📖 Part 1: Reading the Text

Read this short piece by Airini Beautrais:

"A tandem bicycle is sweet but impractical. I sit on the back, my pink skirt billowing out around me. Wobbling across the tricky intersection, down Cuba Mall through gaps in the pedestrian traffic. Out onto the waterfront where the sea breeze makes my attire even more ridiculous. 'That chick's tailgating hard out,' says a passing youth to his friend. We stop and sit for a while, our conversation fractured. Fantasies never really come alive. There is always the chain catching your clothing, and the feeling that your feet are being turned by someone else's pedals. And the sea – well the sea always looks like that, it's never truly sympathetic."

🔍 Part 2: Reading Comprehension

1. Where does the narrator sit on the tandem bicycle?

2. What colour is the narrator's skirt?

3. Name two places they travel through on their journey.

4. What comment does the passing youth make?

5. According to the narrator, what never really comes alive?

🧠 Part 3: Inference Questions

6. The narrator describes the tandem bicycle as "sweet but impractical." This suggests:

The bicycle is broken

The idea seems nice but doesn't work well in reality

The bicycle is too expensive

The narrator doesn't like cycling

7. The phrase "Fantasies never really come alive" implies:

The narrator has a vivid imagination

Dreams and reality often don't match up

The narrator is tired

The bicycle ride was too long

8. The overall tone of this piece is:

Joyful and excited

Disappointed and realistic

Angry and frustrated

Mysterious and confusing

📝 Part 4: Language Analysis

9. Find and list at least FIVE words or phrases from the text that have negative connotations (suggest something unpleasant or disappointing):

10. Identify the parts of speech for these words from the text:

a) "wobbling" - _______________

b) "ridiculous" - _______________

c) "fractured" - _______________

d) "sympathetic" - _______________

11. Find at least ONE example of a metaphor in the text and explain what it means:

12. Find at least ONE example of personification in the text and explain what human quality is given to a non-human thing:

💭 Part 5: Creative Writing Preparation

You will write your own piece about visiting a place that people often dream about, but showing how it isn't all it's cracked up to be.

13. Choose your dream destination. Where will your piece be set?

14. Brainstorm: What SHOULD be positive and wonderful about this place? List at least 5 things people expect:

15. Brainstorm: What could go wrong or be disappointing about this place? List at least 5 negative aspects:

16. Find a picture online of your chosen location, print it off, and glue it in the space below to help inspire your writing:

✍️ Part 6: Your Creative Writing

Instructions: Write a descriptive piece (150-250 words) about your trip to this dream destination. Show how the reality doesn't match the fantasy. Include: