IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP QUESTIONS ANSWERS SET 1 1) What does the horrendous suggest about 1) frightening / terrible / awful

the flood? 2) Name two things that can be found in the 2) bloated carcasses and tree barks flood water. 3) Why were they searching for the albino 3) buffalo? 4) a - What kind of life does these people 4) a- hard and difficult life but they did not lead? lose courage b - Give one proof for your answer b there were no sign of despair on their face and they still can make jokes SET 2 1) When did they return home? 1) At dawn 2) What is unusual about the buffalo? 2) It is white/albino 3) Which phrase in Stanza 3 shows that the 3) making jokes while rolling their cigarettes family is cheerful amidst the hardship? leaves 4) What would you save first when you are 4) Accept any suitable answer caught in flood? Give a reason for your answer. SET 3 1) From stanza 1, a) when did the people go home? 1) a - at dawn b) What could be seen on their bodies and b - scratches and wounds limbs? 2) Why did the people brave the horrendous 2) looking for their sons albino buffalo flood? 3) Do you think the people are happy? Give a 3) Yes because they are making jokes. reason SET 4 1) Describe the look on the farmer and his 1) They looked tired but not worried as there familys face when they return home were no sign of despair on their face 2) Write TWO words from the poem which 2) soaky are related to the water - flood 3) What happened to their clothes and hands 3) Their clothes were torn and wet and their and legs? Using your own words, give a limbs were scratched and wounded reason to support your answer because they had to wade through high flood water in the rain the whole day and night. They could have been scratched and wounded by floating wood and dead animals SET 5 1) Why do you think they returned with 1) They had to wade through the flood soaky clothes torn? looking for albino buffalo 2) Why do you think they approached the 2) They probably wanted to warm themselves stove? as they must be cold in their wet clothes 3) Which phrase tells you that the people 3) Not a sign of despair were not worried? 4) In your own words,

4) a No, I would not be unhappy b success comes to those who work hard and therefore work hard is very important. It gives someone a sense of satisfaction to achieve something through hard work SET 6 1) Which phrase in stanza 1 shows that the 1) There was not a sign of despair people did not lose courage despite the difficulty they went through? 2) State what the people suffered from when 2) They suffered scratches and wounds on they were on their search their limbs 3) Explain what the bloated carcasses were 3) Dead animals. Because they may have and why they were in the water been drowned in the flood and floating in the 4) How would you have reacted if you went water through the same difficulty and could not find 4)I definitely would have felt disheartened what you had set out to find? and would not take it in such good stride as these people did SET 7 1) What did they do in the kitchen after they 1) making jokes / eating / cooking came back home? 2) What does the word desperately in the 2) having an extreme needs or desire second stanza suggest? 3) What is the colour of the missing buffalo? 3) white 4) If you had to go through hardship to make 4) - Yes, because I will do anything to protect your loved one happy, would you do it? or help my loved ones Why? - No because I should not go through hardship if it is not worth it (any acceptable answer) SET 8 1) State one moral value you can learn from 1) Enduring hardship without any complaint stanza 1 2) From stanza 2, write down one word that 2) Loving / courageous / determined you would use to describe the people 3) In the second stanza, the bloated carcasses 3) Dead animals most probably refer to 4) In your own words, describe the people in 4) The people are hardworking and the poem based on the information in the last determined. They are used to sufferings and stanza hardships in life. Despite the challenges they face, they are always happy and cheerful. They do not complain about their hard life. SET 9 1) Why were the clothes soaky when the 1) because they have to wade through the family reached home? flood water 2) Why did they approach the stove? 2) to keep themselves warm / to cook a meal 3) Which word in stanza 2 shows the food 3) horrendous was horrible? 4) In your opinion, what would you do if 4) alert the authorities/help to carry things / there is flood? any reasonable answer SET 10 1) What does the flood signify? 1) It signifies danger / hardship a) would hard work make you unhappy? b) why is it important to work hard in life?

2) What is the colour of the buffalo? 3) What does the phrase without a sigh in stanza 3 mean? 4) What should you do and should not do during the flood?

2) White 3) Without complaining / accepting destiny 4) should do: follow authorities orders Should not : do not panic / take advantage by stealing other peoples things/any answer SET 11 1) one whole day and night

1) How long were they away from their house? 2) What do you think happened to the albino 2) it was missing buffalo? 3) What does the phrase bloated carcasses 3) dead animals in the stanza 2 refer to? 4) Name two activities/projects the 4) deepen the river / build dams / any government should do to prevent flood acceptable answer SET 12 1) Why did the family wade through the 1) to look for the albino buffalo flood? 2) In your opinion, if the albino buffalo had 2) it was drowned died how did it die? 3) What does there was not a sign of despair 3) there was no sign of regret/ worry/ in stanza 1 mean? dissapointment / misery 4) If your house is flooded, name one 4) birth certificate because it is a proof of my important document you would save and give citizenship (any suitable answer) one reason for your answer. SET 13 1) What is the main idea in Stanza 2? 1) looking for a buffalo 2) What is the evidence to show that they are 2) having an albino buffalo staying in a village? 3) Despite the flood, they were still happy. 3) making jokes while rolling the cigarette Give one line from the poem to show their leaves happiness 4) If you were the Prime Minister, name two 4) deepen rivers / build dams / have a good things that you would do to curb flood in the drainage system / any suitable answer village. SET 14 1) Why were their clothes soaky? 1) They were wet 2) Write down the line in the poem which 2) desperately looking for their sons reveals that this incident took place in a albino buffalo that was never found village? 3) What does the phrase bloated carcasses 3) animals killed as they drowned in the flood refer to? water. 4) In your opinion, what kind of attitude do 4) Optimistic,- they were making jokes not the last two lines imply? Explain. crying or show signs of despair Any reasonable answer SET 15 1) Write down the line which shows that they 1) The whole day and night just passed have been out for long hours? 2) Facing hardship with optimism 2) The theme may not be exactly about hardship as implied by the title. What is the

theme related to? 3) What does the phrase albino buffalo reveal? 4) What moral value did you learn from the poem? Explain.

3) They are in the village as people in the town will not rear buffaloes. 4) Despite the hardship, we must remain resilient and strong. Often, the difficult time is not a permanent one.

ARE YOU STILL PLAYING YOUR FLUTE? ANSWERS QUESTIONS SET 1 1) From stanza 1, which line tells us that the 1) To the depth of my heart persona is deeply touched by the melody of the flute? 2) State two pleasurable pastimes in the 2) Spending time watching the rain / gazing countryside mentioned in the poem at the evening rays / collecting dew drops / 3) In your own words, explain what is meant enjoying the fragrance or scent of flowers by my younger brothers unemployed and 3) Accept any suitable answer desperate. SET 2 1) Name any one activity which the persona 1) Spending time watching the rain / gazing considers a luxury at the evening rays / collecting dew drops / 2) Give any one reason why the persona feels enjoying the fragrance or scent of flowers guilty about wanting to hear the flute 2) the person she misses is facing danger / the being played. youths in the country are unemployed and 3) From the last stanza, what does the word desperate / the nation is disunited by hazard symbolizes? politics / people or friend are mercilessly 4) The persona says that the world is too old killed / the country is not at peace and bleeding. Do you agree? Why? 3) danger / difficulty / risk / jeopardy 4) Accept any suitable answer SET 3 1) Write down the line that shows the persona 1) While here it has become a luxury has little time for recreation 2) the youths in the country are unemployed 2) State two problems mentioned in the last and desperate / the nation is disunited by stanza politics / people or friend are mercilessly 3) In your own word, suggest two ways to killed / the country is not at peace make the world a better place. 3) Any acceptable answer SET 4 1) From stanza 1, what has touched the 1) The melody / The song / The song played personas heart? by the flutist 2) State one problem faced by the villager. 2) quiet and deserted / deserted / sick rice 3) Why has the village become so quiet and field / infertile rice field / barren rice field deserted? 3) Many villagers moved out from the 4) Without using examples from the poems, village/ people moved to the city (town) suggest two activities you would to spend 4) Sitting by the river / fishing / planting your past time in the village. flowers / Watching sunset/ Any acceptable answer SET 5 1) Why has the village become quiet and 1) The people must have left the village as deserted? the rice fields are not doing well 2) According to the poet, what are luxuries? 2) Watching the rain / gazing at the evening

3) Without using examples from the poem, suggest two things you would consider as luxuries in your life.

rays 3) Watching sunset in the village / Going on a boat ride to enjoy the sea breeze SET 6 1) Which phrase tells you about the personas 1) it disturbs my conscience frame of mind? 2) State two things that the persona is 2) Her younger brothers are unemployed unhappy about. and desperate 3) Without using examples from the poem, - Her people are disunited by politics mention two problems that are presently - Her friends have been killed found in our country. 3) An increase in street crimes - Newborn babies are being abandoned SET 7 1) What are the personas feelings as 1) The persona feels some irritation and reflected in the first two lines? resentment 2) Identify two phrases which show that the 2) a uncovered by the breath of an artist persona thinks well of the flute player b composed by his fingers 3) Explain in your own words why the 3) The persona feels guilty because she longs persona feels guilty. to listen to the flutist playing his flute while there are more important things in life she should be thinking of SET 8 1) In stanza 1 line 4, where does the word 1) it refers to the place where the persona is, here refer? possibly in the city 2) In stanza 1 line 3, what does the phrase the 2) It means that the rice fields are barren and sick rice field mean? no longer fertile 3) Which lines in stanza 1 shows that the 3) While here it has become luxury / To persona feels she has very little time for spend time watching the rain leisure / trivialities? 4) my younger brother unemployed and 4) rising unemployment, people and families desperate/ my people disunited by politics / separated by politics and people being killed my friend slaughtered mercilessly / the world in numerous wars is too old and bleeding In your own words, explain the problems that the persona mentions in these lines SET 9 1) In stanza 1, why do I feel guilty? 1) I feel guilty because she longs to listen to 2) From stanza 2, explain what these words her lovers flute despite the fact that she has refer to : more important things to do a) here 2) a a place away from the village b) luxury (town/city) 3) Without using examples from the poem, b being able to enjoy simple things in life give two problems that concern society 3) poverty presently - conflicts SET 10 1) To whom is the question Are you still 1) The man who is playing the flute playing your flute directed to? 2) What is meant by the phrase to the depth 2) touches the soul of the woman of my heart in stanza 1? 3) Name at least two pleasurable past times in 3) Watching the rain / gazing at the evening

the countryside as mentioned in the poem 4) Would you be happy living in the countryside? Why?

rays / collecting dew drops / enjoying the fragrance of flowers 4) Accept any suitable answer SET 11 1) What has happened to the village? 1) The village is deserted and the paddy fields 2) Describe two activities that the persona are not futile anymore misses in her present surroundings 2) Watching the rain / gazing at the evening 3) What does the evening rays in the second rays / collecting dew drops / enjoying the stanza refer to? fragrance of flowers 4) Do you enjoy watching sunset? Why? 3) sunset 4) Yes because I get mesmerised by it / No because it is a waste of time /Any answer SET 12 1) What problems her brothers are facing? 1) Unemployed / jobless and desperate 2) What does the word hazard in the third 2) endanger stanza mean? 3) Activities such as watching the rain are 3) people who are staying in town does not said to be a luxury. What is the reason for have time to indulge in nature this? 4) Would you play the flute to express your 4) Yes because it is very romantic / No love to your loved ones?Why? because it wastes time / Any suitable answer SET 13 1) What is the atmosphere in the village? 1) it is desolate, quiet and deserted. The 2) What does the word sick in stanza 2 paddy fields are empty and almost abandoned indicate? 2) the rice field is barren 3) Why are her people falling apart? 3) due to politics 4) What would you do if you fail to get a 4) I would not give up and try to apply job good job? outside the country / Any suitable answer SET 14 1) Where does here refer to in stanza 2? 1) Town / urban area 2) The word my is repeated 3 times in 2) The persona cares for the people wha are stanza 3. What does this show? close to her 3) Give one line from stanza 3 which explains 3) my friend slaughtered mercilessly the existence of violence 4) Do you enjoy listening to music? Why? 4) Any acceptable answer SET 15 1) What is the frame of mind of the poet? 1) She feels disturbed and troubled 2) Write down two things that trouble the 2) Her brothers are unemployed and poet desperate/ her people are divided by politics 3) What do you think of the poets feelings 3) She sees the world as torn and in a about the world? Using your own words, give miserable state because there were a lot of a reason to support you answer problems going on around her/any acceptable answer SET 16 1) How would you describe the person who 1) I would describe the person as seems to be very interested in his flute? irresponsible and selfish 2) Write two words that relate to how a flute 2) breath, fingers is played 3) What do you think the persona feels about 3) I think she feels frustrated and unwanted other persons obsession of playing the flute? because she keeps asking the question and

Using your own words, give a reason to support your answer.

1) What is the main theme in the second stanza? 2) Write two words that are related to the condition of the village 3) Where do you think the persona is? Give a reason to support your answer by using your own words.

she states that she longs for his song although she feels guilty about it SET 17 1) Changes in life 2) quiet, deserted

3) I think the persona has moved out of the village to an urban area because she mentions that she is in a place where she cannot enjoy nature SET 18 1) Who is the persona in the poem? 1) a very perceptive and reflective woman. 2) Write one line from the poem that depicts 2) my younger brothers unemployed and that people are jobless. desperate 3) Provide three phrases that depict the 3) my people disunited by politics message of cruel realities of a nation my friend slaughtered mercilessly inuncertainty of its future. this world is too old and bleeding. 4) In your own words describe why the poet 4) Perhaps the yield is not rewarding/ the used the word sick to describe the rice harvest is destroyed due to bad weather. fields SET 19 1) What did the persona mean when she said 1) the villagers have left/migrated. deserted? 2) Why is the persona feeling guilty? 2) Feeling guilty as she is enjoying the music when the nation is plagued with problems 3) Why is the question Are you still playing 3) This is to stress on the activity as your flute repeated as the starting line of all something that should not be done when the the stanzas? nation is facing so much trouble. 4) In your opinion, is this a romantic poem? 4) No, it is not a romantic poem. It is poem Provide reasons for your answer. that shows the irony between a leisure activity and problems faced by the nation at the same time. HE HAD SUCH QUIET EYES QUESTIONS ANSWERS SET 1 1) What were the eyes imploring woman to 1) Be nice to the man do? 2) From stanza 1, which phrase suggest 2) danger? 3) Write down the line that shows the woman 3) had made a mistake. 4) If you were a friend of the woman, what 4) Any suitable answer would you do to help her after what happened? Why? SET 2 1) From stanza 1, what does the phrase two 1) pools of lies suggest about the mans

character? 2) From stanza 2, which line tells women not to give in easily to men? 3) From stanza 3, what does the phrase nice really means nice means? 4) Would you look into a persons eyes when 4) Any suitable answer you speak to him or her? Give a reason to support your answer. SET 3 1) From Stanza 1, what is the poet referring 1) The eyes of the man / the mans eyes to as two pools of lies? 2) From Stanza 2, what is the feeling of the 2) Regret girl? 3) What are pleasure seeking guys looking 3) Fun / kindness / etc for in a girl? 4) What is the poets advice to young girls? 4) Mak sure you know that person well first / Do not trust men easily / any possible answer SET 4 1) What does the phrase thinnest ice imply? 1) dangerous 2) In this poem, the poet talks about the 2) To her, those quiet eyes betrayal of a young girls feelings for a man. Were breathing desolate sighs She believes in his sincerity to her as he had Imploring her to be nice pleaded to her to surrender to him. Write the two lines depicting this. 3) What is the main theme in this poem? 3) Deceit 4) What did you learn from this poem? 4) We sometimes encounter people who have Explain ill intentions towards us. We should take precaution against them. SET 5 1) What does the phrase two pools of lies 1) The eyes are compared to deceit. refer to? 2) Which lines show that the man is saying I 2) Imploring her to be nice love you, and if you love me, prove it! And to render him paradise. 3) Which stanza shows that there is a sense of 3) Stanza 2 regret? 4) What do you understand by the phrase the 4) The hows and whys is referring to the hows and whys? questions asked by the people around the woman

NATURE QUESTIONS SET 1 1) What is the sound of the rain compared to? 1) bullets 2) Which word shows that the canefields 2) bare ANSWERS

have been harvested? 3) What are the bushes full of? 3) bees / flowers 4) In your own words, give two examples of 4) - Example 1 : paddy field of the beauty of nature after the rains in - Example 2 : river the place where you live SET 2 1) What happens in the gullies after the rain? 2) Give one word that describes the canefields after the harvest is over. 3) And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone. Mention one element of beauty found in the poem. 4) Jamaica is described as a beautiful country. 4) Any suitable answer Would you like to live there? Give a reason to support your answer. SET 3 1) In your words describe the weather as 1) The poem highlights the appealing climate depicted in the poem. conditions on the island of Jamaica. 2) State one moral value that you have learnt 2) We must appreciate the beauty of nature. from the poem 3) Note that the poem ends with the line and 3) This is a big resemblance to our life, as it beauty comes suddenly and the rains have has been our experience that after bad times, gone. Describe how this bears a resemblance good times will follow and sometimes ever so in our life. abruptly. 4) In the opening lines of the poem, the poet 4) It is to highlight the pleasant climate on the describes the things that are absent. In your island. It has no extreme weather conditions. opinion, what is the poet trying to convey? SET 4 1) Why do you think H.D.Carberry wrote the 1) He wants to celebrate the richness of the poem? lands produce and how alive and plentiful Nature is. 2) List three words related to nature. 2) gold sun, rain, trees. 3) Which line in the poem Nature suggests 3) The line, When the bushes are full of the the sense of smell? sound of bees and the scent of honey 4) Based on your knowledge of the poem 4) Appreciating ones country-Life in ones Nature, describe a theme in the poem. country has its share of ups and downs but one must always look at the brighter side of life. In this poem, the poet stresses on his countrys weather being sunny, rainy and windy. The poet states that we must appreciate what we have.