ICSE CHAMP

The New House

by John Boyne

(Mulberry) (Standard Version)

THE NEW HOUSE

Pre-Read

If you had to suddenly move house and go to a new one, what are the three things you would miss most? List them and share your thoughts with the class.

Answer:

If I had to suddenly move to a new house, the three things I would miss most would be:

1. My friends and neighbours – I would miss spending time with them, playing games, talking, and sharing happy moments.

2. My old home and room – Every corner of my home holds special memories. Leaving it behind would make me feel sad.

3. My school and surroundings – I would miss my teachers, classmates, nearby shops, parks, and familiar places.

Moving to a new house can be exciting, but it can also be difficult because we leave behind many memories and people we love. Like Bruno, I would probably feel lonely at first and take some time to adjust to the new place.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Quick Answers

1. Choose the answers as directed.

a. Which of the following was true of Bruno?

i. He missed Berlin.

ii. He was always sulky and disobedient.

iii. He never shared his thoughts and feelings with other people.

Answer:

✅ i. He missed Berlin.

b. Which of the following events is not described in the selection?

i. Maria unpacked Bruno's clothes.

ii. Mother told Father she had changed her mind and they should return to Berlin by tea-time the following day.

iii. A serious, busy soldier carried a box out of Mother and Father's room and nodded to Bruno on his way out.

Answer:

✅ ii. Mother told Father she had changed her mind and they should return to Berlin by tea-time the following day.

c. Which of the following sentences does not use a comparison?

i. It was a much younger man, and not as tall as Father either, but he wore the same type of uniform, only without as many decorations on it.

ii. When he closed his eyes, everything around him just felt empty and cold, as if he was in the loneliest place in the world.

iii. Over in the corner of the room, opposite the door, there was a window in the ceiling that stretched down into the wall.

Answer:

✅ iii. Over in the corner of the room, opposite the door, there was a window in the ceiling that stretched down into the wall.

d. Which of the following is a major theme in this story?

i. childhood

ii. housing

iii. friendship

Answer:

✅ i. childhood

e. Which of the following is not true of the story?

i. The narrator is not a character in the story.

ii. The narrator is a character in the story.

iii. The narrator describes Bruno's thoughts and feelings.

Answer:

✅ ii. The narrator is a character in the story.

Reference to Context

2. "I think this was a bad idea," said Bruno a few hours after they arrived, while Maria was unpacking his suitcases upstairs.

a. How long had Bruno been at the house before he decided that the move was a bad idea?

Answer:

Bruno had been at the new house for only a few hours before he decided that moving there was a bad idea. From the moment he arrived, he disliked the house because it was lonely, empty, and completely different from his beloved home in Berlin. There were no neighbours, no children to play with, no shops, and no busy streets. The gloomy surroundings made him feel unhappy and isolated, causing him to form this opinion very quickly.

b. To whom did Bruno say these lines?

Answer:

Bruno said these lines to Maria, the family house help. He was talking to her while she was unpacking his suitcases upstairs. Bruno trusted Maria and felt comfortable sharing his feelings with her because she had been with the family for a long time and was almost like a member of the family.

c. What did the listener say in reply?

Answer:

Maria did not directly agree with Bruno. Before Mother replied, Maria continued unpacking. Later, Mother advised Bruno that they had to "make the best of a bad situation." She explained that they had arrived at the new house and would have to live there for the foreseeable future. She encouraged Bruno to accept the situation instead of complaining about it.

3. "What do you think of all this, Maria?" he asked after a long silence because he had always liked Maria and felt as if she was one of the family.

a. Who was Maria?

Answer:

Maria was the family's trusted house help. She had worked for Bruno's family for a long time and moved with them from Berlin to the new house. Bruno liked and respected her greatly and felt that she was almost a member of the family. Because of her caring nature and long association with the family, Bruno often shared his thoughts and feelings with her.

b. What did Bruno want to know? Why?

Answer:

Bruno wanted to know Maria's opinion about moving to the new house. He asked her what she thought of the place because he was unhappy, lonely, and disappointed with the move. He hoped that Maria would agree with him that moving there had been a mistake. Since he trusted her and considered her part of the family, he valued her opinion and wanted someone to share his feelings.

c. What was Maria's answer?

Answer:

Maria replied:

"That's not for me to say. Your mother has explained to you about your father's job and—"

She avoided criticizing the move because she believed it was not her place to question the family's decisions. Maria reminded Bruno that the move had happened because of his father's important job and responsibilities.

4. "But then one thing caught his eye."

a. What was Bruno looking for?

Answer:

Bruno was looking around his room hoping to find something interesting. He searched for anything that might make the room feel better or more welcoming. However, everything appeared dull, empty, and uninteresting to him. He was desperately trying to find something that would distract him from his sadness and loneliness.

b. Whom had Bruno seen just then?

Answer:

Just before this moment, Bruno had seen a young soldier coming out of Mother and Father's room. The soldier was carrying a box, wore a uniform similar to Father's, and gave Bruno a quick nod before walking downstairs. Bruno thought the soldier looked serious and important.

c. What did he hope for at this point in the story?

Answer:

At this point, Bruno hoped that the window he had noticed might allow him to see all the way back to Berlin. He wished he could see his old house, the familiar streets, the people, the shops, and everything he loved about his previous life. His hope shows how much he missed Berlin and wanted things to return to the way they were before.

Read, Reflect and Write

5. Is Bruno's mother happy about the move? How do you know?

Answer:

No, Bruno's mother does not appear to be happy about the move. Although she tries to remain calm and practical, her words and actions suggest that she is not pleased with the situation. She sighs several times during her conversation with Bruno and tells him that they must "make the best of things." She also becomes frustrated when Bruno repeatedly complains about the move. Her behaviour indicates that she too is unhappy but accepts the move because it is necessary due to Father's job.

6. What made Bruno think that Maria did not have her priorities right?

Answer:

When Bruno entered his room, he found his clothes, toys, and books still scattered around and not properly unpacked. Maria was unpacking his socks, vests, and underpants instead. Bruno believed that his toys and books were much more important than his clothes. Therefore, he felt that Maria was focusing on the wrong things and concluded that she did not have her priorities right.

7. Why do you think Bruno felt he was about to cry even though he was with his family?

Answer:

Bruno felt like crying because he had suddenly lost everything that made him happy and comfortable. He had left behind his home, his three best friends, his favourite streets, the busy city of Berlin, and the life he loved. The new house seemed lonely, empty, cold, and frightening. Even though his family was with him, he felt isolated because no one seemed to understand how deeply upset he was. The uncertainty of the future and the loss of his familiar surroundings overwhelmed him emotionally.

8. Describe in detail the things Bruno misses about his old house in Berlin and how he feels about moving to the new house. If you were Bruno, what is the one thing you would miss most about your old life? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer:

Bruno misses many things about his old life in Berlin. He misses his enormous house with its many rooms, hidden corners, and interesting places to explore. He misses his three best friends, whom he describes as friends for life. He misses the busy streets filled with people chatting and laughing. He also misses the fruit and vegetable stalls, colourful shops, and the lively atmosphere of the city. He even misses sliding down the banister and looking out across Berlin.

Bruno feels extremely unhappy about moving to the new house. He thinks it is cold, nasty, and unfriendly. Unlike Berlin, the new place is isolated and surrounded by emptiness. There are no neighbours, no children, no shops, and no signs of life. He believes there is nothing to do and nobody to talk to.

If I were Bruno, I would miss my friends the most because true friends provide companionship, happiness, support, and unforgettable memories. Leaving them behind would be the most difficult part of moving to a new place.

9. What are your favourite things about your home and the area in which you live?

Answer:

My favourite thing about my home is the sense of comfort, safety, and belonging it gives me. I enjoy spending time with my family and creating happy memories together. My room is my favourite place because it is peaceful and allows me to study, read, and relax.

I also like the area where I live because it is familiar and filled with people I know. The nearby parks, shops, schools, and neighbourhood friends make life enjoyable. The friendly atmosphere and sense of community make the place feel special. These are the things I would miss the most if I ever had to move away.

10. Extended Writing: Write a paragraph comparing Bruno's old home with his new one.

Answer:

Bruno's old home in Berlin was large, lively, and full of happiness, whereas his new home was small, lonely, and depressing. The Berlin house was enormous and had many rooms, hidden corners, and interesting places to explore. It was located in a busy neighbourhood where people chatted in the streets and children played together. There were colourful shops and vegetable stalls nearby, making the area vibrant and cheerful. In contrast, the new house stood alone in a desolate place with no neighbouring houses, no children, and no shops. While the old house was filled with life, friendship, and excitement, the new house seemed empty, cold, and unfriendly. Bruno loved his old home because it represented everything familiar and enjoyable in his life, whereas he disliked the new house because it symbolized loneliness, change, and separation from his friends and old way of life.

Integrate

11. World War II was fought between the Axis Powers (Germany, Japan and Italy) and the Allied Powers (Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, France). Millions of lives were lost in this war, making it the deadliest in all human history. Read and research more about World War II and display the information on a tack board in your classroom.

Answer:

World War II (1939–1945)

• Began in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. 

• Fought between the Axis Powers and Allied Powers. 

• Major leaders included Adolf Hitler, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin. 

• Millions of soldiers and civilians lost their lives. 

• The Holocaust resulted in the deaths of millions of Jews and other victims. 

• The war ended in Europe in May 1945. 

• It ended completely in September 1945 after Japan surrendered. 

• The United Nations was established after the war to promote international peace and cooperation. 

• World War II remains the deadliest conflict in human history. 

WORD WALL

1. From the chapter, find and write the antonyms of the following words.

a. numerous (para 1) — handful

b. crowded (para 2) — empty

c. freedom (para 15) — restrictions

d. gloomy (para 15) — cheerful

e. noisy (para 1) — quiet

2. Given are a list of German words that have come into the English language. Match them to their meanings.

Word Meaning

automat machine

kindergarten the grade before the first grade

plunder take goods by force

rucksack backpack

waltz a formal dance

dachshund a breed of dog

uber outstanding or supreme

GRAMMAR TIME

Nouns

Picture 1 (Flower Shop)

Sentences:

Rita bought flowers from Flora Florist for her mother's birthday. The bouquet spread happiness and joy throughout the family. A group of customers waited near the counter.

Proper: Rita, Flora Florist

Common: flowers, mother, customers, counter

Concrete: bouquet, flowers, counter

Abstract: happiness, joy

Collective: group

Material: paper (wrapping paper)

Picture 2 (Honey Collection)

Sentences:

Ramesh carefully collected honey from a beehive near the tree. His courage and patience helped him complete the task safely. A swarm of bees buzzed around him.

Proper: Ramesh

Common: tree, bees, hive

Concrete: honey, tree, hive

Abstract: courage, patience

Collective: swarm

Material: honey

Picture 3 (Basketball Match)

Sentences:

The Eagles played an exciting basketball match before a crowd of spectators. The players showed great teamwork and determination. The wooden court echoed with cheers.

Proper: Eagles

Common: players, spectators, court

Concrete: ball, court, players

Abstract: teamwork, determination

Collective: crowd

Material: wood

Articles

Fill in the blanks with a, an or the. Leave the space blank if no article is needed.

Marco Polo was an Italian traveller. His father and his uncle were both — merchants and Marco went with them to — China where they met the Kublai Khan, a Mongol leader. The empire of Kublai Khan was among the largest in the world.

Polo had originally planned to travel only for a few years but it was twenty-three years before they returned to — Venice.

Marco Polo travelled through the Middle East and he crossed the Gobi Desert. The desert is so vast that it takes a year to go from end to end. It consists entirely of — mountains and — sands and — valleys.

Marco Polo had a good memory for people and places. He wrote an interesting book called The Travels of Marco Polo. The book was the first to inspire many other travellers like Christopher Columbus. It is through the writings of Marco Polo that we know that the Chinese invented — ice cream, — kites, — fireworks, — paper and the printing press.

WRITE WELL

Writing a Personal Narrative

Shifting homes was challenging for Bruno. Write a personal narrative that describes a challenge you faced.

Answer:

One of the biggest challenges I have faced was changing schools when my father was transferred to another city. It happened when I was in Class VI. I had spent many years in my old school and had developed close friendships with my classmates and teachers.

When I first entered my new school, I felt nervous and uncomfortable. Everything seemed unfamiliar. I did not know anyone, and I was afraid that I would not be able to make new friends. For the first few weeks, I missed my old school terribly. I often thought about my friends and the happy moments we had shared.

However, I gradually began to participate in classroom activities and school events. I introduced myself to other students and worked hard in my studies. Slowly, I made new friends and became more confident. My teachers were kind and supportive, which helped me adjust to the new environment.

Although the experience was difficult at first, it taught me the importance of courage, adaptability, and a positive attitude. Today, I look back on that challenge with pride because it helped me grow as a person.

LISTEN AND SPEAK WELL

1(a). International Day of Peace is observed annually on

✅ 21 September

1(b). The Peace Bell is in

✅ New York

1(c). Circle the picture which shows the Peace Bell.

✅ Picture i

1(d). The words inscribed on the bell are:

✅ Long live absolute world peace

2. Working in groups, compose an acrostic poem on PEACE and share it with the other groups.

P – People everywhere deserve safety and happiness.

E – Every heart should spread kindness and understanding.

A – All nations can live together in harmony.

C – Cooperation helps build a better world.

E – End conflicts and let peace prevail forever.