Homework, Friday, November 10th, 2017

Read the letter from Nat's dad to Nat and answer the questions that follow. This is due on Monday, November 13th. 

Dear Nat,

I hope you’re okay. I’m doing well … I mean, I know I’m in prison, but I’m doing as well as can be expected. The other lads in here are treating me well and, believe it or not, the food is not actually that bad. I’m sharing a room with a bloke called Rob. I haven’t asked him what he’s in for; to be honest, I’d rather not know, but whatever it is, he’s been nice to me, so whatever.

I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more information before those Secret Service goons turned up and whisked me away. I thought I had more time. Oh well, you’re smart, so I know you’ll figure out the trail. Just trust your instincts. I’m really sorry I’ve put you in this horrible position and, believe me, I wouldn’t ask you to do what you’re doing if it wasn’t really, really important, and I know it’s especially difficult as you have to sneak around the house without your mum and Hannah knowing what you’re up to, but it will all be worth it in the end, I promise.

Anyway, I have to go; it’s almost time for me to go back to my cell. I know this is all really difficult to deal with, but it will all be fine soon, I promise. Just keep following those clues, and soon we’ll be together again, kicking a football around in the garden just like old times.

Love,

Dad

Questions

1. What three things are missing from the top of the letter?

2. What word does Nat’s dad use to refer to the other men in the prison?

3. What do you think he wants us to think about his relationship with them by using this word?

4. Why do you think he would rather not know why Rob is in prison?

5. What word does he use to refer to the men from the Secret Service who arrested him?

6. What does the use of this word tell us about his attitude towards them?

7. What makes the position dad has put Nat in especially difficult?

8. Why does he have to go?

9. What, according to dad, will he and Nat soon be doing again?

Extension activity

Explain in around 100 words how we can tell that this is an informal letter. Make sure you copy specific parts of the text (although not more than one line at a time) to provide evidence.

Example: We can tell that this is an informal letter because Nat’s dad uses the informal greeting ‘Dear Nat’, as opposed to ‘Dear Sir/Madam’, which is more formal.

Dear Nat,

I hope you’re okay. I’m doing well … I mean, I know I’m in prison, but I’m doing as well as can be expected. The other lads in here are treating me well and, believe it or not, the food is not actually that bad. I’m sharing a room with a bloke called Rob. I haven’t asked him what he’s in for; to be honest, I’d rather not know, but whatever it is, he’s been nice to me, so whatever.

I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more information before those Secret Service goons turned up and whisked me away. I thought I had more time. Oh well, you’re smart, so I know you’ll figure out the trail. Just trust your instincts. I’m really sorry I’ve put you in this horrible position and, believe me, I wouldn’t ask you to do what you’re doing if it wasn’t really, really important, and I know it’s especially difficult as you have to sneak around the house without your mum and Hannah knowing what you’re up to, but it will all be worth it in the end, I promise.

Anyway, I have to go; it’s almost time for me to go back to my cell. I know this is all really difficult to deal with, but it will all be fine soon, I promise. Just keep following those clues, and soon we’ll be together again, kicking a football around in the garden just like old times.

Love,

Dad

Questions

1. What three things are missing from the top of the letter?

2. What word does Nat’s dad use to refer to the other men in the prison?

3. What do you think he wants us to think about his relationship with them by using this word?

4. Why do you think he would rather not know why Rob is in prison?

5. What word does he use to refer to the men from the Secret Service who arrested him?

6. What does the use of this word tell us about his attitude towards them?

7. What makes the position dad has put Nat in especially difficult?

8. Why does he have to go?

9. What, according to dad, will he and Nat soon be doing again?

Extension activity

Explain in around 100 words how we can tell that this is an informal letter. Make sure you copy specific parts of the text (although not more than one line at a time) to provide evidence.

Example: We can tell that this is an informal letter because Nat’s dad uses the informal greeting ‘Dear Nat’, as opposed to ‘Dear Sir/Madam’, which is more formal.