Worksheet for the ”One of the Lads” Short Story from Frozen Pizza and other slices of life by Antoinette Moses (2002; Cambridge University Press; ISBN: 978-0-521-75078-3).

You can find more questions to use with this short story in part 2 of this worksheet.

CHARACTERS

• The Lads: Luke, Big Dave, Mick, Gerry and Steve
• Luke’s Parents
• Luke’s Teachers
• the Chelsea Headhunters

QUESTIONS

Page 26:

1. What did Dave and Mick do to Luke when they first met?
2. What does “the lads” mean?
3. Why did they put Luke’s head in a toilet?
4. What happened after they put Luke’s head in a toilet and he gave them his money?

Page 27:

1. What is the lads’ favorite soccer team?
2. “He was never an equal in the gang.” what does that mean?
3. Who are the “names cut into the doors?”
4. Why are Eccles, Ginger Bill and King famous?
5. What is “the Shed”?

Page 28:

1. What do the fans do before and after games?
2. When Luke is at the games he is not scared, because he is “just another fan.” Why is he scared when he is not at the game?
3. How do the other fans feel about the Chelsea fans?
4. What changed things at Chelsea games?
5. What do the lads want?

Page 29:

1. Why did Luke stop doing his homework?
2. Why do you think Luke couldn’t tell his parents the truth about his problems at school?

Page 30:

1. What did 4 members of the gang do after they left school?
2. What did Luke love?
3. If Luke asked you for advice, what would you say?

ANSWERS

Page 26:

1. They put his head in a toilet.
2. It is British English for “friends,” “buddies,” or “the guys.”
3. They put his head in a toilet to get his money.
4. He became part of the gang.

Page 27:

1. Chelsea (Wikipedia article on Chelsea)
2. The other boys in the gang had more power than him.
3. Former players and fans
4. They were the “Chelsea Headhunters” who were the leaders when Chelsea fans fought.
5. Place in the stadium where Chelsea fans used to stand together.

Page 28:

1. Fight
2. Because he is worried about his role in the gang
3. They were the toughest, dirtiest fighters.
4. There were seats now so you couldn’t stand and families started coming to the games.
5. The lads want to “become the new Chelsea Headhunters.”

Page 29:

1. Because of the gang
2. Answers will vary.

Page 30:

1. Mick – electrician; Gerry – mechanic; Big Dave – tried and failed to join the army; Luke – carpenter
2. Working with wood
3. Answers will vary