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Tom and the Excitable Dragon

The document contains an extract from 'Dragonrise' by Kathryn Cave, where a boy named Tom interacts with a small dragon during a magical night. The dragon is excited and suggests they go to the roof instead of staying indoors, leading to an adventurous moment where Tom is whisked away by the dragon. The narrative highlights themes of friendship and adventure in a fantastical setting.

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Ayenyo Nancy
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366 views5 pages

Tom and the Excitable Dragon

The document contains an extract from 'Dragonrise' by Kathryn Cave, where a boy named Tom interacts with a small dragon during a magical night. The dragon is excited and suggests they go to the roof instead of staying indoors, leading to an adventurous moment where Tom is whisked away by the dragon. The narrative highlights themes of friendship and adventure in a fantastical setting.

Uploaded by

Ayenyo Nancy
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

English

Stage 3

Paper 2 Fiction 2023


Cambridge Primary Progression Test
Insert

3123_02_INS_2RP
© UCLES 2023
2
Text for Section A, an extract from Dragonrise by Kathryn Cave.

Part 1

Tom has a new friend – a small dragon who visits him at Dragonrise. Dragonrise
is the time of night when dragons wake up.

At Dragonrise that night, Tom noticed that the dragon seemed unusually
excited. 5
Instead of settling down comfortably on the eiderdown 1 for a talk, he
twitched his tail from side to side every few seconds, blowing showers
of sparks, like tiny red sequins, from his nose.

‘I think we’d do better on the floor tonight,’ Tom suggested at last. ‘I don’t
know
how I could explain things to Mummy if I get holes burned in my
eiderdown. 10
You’re very fiery. Is something the matter?’

The dragon climbed, not down to the floor but up onto the windowsill. ‘A
dragon can’t help but be fiery on a night like this.’ He swept the curtains
apart with an eager paw, and flattened his nose against the glass. ‘Just
look at that sky.’ As he gazed up at the inky blackness, he let out a windy
sigh that made the glass in the 15
windowpane seethe and bubble.

Glossary
1
eiderdown – a thick cover for a bed

Part 2

‘Stop,’ cried Tom in dismay, flinging the window wide open. A hole in the
glass 20
would be even worse than one in the eiderdown. ‘You must be more
careful or we’ll get into trouble.’

The dragon looked a little guilty, but not for long. ‘It’s the dark of the
moon. The sight of a black sky always takes a dragon that way, Tom. It’s in
our blood, I’m afraid. I tell you what: we’ll go up and sit on the roof instead
of staying cooped up 25
here. Then it won’t matter how excited I get.’

‘On the roof? I could never get up there.’

‘It’s easy. Just hold onto my tail and we’ll be off.’

Tom began to say that he was sorry but of course he could do no such
© UCLES E/S3/
2
thing because his parents were not in favour of children climbing on the
roof at night, 30
or even in the day – but the dragon was already half out of the window.

© UCLES E/S3/
3

Part 3

‘Come back,’ cried Tom in panic, making a grab at the green tail.

Then suddenly he wasn’t leaning on the windowsill any longer: he was


clinging to something green and scaly that hung over the edge of the
guttering2 above the 35
bedroom window. He hardly had time to feel surprised at this – and no time
at all
to feel scared – before he was sitting up on the ridge of the roof with
the dragon beside him.

It was a moment or two before he could remember how his voice worked.
‘How…how did we get here?’ he managed to say after swallowing hard. 40

The dragon held out his paw, palm up, in explanation. ‘Suction pads.
They stick onto things,’ he said, seeing that Tom was still staring at him
round-eyed.

Glossary
2
guttering – an open pipe to catch rain from a roof

© UCLES E/S3/
4

BLANK PAGE

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where
possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance
have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the
Cambridge Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced annually and is available to
download at [Link]

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the
University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES E/S3/

Common questions

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The author utilizes a blend of internal monologue, dialogue, and pacing to depict Tom's transition. Tom’s initial disbelief is evident through his hesitant dialogue and initial panic. However, the swift movement onto the roof and the dragon's matter-of-fact explanation of 'suction pads' catalyze his acceptance, with the narrative pacing reflecting his quick adaptation to the magical reality .

The act of sitting on the roof symbolizes the transcendent and boundary-defying aspects of Tom and the dragon's relationship. It reflects themes of friendship and trust, as Tom relies on the dragon to reach such heights. This setting also elevates their relationship beyond the ordinary, suggesting a break from reality into a realm of adventure and freedom .

Tom's internal conflict, stemming from his initial reluctance to disobey parental norms, juxtaposes his ultimate choice to follow the dragon onto the roof. This contrast reveals his intrinsic desire for adventure and exploration, outweighing his adherence to rules. His actions demonstrate an inherent adventurous spirit and adaptability to unusual circumstances .

The dragon's use of 'suction pads' introduces a fantastical element grounded in pragmatic functionality, characteristic of magical realism. This detail bridges the gap between the fantastical and the plausible, allowing the reader to suspend disbelief and engage with the magic within a familiar, logical framework .

The excited dragon, twitching and blowing sparks, sets an anticipatory and dynamic tone for the narrative. This initial energy creates a mood of curiosity and impending adventure, suggesting that the night will be filled with unexpected events and magical experiences .

The contrasting imagery of the 'inky blackness' and 'tiny red sequins' illustrates themes of contrast and balance between darkness and light. The dark sky symbolizes mystery and the unknown, while the dragon's sparks introduce vibrancy and life into the scene. This interplay suggests a balance between fear and excitement inherent in adventurous experiences and reflects the coexistence of the ordinary and the magical in the narrative .

The dialogue between Tom and the dragon reveals their personalities and relationship dynamics. Tom's cautious remarks about potential damage show his concern for safety and practicality, while the dragon's responses highlight his impulsive and carefree nature. Their exchange builds a sense of familiarity and trust, enhancing their mutual understanding and complementing their contrasting traits .

Tom's interaction with the dragon demonstrates his cautious yet adventurous character. Despite his concern about the potential damage to his eiderdown and his initial reluctance to climb onto the roof, he quickly adapts to the situation by holding onto the dragon's tail and expresses wonder without excessive fear, revealing his willingness to embrace new experiences .

Dragonrise refers to the time of night when dragons wake up, which significantly affects the dragon's behavior by making him unusually excited. Instead of settling down comfortably, he twitches his tail and blows sparks from his nose, indicating heightened energy and emotions .

The author employs sensory imagery to vividly describe the dragon's presence and the setting. The dragon's tail twitching and nose blowing sparks create a visual spectacle likened to 'tiny red sequins' . The description of the dragon's sigh making the glass 'seethe and bubble' conveys auditory and tactile sensations, enhancing the magical and awe-inducing atmosphere of the scene .

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