Name:

A Girl Named Disaster

Assignment #2 – Chapters 10-16
All assignments are due Monday, November 2nd

Read chapters 10 through 16. Do not read chapter 17.

1) Vocabulary: Look on the page number given in column one. Read the definition in
column two. Find the word that begins with the letter given in column three and
complete the word.

Page Definition Vocabulary Word

doing something to get even with somebody
68 r
who has caused harm
69 past tense of cry w
71 deep in noun form d
72 humble in noun form h
75 extremely confused b
87 the back of a boat s
89 extreme tiredness or exhaustion f
waiting to avoid doing something difficult or
91 s
unpleasant
92 slow s
94 longed for, wanted badly c
97 creator god m
103 to move yourself or something skillfully m
107 stunned into silence t
to scoop water out of a boat to keep it from
107 b
sinking
109 nervous u
111 to become long l
113 traveled to a new or dangerous place v
to sit or stand somewhere awkwardly or
117 p
precariously, past tense
118 to think about something seriously c

OPTIONAL: Plan your time! Which questions/reading will you complete on which days?
TODAY! Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
My plan
 Name:

What
really
happened

2) Think and Write: Choose _____ of the following questions to answer in

a complete paragraph. Choose questions that you feel you can
respond to thoughtfully and with detail. Write your answer so it is
clear which question you are answering. ALWAYS date your work and
check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

1) Compare and contrast Shona and Catholic beliefs. Clearly they have many
differences, but can you find any common ground? Explain where Nhamo’s beliefs
fit in.
2) Internet research: Who/what is Frelimo? How does Frelimo explain the existence
of landmines in Mozambique? Based on what you learn, do you think Frelimo is
accurately portrayed in the story? Why or why not?
3) Ambuya says to Nhamo before she escapes: “I gave Runako her chance long ago.
Now I’m giving you yours” (85). A chance for what? Using your knowledge of
Ambuya and her opinions, explain what you think is going through her mind at this
moment. Be sure to include ideas about Nhamo and Runako in your answer.
4) Nhamo has to teach herself many survival strategies. Name a few and then describe
a time when you taught yourself how to do something. How did you do it?
5) Describe the significance of light in the story so far. What does light mean to
Nhamo? Find three quotes from chapters 10-16 that focus specifically on light (or
darkness) to help explain your answer.
6) “I’m full of food and comfortable – well, fairly comfortable. I’m safe – well, fairly
safe. Soon I’ll go on to Zimbabwe. But right now I wish I could see Aunt Chipo. I
don’t care if she beats me. I even want to see Zororo, and he’s a pig! I don’t
understand it” (102). Do you understand this feeling? Describe what you think
Nhamo is struggling to understand.
7) Describe three ways Nhamo helps herself survive loneliness. Use quotes to support
your ideas. What do you do when you are lonely?
8) Nhamo thinks more and more about Crocodile Guts as she travels. Find three
quotes to demonstrate this. Why do you think this happens?
9) Chapter 16 leaves us with a depressing outlook. Make a prediction about how
Nhamo will survive and explain why you think so.

3) Think and Create: Choose one and complete it carefully and

thoroughly. Your final product should be clean, organized, and error
free (publishing quality).
1) Write a screenplay for a staged version of the visit to the muvuki in chapter 9. Turn
in your final draft of the writing on Monday. Cast and rehearse it to be performed
either on the day you signed up to present, or Thursday, December 4th .
2) Write a second verse for one of the songs Nhamo sings (page 101 or page 104).
 Name:

Then, create a tune for the song and perform it for the class either on the day you
signed up to present, or Thursday, December 4th.
3) Make a model of Nhamo’s boat. Inside, include Nhamo and the supplies she takes
with her on her journey.