Reading ‘The Twisted Tree’: explaining the creation of tension | English

Starter quiz

In 'The Twisted Tree', which Norse god is Martha potentially descended from?
- Loki
- Odin ✓
- Thor
- Frigg
Match the character from 'The Twisted Tree' to the correct description of them.
- Martha
  
  ⇔
  
  the protagonist ✓
- Stig
  
  ⇔
  
  found in Mormor's cabin: he began to live there after running away ✓
- Olav
  
  ⇔
  
  Mormor's neighbour: he gives Martha a lift and checks on her ✓
- Yrsa
  
  ⇔
  
  Olav's wife: he seems to know what really happened to Mormor ✓
- Mormor
  
  ⇔
  
  Martha's grandma: she knows all of the family secrets ✓
Starting with the first, put the plot points from 'The Twisted Tree' in chronological order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  Martha describes struggling to navigate an airport on the way to Norway.
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  Martha discovers Stig and the death of Mormor.
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  Olav and Yrsa arrive at the cabin concerned for Martha's safety.
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  Martha discovers a letter from her Mormor.
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  Mormor's letter explains that she has a duty to water the twisted tree.
- 6
  
  ⇔
  
  Martha begins to discover she has connections to Odin.
- 7
  
  ⇔
  
  Martha sees a woman's face in the twisted tree.
Which word can be described as 'a foul smell from rotting matter'?
- macabre
- putrid ✓
- mildew
- ominous
'The Twisted Tree' is written from Martha's perspective. This type of narrative perspective is called ...
- first person. ✓
- second person.
- third person.
Which word beginning with 'p', can be used to describe the main character in a story?
- 'protagonist' ✓

Exit quiz

In 'The Twisted Tree' which two characters are found murdered at the end of Chapter 14?
- Martha
- Olav ✓
- Yrsa ✓
- Stig
- Mormor
Which word would not be considered an antonym for the word 'macabre'?
- delightful
- pleasant
- charming
- morbid ✓
In 'The Twisted Tree' the chapters end with shocking revelations and new threats, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. This is an example of a ...
- 'cliffhanger' ✓
Which sentence does not use a time conjunction?
- Finally, the chapter ends on a climactic cliffhanger.
- Next, the writer develops tension though the description of the setting.
- Often, Burge creates tension in the ominous presence of the twisted tree. ✓
- Initially, tension is created in the use of ambiguous dialogue.
Which answer best describes the word 'tension'?
- a feeling of relaxation and calmness
- a sense of urgency and anticipation ✓
- extreme happiness and joy
- a state of confusion and disarray
Match the correct time conjunctions to the part of the chapter in a novel it can be used to explore.
- first, initially
  
  ⇔
  
  beginning of the chapter ✓
- suddenly, immediately, eventually
  
  ⇔
  
  a shift in the chapter ✓
- next, after, then
  
  ⇔
  
  middle of the chapter ✓
- finally
  
  ⇔
  
  end of the chapter ✓

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Martha tells Stig about her supernatural abilities.
Martha's mother tells them to leave the cabin immediately, making the reader feel apprehensive for them.
Tension increases as they discover the murdered bodies of Yrsa and Olav and hear another howl.
Tension is the feeling of suspense and excitement that keeps readers interested.
Time conjunctions can be used to explain a writer's development of tension.

Common misconception

Tension is only about scary or dangerous situations.

While scary or dangerous situations can create tension, tension can also arise from emotional conflicts, difficult decisions, or unresolved mysteries. It's about keeping readers eager to know what will happen next.

Keywords

Sombre - deep seriousness or sadness
Skeletal - like a skeleton
Anguish - extreme unhappiness caused by physical or mental suffering
Shrouded - cover with a cloth after a person has died for burial
Entity - a thing or existence