells him.
Alex smiles and looks at Marquat, 'Yes, but I'm
not good at school, am I?'
'Why not?' asks Marquat.
'I don't know. 1 don't think 1 study enough,' and
then he says, 'You study a lot, don't you?'

during (here) in
lunch break lunch time
next door their liouses are next to each other
chatty talks alot
20

really* know how much he studies. The only

thing he knows is that he' s never got enough time
to study!
'You're very good at school,' Alex says to him,
'nobody is as good as you* in every subject!'
'But I like studying. 1like discovering new things
about the world. It's very exciting! My problem is
that I don't have enough time to study!'
It's true, Alex doesn't like studying very m uch.
He likes listening to music and reading adventure
stories. He finds* most school subjects really*
boring: biology, French, physics and maths are
his worst subjects! PE*, music and drama* are his
best ones.

really (here) in reality, actually

as good as you good, like you
finds (here) he thinks they are boring
really (here) very
PE physical education, gymnastics
drama tlieatre studies and actiog
21

Chapter 2

11

This year is more difficult than last year for

Alex, 'I have to get good marks this year!' he says,
'My parents say 1 can go to watch the final
Manchester-Liverpool in the Millenium Stadium.
But first*, 1 have to study very hard.'
Marquat's parents don't promise* him things like
that! In fact, they sometimes want him to study
less! But for Alex, the football final is a good reason
to study, 'The two best English teams playing
against each other! It'll be so exciting!'

first (here) before going to tl1e football match

promise (here) say
22

Chapter 2

Alex and Marquat walk home together through

Bute Park. Alex stops outside Marquat's house
and looks at him. Alex is very sad.

A Faraway World

'Don't you want to visit Nigeria, the country you

come from, at least once* in your life?' asks Alex.
'This is my country, Alex . . . my country is

'What's wrong?' asks Marquat.

Britain! Nigeria, Africa ... they're just names on a

Tve got the results of my French test. They're

map for me,' replies Marquat.

not good .. .'replies* Alex. 'When I' m 18, I want to

go to a faraway* world, to visit Africa or Australia.
I want to work here and there * and travel as much
as possible. I don't want to live like my parents:
they do the same things every day! That's not my

'Oh!' says Alex, a little surprised, 'Don't you

feel African at all*?'
'No, not at all!' Marquat replies firmly*, 'Just
because I'm black doesn't mean I'm not British.
I am British, just like you!'

kind* of life! What do you think, Marquat?'

'You're right, I don't want to live like my
parents, either*. But I don't want to travel.'

replies answers
faraway distant, very far from here
here and there in one country and then another, free to move to another job
when you want to
kind (here) type, sort
either (11ere) also, too
24

at least once one time

at all in any way, jusi alittle
firmly (11ere) strongly

25

Chapter 2

Marquat is angry and Alex is sorry for upsetting*

his friend, so he changes the subject*, 'What do
you want to do when you' re older, then?' asks
Alex, smiling.
'I want to do something 1 like, 1 don't want to
do the same job my parents do. They only work
to make money: 1 want to do a job 1 like.'
Tm sure you can do that, Marquat. After
school you can go to university and then get a
really good job!'

upsetting: making him angry and sad

changes the subject: talks about sometl1ing different
26

After-reading Activities

''''''''''''"''''"'''''''''''''''''"'"''''''''"'''''"''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Speaking

3 Look at the information in the chart and write a short

description of Marquat.
Na me:

Marquat

Lives:

Cardiff, Wales

Nationality:

British

Family:

mum, dad, two sisters, grandparents

What's Alex like?

Dad's job:

shop owner

Mum's job:

housewife

Li kes:

reading, studying

Disl ikes:

working in his dad's supermarket

Ambitions:

go to university, find a good job

1 Answer the questions. Discuss in pairs.

How many friends does Marquat have?
He has one.

1 Where does Alex live?

Writing

3 Does Marquat have a lot of time to study?

4 What subjects is Alex good at?

""""""""""""""""""""'"""""""""'""""""""""""""""'"

Reading
2

Complete the sentences with the correct words.

Alex and Marquat

1 Alex enjoys

2 Al ex wants to
get good marks so
3 Marquat feels

4 Marquat wants to

Pre-reading Activities
Tick (.!) what you think is going to happen in the next
chapter. Discuss in pairs.
Marquat goes to a disco.

A D cycle home together.

B [ZJ walk home together.

e D get a bus home together.

2 He argues with Alex .

A D playing tennis.
B D listening to music .
e D playing video games.
A D he cango to a football match .
B D he can visit London .
e D his parents will be happy.
A D African.
B D African and British .
e D British.

D
D

He finds a girlfriend.

He learns to dance.

5 He's insulted by four bullies.

5 Look at the picture on page 33. Describe what you can

see.
. ................ ............ .. ........................ .. .. .... .... .... .: ........... ................ .. .. ..... .. .

A D travel.
B D earn a lot of money.
e D have an interesting job.

28

29

A Faraway World

Alex's Birthday
He breaks up* at half past three and then goes

~4

l\J\AR.Q.VA T'S life isn't easy at all! His mum

and dad leave the house at six o' dock in the
morning and he has to get up at quarter past six.
He makes his sisters' breakfast and helps them to
get washed and dressed. He takes them to school

to pickup* his sisters. Their schools are next <loor

to each other in St Mary Street. He takes his sisters
home and plays with them from four until five
o' dock. He then studies for an hour. H e m akes
dinner at six o' dock and finally sits clown to eat
with his family at seven o' dock.

at nine o' dock. Marquat has to be at his school at

quarter past nine when assembly* begins, but his
lessons start at half past nine.
He has a fifteen-minute break at eleven o' dock
and then an hour for lunch, between quarter to

He sometimes goes to work in his father's

supermarket on Saturdays. On Sundays he <loes
his homework. This is why Marquat doesn't see
his friends very often!

one and quarter to two. He always has lunch in

the school canteen* with Alex.

assmbly asd10ol meeting with all the teachers and students

canteen the scl1ool 'restaurant'

30

breaks up finishes school

pickup collect

31

Chapter 3

Alex's birthday is on February the

4rh

and he's

organising a disco to celebrare, but Marquat

doesn't want to go. He's very shy and he doesn't
like the idea of going to a disco!
Alex knows this, but he wants his friend to come,
'Come on, Marquat! Don't be such a spoilsport*!
Come and have sorne fun!' he says.
Marquat shakes his head*, but Alex says firmly,
'Don't say no! You're coming and that's it*!'
Marquat sighs* and says, 'Yes, ok, ok! I'll come.'

- u ,-,n

1,UU

spoilsport (expression) aperson who never wants to have fun, who doesn't like
the partv atmosphere
shakes his head moves his head from left to right to say no'
that's it (expression) no more discussion
sighs breatl1es in verv heavily and accepts

32

Chapter 3

A Faraway World

The disco is on Saturday afternoon. It's in a

Marquat goes towards* the dance floor. Alex is

small room, but there are lots of flashing* lights

there, dancing and singing the words to 'Halo' by

and the music is very loud. Marquat gets there * at

Beyonc. Alex sees his friend. He stops dancing

five o' dock. His sisters are staying with a cousin

and goes towards him. 'Marquat!' he screams*,

and he has to pick them up at seven. He's got two

hours to have sorne fun!

'Hi! Come on, come and dance!'

'Happy Birthday!' Alex' shouts Marquat, but
Alex can't hear him.

There are a lot of people, but it's very dark inside

the disco and Marquat can't find Alex. His other

In the meantime*, two girls come up to Alex and

classmates are there and there are also a lot of

people that he doesn't know.

one of them says something in Alex' s ear.

Alex looks at Marquat, but listens to the girl.
He starts laughing. The girl laughs, too.

flashing aliglit that goes on and off very quickly

gets there arrives at the disco
34

towards in the clirection of

screams shouts very loudly
in the meantime at the sarne tj11e

35

Chapter 3

Marquat starts to feel uncomfortable*, 'What

are they saying?' he thinks to himself, 'Why are
they laughing? Are they laughing at me?'
'Come and dance!' Alex screams again.
'I can't dance!' Marquat screams back.
Suddenly*, Marquat hears a voice in his ear, 'All
black boys* know how to dance ... '

uncomfortable (here) not happy, not calm

suddenly at that moment
black boys (here) avery clisrespectful way to talk to or about someone

After-reading Activities

3 Read Alex's invite.

'''''''''''''~''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''~''~''''''''''''~''''''''''''

You are invited to my l3irthday Party!

Saturday tf th rburary
Can you bring some CDs?
Can you come?

Reading
1 Put Marquat's daily routine in the correct order. The first
sentence is already given. Number the sentences from 2 to 12.
A He has an hour for lunch.
B He studies for an hour.
e He gets up.
D He plays with his sisters for an hour.
E He helps his sisters to get dressed.
F He has dinner with his family.
G His parents leave the house.
H He starts his lessons.
1 He takes his sisters to school.
J He finishes school.
L He picks up his sisters.
M He makes dinner.

Write Alex a message. Ask the time of the party. Answer

D
D
D
D
D
D

his questions.

D
D
D
D
D

H; A/ex,

Pre-reading Activities

'""'~""""""""""~"""""""""'~'~""""""""""""""~'~""""
4 Look at the picture in the next chapter on page 43 and
answer the questions.

Match the two parts of the sentences.

[5] Marquat doesn't

1

3
4

5
6

O
O
O
O
O
O
O

Alex's organising
a disco
Alex tells Marquat
His sisters are staying

What do you think w ill happen next?

):{ have an easy life.

e inside.
d the words to the new

Finish the sentences.

1 1 thin k Marquat will ................................................................................ .
2 1think Alex will ........................................................................................ ..
3 1think it w ill be a/ an ............................................................. ending.

Read and check your answers.

Beyonc song .

e to celebrate his
birthday.

lt is very dark
Alex is dancing
and singing

party.

Marquat can stay

Marquat shouts

A Are the boys happy?

B What do you t hink Alex is saying?

a for two hours at the

he has to come.

g 'Happy Birthday'
to A lex.

h with a cousin .

39

ter 4

A Faraway World

A Serious Problem
Alex doesn't like the atmosphere now, 'Ok,

.,. s l\J\AR.Q.U AT turns round: there are four boys

in front of him, all older and bigger than him.
Nobody uses that expression - black boy anymore. It's very racist* and patronising*, too.

guys*, that's enough*! Marquat, come and dance

with me! I don't want any trouble, this is my
party!' he says firmly.
One of the bullies laughs, 'Let's get out of here *!
Let's go to a real party!' he says to his friends.

,,

'

The boys stand in front of Marquat and look at

him straight in the eye.
One of them waves* at Alex, 'Hi, Alex! How's
it going*?' he asks.
'Not bad ... ' replies Alex.
'So, black boy, why aren't you dancing?' The
other boys laugh.

racist (here) unfriendly and dangerous wav of talking to people from other races
(African, lndian, Chinese, etc.)
patronising disrespectful, unkind
waves moves his hand to sav helio
how's it going? l1ow are vou?

40

Marquat now wants to go home, but Alex

doesn't want him to go, 'Come on Marquat, come
and dance!'
Marquat follows his friend onto the dance floor.
Alex is a very good dancer. Marquat watches him
and doesn't move.

guys (slang) bovs and girls, evervbody

that's enough stop it
let's get out of here (slang) let's go
41

Chapter4

'Come on, Marquat,' repeats Alex.

'Move your body ... left, right, left ... move
your feet ... '
Marquat moves one foot. 'Look,' says Alex 'like
this ... just follow the rhythm, listen to the beat!'
But Marquat can't follow the rhythm, he can't
hear the beat: basically*, Marquat can't dance!
'.An elephant can dance better than me,' he
shouts and walks away from the dance floor.
Alex doesn't understand him.
He's disappointed in* his friend, but he goes
after him*, 'Why can't you dance?' he asks him,
'.Africans are usually very good at dancing!'

basically (here) in other words

disappointed in sad and angry with
goes after him follows him

42

Chapter4

Marquat is shocked*! He can't believe what Alex

is saying, 'You ... ' he starts 'you still think I'm

A Faraway World

It's only 6 o' dock in the evening, but it's already

dark. In February it always gets dark early.

African, don't you? You also think that Africans

can only sing and dance, don't you? Well I can't,

Marquat walks towards the bus stop, but Alex calls

Alex, sorry to disappoint you* ... ' Marquat is now

him: 'Marquat! Marquat! Stop!' he shouts.

very angry with Alex.

He looks at Alex and says, 'You're the same as

Marquat can hear him, but he carries on*

walking. He' s angry and disappointed.

all the others ... '

Alex catches up with him* and starts talking, Tm
He leaves the disco, but Alex goes after him again

sorry, Marquat' he apologises*, 'don't be upset*!'

because he wants to talk to him.

The four racist bullies follow, too.

shocked very, very surprised in anegative way

sorry to disappoint you (11ere; sarcastic) l'm sorry 1 can't dance
44

carries on continues
catches up with him gets to where he is
apologises says sorry
upset sad
45

Chapter4

'Please, Marquat,' continues Alex, 'I can be

really stupid sometimes ... 1 know. It's just that
with the lights, the music, the girls, the noise ...
1 just don't think before opening my mouth* ,
sometimes! 1 know that's not right. 1 really don't
want to upset you, Marquat. '
Marquat understands what his friend is trying
to say:
'Ok, Alex' he says. 'I understand.'
'Friends?' smiles Alex and puts his hand out.
Marquat smiles too, and shakes his friend's
hand*: 'Friends!' he replies.

. ~r;~,. ;~~;;' .~<lt( , mv-mouth (here) before speak1ng

~
~~;~#); . . ~M:~nattta~es his hand as as1gn of fr1endsh1p

\ ',d:i:
,~.

: .,f.-~-::~:;;;"~...

::''"'r.: .,. ,_~.-.:'."

~.::t~:~~~,~~~:~,t .~~~.-.:Lt.:~~f\ : '.

After-reading Activities

3 Match the two halves of the sentences

'''"''''''''''"''"'''''''''''''""''''''''''"''"'"''''''''''"'''""'''"''''''''''''''
Grammar

1 Read the chapter and choose the best word (A, B or C) for

each space.

Marqat turns around and there are four boys .... .....(:;..... .... front
of him. They are all Cl ) ... .... .. ............ than him. Alex doesn't want
C2 ) ............ ......... trouble at the party so he tells Marquat
to
come and dance. Alex walks back to the dance floor
C3) ..................... starts dancing . They argue and Alex runs after
to Marquat because he wants to talk to ( 4) ................... . .
He ( 5 ) ..................... want to upset Marquat.
A
1 A
2 A
3 A
4 A
5 A

on
old
any
but
he
doesn 't

B
B
B
B
B

in
oldest
a
and
him
isn 't

e
e
e
e
e
e

[lJ Alex is

a understand him .

D
D
D
D
D

Marquat doesn't

b disappointed in Alex .

Marquat is

e know how to dance.

Alex doesn't

d follow Alex and

Marquat.

The four bullies

e Amake friends again.

Alex and Marquat

/

a very good dancer.

4 Write a summary of the story so far.

at
older
sorne
so
his
not

Pre-reading Activity

You are a witness to what happened at the disco

between Marquat and the bullies. The police want to
question you. Fill in the table with the right information.

time of incident
place of incident
victim
suspects
description of suspects
details of event

48

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""'"
5

Tick (.1) what you think is going to happen in the next

chapter. Discuss in pairs.
1 Marquat fights the bullies.

2 Marquat breaks an arm .

4 Alex and Marquat become friends again.

D
D
D

5 Life at school doesn't change for,Marquat.

3 The police come.

49

A Faraway World

At this point, Alex steps in*, 'Look guys, just

~6

SUDDfNLY *, the four bullies are in front of

them again.
'So, black boy' shouts one of them, nastily*,
'why don't you learn to dance?'
'Why do they keep* using that expression?!'
Marquat thinks angrily* to himself and turns
round. The four rasist bullies are in front of him,
laughing and pointing* at him.
Marquat wants to run, but they stop him.
'We'll teach you a lesson*, little black boy!' they
say aggressively. 'Except that* it's not going to be
a dance lesson!'

drop it*. Let him go ... he's a friend.'

'A friend?' laughs one of the bullies. 'How can

this little black boy be your friend?'
'Get lost*, Alex' shouts another. But Alex
doesn't move.
Marquat looks at the boys: there are four of
them and they' re too big for him and Alex to take
on alone*.
'Alex, just go, please ... ' says Marquat.
Alex doesn't really know what to do, but in the
end he decides to run.
Marquat now finds himself alone on the dark
road. He doesn't know why, but he's not scared.
The bullies keep on saying things to him, 'Hey,
black boy! Why don't you go home, go back to
Africa! ' they sneer*.

suddenly (here) quickly and unexpectedly

nastily in abad and cruel way
keep continue
angrily with anger
pointing indicating with their finger
we'll teach you alesson (idiom) you say this when you want to hurt somebody
except that (here) but

so

steps in (here) says something

just drop it (idiom) stop it
get lost (idiom) go away
take on alone light against by U1e1nselves
sneer laugh nastily

51

Chapter 5

Suddenly, one of the boys pushes Marquat.

Marquat falls to the ground*. One of the others
kicks* him. Marquat gets up and manages* to hit
one of the boys, but they're faster and stronger
and Marquat falls to the ground again.
Suddenly, there are footsteps* and people start to
arrive. Marquat sees Alex first, then he sees other
boys and girls from his class running towards him:
'Leave him alone' they all shout together. The
bullies suddenly stop and run away. Marquat is
still on the ground. Alex helps him to get up.
'.Are you O K?' he asks his frien d.
'Yeah*, I'm fine' answers Marquat, looking at
everyone.
'Thanks very much, guys!'

falls to the ground falls down

kicks hits him with afoot
manages is able to
footsteps the noise vou make wl1en you walk
veah (slang) yes

52

Chapter 5

'That' s what friends are for* ... ' says Alex, patting*
his friend on the back. Then he says:
'Marquat, 1 think you've got sorne blood on
your face. '
'It's nothingto worry about' Marquatreassures*
him. The bus arrives while they're talking.
Marquat looks at the time: it's quarter to seven!
'I have to go, I'm late' he says.
'See you tomorrow. '
He gets on the bus and goes to pickup his sisters.
Marquat's life at the new school is now completely
different: he respects his friends and they respect
him. He understands why his friends are sometimes
confused about his nationality and his friends
understand that Marquat is British, except that his
parents are Nigerian! In the end, everybody agrees*
that friendship is what it's all about*!

that'swhat friends are for (expression) friends are there to help you i11 difficult
situations
patting touching
reassures tells him not to worry, comforts him
everybody agrees (here) everybody knows
friendship is what it's all about friendship is the most importan! thing
54

After-reading Activities

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''~'''''''''~'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Grammar
3 Complete the sentences with the words below.

Listening

decide
gets on
respect
~
arrive
is
The bullies .... /<?..1./.9.f:i. ........ and point at Marquat.
1 Marquat ........ .. .. ............ alone on a dark road.
2 Lots of his friends .. ...................... .
3 Marquat ........................ the bus to pickup his sisters.
4 Marquat and his friends ........................ each other.
5 They ........................ that friendship is the most important
thing.

... 6 1 Listen to chapter 5 and choose the answer (A, B or C)

that fits the best.
The four bullies are

1 The bullies are

2 The bullies

3 At 6.45 Marquat

A dancing .

B laughing at Marquat.
C listening to the music .

[Z]

D
A faster and stronger.
D
B tallier and uglier.
D
C younger and more intelligent. D
A cry.
D
B go back to the party.
D
C run away.
D
A gets on a bus.
D
B runs home.
D
c goes back to the party.
D

Reading
2 Complete the sentences with the correct words.
A bully

Alex (x2)

Marquat (x2)

A bullv shouts, why don't you learn to dance to Marquat.

1 "He's my friend" says .. ..... ...... .......... ............ .. ... .. .
2 .............. .. .. ....... .. ................ runs away.
3 .. ....................................... .. pushes Marquat.
4 .............. .. .. .. .. ...... ....... .. ...... is on the ground .
5 ... ................... .............. .. ... .. is not scared.

True or False?
1

Four bullies are in front of Marquat.

Marquat thinks angrily to himself and turns round .

IZl D

D D
D
D

2 Marquat wants to run, but they stop him .

D
3 Marquat is faster and stronger than the bullies. D
''----4 Marquat sees boys and girls from his class running

DO
DO

towards him.
5 Kylie helps Marquat to get up .

Writing
5

Write a dialogue between Alex an Marquat one day after

school.

56

57

Focuson...

''''''''''''''''''''''''"''''''''"'''''''"''''''''''"''''''"''''''''''"'''''''''''''"'''

Wales

The la.nd of coa.l

Wales was once the biggest coal port in the
world and this brought alot of people from
many different countries to Wales to live and
work. The population grew alot and this also
brought adecline in the Welsh language as
the majority of the immigrants didn't speak
Welsh. However, as the coal industry declined
in the first hall of the 201h century, many
people were unemployed and left Wales to
find work in other countries such as America,
England, Canada and Australia. There is also a
big Welsh community in Patagonia, Argentina

The la.nd of song

Wales is known as the 'land of song' and has a
large number of male voice choirs, which were
born in the coal mines and ironworks of Wales.
Every year in Wales various festivals called
'eisteddfod' take place. The most famous is the
'National Eisteddfod of Wales' which is afestival
of literature, music and theatre completely
in Welsh. lt lasts eight days and every year is
located in adifferent place.

Wales is located on apeninsula

in central west Great Britain. lt
shares its border with England to
the east and is surrounded by the
sea in the other three directions.
2.9 million people live in Wales
and the majoritv of them
live in South Wales, in the
industrialised cities such as
Cardiff and Swansea. In central
and north Wales, the area is
mountainous.

58

Do you speak welsh?

Wales has two official languages - English and Welsh.
Welsh is aCeltic language and is closely related to
languages like Cornish (spoken in Cornwall, in southwest England) and Breton (spoken in Brittany, in
north-west France). Since 2000, all pupils in Welsh
schools must study the language at school, although
less than aquarter of Welsh people speak it as afirst
language. This is avery different picture from the
1800s and early 1900s when speaking Welsh at school
wasn't allowed and pupils were often punished for not
speaking English.

59

Focuson...

'''''''''~''''~'''''''''''''~''''''''''''''~'''~~''''~'''''~'''''''''~~,~~,,~,,,,,

lmmigration in Britain

Music
and films
Asians have also hada big influence on
the music industry and Bhangra music
(traditional Asan music) has become
popular with young people, and many
non-Asan singers and bands have
used sorne of these influences in their
own music. The daily lives of the Asan
community can be seen in films like
'East is East' and 'Bend it like Beckham',
which portray the problems of growing
up in Britain as asecond-generation
immigrant.

The new generation

In England the largest ethnic minority group
are Asians and can be found in the big
industrial cities. Alarge number of Asians
(lndians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshi) arrived
in Britain after their countries became

60

independent from the UK in 1947. They

started with manual jobs such as driving
buses and working in textile factories,
but gradually began to open shops and
manage post-offices.

Often the parents are very traditional and

don't want to lose their own culture, while
the children who were born here, want to
follow Western trends and values. This leads
to conflict between the two generations and
can only be resolved through dialogue and
compromise.

Many Asians have had great success in Britain

in sport, music, films, tv and also in business.
Al the moment, Britain's richest man is
the lndian businessman, Lakshmi Mittal.
His family own the world's largest steel
manufacturing company.

Stage 1
Maureen Simpson, In Search of a Missing Friend
Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist
Stage 2
Maria Luisa Banfl, A Faraway World
Maria Luisa Banfl, Francesca's Lave
Maria Luisa Banfl, The Darnley Family's
Long-Lost Necklace
Stage 3
Mary Flagan, The Egyptian Souvenir
Mary Flagan, Val's Diary
Maureen Simpson, Destination: Karminia
Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Test yourself

Syllabus

1 Read this information about the story. There are nine

~////////////////////////////////////////A

mistakes in the text. Find them and correct the information.

Marquat is 20 years old. He lives with his family in Cardiff, in
Scotland. His parents come from Nigeria, a country in Africa ,
but Marquat feels British because his home is here, in Britain .
Befare going to school Marquat has to take his two little
brothers to their schools. When Marquat has got time, he works
in his father's shoe shop. Marquat wants to study. When he
finishes school, he wants to go to New York and then he wants
to find a job as a teacher. Marquat's classmates don't talk to him
very much. Marquat has only got one friend at school. His name
is Philip. He is very boring and he likes studying very much. He
finds most school subjects really interesting.

O .. f'1?!rni!.i?.U!?. .!4.Yf]?!r.~. Rf9. .. . 5 ........................................... .

1 ......................................... .. . 6 ........................................... .
2 .............. ... .......... ................ . 7 ........................................... .

3 .......................................... .. 8 ........................................... .
4 ........................................... . 9 .............. ............................ ..

Topics
Family, friends and ourselves
Occupations and the world of work
School and education: including school subjects
Daily routine
N otions and concepts
Ability
Actions and activities: including routines
and manner
Feelings
Obligation
Offers
Likes and d islikes
Predictions
Suggestions
Talking about future plans

Choose the best answer A, B or C for each question.

Why does Marquat think nobody likes him?

A Because his skin is black.
B Because he's very special.
C Because he sits at the front in class.
1 Why does Marquat like studying?
A Because he wants to work in a supermarket.
B Because he likes discovering new things about the world.
C Because he wants to find a job as a dancer.
2 What can Alex do if he gets good marks at school?
A He can organise a birthday party.
B He cango on holiday.
C He can go to watch the Manchester-Liverpool final.
3 Who does Marquat meet at the disco?
A Four boys, older and bigger than him.
B A girl who wants to dance with him.
e Alex's mother.

3 Write a d ifferent ending for the story.

[Z]

O
O

O
O
O

O
D

O
O

Other
Adverbs
Adjectives
Prepositions
Phrases with when
Comparatives and superlatives
Gerunds
Imperatives
Present simple
Future forms