THE DUBE TRAIN: Contextual Question

THE DUBE TRAIN: Contextual Question

Read the extract below an answer the questions that follow:

The splashing people left a sort of arena. There was an evil

leer in his eye, much as if he were experiencing satanic satisfaction.

Croesus Cemetery flashed past.

Seconds before the impact, the tsotsi lifted the blade and

plunged it obliquely. Like an instinctive, predatory beast, he 5

seemed to know exactly where the vulnerable jugular was and he

aimed for it. The jerk of the train deflected his stroke, though,

and the blade slit a long cleavage down the big man’s open chest.

With a demoniacal scream, the big man reached out for the

boy crudely, careless now of the blade that made another gash in 10

his arm. He caught the boy by the upper arm with the left hand,

and between the legs with the right, and lifted him bodily. Then

he hurled him towards me. The flight went clean through the

paneless window, and only a long cry trailed in the wake of the

rushing train. 15

Suddenly passengers darted to the windows; the human missile

was nowhere to be seen. It was not a fight proper, not a full-blown

quarrel. It was just an incident in the morning Dube train.

The big man, bespattered with blood, got off at Langlaagte

Station. Only after we had left the station did the stunned 20

passengers break into a cacophony of chattering.

Odd, that no one expressed sympathy for the boy or the man.

They were just greedily relishing the thrilling episode of the

morning.

1.1  Refer to line 1.

1.1.1  Choose the correct answer. Write only the number and letter of your choice.

“Splashing people” is an example of …

A.  simile

B.  alliteration

C.  metaphor

D.  oxymoron (1)

1.1.2 Explain why the people are said to be ‘splashing’. (2)

1.1.3 From your knowledge of the story, what causes these people “to splash”? (2)

1.2 Why does the narrator mention Croesus Cemetery at this point? Give TWO points. (2)

1.3 Briefly describe the setting and era in which this incident takes place. Give TWO points. (2)

1.4 Say whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE. Quote TWICE from the extract

to support your answer.

On realizing the effect of his actions on the passengers, the tsotsi felt remorseful. (3)

1.5 Refer to line 5. What does the word “plunged” suggest about the manner in which the

tsotsi performed this action. (1)

1.6 Why does the narrator associate the tsotsi with an “instinctive, predatory beast”? (2)

1.7 Refer to line 6.

1.7.1 Choose the correct answer. Write only the number and letter of your choice.

“He seemed to know where the vulnerable jugular was.” Means that the tsotsi …

A.  is a coward

B.  knows how to inflict a fatal wound.

C.  thinks that the man is afraid of him.

D.  provokes the big man. (1)

1.7.2 Where is the jugular? (1)

1.8 Refer to line 14.

1.8.1 Choose the correct answer. Write only the number and letter of your choice.

“… and only a long cry trailed …” is an example of …

A.  euphemism.

B.  onomatopoeia.

C.  alliteration.

D.  simile. (1)

1.8.2 What effect is achieved by using this imagery? (2)

1.9 Refer to lines 16 – 18.

1.9.1 Quote a word that tells us that the tsotsi is compared to a thrown object. (1)

1.9.2 Comment on the irony of the spectator’s reactions to the terrible incident.

Give TWO points. (4)

1.9.3 What is odd or shocking about this response? (2)

1.9.4 Do you think that passengers on a South African train would react differently to a

similar incident today? (2)

1.10 Complete the following sentence about the story:

The .....1.10.1….. feels depressed as he gets onto the .....1.10.2….. for work on a

.....1.10.3….. morning. A ...... 1.10.4….. crudely harasses an inappropriately touches a girl. (4)

1.11 Can you identify TWO themes that are clearly explored in The Dube Train. (2)

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THE DUBE TRAIN: Contextual Question MEMORANDUM

1.1 

1.1.1  C – metaphor ü (1)

1.1.2 Fear ü – instilled by the tsotsi is likened to water spillage because of the way they run for

cover. ü (2)

1.1.3 The tsotsi is wielding a knife ü and will hurt anyone in his way. ü (2)

1.2 Immediately after speeding past the cemetery, the thug is hurled outside through the

paneless window of a moving train to meet his death. ü

The cemetery is a reminder of death. ü (2)

1.3 Third class carriage ü which was designed to ferry Blacks only. Trains were divided into

first, second and third class. Blacks could not mix the white people during apartheid era. ü (2)

1.4 FALSE. ü “There was an evil leer in his eye.” ü / “satanic satisfaction” ü (3)

1.5 He did it with much force. ü (1)

1.6 He reacts like a dangerous animal ü - vicious/inhuman/merciless. ü (2)

1.7

1.7.1 B – knows how to inflict a fatal wound ü (1)

1.7.2 in the throat/neck ü (1)

1.8

1.8.1 C - alliteration ü (1)

1.8.2 repetition of “I” ü - the sound he makes is imitated. ü (2)

1.9

1.9.1 “missile” (1)

1.9.2 They seem unconcerned about the incident ü / as though it is not all that important. ü /

Regard it as commonplace ü - yet it should shock and appal them. ü /

Unnatural for people to have this reaction to something which is so terrible. ü (Two points) (4)

1.9.3 Such a response should be seen as inappropriate ü as a reaction to human tragedy and

suffering. ü (2)

1.9.4 Learner’s response

Yes – scared of being hurt / minding their own business. üü

No – concern for another human being / tsotsi’s behaviour not acceptable. üü (2)

1.10

1.10.1 narrator ü

1.10.2 train ü

1.10.3 Monday ü

1.10.4 tsotsi ü (4)

1.11 Violence and abuse ü

Courage and respect ü (2)

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