The Big Hill Chapter 3

Category: The Big Hill

“We can notcan’t     climb that,” Mr Gale decided.decided. “It will have to be the bank – do you still want to climb this hill? We  willnotwon’t    get lost if we stay close to the stream, but it will be very rough and tough. Do you want to try?”

NZ Southern Island forest“Oh yes, Dad, we must!” said Tim.  

Ricki joined in, “Of course we must.”

“We have to,” said Mia.

“I amI’m   glad you all want to,” said Mr Gale, with a grin, “because I would be very sorry to turn back now. Up we go!” And up the left bank of the waterfallwaterfall they went, Mr Gale leading,ing, Tim and Ricki following,following, and Mia for once behind the others.

For half an hour or so, they were too busy to speak. They climbedclimbed with hands and arms more than with legs and feet – reachinging forwardforward and up for a good strong branch or tree trunk, and pullingpulling themselvesthemselves up the steep bank from one tree to the next. They could see nothing except the trees just above them. SometimesSometimes they stumbledstumbled over rottingrotting logs and stirredstirred up clouds of dust that nearlynearly chokedchoked them.

At last they reachedreached the top of the waterfall,waterfall, and Mr Gale suddenlysuddenly shouted,shouted, “This looks like a track!”

Comprehension

Summarise what has happened so far in this narrative.

Clarify these words: rough, tough, stumbled, rotting, stirred.

Retell what happens in this chapter.

Make inferences and give opinions about:

  • Why Mr Gale says they can't climb the waterfall.
  • Why they won't get lost if they stay by the stream.
  • How the children feel about it.
  • Why Mr Gale might not want to turn back.
  • Why they didn't speak.
  • Describe how they climbed.
  • Why they might have climbed like that.
  • What made the climb difficult and why.
  • Why Mr Gale shouted that he had found a track at the top.

 

What prediction can you make about what might happen next?

What question could you ask about this chapter?

Visualise these uses of descriptive language: it will be very rough and tough; with a grin; Mr Gale leading, Tim and Ricki following, Mia for once behind the others; too busy to speak; climbed with hands and arms more than legs and feet; reaching forward and up for a strong branch; see nothing except the trees above them; pulling themselves up the steep bank; stumbled over rotting logs; stirred up clouds of dust that nearly choked them. 

Make a connection with this chapter.

Word Study

Verb endings: What happens when we add s, ed or ing to: decide, stumble, rot, stir, choke.

Other affixes: What happens when we add other prefixes and suffixes like ly to these words: near, sudden.

What is the singular form of: themselves.

What two words make up these compound words: waterfall, forward, themselves, sometimes.

What two words are contracted here: can't, won't, I'm.