CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY ENGLISH 8: TEACHER’S RESOURCE
3 Strange islands
3.1
1
The mystery of Oak Island
In 1909, the Old Gold Salvage Group arrived.
2
They dug 34 metres down, but found nothing. In
1969, Triton Alliance bought most of the island
and dug 72 metres down. They sent a camera into
the hole and claimed to have recorded images
of tools and wooden chests. People who saw the
images said it was impossible to tell what was
down there. Soon after that, the hole collapsed
and the project was abandoned.
3
3.2
1
5
Learners’ answers will vary.
Strange islands
Quotation
Formal
Less formal
You’re welcome to visit the Japanese island of
Okunoshima, but you’d be wise to bring plenty
of carrots – there are thousands of completely
tame rabbits hopping around the place!
✓
Many chemical weapons were used here
(there’s even a museum dedicated to poison
gas on the island), but these days the rabbits
are the main inhabitants.
✓
Snake Island has the largest number of snakes,
mainly golden lancehead vipers, in such a small
place.
✓
You really wouldn’t want to visit – and in fact
it’s illegal to land on the island – but poachers
have been known to secretly go there to catch
and sell the snakes.
✓
2
Learners’ answers will vary.
3
a
n the Isla de las Munecas (Island of the
O
Dolls) you’ll find yourself faced with dolls,
or occasionally parts of dolls. This can
be a rather sinister experience. The island
can be found in Mexico City among the
Xochimilco canals.
b
It was a long-term project for him.
Over 50 years, he put hundreds of dolls
(or parts of dolls) around the island.
4
In 1909, when there were much better things
to do – such as prepare for a world war – the
Old Gold lot turned up and dug. It was an old
waste of their time. All 34 metres of it. Sixty
years and 72 metres later, Triton Alliance left
with precisely nothing. They reckoned they
caught some treasure chests on camera . . . of
course they did! Just like their dreams, the hole
collapsed.
Learners’ answers will vary.
Cambridge Lower Secondary English 8 – Creamer, Clare & Rees-Bidder © Cambridge University Press 2021
CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY ENGLISH 8: TEACHER’S RESOURCE
3.3
Treasure Island: Meeting
Ben Gunn
1
2
Ellipsis – shows he is puzzled as he has to look
for a word.
b
It means that his voice sounded extremely
dry as if he has not used it very much
recently.
(Jim jumps in alarm as the loud sound of a
colourful bird is heard.)
c
His eyes are very light compared to the
darkness of his face.
d
Being shipwrecked means that you are
stranded on the island because your ship
has sunk or is so damaged it will not sail.
Being marooned means that you were
deliberately left behind with no means
to escape.
Sound effect of a bird to add atmosphere to
the setting.
jim: I need to get off this island. It’s not
normal.
(Sound of rustling. Someone is hiding.)
Sound of rustling to raise tension.
jim: What’s that? I can see eyes. Is that … a
man? Hello!
Example answer:
Answers may include the following events:
•
3.4
Jim begins to run with Ben beside him;
Ben tells Jim to keep to the left and go
under the trees to the cemetery; they hear
gunfire.
It gives the impression that Jim just lets
his instincts take over and runs without
really thinking about it.
Treasure Island: The play
Example answer:
chen: (annoyed) Why have you done that?
ling: (bewildered) I don’t know. I just felt like it.
chen: (angrily) That’s not very fair!
ling: (defiantly) I don’t care.
6
jim: This place is … weird.
is voice sounded hoarse and awkward,
H
like a rusty lock.
•
1
Example answer:
a
I was one of the crew on Flint’s ship when he
buried the treasure with six strong seaman
helping him. They were on the island for
almost a week while they were burying it.
Then three years ago when on another ship,
I saw this island and told the crew that we
should land and find Flint’s treasure. They
looked for it for twelve days and as each day
passed, they got angrier with me. Then one
morning they all went on board the ship.
3
2
Ellipsis and use of short question shows his
fear.
(Jim’s ‘hello’ echoes around the island.)
ben: Aaaargghhhh!
Ben and Jim both shout/scream which
frightens audience.
jim: Aaaargghhhh!
3
Learners’ answers will vary.
3.5Singing sand
1
a journey to a different type of place ✓
a quest (some sort of puzzle or mystery)
✓
an unusual main character, for example,
an orphan
✓
a main character who is lonely but finds
help from non-human characters
û
a main character who has no family but
finds friends
û
a powerful force in conflict with the main
character
û
a mysterious person who helps the main
character
✓
a dangerous event that threatens the life of
the main character
û
some realistic elements and settings
✓
strange or magical events and items
✓
a happy ending
û
Cambridge Lower Secondary English 8 – Creamer, Clare & Rees-Bidder © Cambridge University Press 2021
CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY ENGLISH 8: TEACHER’S RESOURCE
2
a
Her heart skipped a beat.
b
Its tentacles glow brightly.
c
It makes it seem magical and mysterious.
d
It implies that there is a greater force
at work.
3
Learners’ answers will vary, but should refer to
some of the ideas in the Activity 1.
3.6Helix
1
Learners’ answers will vary.
2
Word
Etymology
Related words
fantasy
Greek – phantasia /
imagination
Fantastic
Fantastical
Fantasise
Fancy
marine
Latin – mare / sea
Marina
Maritime
Mariner
biology
Greek – bios / life
Microbiology
Biological
Biologist
octopus
helix
3
7
Greek – oktopous /
eight foot
Octopodes
Latin – helix / spiral
ornament
Helices
Sophie woke up, opened her eyes and looked
around. She was absolutely amazed. She looked at
the sea – a huge purple ocean stared back at her.
Every now and again, a sea creature that looked
like a dolphin appeared above the water. What
Octopi
Helicidae
was this place? Before she had time to think, a
mysterious buzzing sound rose. It became louder
until she realised it was some sort of aircraft – a
type of helicopter, but unlike one she’d ever seen
before.
Cambridge Lower Secondary English 8 – Creamer, Clare & Rees-Bidder © Cambridge University Press 2021