It’s Country For Me

Q1. Analyze the text of “It's country for me" and give one example of fact and opinion each.
Ans. The writer pens down the importance of forming profession. Through agriculture, we learn
a lot about our environment like plants, animals, soil, climate, seasons and more. People in such
environment are strong, energetic and have first hand knowledge about it. That is why Joel says
that its country for him to live forever with all happiness, enjoyment, freedom and comforts of
home.
The example of fact: Joel Holland has lived on this 245-acre farm since he was born thirteen
years ago.
Opinion: If I had one word to describe Joel, it would be enthusiasm.
Q2. How coherence and cohesion is achieved in the essay “It's Country for me". Illustrate with
examples from the text.
Ans. Coherence is a systematic and logical connection or consistency in a piece of writing. The
first paragraph of the chapter shows the family's concern about the barn and cattle. Then rest
of the paragraphs follow the same theme and thought. Joel is shown as a responsible young
boy who is keen to visit barn and the farm, leads to the opinion that farming is his world. Then
everything that followed is coherent with previous details. Cohesion is a connection of ideas at
the sentence level, and in the chapter every sentence supports the other. There is no
contradiction found in any of the sentences that describe Joel. There is a beautiful connection
of ideas in these sentences without leaving any doubt in the minds of the readers.
Q3. Explain the significance of the title, "It's Country For Me" and its connection to the theme of
the lesson.
Ans. The title "It's Country For Me" is highly significant as it highlights the importance and
beauty of life in the countryside. In this chapter the writer Patricia Demuth conveys the
message that fruits of hard work and labor are sweeter than anything else in the world.
Farming represents a very important development in human history. Considering the benefits
agriculture and its products bring us, we must say that it is a backbone of country's economy.
Through agriculture we learn so much about our environment like plants, animals, soil. climate,
seasons and more. Moreover, the children growing up in farming life are more strong, energetic
and have practical and first hand knowledge of everything because they have more chances to
interact with their environment directly. Joel loves his work and uses his youthful energy
indiscriminately He is more skillful as he has practical knowledge of agriculture and therefore,
not typical of an average teenager. He plays outdoor games, enjoys seeing things grow and the
change of seasons. That is why he says that he would love to live there in the countryside
where they work hard in the fields and reap the benefits of labor; besides there is
independence, responsibilities, happiness, natural environment and comforts of health and
home.
Q4. Describe Joel's treatment of Lamby, the orphaned lamb and Jessica, the small dog; what
does this show?
Ans. When Joel's mother tells him to go to feed lamby in the barn at 11:15 at night, he willingly
goes to the barn to feed it. The air was cold and night was dark when he reached the barn. It
shows his fondness for the lamby and how much he tends it. It shows that he cares about the
animals and he is a responsible boy who knows his duties and fulfills them with a sense of
responsibility. He is never negligent of the needs of animals and looks after them at his level
best. That's why he goes in and out of barns at least ten times a day. He is by nature a tender-
hearted person who lends his services to human beings as well as animals.
Q5. Compare and contrast your daily routine with that of Joel's. How would you rate the
motivational level of your doing work with that of Joel?
Ans. Although I am a teenager like Joel but there is a sharp difference in routine work if I
compare myself to him. Joel reads in a school and when he comes home, he no longer remains
a typical teenager like me. He works on the farm and he has learnt all the skills of farming too.
He has all the opportunities to walk freely in the open fields and see things grow and enjoy
change of seasons. I don't have such environment to develop my personality. I come back from
school and complete all my school work first. Then to refresh myself, I cannot go out in hustle
and bustle of city life, instead I sit comfortably in a sitting room and watch TV. I don't think I can
do heavy work like Joel and may not be physically strong like him. But in my own set up, I try to
perform my tasks which are required from me.
Q6. What skills one is required to learn if he wants to be a full-fledged farmer?
Ans. In order to be a full-fledged farmer, farmers have to have many skills. They have to be
machine operators, driving immense and powerful vehicles; they have to be mechanics,
repairing them; husbandmen, raising livestock; veterinarians, tending them when sick;
agriculturists, growing food on a large scale; and businesspeople, managing a farm operation
worth nearly one million dollars.
Q7. In what way does Joel play the role of an adult?
Ans. Joel plays the role of an adult. When he comes back from school, his life no longer remains
the same as that of the typical teenager. He does chores after school which are definitely boot
work, hard, heavy and sometimes dirty. He helps run the farm and supports the family. He has
learnt all the skills of a farmer. Driving heavy machinery, feeding animals, opening and closing
farm gates, lifting weights of grain, and shoveling the land shows that he plays the role of an
adult.