Tiger Daughter novel study
PROLOGUE
The day before things were never the same again pp 1 – 11
1. Vocabulary – find and type the meanings of the following words and expressions in the space under
the box.
the essence- the quality writes with a flourish – inspirational writing- perky questions – funny
of something that Writes something with a Creative writing. questions, happy
determine its character. professional being questions.
bushranger beard Murmur Defiant Moustache
Very big and long bush Whispering Go against the rules on A small beard under our
beard. purpose. nose.
genetically abnormal weak Spartan babies Fascination Abundant
Something wrong about - Not strong - The obsession many
the genes. warriors
replies laboriously sincerest apologies Inconvenience a sneaky sandwich
Talk back in a much very sorry Something that takes a - don’t like
effort, care about it way. hard way to do it. someone
because they do
things secretly.
Abruptly piqued his interest selective school Mirage
- Suddenly - Makes his - Scholl that - The refraction of
attention admits students something
become more o the basis of
active. some sort of
selection
criteria.
Scandalous a better version a shrewd glance an illusion
- Doing bad - More good form - A looking in a - A false
things and carefully way. appearance
people know
you because of
that.
Threadbare plaid shirt leather loafers stepping-stone
- A line made of - A shirt with lines - Lazy person - A type of path
cotton next to each that use rocks to
other. walk on.
2. A narrator tells the story from their point of view and uses first person pronouns such as ‘I’ and ‘me’.
Who is the narrator in Tiger Daughter?
- The narrator in Tiger Daughter is Wen Zhou.
3. Who is Mr Cornish? Describe him in more detail p 2 and p 10.
- Mr Cornish is the teacher. Mr Cornish is very young and he is the new teacher.
4. Who is Henry Xiao? Describe him in more detail pp 2, 4 and 5.
- Henry Xiao is Wen Zhou’s friend. Henry Xiao doesn’t know much about English and he need
translation from his friend. He always get bully in school and he barely eat lunch.
5. Why are Wen and Henry both in a before-school class? Explain p 1 and 2.
- Wen and Henry both in a before school class because need to learn extra English catch-up class.
6. What is Henry’s ‘crazy idea’? Explain p 6.
- Henry’s crazy idea is if Wen and Henry pass the entrance exam into the selective school. They will
get everything they ever wanted.
7. Who is Miss Spencer? p 6.
- Miss Spencer is Wen and Henry form teacher.
8. Describe Wen. p 7.
- She says that if she doesn’t get in the selective school. She will have to go to a dangerous city and
she will lost her two new friends
9. What subjects are Henry and Wen good at respectively? p 7.
- Henry good at science and maths program. Wen good at arts, athletics and humanities program.
10. Provide evidence from the text that Wen and Henry are not from wealthy families. p 7 and 8.
- If Henry and Wen fail the entrance test, their families won’t have enough money for private school
so they have to move to a dangerous suburb. Henry clothes are also very old. Wen clothes are not in
her size but she can’t ask for something new.
11. How does Wen feel about Henry’s plan? p 9.
- Wen feel about Henry’s plan by she doesn’t believe there is such a place.
12. Explain Mr Cornish’s philosophical advice to Henry in your own words. p 10.
- Mr Cornish’s philosophical advice to Henry is life is about taking risk. You have to go out the shell
that you have built to yourself by taking risk.
13. Colloquialisms (casual language) – words or phrases that are part of local language and vary
depending on geographical location and social group. Because colloquialisms are often modern, they
cannot always be found in a formal dictionary list. However, the internet is usually an up-to-date
source if you specify that it is colloquial language and the country. Searching an urban dictionary can
also be useful.
Find the meaning of the following colloquial phrases.
Colloquialism Meaning
a. ‘Won’t cut it’ Wen p 2
b. straight off the reffo boat p 3
c. slant eyes p 3
d. a happy medium p 5
e. ‘Do not jinx us!’ p 6
f. to get through with flying
colours p 6 - 7
g. comfortable shell p 10
h. something catchy p 10
i. fresh out of teachers’ college p
10
j. wilts a little (Mr Cornish) p 10
14. Similes – a language expression that makes a comparison with a familiar (or similar) object and often
evokes a visual image. The purpose of a simile is to draw on the reader’s experience and enliven and
emphasise the meaning being conveyed.
Examples: As cold as ice
Swim like a fish
a. Find a simile on p 4 of the text. Type it here and explain the comparison and what it means.
b. Find a simile on p 8 of the text. Type it here and explain as above.
c. Can you find any others? Look for them throughout the text and record them and the page
number.
15. Alliteration – a language expression where the key words begin with the same consonant.
Alliteration uses the interesting sound made by the language to engage the reader. It is especially
effective in spoken language but still works well when the reader knows the correct pronunciation of
the words in their head as they read.
Examples: Seven, slimy, slippery steps
Pretty, pink poppies in a pot (poppies are flowers)
Larry likes lollipops.
a. Find an example of an alliteration on pp 4 – 5. Type it here and explain its meaning in the text.
b. Can you find others? Look for them throughout the text and record them and the page number.
16. Onomatopoeia – a word that is formed from a sound.
Examples: Shhh!
Honk!
Miaow or Meow (cat sound)
Bang!
Zap! Ouch! Pow!
a. Find an example of onomatopoeia on p 4. Explain what it means in the text.
b. Can you find any others throughout the text? Record them.
