This passage is taken from the opening of a novel called Lord of the Flies, by the author William Golding.
First of all, have a read, and see what ideas you can come up with. Remember to link each point to a quotation or example.
Question
How does the writer make this opening interesting for the reader? (10 marks)
You should write about:
the writerâs use of language
the effect on the reader
Passage
The boy with fair hair lowered himself down the last few feet of rock and began to pick his way toward the lagoon. Though he had taken off his school sweater and trailed it now from one hand, his grey shirt stuck to him and his hair was plastered to his forehead. All round him the long scar smashed into the jungle was a bath of heat. He was clambering heavily among the creepers and broken trunks when a bird, a vision of red and yellow, flashed upwards with a witch-like cry; and this cry was echoed by another.
âHi!â it said. âWait a minute!â The undergrowth at the side of the scar was shaken and a multitude of raindrops fell pattering.
âWait a minute,â the voice said. âI got caught up.â
The fair boy stopped and jerked his stockings with an automatic gesture that made the jungle seem for a moment like the ±«Óătv Counties.