Page 32 - Point 5 Literature Program Option 1 Teachers Guide (2) (1)

a sudden suspicion that something unfortunate was about to occur … but does not seem to know
the proper way to handle it: … but I could think of nothing to say.
Although Mr. Kelada proudly claims to be British and is almost perfect in the English language,
Rather … British to the backbone ..., the author makes fun of him by having him occasionally
come out with words that are far more american than English, for example, … a pal who’s got
all the liquor in the world (Part I), and, Gee, I said to myself … (Part III).

Working Through the Unit

Pre-Reading Activity
This story is very highly focused on the protagonist, max kelada, and how he behaves in the
microcosm of society that is the cruise ship. Hence, the Pre-reading questions ask students to think
about different kinds of people, and the fact that we value different kinds of people in different
settings. This can be held as a class discussion with suggestions for the desirable character traits
written up on the board.

Basic Understanding

For convenience the text has been divided into three parts, and the activities are presented
accordingly.

Key Vocabulary
Students may refer to the key Vocabulary lists when they do the Vocabulary Practice exercises.

Part I
Vocabulary Practice
Answers:
1. accommodation 2. dismay 3. wardrobe trunk 4. subject 5. flask 6. seemly 7. familiar 8. companion

Questions
Answers might include:
1. a. Name: It suggested closed portholes and the night air rigidly excluded.
b. Luggage: The narrator did not like the look of it. There were too many labels on the suit-cases and the wardrobe
trunk was too big.
c. Toiletries: I observed that he was a patron of the excellent Monsieur Coty … Mr. Kelada’s brushes … would have
been all the better for a scrub.
d. Appearance: … a smile that showed a row of flashing teeth … short … sturdy build, clean-shaven and
dark-skinned, with a fleshy hooked nose and very large, lustrous and liquid eyes. His long black hair was sleek and
curly … his gestures were exuberant.

2. The narrator thought Mr. Kelada was from Egypt or Lebanon. ( … a gentleman from Alexandria or Beirut …)
3. The narrator is English / British.
4. He offered him alcoholic drinks, which were illegal at the time.
5. a. Mr. Kelada was too familiar.
b. He interfered with the narrator’s card games.
c. He did card tricks.

32 mr. know all