Ｆｏｒ ｗｈｏｍ ａｒｅ ａｎｓｗｅｒ In The Midst of Hardship

IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP 

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 son’s

albino buffalo that was never found

They were born amidst hardship

and grew up without a sigh or a complaint

now they are in the kitchen, making

jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

32. a. Which phrase in stanza 1 shows that the people are injured? (1 mark)

b. Give the meaning of the following words:

(i) ‘soaky’ (1 mark)

(ii) ‘limbs’ (1 mark)

(c) Do you admire the actions of the people? Give a reason for your answer. (2 marks)

32 a.When did the family go back home?

b.Why do you think some family members approached the stove?

c. The word ‘horrendous’ means …………………………………………………………………….

d. In your opinion, how should people react to difficult times?  (2 marks)

32 a. Which lines indicate the suffering that the people endure while out in the rain?

b. How long did the heavy downpour occur??

c. The word ‘horrendous’ means ……………………………………………………………………

d. In your opinion, why did the boy love the albino buffalo so much? (2 marks)

Exercise  1 (phrases)

Quotation from the poem – Which line means

1. not feeling gloomy?                                             …………………………………………………………………

2. their clothes were drenched and torn?                …………………………………………………………………

3. their hands and legs had cuts all over?               …………………………………………………………………

4. had to put up with the dreadful flood? …………………………………………………………………

5. born in suffering?                                                …………………………………………………………………

6. accepted their life without complaining?              …………………………………………………………………