Letters of a Convict Girl – Age 11

Comprehension Questions & Activities

by Jesse Black

Predictions:

  • What are some prediction about the content of the book?
  • What do you already know from looking at the cover?
  • How many years ago does this story take place?
  • Is it fictional or non fictional? How do you know?
  • Who is she writing her account to?

Chapter 1 Questions

  • Where is Rosie?
  • Why do you think she is writing from a Prison?
  • How does the author describe the priest?
  • Why does Rosie’s response put an end to the Father’s questioning?
  • Is Father Cluney her real father? Explain.
  • How does Rosie feel about being in prison?
  • What about Gemma is special? Give three reasons
  • What does “accosting” mean?

Activities:

  • Make a time table of a typical day in Newgate Prison.
  • Draw a picture of Rosie and describe what she looks like using simile and metaphor.
  • Pretend you are stuck in Newgate prison and write a letter home to your little sister or brother.
  • Where is Newgate prison? Research the prison and make a map of it’s location.

Chapter 2 Questions

  • What happened at the trial? Summarise
  • Why did Rosie have to go to court? What was her crime?
  • Rosie writes that both Gemma and Tom’s Mother were sentenced. Why is this a good thing?
  • How does Rosie feel?

Activities:

  • If you were suddenly sentenced to 14 years in a foreign land, what kind of things would you bring? How would you prepare? Make a list of things you would bring. Then, compare the things that Rosie brought with her. How are the two lists different? What conclusions can you make from life in the 1800s?

Chapter 3

  • How much time has transpired since her last journal entry?
  • Find five words that are interesting or difficult and write their definitions and then use them in a sentence.
  • What is the worst thing about being on the ship?
  • How has Rosie managed to get by?
  • What is her relationship with Gemma like?

Activities:

  • Begin a map of Rosie’s ship and include dates. Chart its journey as you read.
  • Storyboard the events of chapter three using six illustrations and a one sentence summary for each one.

Chapter 4

  • How long did the journey take in total?
  • What does she mean when she says “I’d never thought the sound of laughter could ring so cruel”?
  • How did the rest of the ship’s cargo fare?
  • How does Rosie keep on going even though she is miserable?

Chapter 5

  • Who is the Governor of the Colony?
  • Why does Rosie called New South Wales a “Dull old hole”?
  • Why were all the men gathered around the convict ship?
  • Rosie offered Gemma to the young solider as a wife. Why?
  • What is a “Scullery?”
  • How has Rosie’s life changed since coming to Parramatta?
  • Who is she looking for? Why?

Chapter 6

  • Why did Gemma start crying when she saw Rosie again?
  • What does it mean when Rosie writes “They keep no record of prisoners there”?
  • How has Rosie’s life changed now that she’s found Gemma?

Chapter 7

  • Describe the scene at the Factory
  • What is a “Ticket-of-Leave”?
  • How does Rosie plan to deal with her new freedom?
  • What was Maudie’s punishment?

Chapter 8

  • Why is Rosie so upset at having to feed the prisoners?
  • What James’ great surprise?
  • How did Rosie react?’
  • What is her wish for her family?