Museletter Junior 2 — Part 4
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Part 4: Protocol Six

Read the passage carefully before answering the questions. Click any word to collect it. Click an underlined word to reveal its definition below.

Over the time that followed, the astronauts cycled through their shifts. The pairings were always the same, ten in total, cycling around every seventy Old Earth days. To the astronauts, it was like no time passed at all. One moment they were going into the bag, the next they were coming out again.

Their partner really mattered. If one were unfortunate enough to get a partner one didn't get on with, it would be unending cycles of quiet friction. However, if one found a friend, then the time passed most agreeably. Of course, these relationships could evolve and change. Take the fourth pair in the cycle, Richard and Tim.

On the third day-night-cycle of their stint, Richard stood up from the camping chair and began to stretch.

'I'm so stiff,' he groaned, 'Could really use a walk around.'

Tim didn't look up from the copy of Jane Eyre that Emilia had left. Richard slowly walked around their table, in wider and wider circles. Before he knew it, his foot was on the bottom step that led up to the main ship.

Now Tim did look up.

"I certainly hope you're not violating Protocol Six, Richard," he said, neutrally.

"No, no, just stretching," said Richard, in a voice that suggested that this was not the case.

Tim and Richard looked at each other for a moment, Richard's foot still on the step. Time stood still, although, of course, it wasn't moving in the first place.

"If you take another step," said Tim, "I'll have to awaken Lieutenant Bridgemount."

"No need to bother Bridgemount," said Richard, glancing nervously at the woman in the furthest bag, whose face was sporting a particularly dour grimace.

However, when Tim tucked himself into his sleeping bag that evening, after checking he was indeed asleep, Richard returned to the step, standing with one foot on it as before. Glancing again at Bridgemount's bag, he stepped onto the second step.

Word Collector
Click any word in the passage to collect it

Vocabulary

Click an underlined word in the passage above to reveal its definition here.

Section 1: What Happened?

Answer using evidence from the passage. Use full sentences where possible.

  1. 1
    How many pairs are there in total, and how often do they cycle?
    (1 mark)
  2. 2a
    What does Richard do on the third day-night-cycle of his stint?
    (1 mark)
  3. 2b
    Where does he end up?
    (1 mark)
  4. 3
    What does Tim warn Richard about, and how does Richard respond?
    (2 marks)
  5. 4a
    What does Tim threaten to do if Richard takes another step?
    (1 mark)
  6. 4b
    What does Richard do later that night when Tim is asleep?
    (1 mark)
  7. 5
    Who is Bridgemount, and why does Richard glance nervously at her bag?
    (3 marks)
Section Total: _____ / 10

Section 2: Perspectives & Feelings

Think carefully about what the characters might be thinking and feeling. Use the text to support your ideas.

  1. 6
    Why does the writer say "their partner really mattered"? What difference does a good or bad partner make on this journey?
    (2 marks)
  2. 7
    "Time stood still, although, of course, it wasn't moving in the first place." What is the writer suggesting here?
    (2 marks)
  3. 8
    What does Richard's behaviour in this passage tell us about his character? Use evidence from the text.
    (3 marks)
  4. 9
    Why do you think Richard is so drawn to the steps? What might he be trying to do?
    (4 marks)
Section Total: _____ / 11

Section 3: Writer's Corner

Think about the choices the writer has made and what effect they have on the reader.

  1. 10
    Richard said he was "just stretching" — but the writer tells us this was "in a voice that suggested that this was not the case." What effect does this have on the reader?
    (2 marks)
  2. 11
    This passage is almost entirely dialogue. How does the writer use conversation to build tension?
    (4 marks)
  3. 12
    The passage ends on a cliffhanger. How does the writer make the final line feel exciting and dangerous?
    (2 marks)
Section Total: _____ / 8

Section 4: Writing Task

Creative Writing Task — 20 minutes

Write Protocol Six — the official ship document that explains the rule Richard is breaking. What does it say, and why does the rule exist?

You might think about:

  • What exactly does Protocol Six forbid, and what are the consequences of breaking it?
  • What might the reason for the rule be — what is the ship trying to protect or prevent?
  • What tone would an official document like this use? Think about the language of rules and regulations.

The best Protocol Six documents will make the reader even more curious about what is up those steps — hint at the danger without giving it away.