This is due tomorrow (Tuesday, 7th November).
Dear
Albert
I
hope this letter finds you well. I am well myself; we have been on manoeuvres,
getting ready for the first big push against the Germans, which will be
happening in a few weeks’ time, and whilst I feel that we are in good shape, I
am having trouble with the idea that this is going to be easy and the war will
be over soon. I worry that we may have underestimated the enemy.
Anyway,
I’m sure you are wondering how Joey is doing. Well, I don’t think it’s too much
of an exaggeration to say that he is the finest horse this regiment has ever
seen. Even Corporal Perkins admires him, and believe me, he is a very hard man
to please. I will certainly feel confident, or, at least, as confident as I
possibly can, riding Joey into battle.
I
wish I could tell you that everything will be okay and that Joey will return to
you in one piece, but at the same time, I don’t want to set you up for
disappointment. This is war, and the reality of war is that there are
casualties. I will make this promise to you, however: I will do my utmost to
make sure that Joey is looked after and protected as much as possible and that
you are reunited with him one day. I know you miss him, and he misses you, I am
sure of it.
I
have to go know; it’s dinner time and I don’t want to miss out! I’ll need all
my strength if we’re going to beat those Germans.
Warmest
regards,
Captain
Nicholls
Questions
1.
What is missing from the top of the letter?
2.
What has Captain Nicholls been getting ready for?
3.
Complete the sentence: ‘Anyway, I’m ______ you are _____________ how Joey’s
doing.’
4.
What compliment does he pay Joey in the second paragraph?
5.
What will make him confident?
6.
What does he wish he could tell Albert?
7.
Why does he not tell him this?
8.
Complete the sentence: ‘This is ____ and the ____________ of war is that there
are _________________.’
9.
What does he promise?
10.
Why does he have to go?
Extension questions
11.
What does Captain Nicholls think about Britain’s chances of winning the war?
12.
How can we tell this?
13.
What evidence is there in the second paragraph that he is not totally confident
of winning his first battle?
14.
How can we tell from what is written that Corporal Perkins is a tough man?
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