Taronga

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//Written by Victor Kelleher//
Chapter 1 __Illustrator (1&2):__

__Discussion Director__ What was Ben's special quality? @ He could do one way telepathy with animals What happened to the dingo? @ Greg shot it Did Ben like that the dingo was killed? @ Not at all What did Geg do to Ben after he shot the dingo? @ Greg knocked Ben out What expression did Greg use when they were talking about what Greg did to Ben? @ 'L think your still a bit high from that thump I gave you

__Summariser:__ The main characters of the story are Ben and Greg who live in the bush hunting. Ben has the ability to make animals obey him. Ben and Greg have a system that Ben calls (somewhat like talking) the poor animal and Greg shoots the animal and as a bonus he gets to keep the fur but this time Ben is on the brink because he thinks it is crude and when Greg kills the dingo for no reason, Ben tries to stop him and Greg hits him with the rifle.

__Vocabulary Enricher 1-3:__ boulders- a detached and rounded rock shied- to be shocked signafying- to make known by signs, speech or action straggly- moving slowly in irregular paces sinuos- winding, having alot of twists and curls distended- expanded, extended gait- the way you walk shuffling- moving without lifting your foot eg The old man shuffled acroos the room hitched- fastened, connected or attached/short jerking motion prick-ears- to listen with attentive ears self-same- exact same lolling- tongue moving up and down in the mouth cocked-turning clambering- climbing discoloured- not in the right form of colour livid- discoloured makeshift- temporary substitute jolted- to move jerkily flecks- particles of clenched- grasped, to close mouth with teeth tightly bloodied- soaked with blood, full of blood vitality- liveliness, energetic snarl- a fierce growling type noise obscured- covered, made not clear prongs- the three points of a fork speared-killed with a spear gamy- having no flavour or the odd scent of game repressed- held down, squished tiller- a lever used to turn a rudder and steer a boat coursing- travelling on sizable- quite large rustling- trees blowing trudged- to plod more heavily, stomp like walk edgy-nerous greatcoat- a large overcoat made of wool designed for protection against weather like rain glimmer- shimmer clubbed- whacked with a club vaguely- not sure banked- placed, kept pushed saturated-dried converged - meet, to tend towards someone plodding- walking heavily foliage- leaves sodden- soaked wet tarred- made with tar veering- turning wrenched- opened by force

Discussion Director How did Ben describe the skin of the dingo when it was shot and hung on the wall? @ A loose brown rag In the story where did Ben live in Sydney? @ Coogee

Literary Luminary Page 9, paragraph 2- 'Outside it was moonless and dark, with a cool air blowing from the south, rustling the gum trees overhead. He paused long enough to check the sky, noting with satisfaction that although it was mainly clear, there was a mass of cloud in the southern horizon. I picked this part because I enjoyed how it described the eerie night.

Connector I could tell what Ben meant when he explained what Greg sounds like when it said that Greg sounded threatening yet softly. People in our world sometimes speak like that. __**Chapter 2**__

__Vocabulary Enricher:__ Sodden- made very wet Parapet- a low wall along the edge of a balcony, bridge or roof Thwarted- Frustrated Grotesque- very strange Bedraggled- very untidy or wet and dirty.

Literary Luminary Page 15, Paragraph 1: 'But it was still easier to walk on the un-grazed hillsides, and he followed it automatically, without any clear sense of where he was heading.' I like this bit because it shows you can follow your instinct wherever you are.

__**Chapter 3**__

__Discussion Director:__ What was the dog scratching on? @ A dull glint of metal What did the metal turn out to be? @ A hidden cellar What did Ben use to get to Sydney? @ A bicycle he found in the cellar Where did he find himself? @ In a room with rough earth walls What did Greg take from the house? @ A bike and some food What followed Greg? @ A dog

__Summariser:__ Ben reaches the main road quite easily and followed it all night. He could travel easily because there was no cars. When dawn comes, he becomes tired and hungry. He spots a fat shingle-back and beats it with a stick until it is dead. He cleans and stores it for later use. He soon sees grey smoke thinking its a bushfire he goes closer to find out its a campfire. He stumbles across two murdedered people. He investigates the scene and finds a cattle-dog. When it gains his trust it hangs around. He climbs onto the roof of the house and cooks the shingle-back. After having a feed, he finds a cellar full of supplies, he decides to stay a few hours. He takes the bicycle and rides off realising that he is being followed by the dog. They rest at day and ride at night, until they reach the Blue Mountains which they cross. On the other side, they see people and they try to avoid them, but the people kept on attacking them and the only reason Ben survived is because of the dog and the protection it granted him. They reach an abandoned house and rest, Ben feels guilty about getting the dog into the mess and falls asleep.

__**Chapter 4**__

__Discussion Director__ What did Ben find was less tiring than walking? @cycling What animal was Ben getting fond of? @a dog Why was Ben scared of going to Sydney? @he was afraid what his old home looked like

__Literary Luminary__ Page 31, Paragraph 8 Apart from the doleful cry of a mo-poke and the murmurings of the river itself, the night was silent. I found this part of the book interesting because I had no idea what a mo-poke was or what doleful meant. A mo-poke is a small brown Australian owl with a spotted back and wings. Doleful means mournful or sad.

__Connector__ The paragraph above could be connected to the real world by the sounds that we hear at night.

Summariser Ben pushed himself as he wanted to get to Sydney so badly. Even though his rucksack was heavy, he enjoyed pedaling on his bike. The dog was still with him and Ben loved having him around but he refused to give it a name. Ben went through a small town but luckily the dog saved him. The dog growled before Ben heard anything so they crept under a ditch to investigate. A tall figure emerged from the shadows and asked another one if he saw anything. Ben was lying flat on the ground feeling scared. He quickly escaped and told himself never to go into deserted towns again. As Ben kept going, he felt more confident that he is going to have a fresh start. Ben heard a cry from an unknown animal and day by day the sound grew louder. Instead of Ben going on the main road, he took the old Aboriginal route called the Bells Line of Road. When dawn arrived, he felt at home. The dog detected something and was edgy and restless but Ben did not seem to notice. They came to a narrow, boggy crossing and after a quick survey, they crossed. Piles of car bodies blocked the road and pedestrian crossing. Suddenly, the dog let out the familiar warning growl. Ben saw a man go out onto the middle of the road holding a gun in his hand. The dog darted forward and bit the man's thigh while Ben darted off on his bike just going past the strange man. Ben praised the dog as he caught up with him. They reached the outskirts of Richmond and Windsor but to their surprise it looked different. Everything was vandalized. The towns had badies and one even attacked Ben. They passed Windsor and he kept telling himself that they were near Sydney. Ben learnt that the best chance for survival is going silently and quickly. He gave up so he took refuge in a ruined house. Ben kept telling himself he had to see the outcome of his trip. He wanted to abandon the dog by putting the dog in the bush. With that last thought, he went to sleep. __**Chapter 5**__

__Connector__

__**Chapter 6**__ __Litterary Luminary__ "Your like a mouse running round and round a piece of cheese, Too scared to eat it." I chose this sentence because I didn't know mice did that.

__Connector__ If someone says you are in danger you usually want to know what you are in danger from. The same abpu where you are going.

__**Chapter 7**__ __Summariser__ Ben was pushed through the hole by Chas and was told to run, he made a suicidal attempt to escape the tigers Raja and Ranee. He got himself in a situation when Raja was trying to have a go at him. Luckily an Aboriginal girl popped out of nowhere and practically saved his life. Then she sent the tigers to hunt down his so called "mates". She takes him to the stronghold in which she lives in and he meets Steve in an unusual way as well as Molly and finds out the girls name is Molly. He spends the night in with them. __**Chapter 8**__ __**Chapter 9**__ Summariser: Ben and Ellie talk about when and where a attack would comeand Ellie explains about the cats and how everyone in Taronga is armed. Molly chose only the toughest to guard Taronga. Ben gets angry when Ellie always talks about her dad. ben also finds out that Ellie dislikes Steve. Ben and Ellie are alike because they both got put through the hole by Chas.Ben then explains about his ability to Call other animals. Ben finds out that Taronga mean s water views. __Literary Luminary__ He peered through the eye-piece and immediately the city leaped towards him. There was nothing timeless about it now, the illusion of performance shattered by the prevailing air of rain and decoy. It was apparent in everything he saw: the steelwork of the bridge streaked with rust; tiles missing from the shell shapes of the Opera House; the upper storeys of the skyscrapers almost windowless. The whole distant scene speaking to him of sadness and loss. Chapter 9, Page 94 __Illustrator (9&10):__
 * Connector:**

__Vocabulary Enricher__ Dense- Having the component parts closely compacted together Mingled- To be mixed, blended or unite Barbary- Savage Cruely Unruly- Not submissive or conforming to rule Jauntily-A short journey especially for pleasure Disarmingly- To deprive of weapons Engulfing-To swallow in a chasm Inwardly- Directed toowards __Literary Luminary__ Torn between his longing for the open spaces of Taronga and his hatred of the figure standing between him and partial freedom, Raja would lingersullenly at the back of the cage, his long striped body swinging to and fro in agitation. Chapter 10, Page 96-97 ominously -suggesting something unpleasant sporadic- irregular intervals staccato- loud and rough culling- to kill groggily - not fully awake caferteria - a place where food is served deviod- empty uncertainy- not sure scornful- scorning incapable- not capable to do a certain job unaffected- not affected by the events around them overcast- a weather pattern where the clouds cover the sun __Discution Director__ What song were they singing? Advance Australia Fair __Vocabulary Enricher__ sporadic - appearing or happening at intervals in time. plight - a condition, state or situation placate - to make calm protracted - to draw out or lengthen in time anew - again subdued - to win control over elation - to put in high spirits brevity - shortness of time haggard - tired or ill looking, gaunt __Vocabulary Enricher__ Exertation- use efforts and endeavours Dubious- doubtful Interior- situated with in Khaki- dull brownish yellow Mortar- shotgun throwing shell bombs Caress- fondly touch or kiss Proposition- statement, assertation Furtive- sly, stealthy Mirthless- no merry or laughter Adequate- sufficient, meets needs __Disscusion Director__ 1. Which big cat charged at Ben and Ellie? @ A lioness 2. Why did Ben not want to go out in the open on the path? @ He was afraid he might get shot. 3. Why did Ben decide to meet Chas outside the zoo? @ Becaus Chas might have thought it was a trap. __Vocabulary Enricher__ Mock- to act or treat with contempt Expansively- having a wide range or extent Foreboding- to foretell or predict Detterent- tending to discourage someone from acting Indignation- strong displeasure at something considered unjust Gaunt- extremely thin or bony Obscuring- not clear or plain Fervently- having shown great warmth of enthusiasm Probed- to search or examine thoroughly Belligerently- warlike, given to waging war Ruefully- sorrowly or pitifully Neutral- not taking sides in a war or argument
 * __Chapter 10__**
 * __Chapter 11__**
 * __Chapter 12__**
 * __Chapter 13__**
 * __Chapter 14__**

__Connector__ When big things change you don't feel good about the new version most of the time.
 * __Chapter 15__**

__Litterary Luminary__ The flames were leaping towards the sky now, figures rushing out through the burning doorways, the explosive cackle of gunfire rising to a cresendo. I chose this sentence because it is very descriptive.
 * __Chapter 16__**

__Connector__ When you feel guilty you don't feel good about yourself.

__**Chapter 17**__