Drunk in the mountains. (Tension/atmosphere/twist)
A once in a lifetime chance. Chester had seen the weather forecast and thought he would be fine. Snow indeed. Hardly ever as bad as they say. They'd give a yellow wind warning for a breeze these days. So heavy snow?
But he had been wrong. Seventy years on the planet and only now does he get it wrong. Very wrong.
He has to kick in the door, has to seek shelter. The old padlock snapped then he was inside. A mattress and half a very old bottle of Powers whiskey were the only contents. At least it was dry inside.
Earlier, up on White mountain of all ironic places, getting the sheep down to the lower pastures, the snow had arrived. Early and hard. His collie, Star, kept the creatures together as Chester led the charge down the Blackstairs as fast as he could go. The dog appeared and disappeared into and out of the snow flurries. All the time getting further downhill.
Until they could go no further. Snow drifts had done their magic; lanes, ditches, features that both man and dog knew well were submerged in white.
Chester realised as dark came on, he'd have to get to the ancient shepherd's hut or they would both perish. To hell with the sheep!
And they'd made it. Now he could take stock. He had cut open a round bale in a corner of the field outside for the sheep. The dog called Star kept watch. Chester had necked half of the whiskey. It tasted metallic but he needed it. How on earth had he fallen over those branches hidden under the snow? For God's sake! And now easing the boot off he saw it all. A blood soaked sock. A tiny bone sticking out now at a stupid angle. And a wave of pain despite the alcohol. No boot keeping it all in place now.
Chester understood. Fifty/fifty chance. No phone up here. Drifts hiding everything.
Another swig of whiskey. No point in thinking too much. Thinking is bad for you. Wasn't that why he liked being a shepherd. No point in thinking how far away tomorrow or help was. No point at all.
Question A-50 marks.
[1] Explain, in your own words, what life is like as a shepherd in the story. Support your answer with reference to the text. [15]
[2]Based on your reading of the story, do you think the main character survives? Give reasons for your answer. [15]
[3] {A}Explain why you would or would not like to be a shepherd. [10]
{B}If you were the shepherd, what three items would you always carry with you? [10]
But he had been wrong. Seventy years on the planet and only now does he get it wrong. Very wrong.
He has to kick in the door, has to seek shelter. The old padlock snapped then he was inside. A mattress and half a very old bottle of Powers whiskey were the only contents. At least it was dry inside.
Earlier, up on White mountain of all ironic places, getting the sheep down to the lower pastures, the snow had arrived. Early and hard. His collie, Star, kept the creatures together as Chester led the charge down the Blackstairs as fast as he could go. The dog appeared and disappeared into and out of the snow flurries. All the time getting further downhill.
Until they could go no further. Snow drifts had done their magic; lanes, ditches, features that both man and dog knew well were submerged in white.
Chester realised as dark came on, he'd have to get to the ancient shepherd's hut or they would both perish. To hell with the sheep!
And they'd made it. Now he could take stock. He had cut open a round bale in a corner of the field outside for the sheep. The dog called Star kept watch. Chester had necked half of the whiskey. It tasted metallic but he needed it. How on earth had he fallen over those branches hidden under the snow? For God's sake! And now easing the boot off he saw it all. A blood soaked sock. A tiny bone sticking out now at a stupid angle. And a wave of pain despite the alcohol. No boot keeping it all in place now.
Chester understood. Fifty/fifty chance. No phone up here. Drifts hiding everything.
Another swig of whiskey. No point in thinking too much. Thinking is bad for you. Wasn't that why he liked being a shepherd. No point in thinking how far away tomorrow or help was. No point at all.
Question A-50 marks.
[1] Explain, in your own words, what life is like as a shepherd in the story. Support your answer with reference to the text. [15]
[2]Based on your reading of the story, do you think the main character survives? Give reasons for your answer. [15]
[3] {A}Explain why you would or would not like to be a shepherd. [10]
{B}If you were the shepherd, what three items would you always carry with you? [10]
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