Author: S Nurser

Activity 1
DO NOT OPEN THE BOOK!
Look at the front cover and read the blurb. What clues are there about the setting for Alex’s mission?
Read chapter 1
Why do you think the first sentence has been given it’s own paragraph?
What was unusual about the lift?
How long could it take to get an appointment with Mr Roscoe?
Why do you have to be careful when you are rich?
Why is routine the one thing that could get you killed?
Write a list of all the things we know about Mr Roscoe so far.
Who is Alan Blunt?
Why was Mrs Bosworth concerned when Mr Roscoe decided not to have a coffee?
Who was the contract killer pretending to be?
How had the author described the elevator shaft?
How did Mr Roscoe die?
What country did the killer fly to after sending flowers to Mr Roscoe’s family?
Activity 2
Read Chapter 2-3
In you own words describe what has happened in these two chapters. This should take about 7 sentences.

Activity 3
Read chapter 4 (Search and Report)
Why did the construction workers look incredulous?
Why was everyone at the police station avoiding his eyes?
On page 55, it says ‘Alex new at once where he was being taken’. Where did he think he was being taken?
Why did Alex think of the gunpowder plot when they reached room 1605?
Mrs Blunt is questioning Alex (page 58) about what he was doing on the crane. Pretend you are Alex. Explain in as much detail as you can what you were doing.
Why was Alex not in trouble with the police?
When Alex is asked to complete another mission, what is the first reason he gives for not wanting to do it?
Why do MI6 not think that Michael Roscoe’s death (falling down the lift shaft) was an accident?
How did Mr Blunt know Roscoe?
MI6 spoke to Roscoe’s assistant to find out why he had called Mr Blunt. Why did she think Mr Roscoe wanted to speak to Mr Blunt?
What is the link between Mr Roscoe and Ivanov?
What is Point Blanc? (give as much detail as you possibly can)
What does ‘coincidence’ mean?
What cover has MI6 come up with to get Alex into Point Blanc?

Activity 4
Read chapter 5 (The Shooting Party)
Alex’s appearance was changed so that he would look the part for his new mission. Which two changes to his appearance did he not like?
Who is Sir David Friend?
Who was the girl in the pool?
Why was Alex considering throwing the girl back into the pool or out of a window?
What does arrogant mean?
Why does Sir David not like the idea of a 14 year old boy spying for the government? (page 78)
What did David Friend mean when he said that Alex had a lot of reading to do? (What did he have to read?)
Why was Alex surprised that the other teenagers were allowed guns?
How did Alex sense danger before the first shot was fired?
The last line in the chapter reads- ‘He walked away, letting the forest swallow him up. ‘ Why has the author chosen to use personification here?
Activity 5
Pretend that you are Alex. Write a diary about your shooting trip with Fiona and her friends.
Remember diaries need to be in the past tense and first person.
You should complete a whole page in your guided reading books (purple books).

Activity 6
Read chapter 6 (The Tunnel)
Who is Hugo Grief?
Why has the author chosen to start the chapter with such a detailed character description?
On page 93, what does Dr Grief mean by terminations?
What is Mrs Grief’s opinion of MI6? (give your answer and then explain how you know using an example from the book.)
Why are they so pleased with Alex’s upcoming arrival? (page 95)
Do you think Fiona felt guilty about almost shooting Alex? (page96) Make sure you give examples from the book to explain your opinion.
Why did Alex think that Fiona was joking when she suggested the shortcut through the tunnel?
What were the 3 choices that Alex had when he realised that Fiona must still be in the tunnel?
How did Alex know that the train was on it’s way?
Why has the author described Alex imagining the train coming down the track? Would it still have the same effect if he left this section out?
Why has the author interrupted the description of what is happening with updates of the noise and closeness of the train?
How did Alex and Fiona escape the train?
Why was Alex glad that the horse was unharmed?
Why did Alex say he would prefer to kiss the Horse/
Do you think Fiona is a kind person? Why? (as with every answer, make sure you give examples from the book)