33 The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English Language.

Dear Mr Kilmer – Anne Schraff

Sing to the Dawn – Minfong Ho
Captain Nobody – Dean Pitchford

Choose one of the novels above and answer the questions below.
Based on the novel above, describe on the important decision made by the main character and how
it affects the main character in the story.
Give your opinion on how making the right decision helps you to achieve your goal in life.

Based on the novel, Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford, the main character,
Newton Newman has made important decision in the water tower event in the story.
Newton Newman is a kid and brother of the most famous football player, Chris
Newman. Unfortunately, Chris is knocked into coma after the Big Tackle incident.
Newt’s parents are busy taking care of Chris and Newt has been forced to deal with
situations and difficulties in order to be accepted by the society. Through his way of
transforming from the unknown, Newt has made variety of decision and one of the
important decisions he has made is in the water tower event. This event starts when
the news is reporting that Reggie Ratner is going to commit suicide by jumping down
the water tower. Newt hears the news and decides to save Reggie Ratner with his
friends, Cecil and JJ. They run out of the school and rush to the water tower. When
Newt is trying to reach the ladder of the water tower, a policeman shows up. Cecil
tries to distract the policeman while JJ helps Newt to gain his grip to the second
rung of the ladder. Newt climbs the ladder and reaches the top of the water tower.
He later realizes that Reggie is up there not to commit suicide but to vandalise the
water tower.

Newt’s important decision on saving Reggie has helped him to become a fearless
person. When Newt is trying to climb the ladder, he is scared. He has acrophobia
which causes him to stop and wants to go down. The ladder is shaky and the winds
blows mercilessly on him too. However, Newt eventually overcomes his fear of height
when he thinks about Reggie being all alone on the top of the water tower. This event
clearly shown Newt has become a braver person through the important decision he
makes. The important decision to save Reggie Ratner has given him an opportunity to
overcome his fear of height. Without this important decision, Newt will never dare to
conquer his fear and this acrophobia will continue to haunt him for the rest of his
life. In my opinion, making the right decision provides me a chance to stand against my
fear. I can discover my inner power that will be useful in overcoming any obstacles
when I try to achieve my goal. I can turn into a better person through making the
right decision like how Newt changes from a timid kid to a brave young man when he
decides to save Reggie.

Newt’s important decision on saving Reggie Ratner has also helped him to
become a more responsible person. The news is reporting Reggie Ratner is depressed
and wants to commit suicide after everyone blames him for knocking Chris into coma.
Newt hears it and feels that he has the responsibility to tell Reggie the truth that
lies behind the Big Tackle incident. When he is climbing the shaky ladder, he is
enveloped with fear of height. He thinks about Reggie not knowing the truth yet and
he successfully overcomes his fear. He keeps climbing to the top and reaches Reggie
just to tell Reggie the truth which he thinks is his responsibility. In this event, it is
clearly shown Newt has become more responsible after he decides to save Reggie.
Even though Newt knows that he is risking his own life climbing the ladder, he is
determined to tell Reggie the truth which is his responsibility as the only one that
knows the truth. Newt always has a sense of purpose for each task no matter how
small it is. With the important decision he makes, he is given the opportunity to carry
out his responsibility. Responsibility is the quality which most people lack nowadays
and many of them will give up before trying their best. Newt is different because he
feels responsible to tell Reggie the truth. In my opinion, making the right decision
helps me to become more responsible just like Newt changes from an unconfident boy
to a responsible young man. I can carry out my duty and become a reliable person
through making the right decision to achieve my goal in life.

Besides, Newt’s important decision on saving Reggie has also helped him to
become a helpful person. When Newt hears the news, he wants to save and help
Reggie. He rushes to the water tower without further ado. When he manages to climb
to the top of the water tower, he helps Reggie by untying his shoelaces as Reggie’s
shoe is stuck through a hole in the shingles. In the end, both manage to come down
from the top of the water tower. Through this event, Newt has obviously become a
helpful person by saving Reggie Ratner. If he decides not to save Reggie, Reggie
might still be trapped on the top of the tower and he will never get the chance to
save Reggie. In my opinion, making the right decision gives me a chance to be helpful
to others. My friends will consider me as a helpful friend and our friendship will be
strengthen. Hence, when I face any difficulties when trying to achieve my goal in life,
my friends that I have helped will likely aid me. Therefore, I will have extra
assistance when attempting to achieve my goal in life.

As a conclusion, the main character in the novel, Newt has made many decisions
throughout the novel. The important decision makes by him is saving Reggie Ratner
from the Appletown Water Tower. From the important decision he makes, it has
affected him to be a fearless, responsible and helpful person. It also helps to inspire
me to be as outstanding as the main character in the novel which would directly and
indirectly guide me to make right decisions in achieving my goals in life.