Galvez Victoria Francesca

Primary 5 Suggested Comprehension Open-Ended (COE) Passage

Adapted from Totto-chan: The little girl at the window, by Tetsuko
Kuroyanagi and translated by Dorothy Britton, Victoria Galvezs own
copy, Kodansha Publishers Ltd, page 1 to 2.
1 They got off the Oimachi train at Jiyugaoka Station, and Mother
took Totto-chan gently by the hand to lead her through the ticket
gate. Totto-chan had never been on a train and was reluctant to give
up the precious ticket she was clutching. She bounded up and down
in anticipation of the ride.
2 May I keep it? Totto-chan pleaded with the ticket collector.
3 No, you cant, he hissed, snapping up the ticket brusquely from
her hands. He looked anxiously at the oncoming crowd.
4 Totto-chan pointed to his box that was stuffed with tickets, and a
quizzical look filled her almond-shaped eyes. Are those all yours?
5 No, they belong to the railroad station, he snapped, as he
snatched tickets from hurried passengers who were scuttling out of
the train.
6 Oh. Totto-chan gazed longingly into the box. But her spirits were
not dampened for long. Soon, her eyes lit up as a brilliant plan
hatched in her mind. When I grow up, Im going to sell railroad
tickets!
7 The ticket collector stopped and glanced at Totto-chan for the first
time. His eyes softened and he saw his son in Totto-chan. Emotion
filled his voice. My boy wants a job in the station too, so you can
work together.
8 Totto-chan peered closely at the ticket collector. His immaculate
appearance revealed a person who was meticulous, organised and
even stern. Yet, Totto-chan sensed that a heart of gold belied his
curt and fastidious demeanour.
9 Hmm. Totto-chan pondered over the proposal. I wouldnt mind
working with her son, she admitted, but Im busy as Im on my
way to a new school!
10 Then, Totto-chan darted over to where Mother waited. Im going
to be a ticket seller!

11 Mother was not in the least astonished. I thought you were

adamant on becoming a spy.
12 There was a pregnant pause. Yes, Totto-chan recalled that until
the day before she had been quite certain that she wanted to be a
spy!
13 But what fun it would be to be in charge of a box full of tickets!
14 Thats it! A splendid idea hit her. She tugged at the helm of
Mothers blouse and informed Mother, Couldnt I be a ticket seller
whos really a spy?
15 Mother did not reply, and the silence that enshrouded the two
was laden with tension. Under her felt hat, Mothers face was grave.
What if the new school wouldnt admit Totto-chan? Mother was at
her wits end. She cast a long glance at her oblivious daughter, who
was skipping along the road and chattering to herself. Totto-chan did
not notice Mothers furrowed brows. Ive changed my mind. Ill like
to join a band of street musicians instead!
16 There was a touch of despair in Mothers voice as she rapped
out, Come on, well be late. We mustnt keep the headmaster
waiting.
17 Ahead of them, in the distance, the gate of a small school was
gradually coming into view.

Possible COE questions

1. How do you think Totto-chan felt about riding the train for the first
time? Give two pieces of evidence to support your answer.
(Inferential and Direct)
Totto-chan probably felt excited / elated / thrilled about riding the
train for the first time (1) (Inferential). She was hesitant about giving
up her ticket, which she viewed as very valuable, to the ticket
collector (Totto-chan had never been on a train and was reluctant to
give up the precious ticket she was clutching.). She also jumped up
and down and looked forward to the train ride (1) (Direct) (She
bounded up and down in anticipation of the ride.).
2. How do you think the ticket collector felt when Totto-chan pleaded
to retain her ticket? Give two pieces of evidence to support your
answer. (Inferential and Direct)
The ticket collector probably felt irritated / annoyed / frustrated
when Totto-chan begged to keep her ticket (1) (Inferential). He gave
Totto-chan a short reply when she asked to keep her ticket and
snatched her ticket from her in a curt manner (1) (Direct) (No, you
cant, he hissed, snapping up the ticket brusquely from her
hands.).
3. Was the train station crowded at that point of time? How do you
know that? (Inferential and Direct)
Yes, the train station was probably crowded at that point of time (1)
(Inferential). There was an oncoming throng of passengers that was
entering the station, and many hurried passengers were dashing out
of the train (1) (Direct) (the oncoming crowd and hurried
passengers who were scuttling out of the train).
4. Why did the ticket collector soften when Totto-chan told him that
she wanted to be a ticket collector when she grew up? (Direct)
Totto-chans desire to be a ticket collector reminded the ticket
collector of his own son (1) and he was emotional / moved / affected
by the resemblance between his son and Totto-chans ambitions (1)
(His eyes softened and he saw his son in Totto-chan. Emotion filled
his voice. My boy wants a job in the station too, so you can work
together.).
5. Was the ticket collector necessarily a nasty and rude figure? Give
evidence to support your answer. (Direct and Inferential)
No, the ticket collector was probably not a nasty and rude figure (1)
(Inferential). He had a kind heart beneath his curt and careful

appearance (1) (Direct) (Yet, Totto-chan sensed that a heart of gold

belied his curt and fastidious demeanour.)
6. Which word in the passage suggests that the ticket collector took
great care of his appearance? (Lanuage)
The word is immaculate (1).
7. Totto-chan hoped to be a ticket seller who was really a spy. Based
on this observation, give two adjectives to describe Totto-chans
character.
Totto-chan was a creative / imaginative / innovative (1) and
adventurous / fun-loving (1) girl.
8. What phrase tells you that Mother could not think of any other
school that would accept Totto-chan, should the new school reject
her daughter? (Language)
The phrase is at her wits end (1).
9. Give two pieces of evidence to show that Mother was worried that
the new school would not accept Totto-chan. (Direct)
Mother did not respond to Totto-chans cheerful dedication of her
ambition to become a ticket seller and a spy.
OR Mother wore a serious look beneath her hat.
OR Mothers voice had a tint of despair and hopelessness as she
called out to Totto-chan.
10. Do you think that Totto-chan sensed Mothers anxiety? Give two
reasons to support your answer. (Inferential and Direct)
Totto-chan probably did not feel Mothers anxiety (1) (Inferential).
Totto-chan bounced along the street and mumbled happily to herself
(1) (Direct). Also, she did not notice Mothers tensed brows and
announced cheerfully that she would join a band of musicians.
(Direct) (She cast a long glance at her oblivious daughter, who was
skipping along the road and chattering to herself. Totto-chan did not
notice Mothers furrowed brows. Ive changed my mind. Ill like to
join a band of street musicians instead!)
11a. True/False questions
Totto-chan only wanted to become a ticket collector.

False. Totto-chan wanted to be a ticket collector, a spy and a

musician.
11b. Mother was feeling calm when she hurried Totto-chan to school.
False. When Mother hurried Totto-chan to school, she rapped out her
orders and her voice carried a hint of hopelessness.
12. Sequence question
Mother was afraid that the new school would not accept Totto-chan:
4
The ticket collector spoke unkindly to Totto-chan: 2
Totto-chan begged the ticket collector to allow her to retain her
ticket: 1
Totto-chan declared that she was going to be a ticket seller who was
also a spy: 3

Cousin words
brusquely: bluntly / roughly
quizzical: questioning / puzzled
immaculate: perfect / flawless / unblemished
demeanour: appearance
pondered: thought deeply
pregnant: loaded
enshrouded: engulfed / surrounded
oblivious: clueless