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Home > German > Extension Course > Prescribed texts > Business Class > Business class

• About the author
• Comprehension questions in German – Fragen zum Text
• Comprehension questions in English

 

About the author

Moser, Milena (Business Class)

Born in Zürich in 1963, Moser is the daughter of a novelist. She spent her early years working as a bookseller before writing her first novel in Paris in 1984/85. Apart from writing her own fiction, she has also written for Swiss newspapers and radio. She now lives in San Francisco with her two sons.

Fragen zum Text

Note: These questions have been taken from “German HSC Extension Course – Support Material” CD ROM

Beantworten Sie die Fragen auf Deutsch!

1. Wie alt ist Emma?
2. Wer ist gestorben?
3. Fährt sie nach Westdeutschland?
4. Was war “besetztes Gebiet”?
5. Was benutzten die Geschäftsmänner wie Waffen?
6. War das Hotel weit entfernt?
7. Als was hatte Emma gearbeitet?
8. Welche Croissants aß der Dicke?
9. Wo nahm sie ihr Frühstück ein?
10. Was trug der Herr an der Garderobe?
11. Hatte sie den Mittagszug gebucht?
12. Was gab ihr der Schaffner zu verstehen?
13. Was kaufte sie im Zug?
14. Wie viele Leute saßen in ihrem Abteil?
15. Was bekam sie angeboten?
16. Welchen Beruf hat ihr Sohn?
17. Was bekam sie von dem Jugendlichen?
18. Wohin lud sie ihre Freundin ein?
19. Haben sie lange gewartet?
20. Was haben sie gemacht?
21. Was hat Emma mit dem Messer getan?

Comprehension

Note: These questions have been taken from “German HSC Extension Course – Support Material” CD ROM

Lines 1-16

1. How old is Emma at the beginning of the story?
2. What happened shortly after her birthday?
3. What did she decide to do with the money?
4. Why did she go by train?
5. Describe her hotel.
6. What else did she buy?

Lines 17-34

1. Who was in possession of the ‘first class’ world referred to in the text?
2. Why didn't Emma have the slightest chance?
3. What was first class in the train full of?
4. How long did she have to wait for the taxi?
5. What was the hotel room like?

Lines 35-48

1. What were her previous jobs?
2. Where did she live?
3. What happened in the hotel at the buffet breakfast?

Lines 49-59

1. Why didn't she try to get a second cup of coffee?
2. Where did she end up eating breakfast?

Lines 60-75

1. What did she do before sitting down in the fast food place?
2. Apart from Emma, who else was afraid of the businessmen?

Lines 76-84

1. When did Emma decide to go home?
2. Why did she book the evening train?
3. What didn't she think of?

Lines 85-90

1. Why did Emma shout out to one businessman?

Lines 91-120

1. What did she complain about to the conductor?
2. What was the conductor’s response to Emma’s complaint?
3. Where did she end up sitting in the train?
4. What did she eat and drink?
5. What was she asked at the border and how did she respond?
6. What did the young people offer her?

Lines 121-141

1. What was she determined to do? How does she think this could be achieved?
2. Why does she think her son would be of no help to her?
3. What does she ask the young people on the train?
4. Who were the youngsters and why were they on the train?

Lines 142-153

1. How does one of the boys try to help her out?
2. Where do they meet?
3. What does this meeting place remind Emma of?

Lines 154-166

1. Describe the knife. What did she do with it?
2. Describe the women who shopped in the same stores as Emma.

Lines 167-174

1. What did she decide to do with the rest of the money?
2. What happened when she booked the table at the restaurant?

Lines 175-185

1. What time did they arrive at the restaurant?
2. How long did they have to wait for the menu?
3. What did her friend decide to do?

Lines 186-194

1. What did Emma do as they went past the cloakroom?
2. How did her friend react?

Lines 195-199

1. Where did Amma and her friend go?
2. What did they order?

Lines 200-203

1. How did Emma feel?
2. What was she trying to imagine?

Lines 204-211

1. Why did Emma continue to carry the knife with her?
2. Is it realistic that Emma wounded or even tried to kill businessmen in trams?