1. The following is the novel studied in the
literature component in English language.
Captain Nobody – by Dean Pitchford
“Determination is the key to success.” How is
this shown in the novel that you have read? Support your answer with close
reference to the text.
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MODEL ANSWER (A QUALITY) :
The
novel that I have studied is Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford. The
statement “Determination is the key to success” is clearly shown in the novel
by a few characters. It is undeniable that determination will help us to
succeed.
Firstly,
the character Newt shows high determination in order for him to succeed in helping
Cecil to get a big bass drum from the top of a dumpster. Cecil needs Captain
Nobody’s help to get a big bass drum on top of a dumpster because he cannot get
it down by himself. Cecil insists that Captain Nobody is the one who should
climb the dumpster. Newt hesitates when he saw how high it is. It is such a big
task for Newt since he is acrophobic- he has fear of heights. However, he is
determined to help his best friend to fulfil Cecil’s dream of owning the bass
drum. Slowly, Newt continues climbing the dumpster. This has clearly shown that
his great determination has overcome his greatest fear of heights.
Secondly,
the character which has shown great determination in order to succeed is Chris
Newman. Prior to the Big Game, Chris has been training hard with his
teammates. The Big Game has become the greatest rivalry between Fillmore High
School and Merrimac High School for two consecutive years. In the first year,
Chris was only the substitute player. He came in the quarter of the Finals and
showed great determination to get himself a touchdown and led his team to the
victory. His determination has placed him as a regular first team player for
next year’s season. During the second final, which everyone is referring to the
Big Game, Chris shows high determination and also inspires his teammates.
During the last moment of the game, the Merrimac High manages to score a
touchdown, leading the Fillmore High by a slight margin. Chris, without giving
up, is determined to score a touchdown and has succeeded in doing so within the
final 7 seconds of the Big Game. As a result, the Ferrets of Fillmore manage to
secure another victory for that year. This has clearly shown how determination
is the key to success.
Newt portrays the
courage, determination and perseverance too as Captain Nobody. For example, he
is supposed to look after the Ferocious, the Fillmore team’s mascot.
It escapes when Reggie Ratner and his friends cause disturbance
until the cage opens. It runs on to the busiest highway with four lanes of
vehicles racing after it. Newt is brave and determined to catch it because he
is responsible to return it safely the next day. Without thinking of his
safety, Newt, runs to the middle of the highway, screaming and waving his hands
to stop the vehicles. He could have been run over many times. Yet he goes after
Ferocious with cars zooming dangerously close. Slowly, the traffic comes to a
halt and at the moment, a passenger plane with engine problem makes an
emergency landing on the freeway that is cleared of traffic. In saving shown
that his determination has superseded his safety. He sacrificed his life for
others.
In short, I really think that determination will
lead us to success. Newt and Chris have shown determination that can be
considered as heroic acts. Newt, by conquering his fear when helping Cecil
and risking his life when saving Ferocious. Chris, by giving his all to make
sure Fillmore wins the Big Game. They are indeed role models for teenagers
like me. We should practice the value in our life so that we can achieve what
we have always wanted.
.
