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The Harry Potter phenomenonand make no mistake, it is a phenomenon – is unlike anything we have seen in recent history. Rather than being the result of clever marketing, Harry Potter’s popularity began at the grass roots level. And, what’s more, the craze is not derived from a movie, video game, or television series, but from one of the oldest forms of massentertainment: a book Of course, now that the cat is out of the bag, the marketing has begun in earnest. There are Harry Potter lunch boxes, trading cards, toys and even wrapping paper. But it is important to remember that these things followed the phenomenon, they don’t drive it. Much has been written about why Harry Potter is so popular with readers of all ages. While this analysis is fine, all you really have to do is read a few chapters of any of the Harry Potter novels and you will understand the appeal. Author J.K. Rowling has developed an intensely likable hero and put his adventures on paper with a freeandeasy style that mixes high adventure with light drama and lowkey comedy. The books manage to walk the literary lightrope of never taking themselves too seriously yet, avoiding the easy pitfall of selfparody.
(PART ONE: ACCESS TO INFORMATION FROM A WRITTEN TEXT (60 POINTS Read the passage below and then answer questions - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone The Harry Potter phenomenon-and make no mistake, it is a phenomenon – is unlike anything we have seen in recent history Rather than being the result of clever marketing, Harry Potter’s popularity began at the grass roots level And, what’s more, the craze is not derived from a movie, video game, or television series, but from one of the oldest forms of mass-entertainment: a book! Of course, now that the cat is out of the bag, the marketing has begun in earnest There are Harry Potter lunch boxes, trading cards, toys and even wrapping paper But it is important to remember that these things followed the phenomenon, they don’t drive it Much has been written about why Harry Potter is so popular with readers of all ages While this analysis is fine, all you really have to is read a few chapters of any of the Harry Potter novels and you will 10 understand the appeal Author J.K Rowling has developed an intensely likable hero and put his adventures on paper with a free-and-easy style that mixes high adventure with light drama and low-key comedy The books manage to walk the literary light-rope of never taking themselves too seriously yet, avoiding the easy pitfall of self-parody Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is unquestionably a member of the fantasy genre However, while 15 the majority of fantasy novels are sombre and give the reader a feeling of uncertainty, Rowling keeps it light The Harry Potter Books feature enough character development, plot, and thematic content to attract an older audience as well Yet, in large part because of contemporary settings, Harry Potter’s popularity has greatly outstripped those of its predecessors To call the Harry Potter novels “children’s books” is to underestimate them 20 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone tells the story of 11-year old Harry Potter who dwells with his aunt, uncle and cousin Harry has lived with his mother’s sister’s family since shortly after birth, when his parents were murdered by the evil wizard Voldemort The cruel wizard tried to kill the infant Harry as well but failed leaving the boy undamaged except for a scar on his forehead After the incident, Voldemont vanished never to be heard from again Now on his birthday, Harry is visited by the imposing Rubeus Hagrid who has come 25 to bring Harry to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, where he will study to fulfill his true calling as a wizard When Harry arrives at Hogwarts, he meets classmates who become his close friends such as redhaired Ron Weasley and bossy Hermione Granger as well as antagonists such as the arrogant Draco Malfoy The teachers at the school are also unusual characters They include the headmaster of Hogwarts, the 30 venerable wizard Albus Dumbledore, and many others For Harry, however, there is more to attending Hogwarts than studying, as he begins to suspect one of the teachers of being in league with dark forces lurking in the forest The book puts a spell on its readers Magic is not only a theme the book deals with, it is also the atmosphere the readers enjoy Answer questions – according to the content of the passage What makes the Harry Potter phenomenon so unusual? Complete The Harry Potter phenomenon is unusual because it did not points 10 The critic claims that the marketing – promotion of the book started only when the appeal of the book became obvious points T/F Copy the phrase which supports your claim The critic is full of praise for J K Rowling and her books What does he like about her style? Complete i) Her hero ii) She writes iii) The fantasy points The books are suitable for adults as well Copy the sentence which supports this claim points The text describes the different stages in Harry Potter’s life ?What are they Complete with the missing information Harry is orphaned of both of his parents Harry survives Harry lives Harry is taken Harry befriends Harry suspects one of his teachers points The critic says that “to call Harry Potter novels “children’s books” is to underestimate them.” (lines 18-19) What does he mean? ANSWER: points 10 Harry Potter was very reluctant to stay at Hogwarts because he didn’t want to be a wizard T/F points Copy the sentences which support your claim points PART TWO : WRITTEN PRESENTATION (40 POINTS) Write in English on the following topic Write 120 – 140 words Write in pen, not in pencil Make sure you write legibly and to the point Many people enjoy reading fantasy books Some claim that reading these books may be a way of escaping the cruelty of real life State your personal opinion _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _