Robbo tries to get his half-brother Dumpa to come inside from the cold shed during a heavy snowfall by offering to throw balls for him, but Dumpa refuses. Roy had previously walked out for a whole week due to arguments with Callie. Mum feels stuck in the middle of Callie and Roy's disputes. Robbo's father suggests Mum and Roy take a holiday, and Callie volunteers to look after Dumpa while they are away to help solve the family problems.

1. Step By Wicked Step - Chapter 7
Synopsis:Robbo's parents spilt up when he was only six years old. Robbo's father then moved out from
their house and Robbo and his sister, Callie visited him at his place regularly.Robbo's stepfather,
Roy moved to their home but Callie disliked him. She also nicknamed him as 'The Beard' as Roy
seemed to interfere with their family affairs. Their mother tthen give a birth to Dumpa,
Robbo'shalf brother. One day, when Roy and their mather had a row, Callie tried to get their
parents back together but failed.
One day, Robbo's mother had a serious row with Roy over Callie's habit of pushing her bicycle
through the narrow space between his car and the bushes beside it as it almost stratched Roy's
car.They started shouting each other . Roy was angry as he felt his wife siding with Callie and
that neither of them appreciated his effort in sending the kids to school or paying for food.
Robbo's mother and Roy's efforts to solve the problem but they ended up arguing. the situation
worsen whern Roy decided no to drive callie to school and sledging activities when snow
started to fall. He even refused to buy her favourite brand of cerelas as she was not polite and
civil to him.
The next day, roy decide to clear the shed during the middle of a heavy snowfall with Dumoa
following him. Robbo's mother tried to get Dumpa in, but he refused and only listened to Roy.
Robbo then suceed in coaxing Dumpa into the house by offering him strawberry rocket ice
lolly.From that day onward, their mother was always stuck in the middle as both Callie and Roy
were unhappy and upset with each other. She also realised that the only solution to the
problem is for her to move out her father's place.
Robbo's father then suggested to his ex-wife to go on a holiday with Roy to help them solving
the problem. He even offering to take care of Dumpa while there were away. The story ended
with Robbo's optimistic view of his family as they can now start afresh.
Ralph compared Robbo's story to Richard Harwick's story because his sister, Callie and Richared
both did not like their stepfathers and had to leave their family. However, unlike Richard who
ran away from his family, Callie tried something different in order to make things work at
home. Ralph also mentioned that everyone in their group had tried their best to solve their
problems at home. Claudia then put the journal back into its place, but took out Charlotte's
little wooden cow, removed a tiny splinter, and gave the little wooden cow to Ralph who thrust
it into Collin's bag , hoping that Colin would find his stepfather again.

2. Step By Wicked Step - Chapter 7
Practice A
Write short answers for the following.
a)
Who is the Beard?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
b)
Who is the sweetest child in the whole world?
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
c)
Why did Roy actually go away to his mother’s?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
d)
Where was Callie pushing her bike that Roy disapproved?
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
e)
What did Robbo take with him to give Dumpa?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
f)
Why did Callie and Robbo volunteered to look after Dumpa?
…………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Step By Wicked Step - Chapter 7
Answer
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Roy
Dumpa
He had a row with Mum.
Pushing her bike down the very narrow space between the bushes and the car.
A pair of gloves.
So that their mum can go for a holiday.

4. Step By Wicked Step - Chapter 7
Read the extracts from the novel and answer the questions below.
1.
I had a go. I took the tiny pair of dry gloves Mum handed me, and went
outside. The freezing wind gusted straight down the neck of my jacket. It was so
cold, I played my best card first.
‘Dumpa, if you come in, I’ll throw balls for you to head-butt.’
Dumpa just shook his head. I turned to Roy.
‘Mum’s worried about him. She wants him back inside.’
a)
What did Mum give Robbo for Dumpa?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
b)
What does the phrase played my best card mean?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
c)
Where is Dumpa?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
d)
Do you think Dumpa should get into the house? Give a reason for your answer.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

5. Step By Wicked Step - Chapter 7
2.
‘They’re not all little spats,’ I persisted. ‘Roy did walk out on us for a
whole week.’
Mum flushed.
‘That was quite different. That was –‘
Glancing at Callie, she broke off. But Callie met her eye.
‘I know what you were going to say. That was about me.’
Mum nodded. ‘It isn’t easy,’ she said. ‘You get upset with him. He gets
upset with you. And I’m stuck in the middle.’ She shook her head. ‘Never mind.
It’s just a matter of time, I’m sure.’
a)
How many days was Roy away?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
b)
He gets upset with you. Who does the he refer to?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
c)
What does Mum mean when she says I’m stuck in the middle?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
d)
Do you think it is easy to adapt to a new dad or mum? Give a reason.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….

6. Step By Wicked Step - Chapter 7
3.
Dad followed her back into his new cosy sitting-room.
‘You’ll need a holiday after all this work.’
‘Fat chance,’ scoffed Mum. ‘You could look after Robbo, of course.
But Dumpa’s the problem.’
I looked at Callie. Callie looked at me. She knew she owed me one.
Like Dad, she knows it hasn’t been easy for Mum, over the last few weeks,
telling the school, explaining to her friends, comforting me.
‘We could look after Dumpa here,’ she said.
a)
Who is You in the line “You’ll need a holiday after all this work?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
b)
What was the problem that Mum had?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
c)
Who agreed to look after Dumpa?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
d)
After hard work, it is good to have a holiday. Give a reason why one should have a
holiday.
……………………………………………………………………………………………

7. Step By Wicked Step - Chapter 7
Answers
1. a.
A pair of gloves / A tiny pair of dry gloves
b.
Tried my best
c.
Outside the house
d.
Yes, because it is cold outside.
2. a.
Seven days
b.
Roy
c.
He was angry with Callie
d.
Yes, because it is good to have a dad / mum to replace our own dad / mum
No, we can never replace our own dad and mum with anyone.
3. a.
Mum
b.
Who would take care of Dumpa
c.
Callie and Robbo
d.
It will make us feel relaxed.