POEM 1 In the midst of hardship

English Version

At dawn they returned home

Their soaky clothes torn
And approached the stove
Their limbs marked by scratches
Their legs full of wounds
But on their brows
There was not a sign of despair

The whole day and night just passed

They had to brave the horrendous flood
In the water all the time
Between bloated carcasses
And tiny chips of tree barks
Desperately looking for their sons
Albino buffalo that was never found

They were born amidst hardship

And grew up without a sign or a
complaint
Now they are in the kitchen, making
Jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

MEANING
At dawn (Meaning)
Why did they return home at
dawn?
Soaky (Meaning)
Why were their clothes their
soaky and torn?
Why did they approach the stove
right after back home?
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds. Explain
but on their brows there was not
a sign of despair. WHY?
Brave (Meaning)
Why did they had to brave the
horrendous flood in the water all
the time?
bloated carcasses (Meaning)
Why

were

they

desperately

looking for their sons albino

buffalo that was never found?
Why did they grow up without a
sigh or a complaint although they
born amidst hardship?

Exercise 1
Write TRUE or FALSE for each statement below. If the statement is false, write the correct
statement in the space provided.
1.The family just experienced a bad flood
True
False
2.The family lived in city
True
False
3.The flood lasted for one day and night
True
False
4.Animals and humans were drowned in the
flood
True
False

5.The flood victims hands and legs were covered

by cuts all over
True
False
6.They returned home in the afternoon after the
flood
True
False
7.Once the family was back home, they felt
relieved
True
False
8.They would rather enjoy themselves than
complaint about the flood
True
False

Exercise 2
Choose TRUE or FALSE for each of the statement below.
1.When did the family go back home?
(A) Late at night
(B) In the afternoon
(C) In the evening
(D) Early morning
2.Why do you think some family members
approached the stove?
(A) To wash up
(B) To cook a meal
(C) To eat together
(D) To keep their food
3.What was not seen on their brows?
(A) A sad look
(B) A happy look
(C) An expression of hopelessness
(D) An expression of disgust
4.The word horrendous means
(A) Exciting
(B) Enjoyable
(C) Tragic
(D) Awful
5.If you have to `brave` a danger, you have to

(A) Give up quickly

(B) Run away from it
(C) Protect yourself from it
(D) Endure it with resilience
6.If an animal is an albino, it is_____in
complexion.
(A) White
(B) Grey
(C) Black
(D) Cream
7.Why did the tiny chips float in the floodwater?
(A) They were light
(B) The trees were uprooted
(C) The water caused the chips to break off
from the tree barks
(D) The trees were cut down by the
villagers
8.What type of life is a life of hardship?
(A) A happy life
(B) An easy life
(C) A life of suffering
(D) A life of torture

Exercise 3
Rewrite the quotations from the poem in your own words.
1. Not a sign of despair

_________________________________________________________________

2. Their soaky clothes torn

_________________________________________________________________

3. Their limbs marked by scratches

_________________________________________________________________

4. Had to brave the horrendous flood

_________________________________________________________________

5. Born amidst hardship

_________________________________________________________________

6. Grew up without a sigh

_________________________________________________________________

not feeling gloomy

their hands and legs had cuts all over

born in suffering

their clothes were drenched and torn

had to put up with the dreadful flood

accepted their life without complaining

Exercise 4
Read the following passage. Fill in the blanks with one suitable word or phrase.
The flood victims are glad to go back home. They have gone through a
(1)_____________________________ time. The floodwater (2)_____________________________ very high. They were
wading among (3)_____________________________ and chips of the barks. It was an
(4)_____________________________ sight. As their son had lost his buffalo, they were looking
(5)_____________________________ for it. However, they (6)_____________________________ to find it. Back home,
the women started cooking. The men stood in the (7)_____________________________ talking. They were also
rolling (8)_____________________________. This was a time to feel (9)_____________________________ and complain
about their (10)_____________________________.
1.difficult

3.dead bodies

5.desperately

7.kitchen

9.relieved

2.rose

4.unpleasant

6.failed

8.cigarette leaves

10.suffering

Exercise 5
Read the following passage and answer all the questions in full sentence.
1. When did the people in the poem return home?
=
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What kind of a setting do you see in the poem, In the Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohidin?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Describe the conditions of the people in this poem.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Despite the conditions of the people in the above poem, did they give up? Which line tells you this?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What do you understand by but on their brows, there was not a sign of despair?
zs
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. What natural disaster had occurred to the place?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Name the animal that had gone missing in this poem.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Do you think the people in the poem are rich? Justify your answer with evidence
from the poem?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Why do you think the people are desperately looking for the lost animal?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. What is alliteration? Give an example of alliteration from the poem.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Do you think the people here are hopeful and optimistic? Justify your answer.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. What can you learn from this poem?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Do you think the poet has chosen a good title for this poem? Give a reason for

your answer.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Do you like the poem? Give a reason for your answer.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

POEM 2 He had such quiet eyes

English Version
He had such quiet eyes
She did not realise
They were two pools of lies
Layered with thinnest ice
To her, those quiet eyes
Were breathing desolate sighs
Imploring her to be nice
And to render him paradise
If only she'd been wise
And had listened to the advice
Never to compromise
With pleasure-seeking guys
She'd be free from the hows and
whys
Now here's a bit of advice
Be sure that nice really means nice
Then you'll never be losing at dice
Though you may lose your heart once
or twice

3 4

REVISION ON THE SPOT

two pools of lies (Meaning)
Why didnt she realize the mans
eyes were two pools of lies?
thinnest ice (Meaning)
breathing desolate sighs. Explain.
Imploring (Meaning)
Paradise (Meaning)
Why does her decide to render him
paradise?
pleasure-seeking guys (Meaning)
Why

should

the

girls

never

compromise with pleasure-seeking

guys?
"the hows and whys". Explain.
free from "the hows and whys".
Explain.
Nice
Be sure that nice really means nice.
Explain.
at dice (Meaning)
never be losing at dice. (Explain)
Why do we have to make sure that
the loved one is sincere to us?
lose your heart (Meaning)

Exercise 1
Match the words in Colums A with their meanings in the Column B.
Column A

ABC

1.Realize
2.Layered
3.Breathing
4.Desolate
5.Imploring
6.Render
7.Wise
8.Compromise

Column B
a. sensible
b. covered
c. conciliate
d. inhaling
e. know
f. provide
g. begging
h. unhappy

Exercise 2
Referring to the poem, give the meaning of each of these quotations.
1.Pools of ice

_______________________________________________________________

2.Layered with thinnest ice

_______________________________________________________________

3.Desolate sighs

_______________________________________________________________

4.Paradise

_______________________________________________________________

5.Free from the hows and whys

_______________________________________________________________

6.Losing at dice

_______________________________________________________________

7.Lose your heart

_______________________________________________________________

8.Once or twice

_______________________________________________________________

dishonesty

unhappy

not getting hurt

being hurt

thinly covered

glory/happiness

failing to protect from

fall in love

rarely

Exercise 3
Choose the correct answers.
1.The persona in the poem desribes a woman
_____
(A) In pain
(B) Who deceives a man
(C) Who is deceived by a mans eyes
(D) Who deceives others

2.She sees sincerity in his eyes instead of________

(A) Joy
(B) Anger
(C) Sorrow
(D) Lies

3.To woman, the man looks________

(A) Happy
(B) Sad
(C) Excited
(D) Dissappointed

4.If one is in paradise, one is in ________

(A) A state of extreme happiness
(B) A state of confusion
(C) Need of help
(D) A state of grief

5.What does the man desire from the woman?

(A) Money
(B) Assistance
(C) Pleasure
(D) Advice

8.What is the advice given in stanza 2?

(A) Not to be deceived by the man
(B) To believe in everyone
(C) Not to get a life partner
(D) Not to fall in love

6.In stanza 2, to be wise is to________

(A) Perform well
(B) Carry out instuctions
(C) Give good advice
(D) Listen to good advice

9.What is the main idea in stanza 3?

(A) Readers response to the poem
(B) Dealing with man
(C) Listen to good advice
(D) Advice to the readers

7.The word compromise means________

(A) Agree
(B) Conciliate
(C) Dispute
(D) Work together

10.The phrase lose your heart means ________

(A) Get hurt
(B) Fall in love
(C) Lose ones mind
(D) Hurt others

Exercise 4
Read the following passage and answer all the questions in full sentence.
1. The eyes have a lot of functions other than seeing. Explain one function of the eyes that you know
and give an example when that function is being used.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you believe in seeing is believing? Give a reason for your answer and relate it to the poem He
had such quiet eyes.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think the persona in the poem fell for the guys quiet eyes? Give a reason why she likes
his quiet eyes.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. How can you help a friend who fell for a person who you know is a pleasure-seeking person? Give a
suggestion on how to help this friend.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Which one is easier to do, giving advice or listening to advice? Give a reason for your answer with
close reference to the poem.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Short story fruitcake special

Anna,
--
Mr. Amos

Mr. Amos Anna

Anna
Mr. Amos

Intrigue

T_T
Anna
Mr. Amos

Anna Mr.Amos
SabinaMr. Amos
AnnaAnna

Anna
Anna Fruitcake
Aunt Mimi
Old Lady 7
Anna Mr. Amos
Sabina Mr. Amos Anna

Sabina Mr. Amos

Anna Mr. Amos
Anna Fruitcake
Sabina
Intrigue Pizza
Armstrong Pizza Anna Anna Anna
Pizza
Anna
Its a story about Anna, a chemist who works in a cosmetic company in USA.
She discovers something amazing when she tries putting up a piece of her
favourite fruit cake into her chemical mixture to create a new kind of perfume.
Trying out her new invention, she sprays the perfume on her that brings rewards
her attention from men. One of them is her boss, Mr.Amos who then invites her
for dinner.
However, something strange happens that night, Mr. Amos behaves totally
different. So, Anna wonders the reason that brings her to the ladies. She uses
the other perfume to the dinner, Intrigue which could be the reason. She is
going to spray some more perfume, but Intrigue is not anywhere in her bag,
instead the fruitcake perfume is there. She sprays some fruitcake perfume, and
things awkwardly 'shines' to her. Even the waiter takes a shot on her. She
returns to the table but a phone call is waiting for her. Thus, she goes get the
phone call.
Returning to the table, Anna finds that Mr. Amos is now joined by his
girlfriend, Sabina the model. Surprisingly, Mr. Amos tells his current girlfriend
that he is in love with Anna. Upon all this, Anna has already know that all those
awkward and strange behaviors come from that perfume effect. They fight and
Anna is forced to walk out of the scene and she returns home by taxi.
Anna misses the work on the next day and finds out the ingredients in the
fruitcake from Aunt Mimi. Anna learns that there is a secret ingredient in the
fruitcake from Aunt Mimi who buys the cake from an old lady. Sadly, as Anna
tries to find the old lady, she learns that the old lady has already died.
After a two days off, Anna returns to office to find Mr. Amos's note asking
her to see him. As she enters Mr. Amos's office, she finds him with Sabina. Mr.
Amos apologizes to Anna and explains that he has no idea what could he behave
such a way the other days. Sabina cynically says to Anna that what Mr. Amos

wants to say is that he himself does not understand why he could get attracted
to Anna. Anna feels insulted. She takes the fruitcake perfume and pours in on
Sabina. She quits job.
She finds another job with the Intrigue company. Armstrong, the pizza
delivery man, one day comes to visit Anna. He brings pizza and flowers. He
confesses to Anna that he falls in love with Anna at the first sight. Now, as he
owns a pizza company, he asks Anna for a date.

Short story qwertyuiop

Lucy Beck
Miss Broome
17 Lucy Beck Diploma

Lucy Ross and Bannisters

Miss Broome !!
Lucy Lucy
(?)
Harry Darke,
Lucy Lucy
Miss Broome
Lucy Miss Broome
= =
Miss Broome

The short story QWERTYUIOP describes a young secretary's struggle with the
spirit of her predecessor, Miss Broome.
Miss Broome was the previous longtime secretary of Mr Bannister.
At 17, Lucy Beck wanted a job desperately to move away from her mother.
When she graduated from the Belmont Secretarial College, things did not look
good.
She had always been at the bottom of her class and her usually upbeat principal,
Mrs Price, did not hold out much hope for her being successful at a job.
However, Lucy did get a job as a secretary at Ross and Bannister's.
On her first day, she realised that the position came with some baggage.
The ghost of Miss Broome was determined to be around to haunt her
typewriter.
Only Harry Darke knew about this and he hinted it to Lucy.
At first, no matter what she tried to type, Lucy could not finish her work because
the letters QWERTYUIOP kept popping up on the paper.
When she finally realised that she was powerless to complete her work, she
reconciled with Miss Broome's spririt. This was by communicating with the spirit
through the electric typewriter.
Finally, she managed to get rid of the spirit by typing a goodbye letter to Miss
Broome.

drama gulp and gasp

Lord Septic Crouch Lord

Septic
1 Rose Lord Septic Crouch
Crouch Rose Percy Rose
Percy
NSL Crouch
Percy Lord Septic
Rose Percy
Rose Lord Septic
Lady Gatsby
Rose Lady Gatsby Percy
Percy
RoseRose PercyPercy

This story started with the conversation between Lord Septic and Crouch. Lord
Septic was telling Crouch about his plan to own the railway line they'd been at
that night. During the conversation, a flower-seller named Rose, came. Lord
Septic asked Crouch to tell her to get off. Crouch then threw away Rose's flowers
and then he left. Percy came and helped Rose. They shared each other stories.
Percy then told Rose that he's an orphan and the only thing he had, is a key with
letters NSL on it. They were about to hug when Crouch came back. They had a
fight, and unfortunately, Percy was beaten by Lord Septic on his head. Till then,
he was unconscious. Rose was tied down to the railway track, unknown that
Percy had run away. While tying up Rose, Lord Septic reminisced the event of his
father tying up Lady Gatsby to the same track. But then, it turned out Lady
Gatsby is Percy's mother and Percy is the real owner of the railway track. All of a

sudden, Percy came, managed to stop the train and save Rose. Lord Septic and
Crouch were tied right after it. Rose told Percy the truth. Percy then proposed
Rose and the two villains were left to be arrested.