Grade
MIND THE GAP! 12
English First Additional Language
SHORT STORIES
-B. WALTER
Study Guide
, MIND THE GAP!
This content may not be sold or used for commercial purposes.
Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) Grade 12 English First Additional Language Mind the Gap study
guide for Short Stories: Changes: An anthology of short stories by B Walter.
This publication has a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Sharealike Licence. You can use, modify, upload,
download, and share content, but you must acknowledge the Department of Basic Education, the authors and contributors.
If you make any changes to the content you must send the changes to the Department of Basic Education. This content
may not be sold or used for commercial purposes. For more information about the terms of the license please see: http://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/.
Copyright © Department of Basic Education 2019
222 Struben Street, Pretoria, South Africa
Contact persons: Ms C. Weston and Dr S. Malapile
Email: /
Tel: (012) 357 ) 357 3811
http://www.education.gov.za Call Centre: 0800202933
Acknowledgements
The extracts from the short stories in this study guide are from Changes: An anthology of short stories by B Walter
Mind the Gap Team
Senior Project Leaders: Dr S. Malapile, Ms C Weston
Production co-ordinators:
B. Monyaki, B. Ras, M. Phonela, M. Nematangari
Authors: Mr Norman Fumba, Ms Renske Pieterse, Mr Harold Takalo, Mr Emmanuel Mpumelelo Thobela, Ms Nonhlanhla
Mzila, Ms Thembeka Mtolo, Ms Thokozile Joyfull Sabelo, Ms Monica Mamakara Karabo Seitei, Ms Elizabeth Marianne
Meyer, Ms Doreen Mpho Mongale, Ms Vuyelwa Gladys Mnguni, Ms Pila Masakane and Mr Moses Nkosi.
Critical reader: Monyaki BS
Designer and editor: Page82
Onsite writers’ workshop support:
J. Mphidi, V. Magelegeda, P. Hlabiwa, R. Maboye and N. Malope
Department of Basic Education 2020 2
, MIND THE GAP!
Ministerial Foreword
The Department of Basic Education remains steadfastly committed
to innovative strategies aimed at enhancing learner attainment.
Consistent with the government’s commitment in promoting the
indigenous languages that form the tapestry of our democratic
landscape, this Mind the Gap Self study guide is a concrete
demonstration of this commitment.
The release of this self-study guide incorporates all the official
African Home Languages focusing on the novel genre at this stage.
Not only does the study guide incorporate the African languages, but
it also incorporates South African Sign Language Home Language,
Afrikaans Home Language and English First Additional Language.
The Mind the Gap Literature Self Study Guide is responding to the
broader sectoral reading challenges that the country is experiencing.
It seeks to strengthen the following strands of the National Reading
Sector Plan: Teacher Development and Support; Direct Learner
Support; and Provisioning and Utilisation of the Learning and
Teaching Support Materials. Its interactive nature will make it easier
Matsie Angelina Motshekga, MP
for both teachers and learners to read, to learn or study. It is hoped Minister of Basic Education
that through this Study Guide, the reading and learning outcomes
will be achieved.
Key terminologies are explained or illustrated in a simplified manner
and examples of the types of questions as a learner you may expect
to be asked in an examination, are included in this study guide. In
order to build your understanding, specific questions and possible
responses forms part of the study guide package.
The study guide is designed to appeal to any learner offering Grade
12, whether as a part-time or a full-time candidate. Educators in the
field will also find it an invaluable resource in their practice.
Every learner is a national asset, all you need now is to put in the
hours required to prepare for the examinations and excel!
We wish each and every one of you good luck and success.
MRS AM MOTSHEKGA, MP
MINISTER
DATE: 14 NOVEMBER 2019
3 Department of Basic Education 2020
, MIND THE GAP!
Table of contents
Dear Grade 12 learner............................................................................................................................................................6
How to use this study guide...................................................................................................................................................6
Top 7 study tips......................................................................................................................................................................7
On the exam day....................................................................................................................................................................7
Overview of the English First Additional Language Paper 2: Literature exam.......................................................................8
Short Story 1: Transforming Moments by Gcina Mhlophe…..................................................................................................…......9
1. Summary….........................................................................................................................................................................9
2. Title…........................................................................................................................................................................…......10
3. Themes .................................................................................................................................................................……......10
4. How is the story told?...............................................................................................................................................…......11
4.1 Setting................................................................................................................................................................................11
4.2 Structure and plot development.........................................................................................................................................11
4.3 Characterisation .................................................................................................................................................................12
4.4 Narrator’s point of view…………………………………........................................................................................................12
4.5 Style......................................................................................................................................................................…….......12
4.6 Diction and figurative language..........................................................................................................................................12
4.7 Tone and mood...................................................................................................................................................................13
Activity 1...........................................................................................................................................................................................14
Short Story 2: The Last Breath by Sam Kahinga.............................................................................................................................16
1. Summary..................................................................................................................................................................…… .16
2. Title..........................................................................................................................................................................…… .16
3. Themes....................................................................................................................................................................…… .16
4. How is the story told?.......................................................................................................................................................17
4.1 Setting.....................................................................................................................................................................…… .17
4.2 Structure and plot development..............................................................................................................................…… .17
4.3 Characterisation......................................................................................................................................................…......18
4.4 Style........................................................................................................................................................................……...18
4.5 Narrator and point of view.......................................................................................................................................…… .18
4.6 Diction and figurative language...............................................................................................................................…… .18
4.7 Tone and mood.................................................................................................................................................................18
Activity 2................................................................................................................................................................................…… .19
Short Story 3: Next Door by Kurt Vonnegut..........................................................................................................................…… .22
1. Summary..................................................................................................................................................................…… .22
2. Title..........................................................................................................................................................................…… .23
3. Themes....................................................................................................................................................................…… .23
4. How is the story told?.......................................................................................................................................................23
4.1 Setting..............................................................................................................................................................................23
4.2 Structure and plot development..............................................................................................................................…… .23
4.3 Characterisation......................................................................................................................................................…… .24
4.4 Narrator and point of viewpoint…........................................................................….......................………………….…. 24
4.5 Diction and figurative language…………..........................................................................................................………… 25
4.5 Tone and mood………………………………….........................................................................................………..............25
Activity 3……………………………………......................................................................................................................................26
Short Story 4: The New Tribe................................................................................................................................................…… .28
1. Summary……...................................................................................................................................................................…......….28
2. Title...................................................................................................................................................................................28
3. Themes….........................................................................................................................................................................28
4. How is the story told?.......................................................................................................................................................29
4.1 Setting.....................................................................................................................................................................…… .29
4.2 Structure and plot development.......................................................................................................................................29
4.3 Characterisation…….........................................................................................................................................................29
4.4 Narrator and point of view.......................................................................................................................................…… .30
4.5 Diction and figurative language...............................................................................................................................…… .30
4.6 Tone and mood........................................................................................................................................................…… .30
Activity 4................................................................................................................................................................................…… .31
Short Story 5: A Chip of Glass Ruby by Nadine Gordimer....................................................................................................…… .33
1. Summary..................................................................................................................................................................…… .33
2. Title..........................................................................................................................................................................…… .34
3. Themes....................................................................................................................................................................…… .34
Department of Basic Education 2020 4
MIND THE GAP! 12
English First Additional Language
SHORT STORIES
-B. WALTER
Study Guide
, MIND THE GAP!
This content may not be sold or used for commercial purposes.
Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) Grade 12 English First Additional Language Mind the Gap study
guide for Short Stories: Changes: An anthology of short stories by B Walter.
This publication has a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Sharealike Licence. You can use, modify, upload,
download, and share content, but you must acknowledge the Department of Basic Education, the authors and contributors.
If you make any changes to the content you must send the changes to the Department of Basic Education. This content
may not be sold or used for commercial purposes. For more information about the terms of the license please see: http://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/.
Copyright © Department of Basic Education 2019
222 Struben Street, Pretoria, South Africa
Contact persons: Ms C. Weston and Dr S. Malapile
Email: /
Tel: (012) 357 ) 357 3811
http://www.education.gov.za Call Centre: 0800202933
Acknowledgements
The extracts from the short stories in this study guide are from Changes: An anthology of short stories by B Walter
Mind the Gap Team
Senior Project Leaders: Dr S. Malapile, Ms C Weston
Production co-ordinators:
B. Monyaki, B. Ras, M. Phonela, M. Nematangari
Authors: Mr Norman Fumba, Ms Renske Pieterse, Mr Harold Takalo, Mr Emmanuel Mpumelelo Thobela, Ms Nonhlanhla
Mzila, Ms Thembeka Mtolo, Ms Thokozile Joyfull Sabelo, Ms Monica Mamakara Karabo Seitei, Ms Elizabeth Marianne
Meyer, Ms Doreen Mpho Mongale, Ms Vuyelwa Gladys Mnguni, Ms Pila Masakane and Mr Moses Nkosi.
Critical reader: Monyaki BS
Designer and editor: Page82
Onsite writers’ workshop support:
J. Mphidi, V. Magelegeda, P. Hlabiwa, R. Maboye and N. Malope
Department of Basic Education 2020 2
, MIND THE GAP!
Ministerial Foreword
The Department of Basic Education remains steadfastly committed
to innovative strategies aimed at enhancing learner attainment.
Consistent with the government’s commitment in promoting the
indigenous languages that form the tapestry of our democratic
landscape, this Mind the Gap Self study guide is a concrete
demonstration of this commitment.
The release of this self-study guide incorporates all the official
African Home Languages focusing on the novel genre at this stage.
Not only does the study guide incorporate the African languages, but
it also incorporates South African Sign Language Home Language,
Afrikaans Home Language and English First Additional Language.
The Mind the Gap Literature Self Study Guide is responding to the
broader sectoral reading challenges that the country is experiencing.
It seeks to strengthen the following strands of the National Reading
Sector Plan: Teacher Development and Support; Direct Learner
Support; and Provisioning and Utilisation of the Learning and
Teaching Support Materials. Its interactive nature will make it easier
Matsie Angelina Motshekga, MP
for both teachers and learners to read, to learn or study. It is hoped Minister of Basic Education
that through this Study Guide, the reading and learning outcomes
will be achieved.
Key terminologies are explained or illustrated in a simplified manner
and examples of the types of questions as a learner you may expect
to be asked in an examination, are included in this study guide. In
order to build your understanding, specific questions and possible
responses forms part of the study guide package.
The study guide is designed to appeal to any learner offering Grade
12, whether as a part-time or a full-time candidate. Educators in the
field will also find it an invaluable resource in their practice.
Every learner is a national asset, all you need now is to put in the
hours required to prepare for the examinations and excel!
We wish each and every one of you good luck and success.
MRS AM MOTSHEKGA, MP
MINISTER
DATE: 14 NOVEMBER 2019
3 Department of Basic Education 2020
, MIND THE GAP!
Table of contents
Dear Grade 12 learner............................................................................................................................................................6
How to use this study guide...................................................................................................................................................6
Top 7 study tips......................................................................................................................................................................7
On the exam day....................................................................................................................................................................7
Overview of the English First Additional Language Paper 2: Literature exam.......................................................................8
Short Story 1: Transforming Moments by Gcina Mhlophe…..................................................................................................…......9
1. Summary….........................................................................................................................................................................9
2. Title…........................................................................................................................................................................…......10
3. Themes .................................................................................................................................................................……......10
4. How is the story told?...............................................................................................................................................…......11
4.1 Setting................................................................................................................................................................................11
4.2 Structure and plot development.........................................................................................................................................11
4.3 Characterisation .................................................................................................................................................................12
4.4 Narrator’s point of view…………………………………........................................................................................................12
4.5 Style......................................................................................................................................................................…….......12
4.6 Diction and figurative language..........................................................................................................................................12
4.7 Tone and mood...................................................................................................................................................................13
Activity 1...........................................................................................................................................................................................14
Short Story 2: The Last Breath by Sam Kahinga.............................................................................................................................16
1. Summary..................................................................................................................................................................…… .16
2. Title..........................................................................................................................................................................…… .16
3. Themes....................................................................................................................................................................…… .16
4. How is the story told?.......................................................................................................................................................17
4.1 Setting.....................................................................................................................................................................…… .17
4.2 Structure and plot development..............................................................................................................................…… .17
4.3 Characterisation......................................................................................................................................................…......18
4.4 Style........................................................................................................................................................................……...18
4.5 Narrator and point of view.......................................................................................................................................…… .18
4.6 Diction and figurative language...............................................................................................................................…… .18
4.7 Tone and mood.................................................................................................................................................................18
Activity 2................................................................................................................................................................................…… .19
Short Story 3: Next Door by Kurt Vonnegut..........................................................................................................................…… .22
1. Summary..................................................................................................................................................................…… .22
2. Title..........................................................................................................................................................................…… .23
3. Themes....................................................................................................................................................................…… .23
4. How is the story told?.......................................................................................................................................................23
4.1 Setting..............................................................................................................................................................................23
4.2 Structure and plot development..............................................................................................................................…… .23
4.3 Characterisation......................................................................................................................................................…… .24
4.4 Narrator and point of viewpoint…........................................................................….......................………………….…. 24
4.5 Diction and figurative language…………..........................................................................................................………… 25
4.5 Tone and mood………………………………….........................................................................................………..............25
Activity 3……………………………………......................................................................................................................................26
Short Story 4: The New Tribe................................................................................................................................................…… .28
1. Summary……...................................................................................................................................................................…......….28
2. Title...................................................................................................................................................................................28
3. Themes….........................................................................................................................................................................28
4. How is the story told?.......................................................................................................................................................29
4.1 Setting.....................................................................................................................................................................…… .29
4.2 Structure and plot development.......................................................................................................................................29
4.3 Characterisation…….........................................................................................................................................................29
4.4 Narrator and point of view.......................................................................................................................................…… .30
4.5 Diction and figurative language...............................................................................................................................…… .30
4.6 Tone and mood........................................................................................................................................................…… .30
Activity 4................................................................................................................................................................................…… .31
Short Story 5: A Chip of Glass Ruby by Nadine Gordimer....................................................................................................…… .33
1. Summary..................................................................................................................................................................…… .33
2. Title..........................................................................................................................................................................…… .34
3. Themes....................................................................................................................................................................…… .34
Department of Basic Education 2020 4
