| Nine Days | Chapter 8: Alec

What is the significance of Alec finding the Nintendo DS?

• • It shows his grandparents' understanding of his needs.

• • It highlights Alec’s disregard for rules.

• • It illustrates the disconnect between Alec and his family.

• • It represents Alec’s desire for independence.

Why does Alec feel a connection to the photograph he finds?

• • It is a link to his family's past.

• • It reminds him of his own experiences.

• • It is a valuable historical artifact.

• • It represents the future he desires.

What does Alec find hidden in the bricks of the house?

• A) A stack of old letters

• B) A photograph in a tin

• C) A Nintendo DS

• D) A tin of biscuits

Why doesn’t Alec have a mobile phone?

• A) He can’t afford one

• B) He lost his previous phone

• C) His mother is afraid of brain-melting death rays

• D) He doesn’t like using phones

Who is Alec's great-grandmother?

• • Connie Westaway

• • Annabel Crouch

• • Jean Westaway

• • Charlotte Westaway

Why does Alec help his grandfather with the photograph instead of going to the beach in the car?

• He wants to avoid doing other chores.

• He feels a strong sense of duty to his grandfather.

• He is curious about the photograph's history.

• He is afraid of driving.

Discuss how Alec’s lack of a mobile phone affects his social interactions and sense of belonging.

Answer explanation

Alec’s lack of a mobile phone isolates him from his peers, showing his disconnect from modern social norms and his mother's overprotectiveness. This makes him feel like an outsider and highlights the generational and ideological differences between him and his family.

Why does Alec’s grandfather emphasise the importance of kissing loved ones goodbye?

Answer explanation

7. Alec’s grandfather emphasises the importance of kissing loved ones goodbye because he understands the unpredictability of life and the possibility of not seeing loved ones again. This belief is reinforced by his own experiences and losses, such as the sudden and tragic death of Connie. Alec’s decision to help his grandfather with the photo, which prevents him from being in the car accident, underscores the importance of cherishing and valuing each moment with loved ones, as the future is uncertain.

Evaluate the impact of the photograph on Alec’s understanding of his family history.

Answer explanation

The photograph profoundly impacts Alec as it connects him to his family's past, making him realise the continuity and shared experiences that bind them together. It deepens his appreciation for his grandfather's stories and the history that shapes their present lives.