form five literature exercises poems, short stories, novel and drama
TRANSCRIPT
LEELA'S ESL BUGGY
A RIDE INTO THE MALAYSIAN CLASSROOMMarch 1, 2011
FORM FIVE LITERATURE EXERCISES Poems, ShortStories, Novel and Drama
Posted by leelachakrabarty under UPPER SEC LIT PRACTICE | Tags: Exercises | [17] Comments POEMS
Practice 1
IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP
At dawn they returned hometheir soaky clothes tornand approached the stovetheir limbs marked by scratchestheir legs full of woundsbut on their browsthere was not a sign of despair
The whole day and night just passedthey had to brave the horrendous floodin the water all the timebetween bloated carcassesand tiny chips of tree barksdesperately looking for their son’salbino buffalo that was never found
There were born amidst hardshipand grew up without a sigh or a complaintnow they are in the kitchen, makingjokes while rolling their cigarette leaves
By Latiff Mohidin Translated by Salleh Ben Joned
a. Why were their clothes ‘soaky’?
…………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………….
b. Write down the line in the poem which reveals that this incident took place in a village?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
c. What does the phrase “bloated carcasses” refer to?
……………………………………………………………………………………
d. In your opinion, what kind of attitude do the last two lines imply? Explain.……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
Practice 2:
IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP (stanzas 1 and 2)At dawn they returned hometheir soaky clothes tornand approached the stovetheir limbs marked by scratchestheir legs full of woundsbut on their browsthere was not a sign of despair
The whole day and night just passedthey had to brave the horrendous floodin the water all the timebetween bloated carcassesand tiny chips of tree barksdesperately looking for their son’salbino buffalo that was never foundBy Latiff Mohidin Translated by Salleh Ben Joned
a. Write down the line which shows that they have been out for long hours?
………………………………………………………………………………….
b. The theme may not be exactly about hardship as implied by the title. What is the theme related to?
………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………
c. What does the phrase ‘albino buffalo’ reveal?
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
d. What moral value did you learn from the poem? Explain.
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
Practice 3:
He Had Such Quiet Eyes (Stanzas 1 and 2)
He had such quiet eyesShe did not realiseThey were two pools of liesLayered with thinnest iceTo her, those quiet eyesWere breathing desolate sighsImploring her to be niceAnd to render him paradise
If only she’d been wiseAnd had listened to the adviceNever to compromiseWith pleasure-seeking guysShe’d be free from “the hows and whys”Bibsy Soenharjo-1968
a. What does the phrase ‘two pools of lies’ refer to?
………………………………………………………………………….
b. Which lines show that the man is saying “I love you, and if you love me, prove it!”
………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………….
c. Which stanza shows that there is a sense of regret?
…………………………………………………………………………
d. What do you understand by the phrase “the hows and whys”?
………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………….
Practice 4:
He Had Such Quiet Eyes
He had such quiet eyesShe did not realiseThey were two pools of liesLayered with thinnest iceTo her, those quiet eyesWere breathing desolate sighsImploring her to be niceAnd to render him paradise
If only she’d been wiseAnd had listened to the adviceNever to compromiseWith pleasure-seeking guysShe’d be free from “the hows and whys”
Now here’s a bit of adviceBe sure that nice really means niceThen you’ll never be losing at diceThough you may lose your heart once or twiceBibsy Soenharjo-1968
a. What does the phrase ‘thinnest ice’ imply?
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
b. In this poem, the poet talks about the betrayal of a young girl’s feelings for a man. She believes in hissincerity to her as he had pleaded to her to surrender to him. Write the two lines depicting this.
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
c. What is the main theme in this poem?
………………………………………………………………………………
d. What did you learn from this poem? Explain.
………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………
Practice 5:
Are You Still Playing Your Flute?
Are you still playing your flute?When there is hardly time for our loveI am feeling guiltyTo be longing for your songThe melody concealed in the slim hollow of the bambooUncovered by the breath of an artistComposed by his fingersBlown by the windTo the depth of my heart.
Are you still playing your flute?In the village so quiet and desertedAmidst the sick rice fieldsWhile here it has become a luxuryTo spend time watching the rain
Gazing at the evening raysCollecting dew dropsOr enjoying the fragrance of flowers.
Are you still playing your flute?The more it disturbs my conscienceto be thinking of youin the hazard of youmy younger brothers unemployed and desperatemy people disunited by politicsmy friend slaughtered mercilesslythis world is too old and bleeding.By Zurinah Hassan
a. Who is the persona in the poem?
………………………………………………………………………….
b. Write one line from the poem that depicts that people are jobless.
………………………………………………………………………….
c. Provide three phrases that depict the message of cruel realities of a nation in uncertainty of its future.
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
d. In your own words describe why the poet used the word “sick” to describe the rice fields.
………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
Practice 6:
Are You Still Playing Your Flute? (Stanzas 1 and 2)
Are you still playing your flute?When there is hardly time for our loveI am feeling guiltyTo be longing for your songThe melody concealed in the slim hollow of the bambooUncovered by the breath of an artistComposed by his fingersBlown by the windTo the depth of my heart.
Are you still playing your flute?In the village so quiet and desertedAmidst the sick rice fieldsWhile here it has become a luxuryTo spend time watching the rain
Gazing at the evening raysCollecting dew dropsOr enjoying the fragrance of flowers.
By Zurinah Hassan
a. What did the persona mean when she said ‘deserted’?
………………………………………………………………………….
b. Why is the persona feeling guilty?
…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………
c. Why is the question “Are you still playing your flute’ repeated as the starting line of all the stanzas?
…………………………………………………………………………
d. In your opinion, is this a romantic poem? Provide reasons for your answer.
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………
Practice 7:
Nature by H.D Carberry
We have neither Summer nor WinterNeither Autumn nor Spring.We have instead the daysWhen the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields-Magnificently.The days when the rain beats like bullet on the roofsAnd there is no sound but thee swish of water in the gulliesAnd trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds.Also there are the days when leaves fade from off guango trees’And the reaped canefields lie bare and fallow to the sun.But best of all there are the days when the mango and the logwood blossomWhen bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey,When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air,When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow starsAnd beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.
a. In your words describe the weather as depicted in the poem.
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
b. State one moral value that you have learnt from the poem.
……………………………………………………………………………..
c. Note that the poem ends with the line “and beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone”.Describe how this bears a resemblance in our life.
………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………
d. In the opening lines of the poem, the poet describes the things that are absent. In your opinion, whatis the poet trying to convey?
………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………….
Practice 8:
Nature by H.D Carberry
We have neither Summer nor WinterNeither Autumn nor Spring.We have instead the daysWhen the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields-Magnificently.The days when the rain beats like bullet on the roofsAnd there is no sound but thee swish of water in the gulliesAnd trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds.Also there are the days when leaves fade from off guango trees’And the reaped canefields lie bare and fallow to the sun.But best of all there are the days when the mango and the logwood blossomWhen bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey,When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air,When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow starsAnd beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.
a. Why do you think H.D.Carberry wrote the poem?
……………………………………………………………………………………b. List three words related to nature.
……………………………………………………………………………………
c. Which line in the poem ‘Nature’ suggests the sense of smell?
……………………………………………………………………………………
d. Based on your knowledge of the poem ‘Nature’, describe a theme in the poem.
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
SHORT STORIES
FRUITCAKE SPECIAL (4 practices)
PRACTICE 1
Read the extract from the short story “FRUITCAKE SPECIAL” below and answer the questions thatfollow.
‘I dreamt that I was being awful to you, treating you as if you were just someone who worked for me.The truth is that you mean so much more than that to me …’I wondered what he meant. Was he goingto raise my pay? He went on. ‘You must realise that I’m crazy about you, darling.’ He was calling medarling again. He was being serious. I have to say that at this point I was feeling very confused. Fiveminutes ago my boss didn’t want to be seen with me. Now he was saying he was crazy about me! Whatcould be making him behave like this? Then, all at once, I realised it was the fruitcake special! Intriguemight smell great, but it didn’t make a girl attractive to men. But my fruitcake perfume did.
a. What does the word ‘crazy’ imply?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. Why was the writer confused?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. What is “Intrigue’ in the context of the story?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. Describe the behaviour of the writer’s boss and why he behaved in such a way.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
PRACTICE 2
Read the extract from the short story “FRUITCAKE SPECIAL” below and answer the questions thatfollow.
Momma and Aunt Mini were very pleased, of course. They went off together to plan the wedding andleft me to get ready for the man they hoped would be my future husband. I was beginning to wish Ihadn’t told them. After all, I had no idea why my boss had behaved towards me in that way. He hadnever even noticed me before now. However, he had noticed the perfume I had been wearing. Lately Ihad been wearing a perfume called intrigue. It was made by another company and I actually preferredit to the perfumes we made. Mr. Amos did have a very good nose for perfumes. Perhaps Intrigue wasso good he just couldn’t stop himself. Who knows? Anyway, I had to get ready for my evening out.Although I couldn’t explain why Mr. Amos had suddenly found me attractive, I really wanted to findout. In my own way I’m as bad as my Aunt Mimi, I guess.
a. Whose wedding is being planned? Name the bride and groom to be.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. Why did the writer say “wish I hadn’t told them”?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. Why was the writer’s plan for the night?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. Do you think the boss was attracted to the writer because of the perfume?Give a reason for your answer.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
PRACTICE 3
Read the extract from the short story “FRUITCAKE SPEACIAL” below and answer the questions thatfollow.
Momma seemed satisfied with my explanation that things had just not worked out between me and Mr.Amos, although she thought it a wasted opportunity she wanted me to have a rich husband. Still,happiness is what really counts, she said, with a note of sadness in her voice. When I finally got back tothe factory there was a message left on my desk – could I see Mr. Amos as soon as I got in. As I walkedtowards David Amos’s office I felt like a schoolgirl who had to go to see the head teacher. I was surethat the fruitcake special would not still be working by now – after all, he had not seen me for a fewdays. I knocked on his door. Mr. Amos was sitting behind his big desk with a large black eye.
a. Describe the ‘opportunity’ as in the context of the story?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. Why was the ‘opportunity’ considered as wasted?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. Why did the writer feel ‘like a schoolgirl who had to go to see the head teacher’?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. Do you think Mr. Amos was angry at the writer? Give a reason
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………PRACTICE 4
Read the extract from the short story “FRUITCAKE SPECIAL” below and answer the questions thatfollow.
‘Momma,’ I said, ‘if it’s Aunt Mimi with news of another “perfect boy” for me, tell her I’m notinterested.’ ‘It’s not Aunt Mimi, dear,’ said Momma.‘Who is it?’ I asked. ‘I think you’d better come see for yourself ’ Momma said.I went to the front door. It was Armstrong, the pizza delivery man. He was holding up a pizza boxwhich had ‘Armstrong’s Peachy Pizzas’ in big letters on the front.Armstrong now owned the pizza company. He explained that he’d fallen in love with me when he firstdelivered pizza to us, but he wanted to be a success before asking me out. He said I deserved no less.Then he gave me some flowers. I never really noticed before, but Armstrong is quite good looking: a bitshort maybe, a little thin on top –but nobody’s perfect.
a. State one characteristic of a ‘perfect boy” in Aunt Mimi’s opinion.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. What is the name of Armstrong’s company?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. What does Armstrong mean when he said “ … deserved no less’?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. Would you marry someone like Armstrong? Give a reason
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
QWERTYUIOP (4 practices)
PRACTICE 1
Read the extract from the short story QWERTYUIOP below and answer thequestions that follow.
She stared at it in horrified bewilderment. What had happened? What had she done? Not even on herfirst day at the Belmont Secretarial College had she made such ridiculous mistakes. Such strangemistakes – QWERTYUIOP, the top line of letters on a typewriter, repeated over and over again! ThankGod there had been no one to notice. They’d think she had gone mad.She must be more careful. Keep her mind on the job, not allow it to wander out of the window into thesunny shopping street below. Putting fresh paper into the typewriter, she began again.She was tempted to look at the keyboard . . . “Don’t look at the keys! Keep your eyes away!” Mrs Pricewas always saying. “No peeing. You’ll never make a good typist if you can’t do it by touch. Rhythm, it’sall rhythm. Play it to music in your head.”
a. What is QWERTYUIOP?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. Why must she be careful?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. What did she decide to do after making the repeated mistakes?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. Do you think you would make such mistakes. Give a reason for your answer.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
PRACTICE 2
Read the extract from the short story QWERTYUIOP below and answer thequestions that follow.
For an hour, she battled with the machine. As fast as QWERTYUIOPs and unwanted capitals appeared,she attacked with a loaded brush. The white fluid ran down the typing paper like melting ice-cream,and dripped thickly into the depths of the typewriter.YOU’RE DROWNING ME, it complained pathetically, and she swiped at the words with her brush.HELP!Another swipe.PLEASE!But Lucy showed no mercy. The large bottle was half-empty when she reached the end of the letter intriumph.Yours faithfully,George Ross,She typed, and sat back with a sigh of relief.The machine began to rattle. Too late, Lucy snatched the completed letter out of the typewriter. Acrossthe bottom of the otherwise faultless page, it now said in large, red capitals:I HATE YOU!Furiously she painted the words out.
a. What is the white fluid?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. Why is Lucy battling with the machine?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c. Why is the large bottle half empty?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
d. What quality did Lucy display? Provide a reason for your answer.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………PRACTICE 3
Read the extract from the short story QWERTYUIOP below and answer thequestions that follow.
Lucy typed quickly:Are you from outer space?The typewriter rocked, as if with laughter, its keys clicking like badly fitting false teeth.IDIOT, it wrote.Who are you? Lucy typed.Miss Broome, it answered.Lucy hesitated. She did not know quite how to reply to this. In the end she typed:How do you do? I am Miss Beck.GO AWAY, MISS BECKWhy should I?I AM SECRETARY HERE, it sated, this time in red letters.No, you’re not! I am! Lucy typed angrily.The machine went mad. Q U E R T Y U I O P “ / @ Q U E R T Y U I O P £ – &()*QWERTYUIOP+1, itscreamed, shaking and snapping its keys like castanets.
a. What does the word ‘rocked’ mean?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. What is Lucy’s occupation?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c. Why did Lucy hesitate?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. If you were Lucy do you think you would reply to Miss Broome? Give a reason for your answer.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
PRACTICE 4
Read the extract from the short story QWERTYUIOP below and answer thequestions that follow.
Lucy Beck was young and small and mouse-coloured, easily overlooked. She had a lonely ‘O’ level anda typing speed that would make a tortoise laugh.“Whoever will want to employ me?” she had asked Mrs. Price once, and Mrs. Price had been at a loss toanswer.Lucy wanted a job. More than anyone, more than anything, she wanted a job. She was tired of beingpoor. She was fed up with macaroni cheese and baked beans. She was sick of second-hand clothes.“We are jumble sailors on the rough sea of life,” her mother would say. Lucy loved her mother, butcould not help wishing she would sometimes lose her temper. Shout. Scream. Throw saucepans at thespinning, grinning head of Uncle Bert.
a. Why is Lucy described as ‘easily overlooked’?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. Why is finding a job so important to Lucy?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c. What was Mrs. Price’s answer to Lucy when she asked whether she would ever find a job?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. Describe Lucy’s feelings towards Uncle Bert. Provide reasons for your answer.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
DRAMA (4 practices)
PRACTICE 1
Read the extract from the drama Gulp and Gasp below and answer thequestions that follow.
LORD SEPTIC: It’s just like that night many years ago. I stood right here as my father tied Lady Gatsbyto the same track. She was the richest widow in town. He tricked her to meet him on this station onedark night.CROUCH: Killer trains must run in your family, sir!LORD SEPTIC: Lady Gatsby came here with her baby in one arm and the Gatsby Gold in the other. Butsomehow she hid it before we got our hands on it.CROUCH: You wanted to get the baby?LORD SEPTIC: No, the gold, you fool. It’s worth a fortune. We tied her to this track to make her tell uswhere she’d hidden it.
a. Why was Lady Gatsby at the station?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. What did Lady Gatsby do before her death?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. Why was the Gatsby Gold not found?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. Explain in your own words what is meant by crouch when he said ‘killer trains’.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Practice 2
Read the extract from the drama Gulp and Gasp below and answer thequestions that follow.
RO S E: Not since the fire at the match factory.PERCY: Lord Septic’s match factory?ROSE: Yes. I used to pack the match boxes. Big match boxes. Full of big matches.PERCY: Wasn’t there a big strike at the match factory?ROSE: Yes. Lord Septic didn’t pay us. He didn’t keep the matches safe because it would cost himmoney. There was a fire and many workers were killed. I was lucky. But the flames hurt my eyes. I can’tsee any more.PERCY: What a rotter that man is! They’ve just gone on strike at another one of his factories. They allwant a shorter working wick.ROSE: [Laughing] I think you mean WEEK. They want a shorter working WEEK.PERCY: No – it’s a candle factory. I say, you look so pretty when you smile. What’s your name?
a. Why was Rose at the match factory?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. In what way was Lord Septic responsible for the fire?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
c. Why is there a strike at one of Lord Septic’s factories?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. What would be an important value portrayed in the drama? Provide a reason for your answer.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Practice 3
Read the extract from the drama Gulp and Gasp below and answer thequestions that follow.
CROUCH: And you always want what you get, sir.LORD SEPTIC: No, Crouch. I always get what I want. At last, I own this station. Soon I will own all thestations from here to King’s Cross. And when I do … do you know what I’ll be?CROUCH: Even more greedy, sir?LORD SEPTIC: I’ll be the richest man in the land. And do you know why?CROUCH: Because you’ll own the biggest train set ever.LORD SEPTIC: Because I will find the Gatsby Gold. It’s hidden somewhere along this line. I’ll dig upthe track. I’ll look under every sleeper. I’ll search every station. One day, it will be mine. All mine. Atlast . . . And nothing will get in my way. [He trips over Crouch] Get out of my way, you fool.CROUCH: Most sorry, sir. Very sorry, sir. Really sorry,sir.LORD SEPTIC: I’ll now go up to my office to plot more plans. I will get more ideas on being rich. Filthyrich. Thick, black and oily. That’s how rich! I’m going upstairs.
a. What is a sleeper?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. What does Lord Septic hope to find under the sleepers?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
c. What are Lord Septic’s plans?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. What is your impression of Crouch? Explain.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Practice 4
Read the extract from the drama Gulp and Gasp below and answer thequestions that follow.
LORD SEPTIC : Yes, Clora – my wife. Clora Septic. She nags for a living. I onlymarried her for her arms.
CROUCH : Are they nice to hug?
LORD SEPTIC : Not those arms. She owns a gun factory. We make weapons. We make bombs. One daywe will arm the world. We want a good war. She’s just made a tank that can kill from a mile in oneburst. Just like her! It’s called the Septic Tank.
CROUCH : I bet that’ll cause a bit of a stink, sir!
LORD SEPTIC : Crouch, I don’t know why I keep you as my porter. You are dim, daft, dopey, dozeyand dippy. What’s more you annoy me. I’m not nice when I’m cross.
CROUCH : No, sir.
a. What is the meaning of the word ‘arms’?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. Why did Lord Septic marry Clora?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c. What is the name of the tank that Clora has made?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d. Explain why Lord Septic called Crouch ‘dim, daft, dopey, dozey and dippy’
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Novels (6 Practices)
PRACTICE SECTION
The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English Language1. The Curse by Lee Su Ann2. Step by Wicked Step by Ann Fine.3. Catch Us If You Can by Catherine McPhailBased on one novel above, write about the following.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.Your response should be:• Not less than 50 words• In continuous writing (not in note form)
Practice 1Based on one novel above, discuss one of the themes in the story. Provide evidence from the text tosupport your answer
Practice 2Write about a character that you find most interesting.Support your answer with evidence from the novel.
Practice 3Write about a moral value you have learnt in the story.Support your answer with evidence from the novel
Practice 4Based on one novel above, write about an episode that is memorable in the story. Provide evidence fromthe text to support your answer.
Practice 5
Based on the novel of your choice, discuss the problems faced by a character. How does he/sheovercome the problems?
Practice 6
Compare two characters in the novel you have studied. How are they similar?
TEST 1
Form 4 PoemIn the Midst of HardshipRead the following stanza of In the Midst of Hardship and answer the questions that follow.
At dawn they returned hometheir soaky clothes tornand approached the stovetheir limbs marked by scratchestheir legs full of woundsbut on their brows there was not a sign of despairLatiff Mohidin
a. What does the word dawn mean?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. Write down two phrases from the poem that indicates injury.
i. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c. Describe their feelings when they reached home. Provide a reason to support your answer.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Form 4 Short StoryQWERTYUIOPRead the extract from the short story QWERTYUIOP below and answer thequestions that follow
She was early. She smoothed down her windy hair, and waited.At five past nine, an elderly man, with small dark eyes like currants and a thick icing of white hair,came hobbling up the stairs. He was jingling a bunch of keys.
“Ah,” he said, noticing Mary. “Punctuality is the courtesy of kings – but a hard necessity for newbrooms, eh? You are the new broom, I suppose? Not an impatient customer waiting to see our newrange of Sunburst cushions, by any chance?”
a. What does the phrase ‘new broom’ imply?
…………………………………………………………………………………
b. Describe the man who opened the door for Lucy.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
c. What is the meaning of ‘hobbling’?
…………………………………………………………………………………..
d. In your opinion, why did Lucy arrive early that Monday morning?
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Novel
The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English Language4. The Curse by Lee Su Ann5. Step by Wicked Step by Ann Fine.6. Catch Us If You Can by Catherine McPhailBased on the novel that you have studied, choose a character and discuss how good values are beingdemonstrated through the character you have chosen.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.Your response should be:• Not less than 50 words• In continuous writing (not in note form)
TEST 2(Form 5 poem)
Nature by H.D Carberry
We have neither Summer nor WinterNeither Autumn nor Spring.We have instead the daysWhen the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields-Magnificently.The days when the rain beats like bullet on the roofsAnd there is no sound but thee swish of water in the gulliesAnd trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds.Also there are the days when leaves fade from off guango trees’And the reaped canefields lie bare and fallow to the sun.But best of all there are the days when the mango and the logwood blossomWhen bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey,
When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air,When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow starsAnd beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.
a. “What seasons did the poet say that they did not have?”
__________________________________________________________________
b. List out the verbs found in the poem ‘Nature’.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
c. List words that describe the following in the poem.
i) sunny days
____________________________________________________________
ii) rainy days
____________________________________________________________
d. Do you agree that the sunny days are “the best days” as compared to rainy days? Explain why orwhy not?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Form 4 drama/short story
LORD SEPTIC: The night, you fool. It’s a foul and filthy night.CROUCH: Very nasty, Lord Septic.LORD SEPTIC: Angry.CROUCH: Mmm.LORD SEPTIC: Very angry.CROUCH: Mmm. Mmmm.LORD SEPTIC: And do you know why I’m angry, Crouch? I hate nights like this.CROUCH: Indeed, sir.LORD SEPTIC: This fog is so thick. I can’t see a thing out there. It’s as thick as…CROUCH: Pea soup, sir. Very thick pea soup.LORD SEPTIC: And there’s nothing worse than pea soup is there, Crouch?CROUCH: Not really, sir. Apart from sprouts. I would think a mushy sprout soup is pretty foul. Worsethan a pea in this fog.LORDSEPTIC: I can’t even see the railway track.CROUCH: Don’t get too near the edge of the platform, sir.LORD SEPTIC: If this train doesn’t come soon, I’ll sack the driver. I’ll sack everyone. After all, nextweek I’ll own this railway line.CROUCH: Indeed, sir. Most true, your ever-so big lordship, sir.
a. Why is Lord Septic very angry?
…………………………………………………………………………………..
b. What does the word ‘sack’ mean?
…………………………………………………………………………………..
c. Describe the condition at the station.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
d. How would you describe Lord Septic? Provide a reason for your answer.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………..
Novel question
The following are the novels studied in the literature component in English Language7. The Curse by Lee Su Ann8. Step by Wicked Step by Ann Fine.9. Catch Us If You Can by Catherine McPhailBased on the novel that you have studied, describe two different settings or situations.
Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.Your response should be:• Not less than 50 words• In continuous writing (not in note form)
ANSWERS.
PoemIn The Midst Of HardshipPractice 1a. They were wetb. desperately looking for their son’salbino buffalo that was never foundc. animals killed as they drowned in the flood water.d. Optimistic,- they were making jokes not crying or show signs of despair.
Practice 2a. The whole day and night just passedb. Facing hardship with optimismc. They are in the village as people in the town will not rear buffaloes.d. Despite the hardship, we must remain resilient and strong. Often, the difficult time is not apermanent one.
He Had Such Quiet EyesPractice 3a. The eyes are compared to deceit.b. Imploring her to be niceAnd to render him paradise.
c. Stanza 2d. The hows and whys is compared to a situation where one gets hurt emotionally and tries to solve theproblem.
Practice 4a. dangerousb. To her, those quiet eyesWere breathing desolate sighsImploring her to be nicec. Deceitd. We sometimes encounter people who have ill intentions towards us. We should take precautionagainst them.
Are You Still Playing Your Flute?
Practice 5a. a very perceptive and reflective woman.b. my younger brothers unemployed and desperatec. my people disunited by politicsmy friend slaughtered mercilesslythis world is too old and bleeding.d. Perhaps the yield is not rewarding/ the harvest is destroyed due to bad weather.Practice 6a. the villagers have left/migrated.b. Feeling guilty as she is enjoying the music when the nation is plagued with problemsc. This is to stress on the activity as something that should not be done when the nation is facing somuch trouble.d. No, it is not a romantic poem. It is poem that shows the irony between a leisure activity and problemsfaced by the nation at the same time.
Nature
Practice 7a. The poem highlights the appealing climate conditions on the island of Jamaica.b. We must appreciate the beauty of nature.c. This is a big resemblance to our life, as it has been our experience that after bad times, good times willfollow and sometimes ever so abruptly.d. It is to highlight the pleasant climate on the island. It has no extreme weather conditions.
Practice 8a. He wants to celebrate the richness of the land’s produce and how alive and plentiful Nature is.b. gold sun, rain, trees.c. The line, “When the bushes are full of the sound of bees and the scent of honey”d. Appreciating one’s country-Life in one’s country has its share of ups and downs but one must alwayslook at the brighter side of life. In this poem, the poet stresses on his country’s weather being sunny,rainy and windy. The poet states that we must appreciate what we have.
SHORT STORIES
FRUITCAKE SPECIALPractice 1
a. not normalb. confused at how the feelings of her boss towards her changes abruptly.c. Name of the perfume.d. The boss took a liking of her when he was not interested at all a little while ago. Perhaps it is thework of the perfume.
Practice 2a. Mr Amos and Annab. She is actually not interested in Mr Amos.c. She wants to find out why Mr Amos was attracted to her.d. Any logical answer.Practice 3a. an opportunity to marry a rich manb. the marriage did not take place.c. She did not know how to answer or react to Mr Amos who is her boss.d. No, he was not. He was not aware of what had actually happened.
Practice 4a. wealthyb. ‘Armstrong’s Peachy Pizzas’c. She is a fine person and she should get someone who is capable of looking after her and care for herfinancially.d. Any logical answer.
QWERTYUIOP
Practice 1a. The top line of letters on a typewriter or keypad.b. She must not let people know that she is making mistakes.c. She decided to try again and this time she will focus on the rhythm.d. Any logical answer.
Practice 2a. correction liquid/liquid paperb. the words QWERTYUIOP keep appearing.c. She used it to correct a lot of mistakes.d. Lucy shows determination in what she does. She refuses to simply give up and leave and finds a wayto deal with the spirit.
Practice 3a. movement.b. Secretaryc. She did not how to react to the typewriter or what to ask next.d. Any logical answer.
Practice 4a. she was small in sizeb. she wanted to move away from her mother.c. Mrs Price could not give an answerd. She hated him. She wished that her mother would lose her temper and throw things at him.
DramaGulp and Gasp
Practice 1a. She came to meet Lord Septic as he tricked her to meet him.b. She had hidden the gold.c. No one knew where she had hidden it.d. The two trains have something in common- use to kill; Lady Gatsby and now, Percy and Rose
Practice 2a. she was working there packing matches.b. he did not keep the matches in a safe place and there was a firec. the workers wanted to work for a shorter number of days in a week.d. Good always triumphs over evil. The two villains, Lord Septic and Crouch, are duly punished in theend.Practice 3a. closely spaced transverse beams, usually of wood, for holding the rails forming a track at the properdistance from each other.b. Goldc. Get ideas to become richd. He is rather foolish, he often makes silly remarks and does not respect his own identity.
Practice 4a. weapons/firearmsb. for her wealth/ factoryc. Septic Tankd. He made a silly remark- he thought the Septic tank will have smell when it is a weapon
NOVELS
Practice 1Through the novel – The Curse, gender stereotyping is portrayed through how females should behave.This can be seen especially through Azreen. For example, Azreen’s school friends start to castsuspicious eyes towards her when she behaves unlady-like. She plays hockey with the boys and even“laughs like a bunch of hyenas” with them. To them, as a woman, Azreen is not expected to betomboyish and hangs too closely with boys.
Practice 2An interesting character in the novel- The Curse is the old lady. She is an educated woman as she hasknowledge of herbal medicine to treat illnesses. Her house is always neat and situated by the hillside.She is a caring and concerned woman as she takes Azreen in and gives her food and shelter whenevershe has fights and problems. She is also a resourceful person and she is a good cook and her recipes andsecret ingredients are very much sought after.
Practice 3The value in life that I have learnt in the novel- Catch us if you can is “The Importance of Family”.Sacrifices for family are honoured and explored, as are the family bonds that survive adversity. Familyresponsibility in the novel is best displayed by Rory’s constant care of his grandfather. Very early in age,Rory has realised that ‘there was only Granda and me’ to make up a family. Rory does not know anyother family love. His father had left them when he was very young. Granda had taken care of him allhis life and now, as Granda is getting old and forgetful, and is never quite well, it is his turn to lookafter him.
Practice 4The incident which is memorable in – Catch us if you can is when Granda is sent to Rachnadar, Roryknows that he has to get him away from that place. Though torn with desperation at times ( Granda’scarelessness with the chip pan had landed him in hospital and Rory at Castle Street), Rory plans theGreat Escape and gets him away from the hospital where they put old people in.
Practice 5In the novel Step by Wicked Step, Richard reveals the pain of the knowledge of his dying father and theintrusion of Mr. Coldstone into the family. Then Richard’s father dies. Mr Coldstone is very harshtowards Richard. Richard feels that his own happiness is not counted for. He wishes for his father towake up from the grave and tell him that all things in the house have gone wrong since the father’sdeath. Richard had practically become a stranger in his own house. His house was like a tomb. Richardleaves the house. He feels that his presence is not wanted by his mother.
Practice 6Claudia are the two characters I have chosen to compare and contrast. Although they are two differingcharacters, they also have some similarities. Both Colin and Claudia come from broken or separatedfamilies. They both have step parents. Colin’s mother has left his biological father and `took up’ withJack. Jack is the only ‘father’ figure Colin ever know. However, Colin’s mum leaves Jack after a while.This causes him to miss Jack so badly that it hurts. On the other hand, Claudia’s father has left hermother for another woman, Stella. She feels disloyal to her mum whenever she has a good time withher father and Stella. Both Colin and Claudia really want their parents to reconcile as they pine for howit used to be when they were happy.
17 Responses to “FORM FIVE LITERATURE EXERCISES Poems,Short Stories, Novel and Drama”
1. yamuna Says:
November 10, 2011 at 01:36thanks leela
Reply2. lame Says:
About these ads
February 29, 2012 at 07:37thank you a lotttt
Reply3. spmCandidates2012 Says:
March 17, 2012 at 15:49it helps me a lot .thank u soo much!
Reply4. Ms Idris Says:
March 31, 2012 at 04:45thanks for your works…
Reply5. fishqueen Says:
May 1, 2012 at 14:58YOU HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB FOR ALL THE TEACHERS BECAUSE WE ARE RUNNINGOUT OF IDEAS ON WHAT QUESTIONS TO SET AND AT THE SAME TIME THIS IS SUCH AGREAT HELP ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME… KUDOS TO YOU!!!
Reply1. leelachakrabarty Says:
May 1, 2012 at 17:30Glad that you have found it useful- this will motivate me to write more!
Reply6. anie Says:
May 5, 2012 at 23:27WHAT A WONDERFUL JOB…WELL DONE BUDDY…IT HELPS ME A LOT SINCE I HV NOIDEAS AT ALLLLLLL ON WHAT QUESTIONS TO SET OR TO TEST MY STUDENTS…BLESSYOU.
Reply7. zulie Says:
May 8, 2012 at 13:50this is wonderful….It helps a lot. Thank you for sharing it with us
Reply1. leelachakrabarty Says:
May 8, 2012 at 15:59Check out more practices under the Form Five Poem Prac etc
Reply8. upsi-tesl 2007-2011 Says:
July 10, 2012 at 09:28madam leela..thanks a lot..this is wonderful and really helps me a lot..thanks again:)
Reply9. anne Says:
October 2, 2012 at 13:44Hi. Thank you so much for this. You are very kind to share it. God bless you.
Reply10. Earnest Says:
December 30, 2012 at 23:33I get pleasure from, result in I discovered exactly what I was taking a lookfor. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
Reply11. MusrifahMarhatip Says:
January 26, 2013 at 10:47tmaksih clgu…teacher its so easy to me…luvvv
Reply12. Hanusuya Gunasegrab Says:
February 21, 2013 at 03:30Hi Mdm Leela,
TQ very much for this really helpful link. Saved my day looking for resources for poems. Came inreal handy.God bless, madam!
hg-g (SESTA)
Reply1. leelachakrabarty Says:
February 23, 2013 at 16:57Glad that you appreciate it-
Reply13. DaRsHiNi... Says:
October 11, 2013 at 04:55Hi mdm LEELA,
Tq so much…..tiz exersice is vry help… bz its help my final year examTq MADAM….
Reply1. leelachakrabarty Says:
October 14, 2013 at 16:56You’re most welcome – Good Luck in your exams!
Reply
Blog at WordPress.com. — The Connections Theme.
Follow
Follow “LEELA'S ESL BUGGY”
Powered by WordPress.com