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Question
Answer the following question in about 120-150 words.
In the story, ‘The Third Level’ by Jack Finney, Charley is obsessed with finding the third level. In an attempt to thrash out whether this obsession is a good quality or a harmful one, Charley’s wife expresses her thoughts in a diary entry.
As Louisa, Charley’s wife, write this diary entry. Support your response with reference to the story.
You may begin this way:
I have been married to Charley for a few years now and I have always known him to be an intelligent man with an imaginative mind. However, his recent obsession with finding the Third Level has …
Solution
Dear Diary
I have been married to Charley for a few years now and I have always known him to be an intelligent man with an imaginative mind. However, his recent obsession with finding the Third Level has left me quite worried. While he talks about it with excitement, I cannot help but wonder if it is a good quality or a harmful one.
On one hand, Charley’s obsession displays his determination and persistence in achieving his goals. It shows that he is willing to go to great lengths to unravel the mysteries of life. His imagination and curiosity are admirable qualities that have always attracted me to him.
However, his obsession has caused him to become detached from reality. He is no longer able to differentiate between what is real and what is not. He spends all his time and money searching for a place that may not even exist. This could be harmful not only to himself but also to our family.
I understand that he feels overwhelmed by the stress and pressures of his present life and Sam indicated that he uses his obsession as a coping mechanism. I think this is harmful as it prevents him from addressing the underlying issues that are causing him stress.
Furthermore, Charley’s obsession has caused him to neglect his responsibilities. He has been absent from work and has not been able to contribute financially to our household. His obsession is affecting our relationship, and I am afraid that if he continues on this path, it might lead to irreparable damage.
Finally, all I can say is, I believe that Charley’s obsession with finding the Third Level may have started as a harmless curiosity, but it has now become a harmful one. I love him dearly and I hope that he realizes that his obsession is affecting not only himself but also those around him.
Louisa
Notes
Content - 2 Marks
⇒ Full credit for sustained, clear, well-developed personal response to the task that appropriately justifies any arguments
⇒ Partial credit of 1 ½, 1 and ½ as per the response clarity and relevance
Expression - 2 Marks
⇒ Full credit for effective organisation -structure, relevant vocabulary and effective relay of ideas
⇒ Partial credit of 1 ½, 1 and ½ as per the level of coherence and cohesion
Accuracy - 1 Mark
⇒ Full credit for none to minimal errors
⇒ Partial credit of ½ for spellings and/or grammatical, largely accurate
⇒ No credit for error density causing impediment in understanding
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| The clerk figured the fare – he glanced at my fancy hat band, but he figured the fare – and I had enough for two coach tickets, one way. But when I counted out the money and looked up, the clerk was staring at me. He nodded at the bills. ‘‘That ain’t money, mister,’’ he said, ‘‘and if you’re trying to skin me, you won’t get very far,’’ and he glanced at the cash drawer beside him. Of course the money was old-style bills, half again as big as the money we use nowadays, and different-looking. |
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- thought that Charley had given him less money
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He is ______.- a cheat
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- 'If you're trying to skin me' suggests ______. (1)
Answer the following question in about 40-50 words.
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