Summary: “From the Diary of Anne Frank” is Lesson 3 from the ASSEB (Assam State Board of Secondary Education) Class 7 English textbook Sunbeam English Reader II. The lesson is an excerpt adapted from the real diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl from the Netherlands who lived during the dark days of World War II and the Holocaust. The excerpt focuses on Anne’s thirteenth birthday — June 12, 1942 — the day she began writing in her diary. She wakes up eagerly, goes to the dining room where her cat Moortje greets her, and is delighted by her birthday gifts: roses, peonies, a plant, a Camera Obscura, a party game, sweets, chocolate, a puzzle, a brooch, a book of tales and legends, a storybook, and some money. Anne reflects on whether it is odd for someone like her to keep a diary, as she does not think anyone would be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old girl. She decides to write to her diary as though it were her best friend — someone who can truly understand her. She names her diary “Kitty.” Anne also describes her small but intimate circle of friends and her moments of loneliness and reflection. The lesson gives students an insight into the inner life of a sensitive, thoughtful young girl who, despite facing great hardship, continued to hold on to hope and the simple joys of life.
About the Author
Annelies Marie Frank, known to the world as Anne Frank, was born on 12 June 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany. She was a Jewish girl who grew up in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, after her family fled Nazi Germany. When Germany occupied the Netherlands during World War II, the Frank family went into hiding in a concealed apartment behind a bookcase in Amsterdam — a place now known as the “Secret Annex” — along with four other Jewish people. Anne began writing her diary on her thirteenth birthday, 12 June 1942, addressing each entry to an imaginary friend she called “Kitty.” She recorded her daily life in hiding with remarkable honesty, intelligence, and sensitivity. After more than two years in hiding, the family was discovered by the Nazi police in August 1944. They were sent to concentration camps. Anne Frank died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in early March 1945, just weeks before the camp was liberated by Allied forces. She was fifteen years old. After the war, her father Otto Frank — the only member of the family to survive — published her diary. The Diary of a Young Girl has since been translated into more than 70 languages and remains one of the most widely read accounts of the Holocaust, touching the hearts of readers across continents and generations with its message of hope, humanity, and resilience.
A. Understanding the Text
(a) Where was Anne Frank from?
Answer: Anne Frank was from the Netherlands (Holland). Her family originally came from Germany but had moved to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to escape Nazi persecution.
(b) How has the voice of Anne Frank reached out across continents and generations?
Answer: The voice of Anne Frank has reached out across continents and generations through her diary. Anne wrote her diary with great honesty, sensitivity, and intelligence while living in hiding during World War II. After the war, her father Otto Frank published the diary, and it was translated into more than 70 languages. Millions of readers all over the world have been deeply moved by her story. Her words continue to speak about hope, humanity, and the importance of peace, making her voice timeless and universal.
(c) What did Anne Frank see lying on the table among her birthday presents?
Answer: Among her birthday presents, Anne Frank saw a bunch of roses, a plant, and some peonies on the table. Along with these flowers, she also received a Camera Obscura, a party game, sweets, chocolate, a puzzle, a brooch, the book Tales and Legends of the Northlands by Josephine Pullein-Thompson, the storybook Daisy’s Mountain Holiday, and some money.
(d) Why did Anne Frank remain in her bed lying till a quarter to seven on her birthday?
Answer: Anne Frank remained in her bed until a quarter to seven (6:45 a.m.) on her birthday because it was not permitted for anyone in the household to wake up before six o’clock. Although she was excited and eager on her birthday morning, she had to follow the household rules and wait in bed until it was time to get up. She then tiptoed to the dining room, where her cat Moortje greeted her.
(e) Who does ‘you’ in the lesson refer to?
Answer: The word ‘you’ in the lesson refers to Anne Frank’s diary. Anne writes in her diary as though she is writing a letter to a dear friend. She addresses her diary directly, treating it as a trusted confidant who will understand all her thoughts and feelings. She later names her diary “Kitty.”
(f) What is ‘Camera Obscura’?
Answer: A Camera Obscura is an optical device — literally meaning “dark room” in Latin — that works by passing light through a small hole or lens in one wall of a darkened box or room, which projects an inverted (upside-down) image of the outside scene onto the opposite wall or surface inside. It was an early forerunner of the modern camera and was used as both a scientific tool and a popular amusement. Anne Frank received a Camera Obscura as one of her birthday gifts.
(g) Who welcomed Anne in the dining room?
Answer: Anne’s cat, named Moortje, welcomed her in the dining room when she tiptoed downstairs on her birthday morning. The cat’s affectionate welcome added to Anne’s excitement and happiness on her special day.
(h) Why does Anne Frank think that it is an odd idea for someone like her to keep a diary?
Answer: Anne Frank thinks it is an odd idea for someone like her to keep a diary because she does not believe that anyone would be interested in the thoughts and feelings of a thirteen-year-old girl. She feels that she is not a particularly special person and that her day-to-day musings may not be of interest to others. However, she decides to write anyway, not for others, but because she wants a true and devoted friend to whom she can pour out her heart — and she finds that friend in her diary, which she names “Kitty.”
(i) How does Anne Frank describe her feelings on one of her slightly melancholy days?
Answer: On one of her slightly melancholy days, Anne Frank describes feeling bored, restless, and uncertain — as if she cannot decide whether to stay indoors or go outside. She feels lonely and longing for someone who truly understands her — a real friend to whom she can confide her deepest thoughts and feelings. This sense of inner loneliness and longing for genuine companionship is what motivates her to start writing in her diary as though addressing a trusted friend.
(j) Who is Kitty?
Answer: Kitty is the name Anne Frank gives to her diary. Anne does not have a close friend in whom she can truly confide, so she decides to treat her diary as her best friend and names it “Kitty.” She writes all her diary entries as personal letters addressed to Kitty, sharing her thoughts, feelings, fears, and hopes as she would with a dear and trusted friend.
B. Key Dates and Facts
Activity: Fill in the following details about Anne Frank.
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 12 June 1929 |
| Place of birth | Frankfurt, Germany |
| Country where she lived | The Netherlands (Holland) |
| Date she started her diary | 12 June 1942 (her 13th birthday) |
| Name she gave her diary | Kitty |
| Her cat’s name | Moortje |
| Year of her death | 1945 (early March) |
| Name of published diary | The Diary of a Young Girl |
C. Birthday Gifts
Activity: List the gifts Anne Frank received on her thirteenth birthday and who gave them.
| Gift | Given by / Description |
|---|---|
| A bunch of roses, a plant, and some peonies | Birthday flowers decorating the table |
| Camera Obscura | An optical device; one of her most exciting gifts |
| A party game | For fun and entertainment |
| Sweets and chocolate | Treats for the birthday celebration |
| A puzzle | An indoor game / activity |
| A brooch | A decorative jewellery piece |
| Tales and Legends of the Northlands | A book by Josephine Pullein-Thompson |
| Daisy’s Mountain Holiday | A storybook for leisure reading |
| Some money | Cash gift from family |
D. Grammar: Present Perfect and Past Perfect Tense
The Present Perfect Tense is formed with have/has + past participle. It is used to describe an action that has been completed but has a connection to the present — either the time is not specified, or the action has just been completed, or its results are still felt in the present.
The Past Perfect Tense is formed with had + past participle. It is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past.
| Tense | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Perfect | have / has + past participle | Anne has written her diary since 1942. |
| Past Perfect | had + past participle | Anne had received her gifts before she opened the diary. |
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks using the Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle)
1. Anne __________ (write) her diary since her thirteenth birthday.
Answer: Anne has written her diary since her thirteenth birthday.
2. She __________ (receive) many gifts on her birthday.
Answer: She has received many gifts on her birthday.
3. Her father __________ (publish) her diary after the war.
Answer: Her father has published her diary after the war.
4. Readers all over the world __________ (read) the diary of Anne Frank.
Answer: Readers all over the world have read the diary of Anne Frank.
5. The diary __________ (be) translated into more than 70 languages.
Answer: The diary has been translated into more than 70 languages.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks using the Past Perfect Tense (had + past participle)
1. Anne __________ (start) her diary before the family went into hiding.
Answer: Anne had started her diary before the family went into hiding.
2. By the time Anne woke up, the flowers __________ (be) placed on the table.
Answer: By the time Anne woke up, the flowers had been placed on the table.
3. She __________ (decide) to call her diary ‘Kitty’ before she wrote the first entry.
Answer: She had decided to call her diary ‘Kitty’ before she wrote the first entry.
4. Anne’s family __________ (flee) Germany before she was born in the Netherlands.
Answer: Anne’s family had fled Germany before she was born in the Netherlands.
E. Grammar: Regular and Irregular Verbs
Regular verbs form their past tense and past participle by adding -ed (or -d) to the base form. Irregular verbs change their form in different ways and must be learned individually.
| Base Form (V1) | Past Simple (V2) | Past Participle (V3) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| write | wrote | written | Irregular |
| receive | received | received | Regular |
| start | started | started | Regular |
| keep | kept | kept | Irregular |
| give | gave | given | Irregular |
| read | read | read | Irregular |
| decide | decided | decided | Regular |
| name | named | named | Regular |
| publish | published | published | Regular |
| die | died | died | Regular |
| flee | fled | fled | Irregular |
| hide | hid | hidden | Irregular |
| feel | felt | felt | Irregular |
| think | thought | thought | Irregular |
F. Grammar: Active and Passive Voice
In the Active Voice, the subject performs the action. In the Passive Voice, the subject receives the action. The passive voice is formed with be + past participle.
Formula: Active: Subject + verb + object → Passive: Object + be + past participle + by + subject
1. Anne wrote her diary every day. (Change to Passive Voice)
Answer: Her diary was written by Anne every day.
2. Her father published the diary after the war. (Change to Passive Voice)
Answer: The diary was published by her father after the war.
3. Anne received many gifts on her birthday. (Change to Passive Voice)
Answer: Many gifts were received by Anne on her birthday.
4. People all over the world have read her diary. (Change to Passive Voice)
Answer: Her diary has been read by people all over the world.
5. She named her diary ‘Kitty’. (Change to Passive Voice)
Answer: Her diary was named ‘Kitty’ by her.
G. Word Study
1. Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| diary | a personal daily record of events, thoughts, and feelings |
| confidant | a person one trusts with private thoughts and secrets |
| melancholy | a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause; a mood of gentle sorrow |
| peonies | a type of flowering plant with large, round, fragrant blooms, often pink, red, or white |
| brooch | an ornamental clasp or pin worn on clothing as jewellery |
| obscura | Latin word meaning “dark”; in Camera Obscura, it refers to the darkened chamber |
| musing | a period of reflection or thought; meditation on a topic |
| intimate | closely acquainted; very familiar and private |
| peculiar | strange; unusual; characteristic of a particular person or thing |
| devote | to give or commit fully to a particular purpose or cause |
| Holocaust | the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jewish people by the Nazi regime during World War II |
| perseverance | continued effort despite difficulty or delay in achieving success |
| resilience | the ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness of spirit |
| concealed | kept hidden; not visible or known |
| liberation | the act of setting someone free from imprisonment or oppression |
2. Fill in the Blanks with Appropriate Words
(a) Anne Frank addressed her diary as though it were her __________ friend.
Answer: Anne Frank addressed her diary as though it were her best / dearest friend.
(b) She named her diary ‘__________’.
Answer: She named her diary ‘Kitty‘.
(c) The diary of Anne Frank has been translated into more than __________ languages.
Answer: The diary of Anne Frank has been translated into more than 70 languages.
(d) Anne Frank was born on __________.
Answer: Anne Frank was born on 12 June 1929.
(e) Anne’s cat, named __________, welcomed her in the dining room on her birthday.
Answer: Anne’s cat, named Moortje, welcomed her in the dining room on her birthday.
H. Writing Activities
1. Write a Diary Entry
Activity: Imagine it is your birthday. Write a diary entry describing your day — the gifts you received, who wished you, and how you felt.
Answer (Sample Diary Entry):
15 March, 20XX
Dear Diary,
Today is my birthday, and it has been one of the most wonderful days of my life! I woke up early this morning, tingling with excitement. The first thing I noticed was a beautifully wrapped gift on the table — it was from my parents. As I opened it, I found a new storybook I had been asking for, along with a lovely pencil case. My little sister had made me a greeting card all by herself, and seeing her proud, smiling face as I opened it was perhaps the best gift of all.
My friends from school came over in the afternoon. We played games, sang songs, and shared a delicious cake baked by my mother. As I blew out the candles, I closed my eyes and made a wish — not for anything grand, just to always be surrounded by people who love me. As the day ends and I write these words, my heart feels full and grateful. I hope I remember this feeling always.
Yours always,
[Your Name]
2. Write a Short Paragraph on Anne Frank
Activity: Write a short paragraph (80–100 words) on Anne Frank, based on what you have learnt from the lesson.
Answer (Sample Paragraph):
Anne Frank was a Jewish girl born on 12 June 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany. She lived with her family in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. During World War II, when the Nazis occupied the Netherlands, the Frank family was forced to go into hiding. Anne began writing her diary on her thirteenth birthday, addressing it to an imaginary friend she called “Kitty.” In her diary, she recorded her thoughts, feelings, and experiences with honesty and sensitivity. She died in 1945, but her diary survived and was published by her father. Today, The Diary of a Young Girl is one of the most widely read books in the world and stands as a powerful symbol of hope and human courage.
3. Discussion: Why is it important to keep a diary?
Activity: Discuss with your classmates — why do you think keeping a diary is important? What can you learn from Anne Frank’s diary?
Answer: Keeping a diary is important for several reasons. First, it helps us record our thoughts, feelings, and memories so that we do not forget important moments in our lives. Second, writing in a diary can be a healthy way to express emotions, especially during difficult times — just as Anne Frank used her diary to cope with the fear and isolation of hiding. Third, a diary can help us understand ourselves better, track our growth, and reflect on our mistakes and achievements. From Anne Frank’s diary, we learn the importance of maintaining hope and humanity even in the darkest of times. Her diary teaches us about courage, compassion, and the power of words to connect people across time and space.
Additional Questions and Answers
1. What is the significance of 12 June 1942 in Anne Frank’s life?
Answer: The date 12 June 1942 is significant in Anne Frank’s life because it was her thirteenth birthday and the day she started writing her famous diary. She received the diary as a birthday gift and began her first entry on that day. The diary she started on this date went on to become one of the most important historical and literary documents of the twentieth century, bearing witness to the horrors of the Holocaust through the eyes of a young girl.
2. Why did Anne Frank want a diary that could be her “real friend”?
Answer: Anne Frank wanted a diary that could be her “real friend” because she felt that, despite having acquaintances and people around her, she did not have a truly close friend who could understand her deepest thoughts and feelings. She felt a sense of inner loneliness and longing for genuine companionship. She believed that a diary — unlike ordinary friends — would always be available to listen, would never judge her, and would keep all her secrets safe. This is why she named her diary “Kitty” and wrote to it as though it were a cherished friend.
3. What does the title “From the Diary of Anne Frank” suggest about the lesson?
Answer: The title “From the Diary of Anne Frank” suggests that the lesson is an excerpt — a selected portion — taken directly from the real diary of Anne Frank. It tells the reader that the content is based on true events and genuine personal writing, not fiction. The title prepares the reader to understand that they are reading the actual thoughts, feelings, and experiences of a real historical person — a young Jewish girl who lived through one of the most terrible periods of human history. The word “From” emphasises that this is just a small window into the much larger story of Anne’s life and diary.
4. How does Anne Frank’s story teach us the importance of peace?
Answer: Anne Frank’s story teaches us the importance of peace in a very powerful and moving way. She was an innocent young girl who had to give up her freedom, her education, her friends, and ultimately her life — all because of war, hatred, and discrimination. The suffering she and millions of others endured during World War II shows what happens when hatred and violence are allowed to flourish. Anne’s diary, filled with hope and humanity even amid such darkness, reminds us that every human being deserves to live in peace, dignity, and freedom. Her story continues to inspire people to stand up against hatred and to work towards a more peaceful and just world.
5. What does Anne Frank mean when she says she will treat her diary as her “best friend”?
Answer: When Anne Frank says she will treat her diary as her “best friend,” she means that she will write in it honestly, openly, and without any fear of being judged. A best friend is someone with whom we share our most private thoughts and feelings — our joys, fears, doubts, and dreams — knowing that they will understand and keep our secrets. Anne felt that she did not have such a friend among the people around her, so she turned to her diary. By naming it “Kitty” and addressing all her entries as letters to it, she made her diary into a personal, trusted companion who would always be there for her.
6. What values can students learn from the life of Anne Frank?
Answer: Students can learn many important values from the life of Anne Frank:
- Hope: Despite living in hiding under extremely difficult conditions, Anne never lost hope for a better future.
- Courage: She faced her fears with remarkable bravery and composure for such a young age.
- Love of learning: Even in hiding, Anne continued to read, write, and educate herself.
- Compassion: She cared deeply about the feelings and suffering of others around her.
- Perseverance: She kept writing faithfully in her diary, day after day, showing commitment and dedication.
- Humanity: Her diary reminds us that every person — regardless of race, religion, or background — deserves to be treated with dignity and kindness.