SETTING

1. _____________________ A not-so modern office in an era where ____________ were still used and computers had not quite hit the scene. 2. _____________________ Lucy comes from a _________ family background. She lives with her mother and __________. She intends to move out as soon as she gets a ______.

CHARACTERS
MAIN CHARACTERS 1. __________________ 2. __________________ MINOR CHARACTERS 1. ___________ Darke 2. Uncle _____________ 3. Mrs Price 4. Lucy s mother

CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERISTICS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. LUCY BECK Physically insignificant Justification : _________________________ Inept Frustrated but determined Strong-willed Compassionate Courageous and clever

THE GHOST OF MISS BROOME

1. Unyielding 2. Aggressive

HARRY DARKE
1.Supportive and encouraging

LUCY S MOTHER
1. Patient 2. Compassionate

Uncle Bert
1.Good-for-nothing

THEMES
Sometimes, perseverance and compassion is more important than raw ability. Discuss this theme.

MORAL VALUES
1. PERSEVERANCE Like Lucy, we must persevere in what we do. We should not give up when faced with challenges. Instead, we must try our very best to solve the difficulty Only then can we achieve success.
HELPING OTHERS Like Harry Darke, we should help others in need. He knew that Lucy needed help in her work. So he told her the story of Miss Broome and about her spirit haunting the typewriter. This proves to be very helpful for Lucy who then learns how to deal with Miss Broomes spirit.

2.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
QWERTYUIOP

Rearrange the sentences below according to the sequence of events in the story. Then, rewrite the sentences in one paragraph.
1. 2. Lucy finds out from Harry Darke who Miss Broome was. She makes Miss Broome s spirit understand why she could not remain in the office any longer. 3. She continues to type and correct the letter but is constantly challenged by the typewriter. 4. Harry Darke shows her typewriter she is to use. 5. She types her first letter and is shocked to find unusual words all over the letter. 6. She is offered a job as a secretary at Ross and Bannister s. 7. Lucy is apprehensive about finding a job with her low qualifications. 8. Miss Broome takes leave of the office. 9. She resolves to find out the cause of the extraordinary behaviour of the typewriter. 10. Lucy finally understands her Uncle Bert.

SPM-FORMAT PRACTICE 1
Jobs don t grow on trees, the principal of the Belmont Secretarial College was fond of saying. Be positive, Mrs. Price told her departing students as she shook them by the hand in turn. Go out into the world and win! I have every confidence in you. When she came to the last student, however, her confidence suddenly evaporated. She looked at Lucy Beck, and sighed.

1. 2. 3. 4.

What does the phrase jobs don t grow on trees mean? Where do you think the students were departing off too? Why did Mrs Price s confidence in Lucy evaporate? If you were Mrs Price, what would you tell Lucy? Explain why.

SPM-FORMAT PRACTICE 2
Lucy Beck was young, and small and mouse coloured, easily overlooked. She had a lonely O level and a typing speed that would make a tortoise laugh. Whoever will want to employ me? she had asked Mrs Price once and Mrs Price had been at a loss to answer. Lucy wanted a job. More than anyone, more than anything, she wanted a job. She was tired of being poor.

1. 2. 3. 4.

Who was Mrs. Price? Why would the tortoise laugh? Why did Lucy wonder who would employ her? If you were an employer, would you employ Lucy? Explain why.

SPM-FORMAT PRACTICE 3
If I get a job, I m getting out. He s not drinking up my pay packet, that s for sure. If I get a job Trouble was that there were hundreds after every vacancy, brighter than Lucy, better qualified than Lucy, wearing strings of O levels around their necks like pearls. Who in their right minds will choose me? Lucy wondered, setting off for her first interview. So she was astonished to be greeted by Mr Ross of Ross and Bannister s, with enormous enthusiasm. She was smiled at, shaken by the hand, given tea and biscuits, and told that her single O level was the very one they had been looking for. Then she was offered the job. I hope you will be happy here, Mr Ross said, showing her out. There was a sudden doubt in his voice, a hint of anxiety behind his smile, but she was too excited to notice.

1. 2. 3. 4.

Who does Lucy think should not drink up her pay packet? Why couldn t Lucy get a job easily? Why was Mr Ross so eager to have her working for them? If you were Lucy, how would you feel about getting this job? Explain why.

SPM-FORMAT PRACTICE 4

HE CAN MANAGE WITHOUT ME ALL RIGHT! Said the typewriter bitterly. HE TOLD ME TO GO. BRASS CLOCK, WHAT DID I WANT WITH BRASS CLOCKS! I WANTED MY JOB. They only asked you to go because they were worried about your health. [Lucy typed quickly.] Mr Darke told me Mr Bannister was always saying how much he missed you ??? Truly. He said Mr Bannister complained none of the new girls were any good. There was no one like you, he said The typewriter was silent. Sunlight glittered on its keys, so they looked wet. He must miss you. He s probably in an awful muddle up there, displaying his wings. Losing his harp. He needs someone to look after him The machine was silent. Lucy waited, but it said nothing more. So she typed: Goodbye, Miss Broome. Best of luck in your new job. Yours sincerely, Lucy Beck, Secretary.

1. Who had asked Miss Broome to leave? 2. What did she want instead of a brass clock? 3. How did Lucy know that she had managed to convince Miss Broome to leave the typewriter? 4. Do you think Lucy is a determined person? Justify.