Answer the fi rst three questions from memory. 1. How old is Adrian Mole and on what date does he start his diary? 2. Why, according to Adrian, does the dog get his own back on his father?
3. Which of these items are mentioned in his diary entries: a. A model pirate b. The family’s dog c. His sister d. The girl he fancies e. His friend Nigel
f. A policewoman g. Raspberry jam
h. The apron he bought his mum for Christmas
i. a meter-reader
4. Complete this sentence by adding at least one adjective from the list below and then explaining your answer: ‘I think that Adrian Mole is a
very spoiled funny
intelligent caring
character because …’
neurotic (anxious and obsessive) another adjective of your choice
5. What did Adrian buy his mum for Christmas? What do you learn about Adrian from his updates on the gift and how it has been received?
Humour in a Diary Entry
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ is the fi rst book in the Adrian Mole series of comedic fi ction by Sue Townsend, published in 1982. Since then it has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been adapted for radio, television and theatre. The fi ctitious character of Adrian Mole is much-loved because of his naive yet confi dent opinions on all that happens to and around him. He is a very humorous character, even though he wouldn’t say that about himself!
Humour in writing can be achieved by: ❍ repetition ❍ exaggeration
❍ a character making fun of themselves (self-deprecation) or other people
❍ being absurd ❍ writing things that the reader doesn’t expect.
FRIEND OR FOE 11
FICTION (N.):
literature that describes imaginary people and events
