Part 5: Here We Go…
Read the passage carefully before answering the questions. Click any word to collect it. Click an underlined word to reveal its definition below.
"Most important of all," said Lieutenant Lorraine Bridgemount, gesturing firmly at her PowerPoint presentation, "Is Protocol Six."
The astronauts all leaned forwards nervously. Most were stood, apart from Brian and Samantha, who were sat in the camping chairs.
"Protocol Six states: under no circumstances should astronauts leave the living quarters, with the following exceptions: 1) Direct threat to human life, 2) To restore the chain of command or 3) In the event of a hull breach."
Richard nodded. Of course, there wouldn't be a hull breach — the ships were impregnable, the strange bronze-like sheen of the robustium wouldn't let anything through. But what else could possibly cause threat to life, or challenge the chain of command. The astronauts wouldn't be doing anything except keeping watch.
To Richard, the existence of Protocol Six seemed odd. He raised his hand.
"'Naut Stephenson," said The Lieutenant.
"What's the rationale behind Protocol Six, Ma'am?" he asked, sheepishly.
"Safety," snapped The Lieutenant, in a way that invited no further questions.
Richard thought back to this conversation as he stood on the bottom step. What on earth was upstairs? If they were only allowed to bring two chairs because of the cost of transporting objects into space, why on earth would there be a whole upper deck with nothing on it. Robustium was heavy.
Slowly, Richard put a second boot onto the stairs. He had to know. He took another step and his shoe clanged on the step. He swivelled in a panic back towards Tim. He slumbered on.
"Right," thought Richard, "Here we go…"
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.
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1What does Protocol Six state?(1 mark)
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2aName two of the three exceptions to Protocol Six.(1 mark)
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2bWhich exception does Richard think will never apply, and why?(1 mark)
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3Why does Richard think the existence of Protocol Six seems odd?(2 marks)
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4aWhat does Richard ask Lieutenant Bridgemount?(1 mark)
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4bHow does she respond?(1 mark)
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5What is going through Richard's mind as he stands on the bottom step? Use evidence from the text.(3 marks)
Section 2: Perspectives & Feelings
Think carefully about what the characters might be thinking and feeling. Use the text to support your ideas.
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6How does the writer show that the astronauts take Protocol Six seriously? Use evidence from the passage.(2 marks)
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7"Safety," snapped The Lieutenant, in a way that invited no further questions." What does this tell us about The Lieutenant's character?(2 marks)
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8How does Richard feel about Protocol Six? Use evidence from across the passage.(3 marks)
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9Why do you think Richard decides to go upstairs despite knowing the rule? Use what you know about his character.(4 marks)
Section 3: Writer's Corner
Think about the choices the writer has made and what effect they have on the reader.
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10How does the writer build tension in the final paragraph?(2 marks)
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11The Lieutenant appears briefly but leaves a strong impression. How does the writer make her a memorable character?(4 marks)
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12"Right," thought Richard, "Here we go…" — why is this an effective way to end the passage?(2 marks)
Section 4: Writing Task
Creative Writing Task — 20 minutes
Write what Richard finds when he reaches the top of the stairs. What is up there? Why was Protocol Six really put in place?
You might think about:
- What does Richard see, hear, or feel as he gets closer to the top?
- Is what he finds what he expected, or something completely different?
- Does he now understand why Protocol Six exists — or does it raise even more questions?
The best responses will build suspense on the way up and make the discovery feel genuinely surprising.