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Rayyan

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56 views3 pages

Rayyan

Uploaded by

Namrah Jalil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Section A: Reading /40

Directions: Read the extracts below and answer the questions that follow:
Extract 1: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by Michael Morpurgo
All of King Arthur’s knights at Camelot live by a code of honour. Last Christmas, Sir
Gawain promised to let the Green Knight cut off his head in a year’s time – as long as
Gawain could cut the Green Knight’s head off first. But when he did, the Green Knight
shocked everyone by simply picking up his head and riding away! At this point in the
story, Gawain is honour-bound to seek out the Green Knight for the second part of the
challenge: he must now allow the Green Knight to attempt to cut off his head …
As each month of the year passed, and the seasons came and went, it was hard for
Gawain not to think from time to time of the terrible fate he must face – and sooner now,
not later. Many a long night he lay awake, willing time to slow down: but time neither
waits nor hurries on for any man. It was already Michaelmas moon, and he knew he must
soon leave Camelot and be on his way. His spirits uplifted by the love of the king and
queen, and by his brotherhood of Knights, Gawain stayed as long as he dared, until All
Saints’ Day. The last night before he was to leave they held a great feast in his honour,
and everyone at Camelot, lords and ladies, squires and servants, did all they could to
keep him merry. But try as they might the jokes and the laughter seemed flat and forced,
the smiles thin, for all of them realized this was likely to be the last time they would dine
with brave Gawain. No knight in the court was more well-loved and honoured than he.
Bravely, but sadly,
Gawain rose to his feet. “Uncle, good King,
my dear friends,” he said, “the time has
come for me to say goodbye. You know
where I have to go, what I have to do, and
that God alone can save me and bring me
home again. So pray for me. It’s all you can
do. Be sure that whatever happens, I will
not dishonour you.”
One by one each said their sad farewells:
Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, Sir
Bedivere, every knight that was there, and
Queen Guinevere too, and all the ladies of
the court, many of them weeping openly at
this parting. Gawain put on it as brave a
face as he could.
“A man must do and dare,” he said. “No
more tears. I’ll be back.”
The next morning, after a sleepless night filled with fears and doubts, Gawain rose early
and called for his servants to fetch him his clothes and armour. They put on first his
doublet and fur-lined cape, which they fastened tight around his neck against the cold.
They strapped on his armour, all brightly burnished until he was covered in steel – thighs,
arms, even his hands. Over it all they hung a heavy scarlet surcoat, wonderfully
embroidered, and around this at his waist they tied a silken swordbelt of peacock blue.

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With his gold spurs at his heels and his sword in its sheath he was as ready as he would
ever be to face any foe. From his room Gawain went straight to the chapel to say Mass,
and then at once to the courtyard to Gringolet, his waiting warhorse, who was as
magnificently dressed and armoured as his master. Once he had settled in the saddle
the servants handed him up his helmet. And what a helmet it was. Padded on the inside,
it was polished and jewelled on the outside. The neckguard was strong enough to save
him from even the most terrible of blows to the head. Once he had buckled on his helmet
he was handed his shield, with his own coat of arms embossed upon it. This was a gold
pentangle, a five-pointed star, each point representing a virtue to which any true knight
must aspire: loving kindness, integrity, chivalry, loyalty and holiness.
Q1. Many a long night he lay awake, willing time to slow down: but time neither
waits nor hurries on for any man.
What does this tell you about how Gawain feels about leaving Camelot? ( /2)
____________________________________________________________________
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Q2. The last night before he was to leave they held a great feast in his honour …
In your own words, explain what in his honour means in this sentence. ( /2)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Q3. Look at the paragraph beginning The next morning…


Name two things the servants put on Gawain. ( /2)
1. _______________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________
Q4. What do you think will happen to Sir Gawain? Explain your answer using
evidence from the text. ( /4)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

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____________________________________________________________________
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