(a) What was the writer's plan for his son? (b) Why was the writer dissatisfied with his son's performance? (c) State two challenges that the writer faced w...

Answer Details

(a) What was the writer's plan for his son?
The writer planned to use his son's love for parties as a motivation for academic success.

(b) Why was the writer dissatisfied with his son's performance?
The writer was dissatisfied because his son consistently placed tenth in class for two years and was not putting in enough effort to improve.

(c) State two challenges that the writer faced while growing up.

1. His parents were separated, and he was mistreated by his stepmother.
2. He had to work on his father's farm to raise money for his school fees.

(d) What is the writer's attitude to life?
The writer believes in hard work, perseverance and self-discipline. He also values modesty and does not believe in extravagant living.

(e) State two pieces of evidence that suggest that the writer's children were well cared for.

1. They attended one of the best schools.
2. They were always well-groomed.

(f) ...no expense
(i) What is the grammatical name given to this expression as it is used in the passage?
It is a noun phrase.

(ii) What is its function?
It functions as the object of the verb "had spared."

(g) His lack of push was a weight on my shoulders.
What figure of speech is used in the expression above?
Metaphor.

(h) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage:
(i) scuttled – disrupted, ruined, thwarted, shattered, spoilt, upset, wrecked, destroyed, foiled
(ii) ostentatiously – extravagantly, flamboyantly, lavishly, showily, flashily.
(iii) reputable – prestigious, famous, well-known, highly regarded, popular, well-recognised.
(iv) sprang – arose, originated, stemmed, derived, emanated, emerged, came.
(v) well-groomed – neat, well-dressed, clean, presentable, kempt
(vi) reminiscences – memories, recollections, flashbacks, reflections, thoughts.