ANSWERS ACTIVITY 301

Wrong answers have been highlighted in the text at the end of this activity.

1

What do we learn about Mui Ee?

A.    Her parents are strict with her.

B.    Her life isn't very exciting.  CORRECT

C.    She prefers staying at home.

D.    She has more friends than she needs.

'How are you ever going to make any friends if you don't socialise?' (lines 12-13).

2

We learn that Sissy...

A.    doesn't really like Mui Ee.

B.    doesn't have many friends.

C.    is lively and outgoing.  CORRECT  

D.    is Mui Ee's only friend.

Sissy is 'her best friend' (line 5) but she was also a member of 'our old gang' (line 20).

3

The main intention of the writer in this extract is to...

A.    advise.

B.    amuse.  CORRECT  

C.    criticise.

D.    inform.

The writer does not intend to inform. He intends the reader to find this extract funny.

THE TEENAGE TEXTBOOK

1



5

 

That evening, like every other evening, Mui Ee stayed at home. She was ironing her school uniform when the telephone rang.
"Woman." It was her best friend Sissy on the line. "What are you doing tomorrow night?" "Saturday night?"

10



15




20




25




30

"Yes. There's going to be a party. You must go." "But Sissy, you know I don't go to parties." "Come on Mui, you're a junior college student now. Your parents should let you have a little freedom to go to parties."
"No, it's not my parents," admitted Mui Ee. "It's me. I don't like going to parties. It's ..."
"Come on, Mui," insisted Sissy, "How are you ever going to make any friends if you don't socialise?"
Mui Ee replied, "But I - I've never ever been to a party. I mean, what I am I going to wear?"
"Didn't you read The Textbook?"
"What textbook?"
"The Teenage Textbook, woman. The one I gave you for your birthday. Look, you have to go. I've invited all our old gang, as well as Rosie, Jillian, May Chu, Linda, Toni, Sangeeta. There'll also be guys. Seng Huat's coming, so are Wong Chong Di, Rick – do you know him? He used to have a crush on me. Also, I've asked Hari and Jason to help out. Come on Mui."
"Well, OK," Mui Ee said eventually. "I'll come."
"Great. I have to go now, Mui. I have to go call some other people. See you tomorrow in school. Bye-bye." Sissy rang off.
That night, Mui Ee sat in bed, wrapped up in her soft blue blanket, two big pillows propping her up and her favourite pink bolster in her arms.
She pulled out The Teenage Textbook from the chest of drawers beside her bed and opened it to the lesson on parties. This is what it said ...