CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY ENGLISH 9: TEACHER’S RESOURCE

Learner’s Book
answers
1 Going underground
1.1 Relic with narrow prospects), he is bored
(looking for excitement), open to being
1 Discussions should be based on the idea of manipulated, which may make him an
Darkparis being in the mystery genre. Learners easy target.
might consider the following:
• Who is The Doorkeeper and what does
• The title – what does the word ‘dark’ you’re the one mean? What will Louis be
suggest literally and metaphorically? Link asked to do? What will happen at nine
to the darkness in the extract but also o’clock the following evening?
other connotations of darkness.
3 Discussions may include consideration of
• The literal meaning of the word ‘Relic’ the following:
and what this could suggest about the
• Phrases such as the shadows . . . dance on
character. Link to the content of the
the walls, it felt unnatural, narrow tunnels
extract particularly (as if she belonged
provoke an uneasy response.
to another time). ‘Louis’ is a normal,
everyday name (in contrast to the other • The use of a short paragraph that asks a
characters), signifying a recognisable, real- question – How did he end up here – and
world character common to protagonists why? – allows the writer to add in explicit
in some fantasy texts. He is the reader’s details about Louis and explain the
identifiable, sympathetic character. situation he is in. The stress on how dull
and uneventful his life is suggests he may
• The setting, and how it builds atmosphere,
be looking for adventure.
linking ideas to the extract: ancient
catacombs, narrow tunnels, back streets of • The mention of The Doorkeeper adds
Paris. Learners may contrast this with the intrigue, mystery and uncertainty. What
mundane nature of local supermarket and is beyond the door? Why does Relic refer
small apartment. to Louis as the one? What has he been
selected for?
• The unanswered questions readers may
have about the events so far: Who is Relic? 4 Discussions should include:
How did she know Louis’s name? Who is
The Doorkeeper? What does she mean by • personal responses to the text, supported
the one? Why does she want him to come by reasons
back to the catacombs the next day? They • the way that the backstory is incorporated
all point to the mystery genre. to provide information about Louis and his
• Responses to the picture will vary. situation, whereas Relic remains a mystery

2 Paragraphs should include some of the • how the story is narrated through Louis’s
following: eyes so we know more about him than
Relic – how does that affect reader
• The explicit information revealed about interest?
Louis: he is 17 (young), lives in a small
apartment (sense of confinement), has a 5 Learners write structured summaries of their
job in a local supermarket (unfulfilling discussions in Activity 4.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY ENGLISH 9: TEACHER’S RESOURCE

1.2 The Doorkeeper

1 Example answer:

Structural choice Effect

Focusing on the setting in the first three It builds up an eerie atmosphere, thus
paragraphs creating suspense.
Making The Doorkeeper more central It develops the narrative by introducing
another key character. The Doorkeeper also
holds power, so increases conflict and ten-
sion. He sets a challenge for Louis to accept
or reject, which is gripping for the reader.
Using dialogue to show the interaction The dialogue allows variation in the narra-
between Louis and The Doorkeeper tive, but also establishes The Doorkeeper as
a character who is stern and unbending. It
allows us to see Louis’s fears and uncertainty.
It is good at showing how contrasting the
characters are.
Ending on a cliffhanger The cliffhanger shows us the choice that
Louis has to make. It’s a difficult choice, so
the reader is left in suspense wondering what
choice he will make.

2 Discussions should include: b The Doorkeeper almost comes across

as a game-show host when he says,
a The way that the writing appeals to or Welcome to . . . The Test! The ellipsis is
affects the senses: the phrase rebounded used in a dramatic way, as though it is
off the walls makes the space seem small entertainment.
as the sound has nowhere to go so there
is a sense of an echo. Scurrying is a word 4 Example answer:
that evokes fear as it sounds as though
the passages are full of rodents. The mist Breathing in deeply, Louis made a decision.
makes everything sound damp and cold, He dashed to the middle tunnel and ran
linking to the foul-smelling passageways. at a lightning pace until he could see The
Flaming torches gives the impression of Doorkeeper ahead of him. The tunnel
glare, movement and heat. was dark but surprisingly straight. He was
running so furiously that he failed to notice
b The symbol of the fork in the tunnel that The Doorkeeper was blocking the tunnel
is used to show the decision that Louis ahead of him. He suddenly loomed out of
has to make. Whichever path he takes the darkness and watched sternly as Louis
will decide his fate. The mist symbolises stopped in his tracks.
Louis’s weakness. It is referred to as the
mist of indecision. ‘Louis, you disappoint me. I thought you
had more courage,’ The Doorkeeper said,
c Opposites are used to make a point about while shaking his head slowly. ‘You need to
courage: fearful/ fearless; weak/strong. find your own way; there is little merit in
The test is used as a way of Louis proving following the paths of others. That way leads
which of these opposites applies to him. to blindness and misery rather than foresight
and fulfilment. Go back! Think about what
3 Discussions will vary but should consider: you want; face your innermost fears.’
a The Doorkeeper uses questions as part Louis sobbed and stumbled, feeling
of his challenge to Louis. He constantly overwhelmed; when he looked up The
tests him and makes him question himself Doorkeeper had vanished. Had he imagined
as a result. He also uses questions as a him? He turned and made his way back to the
warning: You do know there is no going Fork, wondering whether he should just give
back to your old life, don’t you, Louis?

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY ENGLISH 9: TEACHER’S RESOURCE

up. He wasn’t a hero. What was he thinking? • Why she chose Louis as a central
Without Relic, the tunnels had lost their magic character: She wanted a young adult as
and he just felt alone. the central character to reflect the target
readership. Instead of a child, she wanted
As he stood at the entrance to the third tunnel,
to portray a young adult who finds life
he felt something brush past him. But he could
dull and is thrust into a world where he
see nothing. It seemed to be a breeze that was
feels more like a child again as he has to
light but full of energy which started to flow
discover new things.
into him. Before he knew it, his feet started to
move and he stepped into the dark entrance of • What she says about the message of her
the tunnel. There were strange beams of light book: She says the message of her book
crossing one another from the walls; they were is about having self-belief and learning to
dim but bright at the same time and flickered be confident. Sometimes the message of
enticingly as he crossed them before snapping the book doesn’t become clear until the
out. Ahead of him was magical light; behind end but she wanted to write a story about
him was cold darkness. The tunnel began to becoming more confident and overcoming
twist and turn, moving uphill and downhill, challenges even if they seem difficult.
at times narrowing to tiny fissures that he had
to squeeze himself through. Finally, it opened 4 Discussion should include the following points:
up and he found himself looking down into a • Some readers may find Louis a dull
huge underground cave in the middle of which character.
was a maze of stone walls forming an intricate
symmetrical pattern inside a perfect circle. • Some readers may prefer a central
character who is female.
1.3 Reviewing Darkparis • Some people may identify with Louis due
to their age or because they have similar
1 Learners’ answers will vary.
life experiences.
2 a Ayesha prefers the mystery genre, which
5 Example answer:
offers settings and characters that are
unlike normal life. This means she A story set in the delightful city of Paris but
likes Darkparis because the mysterious instead of bustling cafes and busy boulevards,
characters such as Relic and The we are taken into the dark and gloomy world
Doorkeeper appeal to her. of the catacombs. Our protagonist, Louis,
whose life in northern Paris is dull and
b Vanessa’s slightly negative reaction is due
uneventful, finds himself being led into the
to the fact that she prefers books with
tunnels by a mysterious young woman called
strong female characters. As Louis is the
Relic, who leaves him to face the challenges
most central character in this novel, she
given to him by the equally mysterious
isn’t as keen on it.
Doorkeeper.
c Alexei is 18 and feels he has outgrown this
This book will appeal to readers who like
genre of novels. However, he does identify
mysteries and intrigue. It poses questions
with the character of Louis and likes the
but doesn’t offer easy answers. Who is The
setting of the catacombs as he has visited
Doorkeeper and why has Relic chosen
them during a trip to Paris.
Louis to take The Test? What secrets do the
3 • Why she chose the setting: Her choice of catacombs hold and how dangerous will
setting was influenced by a visit to Paris as Louis’s quest be?
a teenager. Her knowledge that Paris has
The novel is aimed at young adult readers who
two sides: it’s a beautiful city but has also
should identify with the character of Louis
been the setting of some terrible conflicts
as he faces the realities and monotony of
throughout history. She also liked the idea
navigating life in an adult world. His desire for
of a story set underground in a different
uncertainty and excitement is likely to appeal
world, and the catacombs offered a
to those who yearn for the adventures and
perfect setting.
discoveries of childhood but in a more mature
and dark setting.

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY ENGLISH 9: TEACHER’S RESOURCE

1.4 The second test • Whether Relic was acting or not. If not,
how did she get into that situation?
1 Groups read the scene aloud.
• Is the Old Man an inner voice for Louis?
2 Discussions will vary, but groups should Does he force him to confront difficult
start by discussing and annotating the script issues from his past?
to explore ideas about tone, gesture and
movement. • What could a new character add at this
point? Suggestions may consider whether
3 In their discussions, learners should consider: a new character is helpful when the
Old Man and Relic are still relatively
• How Relic’s power is presented and how it
undeveloped.
changes in this scene from Extracts 1 and 2.
• Whether using a cliffhanger for two
• How and why Louis’s power increases
consecutive scenes could lack variation.
through the extracts: how does it change
What are the other possibilities for ending
at the end of Scene 4: The Second Test?
the next scene dramatically?
Where can the reader detect a shift in
hi power?
1.5 Visiting Coober Pedy
• The power of The Doorkeeper – does it
vary or is it constant? 1 Discussions will vary but should consider:

4 Answers may include: a The writer implies that the area is very
basic and undeveloped. In many ways,
• At first the two people cannot be seen it is an area which lacks modernisation
so they had mystery and suspense. The and the facilities expected in a civilised
sound of rushing water hints at danger society. It does not look real but more
which adds tension. like something from a science-fiction film.
As a result, it is quite discomforting. The
• The old man seems to be looking at
writer also implies that the weather makes
Louis’s past and present in a crystal ball,
the area really hostile and unpleasant
which adds mystery and intrigue. He hints
and that people only live there to try to
at something significant in his school life,
make money.
which adds information for the audience.
He confirms what we already know about b The writer’s voice is quite negative, using
the lack of excitement and fulfilment in expressions such as effectively a hole in the
Louis’s life presently. He acts as a tempter ground to describe the sleeping conditions.
for Louis, enticing him to choose a new There is a sense of disbelief in her tone,
and better life. as though she has never seen anything
like this area before. She also sounds
• The ending of the extract is unexpected,
uncomfortable in the area, as though she
as Louis refuses to save Relic by agreeing
finds it really creepy. She says she was the
to enter the river. It uses a rather silly and
unwilling heroine which shows that she
stereotypical helpless female scenario so
doesn’t really want to be there. It sounds
it may be that Louis doesn’t trust them.
as though she didn’t enjoy her trip there.
Relic was very in control at the beginning
of the text so why would she be so useless 2 Discussions will vary, but should consider
now? As a reader I agree with Louis the following:
that the whole set up looks staged and
unconvincing. They may be testing how • The fact that it took the writer three days
easily duped he is. to get there shows how remote the area
is and how far from her normal life. She
5 Learners may consider the following in their stresses it is 1,800 miles from Canberra
script scene: and likens it to Mars.
• Perhaps another test by The Doorkeeper • Saying people live in dugouts makes their
and Louis has to pass or fail. If the latter, lives seem incredibly hard, which makes
how will The Doorkeeper react? them seem desperate. It seems to be full

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 CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY ENGLISH 9: TEACHER’S RESOURCE

of people who are only there temporarily 2 Discussions may include the following points:
to try to get rich rather than a settled
community who have tried to establish a • The writer did not seem to like Coober
proper town. Pedy or feel comfortable there. Even after
talking to Alinta, she is still quite negative
3 Learners’ answers will vary, but may consider: about their lives.
• otherworldly images: makes the landscape • The writer notices the noises of the city
sound alien and strange and the pinging of her phone when she
returns home and wonders if a more
• long stretches of dusty red landscape: links
peaceful environment like Coober Pedy is
to Mars as the ‘red planet’
a good thing.
• strange hills of white soil: colour contrasts
• She is more reflective when she returns
with the red
home and seems to wonder if her initial
• randomly scattered mining holes: makes judgements were too harsh. She did
the place sound chaotic and messy, as seem rather closed-minded when she
though humans visit, mine, then leave visited – perhaps irritated by the lack of
modern technology. It seems as though
• winters are colder than Mars: very hostile she was not willing to give it a chance,
and brutal but changed her mind a bit when she was
• this place of extremes: stresses how hostile back in her own environment.
it is and how difficult it is to live there 3 Discussions might include the following
• like a deserted film set for a Martian movie: points:
makes it sound empty and abandoned. • why the writer doubted Alinta’s
4 Discussions may include consideration of the reassurances
following: • why she softened her attitude after
• The response identifies explicit information returning home
but looks at deeper meanings behind the • why the writer found being without her
details (‘The implication is . . . ’). phone and other modern comforts so
• Appropriate quotations are used to challenging
identify key points. • why the writer was so dismissive of the
• It interprets the writer’s feelings and area and the people who live there
intentions from the words. • what Alinta says about her life there

1.6 Living under the ground • what the writer says in the final
paragraph.
1 Alinta is introduced to add more depth to the
4 Learners’ answers will vary.
article, as she is a resident of Coober Pedy
so can offer a true perspective on the town 5 Learners’ answers will vary.
rather than one based on first impressions.
She is also only 17 so adds a young adult’s Check your progress
views. She shows that life there is harsh but
not as strange or impossible as the writer 1 Writers can use structure in many ways to
has implied. The fact that she is going make stories interesting. They may start with
to Melbourne to study shows that she is a description of a setting to build atmosphere
educated and a normal teenager. She also and create strong visual images. They may
mentions her parents having a business and also deliberately withhold information to add
that they have electricity, which shows that suspense, tension or intrigue. Use of dialogue
their lives are not as difficult as the reader varies the narrative style and allows the reader
has been led to expect. Her frustration with to hear the characters’ voices. Flashbacks can
people’s assumptions that they are considered add details at appropriate points or answer
backward also adds a new perspective. questions.

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