Catch Us If You Can : Event

SPM 2011 NOVEL QUESTION

Based on the novel you have studied, write about the part of the story that you like most.
Tips
1. State the part of the story you like most
2. Describe it ( elaboration and detail )
3. Give reasons ( provide at least 2 reasons )
Model Answer ( Band A )
In the novel Catch Us If You Can by Cathrine MacPhail, the part that I like most is the
great escape
Rory plans the Great Escape for three days after Darren suggests hiding in his mothers
caravan. He gives Rory the spare key to the caravan. Rory carefully carries out his plan. He
packs his and Grandas things. He visits Granda after school, as usual. He wedges open the
emergency exit. Later that night, he visits Granda and prepares Granda by dressing him up and
then tells him that he is getting out of the home. Rory takes Granda away from there while Val is
having coffee with the nurses. Both of them successfully sneak out through the emergency exit
and out to a quiet train station where they are not noticed. They arrive at the train final stop and
go uphill in a fine drizzle and then up a long winding path that leads to the caravan site.
I like this part the most because it shows that Rory is a loving boy. He loves his Granda so
much that he could not stand looking at his granda crying and feeling sad staying at Rachnadar.
Because of this, he is determined to take Granda out from Rachnadar.
This part of the story also shows us how determined Rory is in making his escape a
success. He cannot live without his Granda who has brought him up and taken care of him since
he was a baby, and because of that he takes the risk to take his Granda out from Rachnadar. I
also think that this is the start of all the adventures and challenges of Rorys and grandas
lives.They meet with a lot of people and are always on the run so that they are not caught. It
makes the story interesting and leads to the happy ending when Rory is reunited with his father.
Note: Words in italics are the details with which will enable you to get Band A marks

Catch Us If You Can : An event that affects a

character
Question: Based on the novel you have studied, write about an
event and how it affects one of the characters. Give evidence to
support your answer.
In the novel Catch Us If You Can, by Catherine McPhail, an event that affects one of the
characters in the story is when Rory takes Granda out from Rachnadar, a home for the aged.
After taking his Granda out from Rachnadar, Rory decides to escape from the town where they
both lived.
Their escape takes them to many places and they meet many people who help them.
Rory learns valuable lessons from these people. For example, Rory learns about compassion
and kindness from Sammy and Rubys family. From Rab, Annie and Norma, Rory learns that
there are people in this world who would help others and the help comes in many forms. When
Norma reports Rory and Granda to the police, she does so out of the kindness of her heart. This
makes Rory touched and grateful.
This event has changed Rorys life. His life has changed for the better when he and his
Granda are reunited with Rorys father. Now, Rory not only has a father, he also has new family
members; a stepmother and two stepsisters. Granda has also learned to accept and forgive
Rorys father and this makes Rory very happy.
Before this escape, Rory was worried about his Granda and as he has to take up the
responsibility of taking care of Granda, he cannot lead a normal life of a young, growing boy.
Finally, at the end of the story, however, Rorys life has improved as there are certain services
provided for the elderly. He also has his father who is willing to take care of Granda whom he has
neglected for years. Due to this, Rory can lead a normal life like his schoolmates. All these
positive changes would not have happened if Rory had not taken his Granda out from
Rachnadar.

Catch Us If You Can - Interesting Character

Question: Based on the novel you have studied, who do you think is the most
interesting character? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer:
In the novel Catch Us If You Can by Cathrine MacPhail, the character I think
interesting is Rory, the main character in this novel.
Rory is very patient especially in taking care of his Granda who suffers from
memory lapses. This can be seen when Rory asks Granda where he put his
homework. He notices a bulge in his rucksack. It is a bag of rubbish in his
rucksack. Granda has absent-mindedly thrown away his homework and kept the
rubbish instead. The next day in class, Mrs Foley asks Rory about his homework
and Rory tells Mrs Foley the truth, that he has lost his homework. Mrs Foley asks
him to stay back at lunchtime to do his homework but Rory cannot stay as he has to
rush home to prepare Grandas lunch. Rory knows that Granda does not do it
deliberately and he does not scold or blame Granda.
Rory is also very determined. He shows this when he plans the Great Escape for
three days after Darren suggests hiding in his mothers caravan. He gives Rory the
spare key to the caravan. Rory carefully carries out his plan. He packs his and
Grandas things. He visits Granda after school, as usual. He wedges open the
emergency exit. Later that night, he visits Granda and prepares Granda by dressing
him up and then tells him that he is getting out of the home. Rory takes Granda
away from there while Val is having coffee with the nurses. Both of them
successfully sneak out through the emergency exit and out to a quiet train station
where they are not noticed. They arrived at the train final stop and go uphill in a fine
drizzle and then up a long winding path that leads to the caravan site.
Another good thing about Rory is, he is a loving boy. After the fire at the
flat, Rory is sent to Castle Street and Granda to Rachnadar. Rory is not
happy. Granda does not like to stay there and he is upset and cries. Rory
sees Granda sitting on his bed and crying at Rachnadar. It breaks
his
heart . Granda and Rory cannot live without each other. Rory decides to run away
with Granda.
Although Rory is still a boy, he has many good qualities many boys of his age
do not possess. Because of this, I think Rory is a very interesting character.

CATCH US IF YOU CAN

Literature Novel
TIPS AND GUIDE
IMPORTANT EVENTS
You must remember a few important events in the novel. This is because you need to support
your answer with evidence and examples . These examples and evidence are the events. For
example, the question; write about what you have learnt. If you write that you learnt you should
love elders and family members, you have to support it by giving evidence. Here, the evidence
can be when Rory is separated from Granda, which is one of the events in this novel.
HERE ARE 3 IMPORTANT EVENTS.
1. Granda throws Rorys homework
One day, Granda absent-mindedly throws away Rorys homework and keeps rubbish in Rorys bag. Rory
is not angry. He knows Granda does not do it on purpose.
What does this event tell us?
Rory a patient boy
loves his Granda so much that he understands his Grandas condition.
Theme love, family relationship,
Lesson learnt we must love the elders and be patient with them
2. The Separation, Rory is sent to Castle Street and Granda to Rachnadar
After the fire at the flat, Rory is sent to Castle Street and Granda to Rachnadar. Rory is not
happy. Granda does not like to stay there and he is upset and cries. Rory sees Grandasitting on his bed and
crying at Rachnadar. It breaks his heart . Granda and Rory cannot live without each other. Rory decides to
run away with Granda
What does this event tell us?
Rory loving, responsible, cannot live without Granda
Theme love, family relationship
Lesson learnt we should love our family and be responsible

3.The Great Escape

Rory plans the Great Escape. Darren suggests hiding in his mothers caravan. Rory carefully carries out his
plan. He packs his and Grandas things. He visits Granda after school, as usual. He wedges open the
emergency exit. Later that night, he sneaks intoRachnadar and takes Granda away from there.
What does this event tell us?
Rory a brave boy, a person of action, loving, responsible, cannot live without Granda
Theme challenges of growing up and coping with responsibility
Lesson learnt we should be brave to face challenges in life and do what we think is right
There are a few more important events, identify them.
BAND A FOR CONTENT ( 9-10 MARKS )
A consistently relevant and convincing response to the task specified
Always provides detailed and well developed textual evidence
BAND B FOR CONTENT ( 7-8 MARKS )
Response is relevant to the task specified
Usually provides textual evidence with some development
SPM 2011 NOVEL QUESTION
Based on the novel you have studied, write about the part of the story that you like most.
The part you like most
Describe it

Reasons why you like it

R1
R2
R3
Model Answer
In the novel Catch Us If You Can by Cathrine MacPhail, the part that I like most is the
great escape
Rory plans the Great Escape for three days after Darren suggests hiding in his mothers
caravan. He gives Rory the spare key to the caravan. Rory carefully carries out his plan. He
packs his and Grandas things. He visits Granda after school, as usual. He wedges open the
emergency exit. Later that night, he visits Granda and prepares Granda by dressing him up and
then tells him that he is getting out of the home. Rory takes Granda away from there while
Val is having coffee with the nurses. Both of them successfully sneak out through the
emergency exit and out to a quiet train station where they are not noticed. They arrive at
the train final stop and go uphill in a fine drizzle and then up a long winding path that
leads to the caravan site.
I like this part the most because it shows that Rory is a loving boy. He loves his Granda
so much that he could not stand looking at his granda crying and feeling sad staying at
Rachnadar. Because of this, he is determined to take Granda out from Rachnadar.
This part of the story also shows us how determined Rory is in making his escape a
success. He cannot live without his Granda who has brought him up and taken care of him since
he was a baby, and because of that he takes the risk to take his Granda out from Rachnadar. I
also think that this is the start of all the adventures and challenges of Rorys and grandas
lives.They meet with a lot of people and are always on the run so that they are not caught. It
makes the story interesting and leads to the happy ending when Rory is reunited with his father.
TRY THIS QUESTION
Based on the novel you have studied, who do you think is the most interesting character? Give
reasons to support your answer.
The outline of your essay.
Outline A
Name the character
Provide the first reason (R1) you find the character interesting. Give evidence (E1) ( example /
event )
Provide the second reason (R2). Give the evidence (E2) ( example / event )
Provide the third reason (R3). Give the evidence (E3) ( example / event )
Outline B
Character ( Rory)
R1 ( patient ) E1 ( Granda throws Rory's homework )
R2 ( determined ) E2 ( Rory plans the Great Escape )
R3 ( loving ) E3 ( the separation )
REMEMBER TO PROVIDE DETAILS IN ORDER TO GET BAND A MARKS.

PRACTICE SECTION
The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English Language
1.

The Curse by Lee Su Ann

2.

Step by Wicked Step by Ann Fine.

3.

Catch Us If You Can by Catherine McPhail

Based on one novel above, write about the following.

Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
Your response should be:

Not less than 50 words

In continuous writing (not in note form)

Practice 3
Write about a moral value you have learnt in the story. Support your answer with evidence from
the novel
The value in life that I have learnt in the novel- Catch us if you can is The Importance of Family. Sacrifices for
family are honoured and explored, as are the family bonds that survive adversity. Family responsibility in the
novel is best displayed by Rorys constant care of his grandfather. Very early in age, Rory has realised that there
was only Granda and me to make up a family. Rory does not know any other family love. His father had left them
when he was very young. Granda had taken care of him all his life and now, as Granda is getting old and forgetful,
and is never quite well, it is his turn to look after him.

Practice 4
Based on one novel above, write about an episode that is memorable in the story. Provide
evidence from the text to support your answer.
The incident which is memorable in Catch us if you can is when Granda is sent to Rachnadar, Rory knows that
he has to get him away from that place. Though torn with desperation at times ( Grandas carelessness with the

chip pan had landed him in hospital and Rory atCastle Street), Rory plans the Great Escape and gets him away
from the hospital where they put old people in.

CATCH US IF U CAN SAMPLE ANSWERS

05/11/2012 BY CIKGU MAIA

Using details from the novel you have studied,

describe a close relationship between two characters
explain why you would consider them to be very close Support
your answer with close reference to the text.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen
Choose and write the names of two characters from the story Describe
their close relationship
Explain why you would consider them to be very close
SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, Rory McIntosh
and his grandfather share an inseparable bond.
According to Rory, they are like a double act. His father abandoned his
mother and him, so when his mother died, he was taken care of by his
grandparents. The death of his grandmother had left him with his
grandfather. He called him Granda and Granda had looked after him all
his life and now it was his turn to look after Granda. However both of
them were incapable of looking after themselves because Granda was too
old and sick while his grandson was too young to shoulder the
responsibility of looking after himself and his forgetful and sometimes
disorientated grandfather. Whatever the difficulties, Rory and Granda
refused to be separated. Rory argued that sending Granda to a home
would kill his grandfather and forcing him to stay in a childrens home
would be unbearable. That showed how close they were and how
emotionally dependent they were on each other.
Rory loved Granda so much that he was prepared to make a lot of
sacrifices for the old man. He let go the chance to be in the school football

team because he needed to look after Granda. He had to run home from
school during lunch break to bring Granda lunch. On several occasions,
Granda had unwittingly lost or misplaced Rorys homework and that
had earned him the wrath of his teacher, Mrs Foley. Besides all these, he
had to think of the little precautions to take to keep Granda out of harm.
Still, he did not want to part with his Granda who would have been better
off in an old folks home. Granda felt the same also. The bond between
the two was a special one. However, events took a decisive turn when
Granda accidentally caused a fire in the kitchen of their flat. Granda was
taken to hospital and then to Rachnadar, a home for the elderly. Rory
ended up in Castle Street where he met the troubled Tess and fought with
her.
He was miserable there. Granda fared no better at the home. Rory felt
that they had been cheated by his social worker, Val Jessup. He plotted on
the run while the police launched a hunt for them. The news of the runway
pair was everywhere on television but they managed to evade the police
with the help from sympathizers along the way. They suffered a lot of
discomfort while on the run and the old mans condition worsened but
they seemed happy. Being together has become a source of strength to
them. They were finally persuaded to go and see Rorys long-lost father,
Jeff McIntosh, who had been traced to Liverpool as a result of the publicity.
But before they could do this, Jeff came for them. They ended up together
again, and this time in a flat near where Jeff and his new family lived. Jeff
was finally ready to assume responsibility for his father and his son.
Rory and Granda were inseparable. It looked as if only death could
separate them. Nothing mattered as long as they were together.
4.3.2 PRACTICE 2
Using details from the novel you have studied, write on the theme
of happiness. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen
Choose evidence from the novel which relate to the theme of happiness
State the characters

 Explain what the characters do to be happy

SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us If You Can, Rory McIntosh has been living with his
grandfather since he was a young boy. On the surface, this arrangement
such as theirs cannot be a happy one because Granda is old and sick
while he is too young to be able to look after himself, let alone his
forgetful and sometimes disorientated grandfather. Granda would have
been better off at Rachnadar, a home for the aged where his needs will be
taken care of by professionals and Rory would have been able to lead a
more normal life at Castle Street Childrens Home. But they refuse to be
separated. Despite the difficulties, they are happy together. In their own
obstinate way, they are guarding their right to be together and be happy.
However, when Granda causes a fire in their flat, the social worker
assigned to them takes Granda to Rachnadar while Rory goes to the
Castle Street home. Rory is upset and so is Granda. Rory believes the
home is killing his Granda. Then, Rory decides to run away from the home,
rescue his Granda from Rachnadar and they would run away from all
these meddling people. They are on the run for several weeks and the
television is full of news about them. A
massive search is launched for them. Ironically, while on the run, they
experience some of the happiest moments of their lives, with the help of
sympathizers like Darren, his best friend who steals his mothers caravan
key to let them hide temporarily, Sammy and Ruby who shelter them
when the police close in on them. Then, there are the sympathetic petrol
station operator, Rab and his girlfriend, Annie. Their run comes to an end
when Granda becomes ill
and causes concern to Norma, Annies cousin who is helping them to get
to Liverpool to find Rorys father. She calls the police. Alls well that ends
well when McIntoshs long-lost son, Jeff, who is also Rorys father comes
for them. He is ready to assume his responsibility as a son and father.
Rory and Granda are basically searching for happiness whether as a
stubborn pair fiercely defending their rights to stay together in the flat in
the face of insurmountable problems or whether as runaways, oblivious to
the frenzy they are causing through their actions. They sincerely believe
that they are looking for happiness. After all, nothing matters as long as
they are happy because life is a quest for happiness.

4.3.3 PRACTICE 3
The title suits the story perfectly
Using details from the novel you have studied, discuss whether
you agree with the statement above. Give reasons for your
answer. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
GUIDELINES
Read and understand the statement given
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen
Explain how the title suits the story
Use evidence from the novel to support your answer
SAMPLE ANSWER
The title of the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail is
simple and catchy that suits the novel perfectly because it captures the
actions of a grandfather and a grandson who cause a frenzy when the
police launch a massive search for them. The grandfather has run away
from an old folks home he hates and the grandson has escaped from a
horrible childrens home.
The title has the semblance of a challenge to the people tracking down
the pair. It sounds cheeky, insolent and child-like and it reflects the
character of the runaway pair. The grandfather, suffering from age-related
ailments can be childish and does not realize the implications of what he
has done. In his pursuit, he has caused bodily harm to a youngster who
recognizes his grandson, Rory, from the news on television and wants to
turn them in. Then, he steals a car to get away. All these can be
considered criminal but he is happily nonchalant or ignorant of all the
legal implications. His grandson and accomplice, Rory, is a child who
knows no better. The expression If You Can is not only tongue-in-cheek,
but also suggests that tracking them down can be difficult. One would
think it would be easy to catch them but it is not. Although what they are
doing is unbelievably crazy, they have earned the sympathy of
many people along the way and this has helped them to evade the police
for so long. First, Darren, Rorys best friend, plans the first lap for them
when he steals his mothers caravan key for them to hide out while they
think of a better plan after they leave the homes.

Then, they meet Sammy and Ruby who offer them help as the police are
closing in on them. Next, there is Rab at the petrol station who gives them
a respite and convinces them that they should go and find Jeff McIntosh,
Rorys father, in Liverpool because it is time for him to do something in
his whole useless life. After that, there is Annie, Rabs girlfriend, who
hands them over to her cousin, Norma. Norma finally brings the whole
saga to an end when she decides to call the police because she can see
that the old man really needs medical help.
The title suits the story perfectly because it is a story about a grandfather
and a grandson on the run. It is also a reflection of what the story is the
police are not looking for regular criminals but just two ordinary people
whom the police do not want to apprehend but to protect and keep out of
harm.
4.3.4 PRACTICE 4
Using the details of the novel you have studied.
describe a decision made by any one character in the novel
do you think the decision was a wise one?
Support your answer with evidence from the novel.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen
Choose a character from the story
State the decision made by the character you have chosen
Give your opinion whether the decision made by the character you have
chosen was
a wise one
Use evidence from the novel to support your answer
SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, I would choose
the decision made by Rory, when he decided to get Granda out of
Rachnadar and run away.
After the death of his mother, Rory lived with his grandparents. When his
grandmother died, his grandfather, whom he called Granda, looked after
him. Rory and Granda were very close to each other that they had
become inseparable. When Granda became sick and his memory began to

fail, it was Rorys turn to look after Granda. One day, Granda accidentally
set fire to their flat. This brought the authorities to step in. Finding Granda
and Rory incapable of taking care of each other, they sent Granda to an
old folks home, while Rory was sent to a childrens home in Castle Street.
The authorities had no choice but to do this for the safety of both Granda
and Rory. Granda might pose a danger not only to himself and Rory but to
those around him.
Rory felt he was wrongly torn away from his Granda. Furthermore, Rory
knew that Granda hated being in Rachnadar, the old folks home, and
Rory himself hated it in Castle Street. So he made the decision to run
away with Granda so they could be together.
I can understand Rorys position but I do not see it as a wise decision. In
the first place, he was too young to make a huge decision like this. At his
age, he should have thought about school. He should realize that he was
incapable of taking care of his old and sick grandfather. Granda was too
old and frail to go on such a challenging and demanding journey.
Moreover, Granda needed his pills to sustain him. Besides, Rory did not
know where he was going to. Where could they go when they had no
place and no one to care for them? Rory, too, asked himself the question
whether it was a wise decision. People may say that those who love each
other must stay together but this is based only on emotion. I think Rory
made the decision because he had no one else in his life. It was not only
because he loved Granda so much, but also because he did not know how
to live without his Granda because all this while, Granda was always there
for him.
To make decisions, we must be objective. We must think rationally. Seeing
the unpredictability of things and the health condition of Granda, and
Rorys immaturity, I strongly feel that Rory made an unwise decision in
running away.
4.3.5 PRACTICE 5
Using details from the novel you have studied, write on the theme
of forgiveness OR reconciliation.
Support your answer with close reference to the text.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

 State the characters

Choose the events from the novel which highlight the theme of
forgiveness or
reconciliation
Explain what the characters do to show forgiveness
Support your answer with evidence from the novel
SAMPLE ANSWER
In Catherine MacPhails Catch Us If You Can, Rory has been cared for by
his grandfather whom he calls Granda for as long as he remembers.
According to Granda, his own father was a spoilt brat of a boy; just
mentioning him would make Granda angry. He grew up to be someone
who did not appreciate what he got and left Rorys mother who later died
of heartbreak. And that was when the senior McIntosh decided to cut all
ties with his son. He is adamant that the only son he had is Rory and he
can very well take care of the boy.
The irony of the situation is, Rory has been looking after his Granda who is
not well and needs medications for all sorts of ailments. As a result, Rory
has to look after him, take him to the doctor, prepare his lunch and make
sure he takes his medicines all too big a responsibility for a young boy
like him. Despite the difficulties, both Rory and Granda refuse to be
separated, as any solution would entail sending the old man to a nursing
home and the boy, a childrens home.
However, after Granda accidentally sets fire in their flat, he is sent to
Rachnadar, an old folks home and Rory to the childrens home in Castle
Street. They cannot bear being separated. Rory takes Granda out from the
home and both go on a run. Soon, the police is looking for them. News
about them appears on the media. Rory and Granda manage to
evade the police because they get help from people who sympathize with
them along their journey.
Investigations reveal that Rorys father, Jeff Mcintosh is in Liverpool and
they are advised to go and see him. While on their way to Liverpool,
Granda becomes too sick. The police is informed by one of the people who
helps them, Norma, who feels that the old man needs immediate help.
Jeff, with the help of the authorities, arrives to take his father and his son
with him. Both father and son are reconciled and Rory finds his long-lost
father. Jeff is ready to take on his responsibilities as a son to his father,
Granda, and as a father to his son, Rory.

The story ends with a reconciliation between the ageing and ailing father
and the son he has vowed to disown, Jeff. As for Rory, it is a happy reunion
with the father he has never known.
4.3.6 PRACTICE 6
From the novel you have studied, what is the most important
lesson you have learnt? Support your answer with close reference
to the text.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen
Think of a lesson you have learnt after reading the novel
State the characters and the hardships they go through that have an
impact on you
Explain how the story affects you
Use evidence from the novel to support your answer
SAMPLE ANSWER
From the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, an important
lesson I learnt is to be persistent and determined when facing challenges.
Often, persistence leads to better results than losing hope easily. Two
characters in the novel, Rory and Granda, handled challenges with
determination. Rory knew that he must be strong and determined in order
to withstand the rigours of the escape. There was never a time he felt like
giving up and turning in to the police. It was the strong sense of
perseverance that helped him bear all the hardships. It was the same with
Granda. When things got difficult, he was even more persevering even
though it was hard for a man his age to be on the run. He knew he needed
to be strong so that he could be together with Rory.
The escape got very arduous and tough at times. The police were always
after Rory and Granda. There was a wide TV coverage on them. But Rory
and Granda were determined to pull through. They knew they would be
together and not be separated as long as they continued to run. From the
way they went through their escape, I learn that challenges should be
dealt with determination. One must not easily give up hope and accept
defeat. As long as one has the chance, one must keep on going till
success is met.

4.3.7 PRACTICE 7
The characters in novels often face problems. Some solve their
problems but some do not. Using information from the novel you
have studied, show how
one character solves his/ her problems
one who does not solve his/ her problems
Support your answer with close reference to the text.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen
Choose a character, state his/her problems
Explain how the character solves his/ her problems
Choose another character and state his/ her problems
Explain why the character fails to solve his/her problems
Suggest what the character should do to solve his/ her problems
Use evidence from the novel to support your answer
SAMPLE ANSWER
It is true that characters in novels often face problems. Some manage to
solve their problems but some do not.
In Catherine MacPhails Catch Us If You Can, a character who manages
to solve his problem is Rory. His apartment is burnt down due to Grandas
carelessness. He is then forced to part with his Granda. He is sent to stay
at the childrens home in Castle Street, and Granda is sent to the old
folks home in Rachnadar. Being very close to Granda, Rory can see that
Granda is miserable at the home. Rory can sense that Granda has lost
interest in everything and it breaks Rorys heart to see Granda like that.
So, Rory comes up with a plan to run away with Granda. He knows, by
doing so, he can always be together with Granda. As long as they are on
the run, they will be together. It can only be for a few days or a couple of
weeks, but to Rory and Granda, their time together is precious.
On the other hand, Tess, a girl whom Rory meets at the childrens home,
fails to solve her problems. She has a sad life. Her mother is in prison and
all her relatives reject her. Being homeless and unwanted, she is sent to
Castle Street. Instead of making the best of her life there, she worsens it
by becoming a bitter, angry and violent person.

Her violent outbursts become so bad that she loses control of herself and
her actions. She injures others, making them keep away from her. She
fails to make friends and so, remains lonely and friendless. She cannot
overcome her loneliness and sense of rejection. If she had chosen to be
more positive, she would probably have made some friends who can help
her instead of feeling rejected and unloved.
4.3.8 PRACTICE 8
From the novel you have studied, write about an important moral
value you have learnt. Support your answer with close reference
to the text.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen
State an important moral value you have learnt after reading the novel
State the characters and the events where the moral value you have
learnt is
emphasized
Use evidence from the novel to support your answer
SAMPLE ANSWER
From the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, an important
moral value I have learnt is that family relationships should be nurtured
and not taken for granted. Granda looked after Rory after Rorys father
walked out on them. Since Granda was old and forgetful, Rory took it upon
himself to look after Granda. Nobody forced or told him to do it but Rory
felt it was the right thing to do. He was willing to forego things that
teenage boys should be doing. He did all the household chores, made sure
Granda took his medication and had his meals. He even kept Grandas
pipe to make sure there wasnt any untoward incidents. Granda and Rory
did not take their relationship for granted. Granda, on several occasions,
had expressed appreciation to Rory for always being there for him while
Rory felt proud to have Granda as his grandfather. Rory was protective
and defensive of Granda.
They nurtured their relationship right up to the end even when they had a
family, Jeff and Karen.

Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone also showed a strong family relationship.

Sammy and Ruby were free and easy but respectful with each other. Ruby
would tease Sammy and vice versa. But, when it came to making
decisions, Ruby left it to Sammy, showing him respect as the head of the
family. Tyrone was respectful and obedient to his parents, Sammy and
Ruby.
All in all, I have learnt from the novel that family relationship should be
nurtured and not taken for granted as family happiness and stability
depend on this positive attitude.
4.3.9 PRACTICE 9
From the novel you have studied, write about the plot of the story
and state what you think of the plot.
Support your answer with close reference to the text.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen
State the main characters and the important events in the story Give a
brief summary of the story
Give your opinion of the plot of the story
SAMPLE ANSWER
Catherine MacPhails novel Catch Us If You Can revolves around a
teenager, Rory, and his grandfather whom he calls Granda. Rory and
Granda are on an escape adventure from their hometown to Liverpool
because they do not want to be separated from each other. They have
cared for and looked after each other for a long time and with Granda
getting on
in years and becoming forgetful, Rory takes over the responsibility of
looking after Granda on his own initiatives.
One day, when their flat caught fire due to Grandas carelessness, both
Rory and Granda are placed in a childrens home and an old folks home
respectively. Granda is badly affected as he becomes withdrawn and lost.
Rory knows that Granda is slowly dying in Rachnadar, so he decides to run
away with Granda. Rory and Granda make the great escape but with no
destination in mind. They only want to be free and to be together. They
spend a few happy carefree days at the caravan site. When the police
catch up with them, Rory and Granda are helped by Sammy who gives
them shelter.

Their journey is a struggle to stay free. Strangers help them all the way,
giving them shelter and making safe plans for them. Rory has doubts
about whether he is doing the right thing. All doubts are dispelled as
Granda looks happy even when he is exhausted.
Eventually, Rory decides they would travel south to Liverpool and look for
his father, Jeff McIntosh. Granda objects and rages about this when he
realizes what Rorys plans are. The climax of the story is when Granda
almost loses his life in the cold bus shelter. After that, they end up in
Liverpool. It is a happy ending as they meet up with Jeff and become a
family again. The plot runs in chronological order. The reader can follow
Rory and Grandas interesting and sometimes heartbreaking journey from
their hometown to their final destination. Rory as the narrator projects a
solid account of their thoughts, feelings and gives good descriptions of the
setting. The approach makes it easy for the reader to understand and
appreciate the story. I think the plot is simple and relevant to our society
where young people tend to forget their obligations to the old.
4.3.10 PRACTICE 10
Who is the most interesting character in the novel that you have
studied? Give reasons to support your answer.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. Name the
character that you consider interesting.
Explain the role of the character in the novel.
Give evidence from the novel to support your comments. State your
opinion again.
SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us if You Can by Catherine MacPhail, I think Granda is
the most interesting character in the book.
Reading through the novel, I found out that he was a caring and kind
grandfather to Rory. The fact that Rory was to return the favours implies
that Granda must have been a good man and good grandfather. His love
for Rory is absolute. Also, Granda finds it hard to bear that Rory has to be
in a home and wants to get out of hospital to take Rory home. This shows
how much he cares for Rory.
Granda is also a charmer. It is because he easily compliments others

especially women not only for the looks but also for their talents as he
praises Ruby for her cooking. All the times he remains the perfect
gentleman, like opening the door for the young mother at the clinic.
Other than that, he is quite a fascinating character. He knows a lot about
films and film stars. His love for movie stars makes him even name his son
and grandson after some film heroes of his time. Also, he loves singing
and has no inhibitions about singing some old songs, however badly, in
front of others.
With all the above, I believe that Granda must be an interesting and
remarkable man.
4.3.11 PRACTICE 11
Based on the novel that you have read, write about an incident
that changes the life of a character in the story. Give evidence
from the novel that you have studied.
GUIDELINES
Name of the novel and the author you have chosen. State the incident
you have chosen.
Give reasons why you think this incident changes the life of the
character.
State your opinion again on the importance of the incident to the life of
the character.
SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us if You Can by Catherine MacPhail, an incident that
changes the life of the character is the great escape that Rory and Granda
undertake. Rory decided to run away from the town he lived in after taking
his Granda out of the local old folks home. The escape took them to
many places and they met many different people who
helped them on their journey. Rory learnt valuable life lessons from
meeting all the different people. From the travelers, he learnt about
compassion and kindness. From Rab, Annie and Norma, he learnt about
people who offered help sincerely and treated them kindly. Also, Rorys
life would never be the same again. It was because, his father turned up
to help him and Granda. Finally he had a father, a stepmother and two
adorable stepsisters. He had a family and that was a life-changing
moment from him.

Rory was worried about his Granda earlier but then he didnt have to. It
was because things started to fall into places for him. Certain services
provided for the elderly made life better for him and Granda. The escape
exposed some of the problems that the elderly and their caretakers faced
in the course of their daily life.
With all the above, I believe that all those changes would not have taken
place if not for the great escape.
4.3.12 PRACTICE 12
Using the details of the novel you have studied,
Write about the moral value that has impressed you the most.
Give evidence from the text to support your answer.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. Name the moral
value that you have learnt.
Give examples from the novel to support your answer. State your
opinion again
SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us if You Can by Catherine MacPhail, I learn about
compassion for fellow human beings. Many characters exhibit compassion
for each other and act in a kind manner because of their compassionate
nature.
Rory and Granda care for each other and there is compassion in their
actions. For example, Rory cares for his grandfathers well-being. For
instance, he makes sure his Granda takes his medicine. Moreover, he
always rushes home from school to ensure Granda takes his lunch.
Moreover, Rory protects his Granda from anything he considers bad,
offensive or dangerous. Rory even keeps Grandas pipe to make sure
there isnt any untoward incidents. Granda tries his best to help Rory and
unfortunately makes mistakes, but there is still compassion. He strongly
says that no grandson of his is going to a home for as long as he is
around.
In addition, Dr Nicol insists that Granda and Rory get a home help. This is
because he believes that Granda and Rory are not capable of taking care
of each other. Val Jessup, the social worker, also shows compassion. She

shows enthusiasm to help Rory and Granda. When they are on the run, Val
Jessup pleads on television for Rory and Granda to come home. The police
and the nurse also act compassionately towards Granda and Rory. They
are affected by the dilemma of an ageing man who is so dependent on a
young boy and therefore do what they think is the best.
Besides, Darren, Rorys close friend offers his mums caravan to them
because he cares for Rory and Granda. He warns them about the arrival of
the police.
With all the above, I believe that we must be compassionate to people.
This quality keeps us humane and make the world appear kinder and the
troubles bearable.
4.3.13 PRACTICE 13
In the novel you have studied
Pick any one decision in the novel made by someone or some
party that you disagree Explain why you disagree.
Support your answer with evidence from the novel.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. State the
decision.
Give reasons why you disagree with the decision. State your opinion
again.
SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us if You Can by Catherine MacPhail, there is one
decision in the novel that I disagree with. It is the one taken by the
government to separate both Rory and his grandfather.
Rory and Granda are very close and each depends on the other for love
and comfort. They are family, a double act and one cannot survive
without the other. When Granda accidently starts a fire in the flat, the
State makes a decision to put him in a home because he may endanger
himself and others. I was so mad with the State.
I can understand that the State has the interest of Rory and Granda at
heart when it makes this decision. But, what makes me disagree is that it
regards them as only a case on which it needs to act, not as people with
feelings. It is because each citizen has a right to run his or her life the way

he or she wants to without outside interference. Unfortunately, it did not

happen that way.
In addition, no discussion has been held with Rory and Granda how best to
solve the problem. When the two run away, however, the police go after
them as if they are criminals. As a person interviewed on a television
rightly said, the police are wasting their time hunting down an old man
and a young boy instead of chasing criminals and fighting the gun culture.
The way the State tackled the situation pissed me off.
As a conclusion, people should be treated with greater respect and
compassion and not like cases to be solved.
4.3.14 PRACTICE 14
Faith in the God is essential.
Using the evidence from the novel, explain how this is shown in
the novel you have studied. Support your answer with close
reference to the text.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen.
State the character who conveys this message.
Give examples from the story to support your answer.
SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us if You Can by Catherine MacPhail, Faith in God is
Essential is one of the messages in the story.
Rorys prayers are in the form of warm and friendly conversations with
God, which he addresses as The Big Man. Rory is a character who has
faith in God. Rory promises to be good and do good things if The Big
Man would make Granda wake up when he sees his grandfathers face
pale, his mouth open and he is hardly breathing. In addition, Rory believes
that The Big Man wanted him to escape as things go smoothly. Rory
promises to collect money for the Salvation Army if The Big Man keeps
Granda safe. Rory tells The Big Man that they both are having great time
and Granda is no trouble at all.
The other evidence that resembles Rory as a person who has faith in God
is when he and his grandfather did not crash since Granda cannot drive
well. Due to that, he believes that The Big Man is looking after him.

As a conclusion, prayers play a vital role in keeping Rorys spirit up and

prove that faith is essential in life.
4.3.15 PRACTICE 15
Love, compassion and family relationship are important in ones
life.
Using the evidence from the text, explain how this is true.
Support your answer with close reference from the text.
GUIDELINES
Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. Discuss the
different aspects of love.
Give your views with examples from the text.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Catherine MacPhail put the elements of love, compassion and family
relationship in her novel, Catch Us if You Can. From the beginning to the
end of the story, those three elements hold the story together.
The love between generations shows that love is continuous and never
ending. For example, Rorys love for his Granda is unconditional and vice
versa. He is ready to sacrifice anything so that he remains united with his
grandfather. The grandfather, in turn, has devoted his life to bring up the
child from birth and his whole life revolves around him.
Love in a family and the power of love among family members are also
portrayed in this story. For example, Sammy, his wife, Ruby and son
Tyrone portray a warm and loving family. Besides that, Bernie, his wife and
daughter are equally warm-hearted and helpful. Rab and Annie are loving
and caring too.
Love and respect among Rorys friends also keep him from troubles. They
look upon Granda with great affection. Darren, the one who is the weakest
in the class, shows much compassion for Rory and helps him as much as
he can. Mrs. Foley also shows sincere, love and care for Rory. She shows
her concern towards Rory when Granda is admitted into the hospital. She
realizes that Rory should not be in the childrens home.
As a conclusion, the concept of the elements of love, compassion and
family relationship bring beauty to the story.