Del is pregnant and is going to raise her child alone.
Viv offers Del the money their mother gave her for her university education.
Viv expresses her frustrations with the school system.
Viv tells Del she skipped one of her English exams.
Del tells Viv that she must complete all of her exams, and says she won’t see her until she does.

Common misconception

Del hates the education system and school.

Whilst Del did not have a positive school experience, she knows the value of education, hence her extreme reaction to Viv skipping an exam.

Keywords

Loyal - If you are loyal to someone, you are faithful to them. You don’t do anything that would undermine your relationship with them.
Sacrifice - If you sacrifice something, you willingly give up something that is important to you.
Sibling - If you have a brother or sister, you have a sibling.
Eurocentric - When there is a focus on European culture or history, ignoring or excluding cultures and history from the wider world.

The close reading section in learning cycle 1 sees the siblings discuss a young woman begging her partner to support her and their child. Consider how you will manage the discussion of this scene in a classroom.

Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'.

Content guidance

Contains strong language
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

Skip video

Worksheet

Download worksheet

Skip worksheet

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.

In Scenes One to Four of 'Leave Taking', what do we learn about Viv's experiences with education?

Correct answer: She is an academic student.

She doesn't work hard, so wants to rely on obeah to help her.

Correct answer: She is anxious about failing her exams.

Enid is very proud of her decision to go straight into the workforce.

Correct answer: Enid is very proud of her decision to go to university.

Q2.

In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Viv and Del meet Mai, an obeah woman for the first time. What are the differences between their responses to this character?

Del wants a reading; Viv doesn't.

Correct answer: Viv is interested in obeah; Del doesn't seem to be.

Correct answer: Del argues with Enid about the value of obeah; Viv doesn't.

Correct answer: Del is rude; Viv is not.

Del believes in her reading; Viv doesn't.

Q3.

In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Viv is eager for a reading from Mai, an obeah woman. Why is she keen for a reading?

She wants to know if her sister is pregnant.

She wants to know if Mai really did cause Miss Pannycook's car accident.

She wants to know where their father is.

She wants to become an obeah woman.

Correct answer: She wants to know what grades she might get in her exams.

Q4.

In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Enid brings both her daughters to see Mai, an obeah woman. Which daughter is she most concerned about and why?

Viv - Enid wants to know what exam results she will get.

Viv - Enid wants to know where she will go to university.

Correct answer: Del - Enid is worried about Del's social life about which she knows very little.

Correct answer: Del - Enid suspects Del is pregnant.

Del - Enid suspects Del wants to leave the family home and go to Jamaica.

Q5.

In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking, what does Enid give Viv?

An item from Jamaica, left to Enid by her mother.

The address of the Pastor's house.

A ticket to Jamaica.

Correct answer: A large amount of money to help fund her university education.

A charm she stole from Mai to support her in her exams.

Q6.

In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Viv is frustrated by Del's relationship with Enid, asking Del, 'Why do you always have to with her?'.

Correct Answer: argue, Argue, argue., Argue., 'argue'

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', what does Viv try to give Del?

her exam results

a message from Del's ex-boyfriend

a letter from their mother

Correct answer: money

a charm she stole from Mai

Q2.

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Viv reveals she skipped one of her English exams. How does Del respond?

She's pleased about Viv's 'one act of rebellion'.

Correct answer: She is furious, and throws Viv out.

She expresses her frustrations about the education system.

She agrees to take the money because she knows Viv will no longer need it.

Correct answer: She tries to convince Viv to take the rest of her exams.

Q3.

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', why does Viv try and give Del money?

Del asks for it.

Enid tells her to give it to Del.

Correct answer: She knows Del needs financial support because she is pregnant.

Viv earned the money at her Saturday job, so it is hers to give.

Correct answer: Viv is reconsidering university and so doesn't think she'll need it.

Q4.

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Viv tries to give Del the money their mother gave her. Del says 'She'd go mad if she knew you'd given it to me.' Viv replies, 'No, she wouldn't. You're her .'

Correct Answer: favourite, Favourite, favourite., 'favourite', Favourite.

Q5.

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Viv expresses her frustrations about the education system. She says, 'Me and those teachers don't speak the same .'

Correct Answer: lingo, Lingo, lingo., Lingo., 'lingo'

Q6.

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Viv expresses her frustrations with the education system. She says, 'I need another to express myself.'

Correct Answer: language, Language, 'language', Language., language.