About A Boy - Level 4 (Penguin Readers Worksheet).pdf - Penguin Readers Level 4 - nieaktywna

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Teacher’s Notes

About a Boy

by Nick Hornby

Summary

Will’s flat – guests include Rachel, Ali, Marcus, Fiona, Ellie. Not

couples, but a big group of people. That’s the way Marcus likes it.

Nick Hornby says the revised ending of the film is true to the spirit

of the book and makes the film work. He wishes he’d thought of it

when he was writing the book.

Will is 36 but behaves like a teenager. He’s single, rich and cool.

He has no responsibilities – no parents, no children, no family.

Marcus is 12 and behaves like an adult. He has just moved to

London with his mum, Fiona. He isn’t much like other kids of his

age and he’s having trouble at his new school. Fiona, meanwhile,

is heading for a breakdown.

Will and Marcus meet by chance on the day that Fiona tries to

kill herself. She recovers, but Marcus thinks she will try again and

leave him on his own. He realises that Will can teach him how to be

a kid and fit in at school. Will doesn’t know how to cope with a

suicidal mother, but he does know what trainers to wear and what

music to listen to.

Marcus and Will change each other’s lives forever. Marcus

teaches Will not to walk away from responsibility. Will teaches

Marcus how to live in today’s world.

Background and themes

About a Boy explores growing up and learning to have

relationships. The author develops this theme through the

character of Will, his unlikely hero. When we meet Will, he doesn’t

care about anything or anyone, not even his friends. He has no

commitments – no job, no family, no long-term relationship. But

through his contact with Marcus and Fiona, despite their messed

up lives, he comes to realise that a cool lifestyle is not enough – he

needs someone to care about otherwise he’s nothing. When he

meets Rachel and falls in love, a feeling he has never experienced

before, he understands how shallow he is and he admits to himself

how important Marcus has become to him. He understands that

relationships give meaning to life.

Single parenting is an important theme. Single mother Fiona is

so wrapped up in her own problems that she can’t see what’s

happening in Marcus’s life. When Fiona attempts suicide, Marcus

realises that two people cannot be a secure and happy unit – what

if one of them dies? The author suggests that making single

parents into couples is not necessarily the answer. His solution is

to make a community of people who are close to each other and

who care about each other. By the end of the story, Marcus has

gathered Will, Rachel, Ali, Ellie, his father, his mother and his

father’s girlfriend into a group around him.

Marcus suffers at school because he is different from the other

kids and attracts the attention of bullies. The author acknowledges

bullying as a fact of life that will always be there. He talks about

ways of living with it. The head teacher advises Marcus to keep out

of the bullies’ way. That doesn’t work for Marcus because the

bullies follow him. Will suggests that Marcus tries to fit in better with

a good haircut, the latest trainers and trendy glasses. He needs to

get into the culture of his own age group and not like music from his

mother’s generation. Will says he can be as weird and different as

he likes inside his head, but he needs to look as if he fits in on the

outside.

Although it is a comic novel, About a Boy has a serious side. Its

darker elements include Will’s amoral attitudes to women, Fiona’s

attempted suicide, the bullying that Marcus suffers and Ellie’s

vodka drinking.

About the author

Nick Hornby lives in the Islington area of north London where many

of his novels are set. His son, Danny, born in 1993, was diagnosed

as autistic when he was only two years old. Hornby and his wife

helped to set up TreeHouse, a special school for autistic children.

Looking after Danny is a huge part of his life.

Although his books are London-based, Hornby says that he feels

more comfortable with contemporary American literature than

British. He likes writing that is simple and accessible, but sharp and

intelligent. He is currently pop music critic for the New Yorker

magazine.

About the film

The film of Nick Hornby’s book About a Boy was a big hit. It stars

Hugh Grant as Will and Toni Collette as Fiona. The film is set in

north London and remains close to the book until the end.

Instead of having the adventure on the way to Cambridge,

Marcus enters for a rock concert at school. The act before him is a

cool breakdancing act starring Rachel’s son, Ali. Marcus then

comes on to stage to sing a famous 1960s ballad. Will knows the

kids in the audience will laugh at him, so he comes on stage with

Marcus and accompanies him on the electric guitar. He makes an

idiot of himself but saves Marcus. The film ends with Christmas at

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Teacher’s Notes

Communicative activities

Glossary

The following teacher-led activities cover the same sections of text

as the exercises at the back of the reader, and supplement those

exercises. Further supplementary exercises covering shorter

sections of the book can be found on the photocopiable Student’s

Activities pages of this Factsheet. These are primarily for use with

class readers, but with the exception of pair/group work questions,

can also be used by students working alone in a self-access centre.

It will be useful for your students to know the following new words. They are

practised in the Before You Read sections of exercises at the back of the book.

(Definitions are based on those in the Longman Active Study Dictionary.)

Chapters 1–2

anyway (adv) this word is used to say that someone does

something although something has happened

blond ( e ) (adj) blonde hair is pale or yellow ( blonde to

describe a woman’s hair; blond for a man’s)

bully (v) to frighten someone or hurt them, especially if

they are smaller or weaker than you

cool (adj) informal – used to show you like someone or

something that is fashionable, interesting, attractive or

relaxed

depress (v) to make someone feel sad and not hopeful

about the future

ex-wife (n) a person who used to be someone’s wife

godfather (n) a man who promises to look after a child’s

religious education; the child’s parents usually choose

relatives or very good friends (also: godmother)

guy (n) informal word for a man

involve (v) to include someone in something

kid (n) informal word for a child

picnic (n) a meal eaten outdoors

quiz (n) a competition in which you have to answer

questions

royalties (pl n) payments made to the writer of a book or a

piece of music

weird (adj) unusual and strange

Chapters 3–4

duck (n) a water bird

jumper (n) a piece of warm clothing made of wool that

covers the top half of your body and your arms

pump (v) to move liquid from one place to another by

machine

truth (n) the true facts about something

vegetarian (n) a person who doesn’t eat meat or fish

Chapters 5–6

cope (v) to succeed in doing something that is difficult or

working through a difficult problem

sweatshirt (n) a piece of thick cotton clothing that covers

the top half of your body and your arms, used especially

for playing sports

trainers (pl n) shoes worn for sports such as running

trust (v) to believe that someone is honest and will not

harm you

Chapters 7–8

fancy (v) to think someone is very attractive

headphones (pl n) a piece of equipment that you wear

over your ears to listen to a radio or recording

keen on (v) to like something very much

Chapters 9–11

cardboard (n) very thick paper used for making boxes

hug (v) to put your arms around someone and hold them

tightly to show love or friendship

victim (n) someone who is affected by a crime

vodka (n) a clear alcoholic drink from Russia

ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK

Debate. Will Freeman has never worked in his life. He is rich and

he doesn’t need to. If you were as rich as Will, would you work or

not? Divide the class in two. One half argues that it’s okay not to

work. The other half thinks of reasons why they should work. At the

end of the debate, take a vote.

ACTIVITIES AFTER READING A SECTION

Chapters 1–2

Divide the class into small groups. They are at the SPAT party. One

person in each group is Will. The others are single mothers. The

mothers ask Will questions about himself, his ex-wife and Ned.

Chapters 3–4

Students work in small groups. Ask each group to write down three

adjectives to describe Will, Suzie, Fiona and Marcus. Each group

in turn reads out their words. Write them on the board. Encourage

students to give reasons for their choices.

Chapters 5–6

Discussion. Marcus is bullied at school. The head teacher says he

should keep out of the way of the bullies. Will thinks he should try

to look more like other kids. His mum says it will take time. What is

the best way to deal with bullies? Students discuss their ideas

either in small groups or as a class.

Chapters 7–8

Family parties at Christmas or other holiday times are often difficult.

Put students into groups of five or six. Tell them they are at a family

party. Each student invents a character, like a bad-tempered dad or

an auntie who tells jokes all the time. They then improvise a tense

or difficult conversation sitting around the dinner table.

Chapters 9–11

On page 65 Marcus and Ellie find themselves in a police station in

Royston. A telephone chain is set in action as various people need

to be called to the police station. Pick pairs of students to improvise

each conversation in this order:

The police phone Clive; the police phone Ellie’s mum; Ellie’s

mum calls Fiona; Fiona calls Clive, Marcus’s dad; Fiona calls Ellie’s

mum to offer her a lift.

ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK

Explain how the film ends differently from the book (see About the

Film ). Discuss with the class which ending they prefer. Put students

into groups of three or more. Groups devise a new ending and then

present it to the class.

Published and distributed by Pearson Education

Factsheet written byJane Rollason

Factsheet series developed by Louise James

Penguin Readers Factsheets

Student’s activities

About a Boy

by Nick Hornby

These activities can be done alone or with one or more other

students. Pair/group-only activities are marked.

2 Marcus thinks he sees his mother in the park, but she isn’t

really there. Can you explain this experience? Talk to another

student.

3 Describe each person’s reaction to Fiona’s body on the sofa.

(a) Suzie

(b) Marcus

Chapter 4

1 This chapter is called ‘Marcus’s Plan’. What is Marcus’s plan?

Describe it in a few sentences.

2 Answer these questions.

(a) Fiona says she didn’t think she’d ever have to remember

the letter. Why not?

(b) Why does Marcus think that two people in a family aren’t

enough?

(d) Fiona isn’t Will’s ‘type of woman’. Why not?

(e) How does Will feel when Fiona and Marcus sing an old

pop song?

Chapter 5

1 Which of these things happen in this chapter?

(a) Marcus has his hair cut.

(b) Will buys Marcus some Adidas trainers.

(d) Marcus has his shoes stolen.

(e) Marcus gets some new glasses.

( f ) Fiona finds out that Marcus is visiting Will.

2 What does Fiona learn about Marcus in this chapter? Do you

think she will change the way she looks after him? Why does

she find it hard to understand Marcus? Talk to another

student.

Chapter 6

1 Who:

(a) doesn’t exist?

(b) is always in trouble at school?

(d) likes Joni Mitchell and Mozart?

(e) rides a Harley Davidson?

2 Answer these questions.

(a) Why does Ellie tell Marcus that Kurt Cobain is a

Manchester United footballer?

(b) Why doesn’t Marcus tell Mrs Morrison who the bullies

are?

anything?

(d) What kind of help can Will give Marcus?

(e) Why does Ellie like Marcus?

ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK

Look at the introduction on page iv.

(a) Which of these words and phrases could describe Will at the

beginning of the story?

lazy always tells the truth loves children

single parent hates responsibility

(b) Which of Nick Hornby’s books hasn’t been made into a film

yet?

ACTIVITIES WHILE READING THE BOOK

Chapter 1

1 Correct these sentences.

(a) Will enjoys complicated relationships with his girlfriends.

(b) He often spends his evenings watching TV quiz shows.

knows.

(d) He is very worried about Christine’s tiredness.

(e) He is very pleased when they ask him to be Imogen’s

godfather.

2 Marcus feels he is different from the other kids at school. In

what ways is he different? Make a list. Compare it with

another student’s.

Chapter 2

1 How does Will feel:

(a) when Angie says that she wants to go out with him?

(b) when she tells him that she has two small kids?

(d) when she ends their relationship?

2 Marcus is only 12 but he has a lot of problems at home and

at school. If you were his friend, what advice would you

give him?

Work with a partner. One of you is Marcus. The other is his

friend. Talk about Marcus’s problems.

3 (a) Why does Will like SPAT?

(b) Why does Marcus hate SPAT?

Chapter 3

1 Different characters say these things in the story. Which are

the truth and which are lies?

(a) ‘And she’s taken my car, too.’

(b) ‘I hate football.’

(d) ‘He’s a really nice boy.’

(e) ‘I think I’ve killed a duck.’

( f ) ‘Marcus loves ducks, don’t you, Marcus?’

Penguin Readers Factsheets

Student’s activities

Chapter 7

1 How does Will feel:

(a) about Christmas?

(b) about spending Christmas with Marcus and Fiona?

Fiona’s house?

(d) when they’re all watching TV after lunch?

(e) when Suzie arrives with Megan?

2 You are Will. You decide not to go to Marcus’s for Christmas.

Plan your day. Compare your plan with another student’s.

3 Think of three things to buy Marcus for Christmas.

Chapter 8

1 Answer these questions.

(a) What is Rachel’s job?

(b) Why doesn’t Ali like Marcus?

truth about Will and Marcus?

2 Use these phrases to replace the phrases in italics in the

sentences.

act as if you are doesn’t like feeling anxious

really like really likes spends time

(a) I want you to pretend to be my son.

(b) I ’m really interested in this woman.

(d) If your dad goes out with my mum, you’re dead!

(e) She’s not keen on him!

( f ) Will really fancies you.

Chapter 9

1 Answer these questions.

(a) Will never actually said to Rachel that Marcus was his

son. Was he honest or not?

(b) Will says he can choose trainers for Marcus but he can’t

make his mum feel better. Is he a good friend to Marcus?

Why?

(d) Why does Will decide to do something about Fiona?

2 Find out more about one of these people: James Dean,

Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix. Make some notes and tell your

class.

Chapter 10

1 Put these events in order.

(a) Ellie gets out of the train at Royston.

(b) Ellie opens her bottle of vodka.

(d) Marcus learns that Kurt Cobain is dead.

(e) Marcus’s dad falls down some steps.

( f ) She breaks the window of a music shop.

2 Lots of people crowd round Ellie and Marcus after they break

the shop window. Describe the scene. Talk to another

student.

Chapter 11

1 Who:

(a) can’t understand the connection between Clive’s broken

arm and the music shop window?

(b) is nearly sixteen?

(d) gives Ellie a big hug?

(e) finds that he quite likes real life?

2 The title of this chapter is ‘Growing Up’. Which of the main

characters grow up at the end of the story? Talk to other

students.

ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK

1 Who do you think is the real ‘boy’ of the title? Use your ideas

to write a paragraph.

2 The soundtrack to the film About a Boy was written by Badly

Drawn Boy and produced as a CD. Imagine you were asked

to choose the background music for the film. What would you

choose?

3 Write an extra scene for the book. For example, Marcus

thinks he sees his mother in the park but she isn’t really

there. He tells Will about it afterwards. Or Fiona meets Suzie

after the Royston incident and tells her about it. Or use your

own ideas.

4 You are Marcus. Write your diary for a day at the beginning of

the story just after you have moved to London and started

your new school. Then write your diary for a day after the end

of the story. Compare them.

Published and distributed by Pearson Education

Factsheet written by Jane Rollason

Factsheet series developed by Louise James

About A Boy - Level 4 (Penguin Readers Worksheet).pdf

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