'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 9 to 11 | English

Starter quiz

What major event happens in Act 2 Scene 7 of 'Small Island'?
- Queenie has her baby ✓
- Gilbert and Hortense move out
- Michael returns
Who helps Queenie deliver her baby in Act 2 Scene 7 of 'Small Island'?
- Miss Todd
- Hortense ✓
- Bernard
- Gilbert
Act 2, Scene 8 of 'Small Island' Edmunson uses the symbol of __________ to suggest hope and the potential for beauty amidst devastation.
- London
- nature
- a hummingbird ✓
What do we mean by the term 'resolution' when talking about a text?
- the conclusion or the end of a text ✓
- the end of a text mirroring the beginning
- the action of the text
Complete the quotation from Bernard in Act 2 Scene 8 of 'Small Island': " ______ little fellow."
- 'sweet' ✓
Act 2, Scene 8 of 'Small Island' ends on a tone of...
- hope ✓
- devastation
- reparation ✓
- regret

Match the key terms to their definitions.
- futility
  
  ⇔
  
  Something that is feels pointless or lacking any worth. ✓
- nuanced
  
  ⇔
  
  Having subtle differences that add depth or complexity to something. ✓
- cyclical
  
  ⇔
  
  Where the events at the end of a text mirror the start. ✓
- resolution
  
  ⇔
  
  An ending that feels definite and finished. ✓
In Act 2 Scene 10 of 'Small Island' Hortense declares: “this is not what I was ______ in England.”
- 'expecting' ✓
Complete the quote from Act 2 Scene 9 of 'Small Island': "We can work ______, Mr Bligh."
- 'together' ✓
How do Hortense's feelings for Gilbert change by the end of 'Small Island'?
- they transform into love and pride ✓
- they transform into indifference
- they don't transform
Why does Queenie ask Hortense and Gilbert to adopt baby Michael in 'Small Island'?
- she knows it will be a difficult life for him when he's older ✓
- She doesn't love him enough to keep him
- she's not sure her and Bernard are up to the job of protecting him ✓
- she's worried he will be sent to America and will be treated badly ✓
Complete the stage directions from Act 2, Scene 11 of 'Small Island': “there is only a spotlight on ..."
- this baby ✓
- Queenie
- on the basket

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Queenie asks Hortense and Gilbert to adopt her baby, revealing the impact of societal attitudes.
Hortense’s feelings for Gilbert transform into love and pride.
Hope is a central theme to the play.
Edmundson reveals the uncertainty of the future in the lack of resolution and cyclical structure.
Offering a balanced argument and exploration of different themes, adds nuance to your evaluative responses.

That 'Small Island' finishes with a perfect resolution.

What issues are addressed in these scenes? Is Edmundson suggesting that these have all been solved? Why is the theme of hope so important?

Futility - something that feels pointless or lacking any worth
Nuanced - having subtle differences or distinctions that add depth or complexity to something
Cyclical - a cyclical structure is where the events at the end of a text mirror the start
Resolution - in terms of stories or texts this refers to the conclusion or the end. More specifically, an ending that feels definite and finished