English Literature - ...

Windmill in Trouble

About the passage

A.  Read to understand

1.   Choose the correct options.

      a.   The name given to Piet’s windmill is a reference to

                     i.        the whooshing sound made by its moving arms.

                    ii.        the speed with which its arms moved in the wind.

                  iii.        the similarity between its arms and the wings of a bird.

 

      b.   The function of the dikes is to

                     i.        block the water from the North Sea from entering the land.

                    ii.        scoop up the water from the land and push it into the North Sea.

                  iii.        allow the water from the North Sea to enter little canals and irrigate the land.

 

      c.   It was important to pull the brake rope to stop the windmill because there was the possibility that

                     i.        it would get swept away in the storm.

                    ii.        its arms would become locked in the storm.

                  iii.        it would start pumping water into the meadow.

 

2.   Answer these questions.

     a.   What does the name ‘the Netherlands’ tell us about the country? (Hint: Find out what ‘nether’ means.)

 

     b.   Why are dikes and windmills important to the Dutch?

 

     c.   What special system of communication is described in the passage?

 

     d.   What was the ‘special reason’ that Piet had for watching Groot Vogel?

 

     e.   What did Piet observe when he looked out of the window after being woken up by the moaning Groot Vogel?

B.  Read to infer

1.   Why did Piet find it difficult to get hold of the brake rope at first?

 

2.   Piet, through his quick thinking and bravery, saved not only the windmill but also himself. Support this statement.

 

3.   ‘As he waited for them, he felt very big’. Explain this line.

 

 

C.  Discuss

Look up this web page and read yet another story of a Dutch boy like Piet.

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/29655/29655-h/29655-h.htm#THE_LITTLE_HERO_OF_HAARLEM

What similarities or differences do you find between this story and the passage you just read? Discuss in class.