Mid-Term Break

A) What are the persona's feelings in the first five stanzas of this poem? Explain how the poet described these feelings through the careful choice of words used.

Ans: The persona was in grief and felt awkward. The poet describes these sad feelings carefully with the choice of words used.
When the poet heard that his brother was knocked down by a car and was dead, he could not rush back immediately from his college and had to wait for his neighbours to come and fetch him home. Thus, he was sad he could not see his dead brother immediately. As the poet entered the house, there were many old men who stood up and shook his hand, hence he felt awkward by their actions. Also, everybody looked solemn, in contrast to the baby's laughing, and cooing.
The persona was also unfeeling towards his brother's death in the first five stanzas. He showed little emotion when he entered the house and did not rushed to see his dead brother as quickly as he could. Furthermore, he referred his dead brother as a 'corpse', which shows that he did not cared about his brother's death as referring to a dead body as a 'corpse' meant that they had no connection with each other.
Therefore, from the first five stanzas of the poem, I can see that the persona was in grief of not getting back early and was awkward when the old men shook his hand and told him that they were 'sorry for the trouble' as he had to rushed back from college. The persona was also unfeeling and did not show concern to his brother's death in the first five stanzas by showing few actions and emotions.


B) How does the use of literary devices describe the mood in this poem?

Ans: The poet made used of literary devices such as alliteration, onomatopoeia and metaphors to bring out the mood in this poem, which is sadness.
Firstly, the poet used alliteration emphasize the mood in this poem. 'He lay in the four foot box as in his cot'. The alliteration used on the letter 'f' helps emphasize how very small the child is, and has sad impact on the reader. The poet speaks of his dead brother as if it has not fully realized he is dead, in the way in which the poet compares the coffins to the child in the cot. The fact the child can see his brother in his cot, creates deep load of sadness, when we know the child is dead.
Next, the poet used onomatopoeia. The poet was counting the bells that knelled 'classes to a close'. The word 'knelling' are usually used for funeral bells, not for class bells. Funerals are sad occasions when a family loses a family member due to death. Hence, knelling shows the grief the family is experiencing when the persona's brother died. Words such as “cooed,” “whispers,” “coughed,” and “knocked” are also used to express emotion within the poem.
Finally, the poet used metaphors to describe the mood of the poem.The phrase “wearing a poppy bruise” helps to create an image because even though we know the dead child is not literally wearing a poppy bruise we can imagine what the bruise would look like. This can also suggest that it is like the World War 1 because at the end of that the first plants to re-grow were the poppies. Also, the title 'Mid-Term Break' suggests a holiday from the school, however, in this poem, the work 'break' also indicates a 'break' in one's life.
Hence, through the three literary devices used in the poem, the poet brings out the sadness in the poem.

School Day Poem

School is like a prison,
a chamber of tortue,
where everyday is work,
and there is no pleasure.

Wake up early everyday,
just to get to school.
One minute late,
and that's the end of you.

Sit up straight and shut your mouth,
when the teacher talks.
If you disobey,
you'll become barbecue pork.

So that's the life in school,
always full of rules,
and never-ending worksheets,
flying straight at you!

Favourite Poem

Birches By Robert Frost

When I see birches bend to left and right
Across the lines of straighter darker trees,
I like to think some boy's been swinging them.
But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay 
As ice-storms do.  Often you must have seen them
Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning
After a rain.  They click upon themselves
As the breeze rises, and turn many-colored
As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.
Soon the sun's warmth makes them shed crystal shells
Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust--
Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away
You'd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.
They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,
And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed
So low for long, they never right themselves:
You may see their trunks arching in the woods
Years afterwards, trailing their leaves on the ground
Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair
Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.
But I was going to say when Truth broke in
With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm
I should prefer to have some boy bend them
As he went out and in to fetch the cows--
Some boy too far from town to learn baseball,
Whose only play was what he found himself,
Summer or winter, and could play alone.
One by one he subdued his father's trees
By riding them down over and over again
Until he took the stiffness out of them,
And not one but hung limp, not one was left
For him to conquer.  He learned all there was
To learn about not launching out too soon
And so not carrying the tree away
Clear to the ground.  He always kept his poise
To the top branches, climbing carefully
With the same pains you use to fill a cup
Up to the brim, and even above the brim.
Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,
Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.
So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.
It's when I'm weary of considerations,
And life is too much like a pathless wood
Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs
Broken across it, and one eye is weeping
From a twig's having lashed across it open.
I'd like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return.  Earth's the right place for love:
I don't know where it's likely to go better.
I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.

Metaphors - I'd like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over... 

- It shows the poet getting away and coming back.

Simile - ...trailing their leaves on the ground 

Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair   
Before them over their heads to dry in the sun

- It shows the leaves are like girls.

Why I like it:

This poem is about life from boyhood to death and it utilizes the beauty of the natural world 

as a vehicle for a reflection on life. The poet present the characteristics of life and nature  

accurately, as well as man's relationship to the natural world. 
He takes us through the symbols, memories, and thoughts that he had one moment 

while he noticed birch trees. all bent over. And he reflected on his own nostalgia, 

that he swung from trees as a kid, even while admitting that these trees are likely bent by
nature. I find this poem very meaningful and interesting though at some parts it is very difficult 

to understand. 

Gulliver's Travels By Johnathan Swift - In what way is it a satire?

Lilliput

This story is mainly about the fight between Lilliput and Blefuscu. This fight begin a long time ago, people once broke eggs on the big end. However, the present king's grandfather once cut himself breaking the egg in this manner, so the King at the time, the father of the present king's grandfather, issued an edict that all were to break the eggs on the small end. Some of the people resisted, and they found refuge in Blefuscu, therefore the two sides have been at war. The war is unnecessary and needless, just like the war between England and France.

Also, the methods of selecting people for public office in Lilliput are very different from that of any other nation. In order to be chosen, a man must "rope dance" to the best of his abilities; the best rope dancer receives the higher office.While no nation of Europe in Swift's time followed such an absurd practice, they did not choose public officers on skill, but rather on how well the candidate could line the right pockets with money. With this event, Swift is satirizing the conditions of Europe.

Brobdingnag

This story is where Gulliver finds himself in a land of giants. In Lilliput, he used to be the strongest and tallest among the people whereas now, he is the weakest and the shortest among these giants. Also, in Lilliput, he had been treated with respect; now, in the land of giants, he is treated as a curiosity, forced to perform shows for public amusement, until the royalty of this nation learn of his presence.

When he first encounters a giant native, he was so scared and ran to hide. This story is about the many attacks on humanity that Swift's satire will perform.

Laputa

In Laputa, Gulliver finds clumsy, awkward, and unhandy people, nor so slow and perplexed in their conception of other subjects; however, they are highly skilled in mathematics. This story shows that people who wants to show off their talents but in the end make a fool of themselves.

Houyhnhnms

In Houyhnhnms, there are two types of 'species'. The Houyhnhnms are creatures that look like horses but have the ability to reason. There are also the Yahoos, which are animals with perfect human figures, except for the fact that they are dirty and do not wear clothes. From the Yahoos, Swift shows that the flaws of humanity are overwhelming, and will result in a total degradation of the human.

Animal Farm - Glencoe

Chapter 1-4

Character	Characteristics/ Actions/ Purpose
Old Major	Gets the revolution started, inspires hope for real change
Mr Jones	Wants to get his farm back by all means after being kicked out by the animals.
Napoleon	Leader of the revolution, together with Snowball. Used violence to control the farm and started to act like humans
Snowball	Leader of the revolution, together with Napoleon. Believes that animals should be treated equally
Squealer	Sort of the 'messenger' for Napoleon, convinces the animals the life is better than before
Boxer	Hardworking and too obedient
Clover	Questions Napoleon's way of ruling the farm
Mollie	Lazy and prefers humans to animals
Benjamin	Thinks that life is the same with or without the revolution

Personal Response:

1. What is your reaction to the animals’ revolution?

I feel that the animals are right to have a revolution and I am happy for them when the revolution is successful as I feel that animals also have the right to be treated well.

2. Do you sympathize with the animal’s complaints and goals? Why or why not?

Yes, I do. I think that the animals are unfairly treated and should be treated better. I also think that a revolution is a good way to free themselves.

Analysing Literature:

1. Describe how the Rebellion takes place? How does the animals’ behavior during the Rebellion suggest both human and animal characteristics?

The animals attacked the humans and chased them out of the farm. The animals were upset and furious that they were not fed and chased the humans out of the farm.

2. How do the pigs gain the rights to the cow's milk? Why do the other animals allow this to occur? What does this event suggest about the power hierarchy on the farm?

The whole management and organisation of the farm depends on the pigs and the pigs need it for their brains. The other animals did not want Jones to be back and Squealer said that if the pigs die, there would be no animal to lead the farm. This even suggests that the pigs were the head of the farm.

3. How does the original version of Animalism become the slogan "Four legs good, two legs bad"? In your opinion, do the animals want rules with simple language? What kind of language do the pigs use?

Animalism meant that anything with four legs is bad while anything with two legs is good. Yes, they do. The pigs used very complex sentences that the animals did not understand.

4.What technique does Orwell use to cast doubt on the likelihood of a successful revolution?

He uses the idea of many characters who doubt the success of the revolution.

5. Characterize Snowball as a leader. Do you think his reaction to the stable-boy’s death is the appropriate reaction to have during a revolution? 

Yes, I do. During a revolution, many will die. Thus, everyone must be willing to sacrifice their lives.

Chapter 5-7

The Words	What they really mean
On the contrary, it was he who had advocated it in the beginning and the plan which Snowball had drawn on the floor of the incubator shed had actually been stolen from Napoleon’s papers	Snowball stole Napoleon's ideas.
This work was strictly voluntary, but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations cut by half	The work is compulsory.
Clover warned him sometimes to be careful not to overstrain himself, but Boxer would never listen to her.	Boxer is stubborn.
"It isn't ture!" repeated Mollie, but she could not look Clover in the face.	Mollie is lying.
There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with the human being, which would be clearly be most undesirable.	Napoleon would be doing all the trading.
The pigs would get up an hour later	The pigs find themselves superior

1.  What was your reaction to Snowball’s expulsion from Animal Farm?

I feel that Snowball should not be expelled from Animal Farm. Instead, Napoleon should be expelled. He was much lazier than Snowball and only uses force to drive Snowball away. I feel that Snowball should foresee this problem and make preparations for it.

Analyzing Literature

1. What happens to Snowball during the meeting about the windmill? What events in Soviet history does this scene suggest?

Snowball was being attacked by Napoleon's dogs. This scene suggests Stalin expelling Trotsky.

2. Identify three ways that Napoleon tries to solidify his leadership position on the farm. How

does the process of decision-making on the farm change under Napoleon’s leadership?

1) He expelled Snowball.

2) He used his dogs to force the animals to listen to him.

3) He killed every animal who oppose his rule.

All decision were made by Napoleon.

3. Why do the executions take place? What message do these events send to the animals

about their role in a future society?

Napoleon wanted to kill animal who leagued themselves with Snowball. It tells the animals that they should follow Napoleon's orders without disobey or else they would be killed.

4. How does Orwell compare Animal Farm under Napoleon’s leadership, to its exploited state

under Farmer Jones’s rule? What attitude about totalitarian government do you think Orwell conveys?

Orwell tells the readers that the animals suffered even more under Napoleon's leadership than under Farmer Jones's rule. Orwell tells us that totalitarian governments will only make life even more miserable.

5. Do you think it’s fair that those who are more educated or more skilled—like the pigs in

Animal Farm—have more influence in decision making? Consider how decisions are

made in your community, state, or in the nation.

No, I do not. Decisions in my nation is fair. Everyone can vote for what we want.

Chapter 8-10

Life for the pigs:

1. Sleep on beds

2. Do not work

3. Enjoy life

4. Given privileges

5. More rations

Life for Other Animals:

1. Mistreated

2. Less rations

3. Worked long hours

4. No privileges

5. No say

6. Sleep on hay

Personal Response 

1. What is your reaction to the novel’s ending? For example, do you find it uplifting,

depressing, cynical? Explain.

I feel that the ending of the novel to be depressing. The animals are even worse of when they begin and are being forced to work by the pigs, who are having a good life.

Analyzing Literature

1. What dealings does Napoleon have with Frederick and Pilkington? How does the battle over

the windmill affect the animals? What events from Soviet history is Orwell highlighting?

Napoleon traded with Frederick and Pilkington. The animals are now under Napoleon. Orwell is highlighting the event when Stalin took over the Republic.

2. What happens to Boxer and how do the other animals learn of his fate? How do they come to a final conclusion about these events?

Boxer was slaughtered but the animals learn that he received every treatment possible and died peacefully. They were always convinced by Squealer that everything was well.

3. What changes are made to the Fifth and Sixth Commandments? How is the entire list of

Commandments ultimately refashioned? What point is Orwell making about the role of

communication in Soviet society?

They were changed from 'No animal shall kill another animal' to 'No animal shall kill another animal without cause' and 'No animal shall drink alcohol' to 'No animal shall drink alcohol to excess'. The entire list of Commandments was finally refashioned to 'All animals are equally, but some are more equal than others'. The soviet leaders made the rules to suit what they do.

4.In Chapter 10 the pigs begin to walk on two legs. In your opinion is this evolution a sign

of progress? Explain.

I think that this evolution is a sign of progress. It shows that the pigs (animals) are beginning to learn human ways.

5.Some critics believe that, at the end of the book, Orwell suggests that the pigs and

human political leaders are interchangeable. Do you think most government rulers are

interchangeable? How might power change those who have it? Explain.

No, I do not think so. We should only change government rulers who are not doing their job properly and correctly. If not, the power would be in the wrong hands and the society might be in danger.

Personal Response

Animal Farm contains many extremely effective scenes. Some are humorous or witty, others are

bitterly ironic or pessimistic. Which scene did you find most memorable and effective? Why?

I find the scene when Boxer was taken to away to be slaughtered is the most memorable and effective. This scene summarises what will happen to animals under Napoleon when they are old and useless. Boxer worked the hardest for the farm and when he grew old and useless, the cold-hearted Napoleon sent him to the knackers in turn for money. This shows how ruthless and uncaring Napoleon is.

Gulliver's Travels by Johnathan Swift

1) Lilliput - Little people

Gulliver encountered a storm on his voyage. He managed to reach the shore and slept through the night. When he woke up, his legs and arms were fastened to the ground. He looks down and sees a six-inch-tall human carrying a bow and arrow. At least forty more little people climb onto his body. He is surprised and shouts loudly, frightening the little people away. Gulliver struggles to get loose and finally succeeds in breaking the strings binding his left arm. However, the little people shot arrows at him and he decided that the safest thing to do is to lie still until nightfall. At that point of time, a little man talked to him in a strange language that he does not understand.

Gulliver then indicated that he was hungry and the little people bring him baskets of meat. He devours it all and then shows that he is thirsty, so they bring him two large barrels of wine. He made signs for more, but the little people had none to give him. Gulliver was then put to sleep and was brought to the city gates by the strongest nine hundred little people.

Once the little people chain Gulliver to the building, he is finally allowed to stand up and view the entire countryside. After a few days, an inventory was made of the things he had in his pocket. The king and his subjects searched all his pockets except one, which was his inner pocket that contained his spectacle and some other items.

The king and Gulliver made an agreement that Gulliver had to follow the conditions laid out by the king in order to gain his freedom. Gulliver agrees and his chains are removed from him. Soon, after a few weeks, Gulliver is asked to help defend Lilliput against its enemies. Gulliver does not feel that it is appropriate to intervene, but he nonetheless offers his services to the emperor.

Gulliver spies on the empire of Blefuscu and devises a plan. He asks for cables and bars of iron, out of which he makes hooks with cables attached. He then wades and swims the channel to Blefuscu and catches their ships at port. The people are so frightened that they leap out of their ships and swim to shore. Gulliver attaches a hook to each ship and ties them together. The Blefuscu soldiers fire arrows at him, but he keeps working, protecting his eyes by putting on the spectacles he keeps in his coat pocket. He tries to pull the ships away, but they are anchored too tightly, so he cuts them away with his pocketknife and pulls the ships back to Lilliput.

When Gulliver returns to Lilliput, he was treated as a hero and was rewarded as a Nardac. On one night, Gulliver was woken up to help to extinguish the fire in the queen's room. As he forgotten to bring his jacket, he urinates on the room and puts out the fire in three minutes.

A few days later, an eminent person of the court secretly informed Gulliver that some men were plotting against Gulliver. Fearing for his life, Gulliver made his way to Blefuscu. There, he found a boat of his size and with the emperor of Blefuscu's help, he was on his way back home in a month's time.

2) Brobdingnag - Giants

Gulliver set sails on a ship and arrives at an unknown land mass. There are no inhabitants about, and the landscape is barren and rocky. Gulliver is walking back to the boat when he sees that it has already left without him. He tries to chase after it, but then he sees that a giant is following the boat. Gulliver runs away, and when he stops, he is on a steep hill from which he can see the countryside. He is shocked to see that the grass is about twenty feet high.

He walks further and reaches the harvest, which was forty feet.One of the servants comes close to Gulliver with both his foot and his scythe, so Gulliver screams as loudly as he can. The giant finally notices him, and picks him up between his fingers to get a closer look. 

The farmer takes Gulliver back to his wife, who is frightened of him. The servant brings in dinner, and they all sit down to eat, Gulliver sitting on the table not far from the farmer’s plate. They give him tiny bits of their food, and he pulls out his knife and fork to eat, which delights the giants.

After dinner, the farmer’s wife lets Gulliver nap in her own bed. When he wakes up he finds two rats attacking him, and he defends himself with his “hanger,” or sword. Glumdalclitch, the farmer's daughter, places a doll's cradle inside a drawer to keep Gulliver safe from the rats. She becomes Gulliver’s caretaker and guardian, sewing clothes for him and teaching him the giants’ language.

The farmer begins to talk about Gulliver in town, and a friend of the farmer’s comes to see him. He advises the farmer to take Gulliver into the market to display him. The farmer agrees and Gulliver was soon in the marketplace performing 'tricks'. Thinking that Gulliver can make him a great fortune, the farmer takes him and Glumdalclitch on a trip to the largest cities.

The strain of traveling and performing “tricks” takes its toll on Gulliver, and he begins to grow very thin. The farmer notices Gulliver’s condition and resolves to make as much money as possible before Gulliver dies. Meanwhile, an order comes from the court, commanding the farmer to bring Gulliver to the queen for her entertainment.

The queen is delighted with Gulliver’s behavior and buys him from the farmer for 1,000 gold pieces. Gulliver requests that Glumdalclitch be allowed to live in the palace as well. Gulliver enjoyed his time at the palace at first. However, the queen’s dwarf is not happy with Gulliver, since he is used to being the smallest person in the palace and a source of diversion for the royal court. He drops Gulliver into a bowl of cream, but Gulliver is able to swim to safety and the dwarf is punished. At another point, the dwarf sticks Gulliver into a marrowbone, where he is forced to remain until someone pulls him out. Gulliver also encountered some life-threatening incidents. Luckily, he was saved each time.

Gulliver is carried around the city in a special traveling-box, and people always crowd around to see him. He asks to see the largest temple in the country and is not overwhelmed by its size, since at a height of 3,000 feet it is proportionally smaller than the largest steeple in England.

One day, however, after spending two years in Brobdingnag, Gulliver went to the shore and while he was sleeping, an eagle took his special traveling-box and dropped it into the sea. Luckily for him, his fellow countrymen spotted him and rescued him.

3) Laputa - The Flying Island

Gulliver's ship was attacked by pirates and was sent out to sea in a small boat with only four days’ worth of food. He managed to find an island. He then sees a landmass dropping down from the sky and notices that it is crawling with people. He is baffled by this floating island and shouts up to its inhabitants. They lower the island and send down a chain by which he is drawn up.

Gulliver is conveyed to the king, who sits behind a table loaded with mathematical instruments. They tried to speak to each other, but it becomes clear that he and the king cannot speak any of the same languages, so Gulliver is taken to an apartment and served dinner.

A teacher is sent to instruct Gulliver in the language of the island, and he is able to learn several sentences. He discovers that the name of the island is Laputa, which in their language means “floating island.”

The island is exactly circular and consists of 10,000 acres of land. At the center there is a cave for astronomers, containing all their instruments and a lodestone six yards long. It moves the island with its magnetic force, since it has two charges that can be reversed by means of an attached control. When the king wants to punish a particular region of the country, he can keep the island above it, depriving the lands below of sun and rain.The rebellious inhabitants had stored provisions of food in advance. They planned to force the island to come so low that it would be trapped forever and to kill the king and his officials in order to take over the government. Instead, the king ordered the island to stop descending and gave in to the town’s demands. The king is not allowed to leave the floating island, nor is his family.

4) Houyhnhnms - Magical Horses

The restless Gulliver started on another voyage, as the captain of a ship called the Adventure. Many of his sailors die of illness, so he recruits more along the way. His crew members mutiny under the influence of these new sailors and become pirates. Gulliver is left on an unknown shore, after being confined to his cabin for several days. In the distance, he sees animals with long hair, goatlike beards, and sharp claws, which they use to climb trees.

Gulliver met two horses that appear to be so intelligent that Gulliver concludes that they are magicians who have transformed themselves into horses. He addresses them directly and asks to be taken to a house or village. The horses use the words “Yahoo” and “Houyhnhnm,” which Gulliver tries to pronounce.

Gulliver endeavors to learn the horses’ language, and they are impressed by his intellect and curiosity. After three months, he can answer most of their questions and tries to explain that he comes from across the sea.

Over the course of two years, Gulliver develops such a love for the Houyhnhnms that he no longer desires to return to humankind. His master describes all the flaws of the Yahoos, principally detailing their greed and selfishness. He admits that Gulliver’s humans have different systems of learning, law, government, and art but says that their natures are not different from those of the Yahoos.

A room is made for Gulliver, and he furnishes it well. He also makes new clothes for himself and settles into life with the Houyhnhnms quite easily. He begins to think of his friends and family back home as Yahoos. However, he is called by his master and told that others have taken offense at his being kept in the house as a Houyhnhnm. The master has no choice but to ask Gulliver to leave. Gulliver is very upset to hear that he is to be banished. He builds a canoe with the help of a fellow-servant and departs sadly.

Thus, that is the end of the adventure of Gullliver.

Alice in Wonderland

After I've watched the movie 'Alice in Wonderland', I feel that it is much like the book, when Alice, now 19 years old, goes back in to the Wonderland and saw that it is being ruled by an evil queen, the Red Queen.

I feel that the good points of this movie are: The Red Queen and the movie being 'real'. Personally, I feel that the Red Queen is the most interesting character to watch in this film. Though she does heinous things, I think that the audience can feel compassion because they know deep down she’s acting out of the hurt and rejection she’s felt most of her life.

Also, the movie is a pleasure to look at, both in terms of visuals and the characters of the Underworld. I think that the actors and the cast have done a very good job as almost every little action could be seen. It is as if you have entered the Underworld yourself.


However, I think that the character of the Mad Hatter should be improved, and that the movie, at some point of time, is illogical.

Overall, I think that the film has quite a good plot and I would rate it 7 of 10. I feel that if you want to have a taste of 'reality' in movie shows, than this is the one to go and watch!

Animal Farm - The Play

Question 1 : How accurate is the play to the book?

Answer : The play is mostly based on the book, only some parts of the play are made up or not included.

Question 2 : Which one character that you think is most effective on stage?

Answer : I think that Squealer is most effective on stage, as he always gives instructions from Napoleon to the animals and he also plays an important role in convincing the animals what Napoleon says is always true and how Napoleon sacrifices so much for Animal Farm.

Question 3 : Write a review of the production.

Answer : Personally, I feel that the production was well played and it includes many humourous parts, just like in the book. The production is based on the book 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell. The story starts with the animals taking over Manor Farm by chasing Mr Jones out of the farm and renaming the farm 'Animal Farm'. After the rebellion, every animal thought that all of them were now equal. However, that was not the case. The pigs set themselves as leaders and changed most of the rules of the farm. The animals had no choice but to follow and accept the pigs commands as the dogs of Napoleon scared them. Thus, the farm went very quickly from a communist utopia to totalitarian dystopia. It is scary how obedient the animals were to the tyrannical leadership of the pigs, and do not complain when they were unfairly treated while the pigs get to have a good life. I feel that the part which shows how ruthless Napoleon is is when he sent Boxer to the knacks when Boxer was useless and old. Overall, I feel that this book is a good read and I encourage everyone to read it.

Apr 26, 2010

Creature comforts

Strong ensemble performances make you laugh and cry

By adeline chia

Animal Farm may suffer from an inconsistency of tone, but the cast's energy and conviction lift the play. --PHOTO: ALBERT LIM KS

review theatre
ANIMAL FARM
Wild Rice
Drama Centre Theatre, Last Saturday

Great ensemble performances characterise this production of George Orwell's political allegory and the cast's energy and conviction lift it.

Whether handsomely trotting around as horses, strutting about as self- important porcine rulers or darting about as distressed chickens, the actors display tremendous vitality and honesty in performances that should appeal to both adults and children.

Special mention goes to the statuesque Gani Abdul Karim, who shone as the doomed boar, Old Major, and later the unquestioning workhorse, Boxer.

Yet, despite the hardworking and athletic acting talents, there is something unsatisfactory and hollow about this production which has won standing ovations at the Hong Kong Arts Festival, where it was last performed, and good reviews during its initial run in 2002 in Singapore.

There is no denying that this is a slick and entertaining production with resonant themes.

Through various interventions, including mentions of air-conditioning and an unmistakeably imperious and 'R'-rolling accent of alpha pig Napoleon (played by Lim Yu-Beng of the sculpted body), we are sure that this is definitely a Singapore Farm as well.

Under Ivan Heng's direction, the farcical and comical aspects of the script by Ian Wooldridge emerge.

The spin doctor antics of Squealer the pig (an irrepressible Pam Oei), who spontaneously modified the Animalism's seven commandments, playfully underscore the ludicrous ways those in power bend rules.

There are some beautiful and intelligent scenes - including the construction process of the windmill using collapsible air-conditioner ducts, and Boxer's heartbreaking departure - that show Heng's clever use of props in carefully calibrated scenes.

Look out also for a well-judged ending involving Clover (a mare played by Yeo Yann Yann with tragic nobility), which may raise a few sniffles.

But the problem is inconsistency of tone. The play is an indecisive mixture of parody, slapstick, glib political jibes and pathos, whose styles are so at odds that they end up diluting one another.

The darker elements, especially, are toned down.

Little of the true grotesquerie of the unfolding plot - increasing exploitation and cruelty, pigs drinking alcohol and wearing clothes - is sufficiently plumbed. When Napoleon stumbles on stage clutching a bottle and a karaoke microphone, he elicits giggles, not horror.

Still, the many laughs along the way make this barnyard drama a smooth ride - a little too glitchless for my liking but a solid production to open Wild Rice's 10th-anniversary celebrations.

The Amish

 LIFESTYLE

Amish lifestyle is dictated by the Ordnung (German, meaning: order), which differs slightly from community to community, and, within a community, from district to district. What is acceptable in one community may not be acceptable in another. No summary of Amish lifestyle and culture can be totally adequate, because there are few generalities that are true for all Amish. Groups may separate over matters such as the width of a hat-brim, the color of buggies, or various other issues. The use of tobaccco (excluding cigarettes, which are considered "worldly") and moderate use of alcohol are generally permitted, particularly among older and more conservative groups.

The Older Order Amish are known for their avoidance of certain modern technologies. Amish do not view technology as evil, and individuals may petition for acceptance of a particular technology in the local community. In Pennsylvania, bishops meet in the spring and fall to discuss common concerns, including the appropriate response to new technology, and then pass this information on to ministers and deacons in a subsequent meeting. Because of this flat governing structure, variations of practice develop in each community.

Petrol-powered farm equipment, such as tillers or mowers, may be pushed by a human or pulled by a horse. The reasoning is that Amish farmers will not be tempted to purchase more land to out-compete other farmers in their community, if they have to move the equipment manually. Amish farmers employ chemical pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and artificial insemination of cows.High voltage electricity was rejected by 1920 through the actions of a strict bishop, as a reaction against more liberal Amish and to avoid a physical connection to the outside world. Because of the early prohibition of electricity, individual decisions about the use of new inventions such as the television would not be necessary. Electricity is used in some situations when it can be produced without access to outside power lines. Batteries, with their limited applications, are sometimes acceptable. Electric generators may be used for welding, recharging batteries, and powering milk stirrers in many communities. Outdoor electrical appliances such as riding and hand-pushed lawn mowers and string trimmers are used in some communities. Some Amish families have non-electric versions of appliances, such as kerosene-powered refrigerators. Some Old Order Amish districts may allow the use of thermal solar panels.

Although most Amish will not drive cars, they will hire drivers and vans, for example, for visiting family, monthly grocery shopping, or commuting to the workplace off the farm — though this too is subject to local regulation and variation. The practice increases the geographic reach of the Amish, and decreases isolation: a horse can travel only about 25 miles (40 km), and it must rest for a considerable period, restricting the Amish to a radius of 12.5 miles (20.1 km) from home. Moreover, a horse and buggy can only sustain 10 mph (16 km/h) over an extended distance, and thus is impractical for emergencies. Regular bus service between Amish communities has been established in some areas, and train travel is accepted.

Restrictions are not meant to impose suffering. Disabled people are allowed to use motorized wheelchairs; electricity is allowed in the home for medical equipment.Those who break the rules may be given many months to resolve the problem so that they can use a computer to complete a business project or remove electric wiring from a new house.

The Old Order Amish tend to restrict telephone use, as it is viewed by some as interfering with separation from the world. By bringing the outside world into the home, it is an intrusion into the privacy and sanctity of the family, and interferes with social community by eliminating face-to-face communication.

ADVANTAGES

The Amish were very eco-friendly as they did not use any machinery. Also, the Amish children grow up on a farm and learn at an early age how to sew, cook, operate tractors and equipment, manage a farm and home. Most importantly, the Amish are also very friendly towards each other. They interact more as they do not use video chat or the telephone.

DISADVANTAGES

If one falls seriously ill, he/she cannot be taken to the hospital quickly. They also have a lack of technology which will eventually cause them to lose out with other countries. The Amish means of transports are also very limited and restricted. For example, the horse cannot bring them to far places quickly. 

MY OPINION OF AMISH LIFESTYLE

Personally, I think that the Amish lifestyle is a good lifestyle, but not a perfect one. Yes, we should try our best not to use technology, but sometimes, we must still use technology as it helps us tremendously. Take the means of transports for instance. With technology (car), we can travel much faster and further than using a horse. Overall, I think that the Amish could use a bit of technology to help them with their daily needs while in the meantime, maintaining their 'green' lifestyle. 

English Vocab Worksheets

TELE

TELE means FAR

This is another word part that is found in a lot of common, concrete words. "Tele" can also simply be short for "telephone" as in the words "telethon" or "telegenic."

I. FOR EACH WORD:

1. Write the word
2. Write what it means
3. Draw a picture to go with it
4. Answer the question about it.

word	meaning and example	what to draw	question to answer (you may draw your answer, too)
telephone	an instrument for producing sounds at a distance (or the action of using such an instrument)	two different kinds of telephones	What are two things that are a lot easier because of the telephone?
television	An instrument for receiving electrical waves from a distance and changing them into pictures and sounds	two different kinds of televisions	What are two things you wouldn't know about without television?
telescope	an instrument for looking at very distant objects AND/OR: (optional) to become forced together lengthwise with one part entering the other as the result of a collision; to become compressed or condensed (like a collapsing telescope).	a telescope	Who would want to own a telescope?
telegram	a message sent over distance by coded signals, commonly used for very important messages before telephones were reliable; messages were as short as possible because each word added to the cost. Often someone would be sent to a person's house to deliver the telegram.	Someone delivering a telegram.	What are two messages that would be important enough for someone to send a telegram?
telepathy	communication from one mind to another through "extrasensory" means -- sending thoughts or feelings directly into someone's mind from yours, or knowing what they are thinking. (Usually happens in science fiction stories.)	Someone getting a telepathic message.	What are two things you would do if telepathy were possible?
teleconference	a meeting of several people who are in different, distant places by using telephones or computers	People having a teleconference	What are two reasons to have a teleconference?
telephoto	A lense system that makes far-away things look closer		Where are two places where a telephoto lens would be a good thing to have?
telemetry	sending information over a distance by machines. Satellites use telemetry to take information and then send it to different places; hospital systems use telemetry to send medical information to nurses' stations	Something that uses telemetry	What are two things that telemetry makes easier for people?
telemeter	an instrument for measuring the distance of an object from the observer OR an instrument to send measurements over a distance (such as from Mars to the Earth)	*Both* kinds of telemeters	What are two things you could do with a telemeter?

telephone, television, telescope, teleconference, telemeter, telemetry, telepathy, telegram, teleconference, telephoto
Complete these sentences with the "tele" word. Be sure to mix these sentences with words learned in previous lessons.
1.There will be a video _______________________________ and people from all over the world will be joining.
2. The army sent the soldier's wife a _________________________________ when he was killed in action.
3. The reporter took a picture of the actress from half a mile away with a ______________________________ camera.
television, telescope, telemeter, telepathy,
4. Some people think talking on the ________________________ while you are driving should be against the law.
5. The robot on Mars uses ________________________ to send information about the land and atmosphere to scientists on Earth.
6. When people have known each other for a long time, they can sometimes know what the other is thinking or feeling without a word spoken -- it's like __________________________.
7. We used a _______________________________ to figure out how far we were from the ground.
8. There is a huge ________________________ in New Mexico that is used to look at far distant stars.

Answers : 1) teleconference 2) telegram 3) telephoto 4) telephone 5) telemetry 6) telepathy 7) telemeter 8) telescope

Source: http://www.resourceroom.net.comprehension/wordparts/index.asp

copyright © 1998-2004 Susan Jones, Resource Room. All Rights Reserved.

BIO

BIO means LIFE


Bio is the third root to be featured on the Resource Room found often in scientific contexts.
I. FOR EACH WORD:

1. Write the word
2. Write what it means
3. Draw a picture to go with it
4. Answer the question about it.

word	meaning and example	what to draw	question to answer (you may draw your answer, too)
biology	study of life	Three different things a biologist would study	What are 10 different living things a biologist could learn about? Make them as different as you can.
biography	story of someone's life	A biography	What would be a good title for an biography?
autobiography	story of someone's own life	an autobiography	Who are ten people who have had biographies written about them?
antibiotic	medicine to kill bacteria such as penicillin	a bottle of antibiotics	Why did more children die before antibiotics were discovered?
symbiosis	when two different kinds of living things have a close relationship -- such as bacteria living in cows' stomachs and helping digest grass or bees that get food from flowers and help spread their pollen	a symbiotic relationship	What might the "sym" in "symbiosis" mean?
biosphere	layer on the earth that has living things	the whole biosphere	What are three very different places on the biosphere that would have very different kinds of life?
biodegradable	able to be broken down (usually into harmless things) in nature -- tree stumps and paper are biodegradable, plastic is not.	Three things that are biodegradable	What is a problem with things that are *not* biodegradable?
biopsy	taking out and examining living tissue from a living thing (such as taking a piece of a tumor out to see if it is cancerous)		Who would do a biopsy?
biohazard	Something that could harm living things (such as radioactive material or poisonous chemicals)	A label that would be put on a biohazard	What are three things  that could be biohazards?
bioluminescence	Light made by living things like lightning bugs or some fish	a bioluminescent animal

Complete these sentences with the bio- word that fits. Be sure review words learned in previous lessons.
1. My brother had a _______________________________ done on the lump on his elbow.
2. A ___________________________ class is where you learn about living things
3.You would have to write your own ______________________________.
4.Termites could not eat wood without other animals living inside them that digest the wood; this is an example of ________________________.
5.An ________________________ will help cure some diseases like strep throat.
6. Things that might spread an infection at a hospital have a __________________________ label on them.
7. When fish glow in the dark it is called ______________________________
8. I want to read the ________________________ of the first President of the United States.
9. The desert, the swamps and the rain forest are all part of the big _____________________.
10. If you put something _________________________________ in the dump, eventually it will rot away.

Answers: 1) biopsy 2) biology 3) autobiography 4) symbiosis 5) antibiotic 6) biohazard 7) bioluminescence 8) biography 9) biosphere 10) biodegradable

Source: http://www.resourceroom.net.comprehension/wordparts/index.asp

copyright © 1998-2004 Susan Jones, Resource Room. All Rights Reserved.

JECT

JECT means TO THROW

I. FOR EACH WORD:

1. Write the word
2. Write what it means
3. Draw a picture to go with it
4. Answer the question about it.

word	meaning and example	what to draw	question to answer (you may draw your answer, too)
eject	to throw out of, like a videotape from a VCR or a player from a baseball game	something being ejected	What are 3 examples of things or people being ejected?
inject	to shoot into something, like a needle injecting insulin	something being injected
reject	to fail to accept, or to throw back (like a fish that is too small)	something rejected or thrown back	What are 2 examples of things or people being rejected?
projectile	something being thrown, like an arrow or a cannon.  Projectile can also be the path taken by something being thrown	a projectile smaller than a football or larger than you	What are three things that could be projectiles?
conjecture	speculation - "throwing forward" a possible idea to think about		What are three things people make conjectures about besides the weather?
abject	total and hopeless (as if thrown down); abject poverty is the state of being hopelessly poor	someone feeling abject fear	What would a man in abject fear say? What might a man say in abject love?

Some other words you might see with "ject" in them:
 

object
subject
objective
subjective
trajectory

Choose one of the "ject" words to complete the sentence.
1.  My VCR will not   _______________________  my tape.
2.  The pen became a__________________________________ when it was thrown across the room.
3.  A diabetic may have to ____________________________ insulin with a needle.
4. Do you really know they will get married, or is that just __________________?
5. The school will automatically ____________________ your application if you don't pay the fee first.


Answers: 1) eject 2) projectile 3) inject 4) conjecture 5) reject
 
Source: http://www.resourceroom.net.comprehension/wordparts/index.asp

copyright © 1998-2004 Susan Jones, Resource Room. All Rights Reserved.

VOL and MORT

VOL means WISH or WILL
MORT means DEATH
 
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone introduces us to many character names and spells with word parts which are related to their meanings. The character Voldemort's name begins with "vol" - meaning to will or to wish, and ends with "mort," which means "death." The name should tell you this is quite a sinister character!

vol and mort are the first of a series of word parts from the Harry Potter series to be featured in the Resource Room. Death being a bit of an emotional subject, you may wish to be sensitive about the 'mort' words.

I. FOR EACH WORD:

1. Write the word
2. Write what it means
3. Draw a picture to go with it
4. Answer the question about it.

word	meaning and example	what to draw	question to answer (you may draw your answer, too)
volunteer	To offer to serve without pay or reward. A student can volunteer to take a note to the office. Tennessee's nickname as the "Volunteer State" came from the large number of people from Tennessee who volunteered to serve in the War of 1812. Volunteer firefighters do not get paid.	Someone volunteering for something.	What are three things a volunteer could do at a school? What would a volunteer be likely to say?
voluntary	Adjective -- done by free choice. A voluntary contribution is one you did not have to make. (also "noun- a piece of music, frequently spontaneous, done as a prelude" - you may have heard a "trumpet voluntary" at a wedding or graduation)	Yourself doing one of your favorite voluntary activities	What are ten things you did today that were voluntary?
involuntary	Not done by choice or by thinking about it. Your heart beats involuntarily because you don't decide to do it; if you hear a loud noise you may make an involuntary jump. You may have to make an involuntary purchase of a uniform if you get a job as a nurse.		What are two examples of "involuntary" actions, besides your heart beating or jumping when you are startled?
volition	The act of choosing to do something. For example, Mary apologized to Kate of her own volition, not because anybody told her to do it.		What are three things you could do of your own volition, even though they would not be the easiest thing to do?
benevolent	Intending good things to happen ("bene" is a word part meaning "good")-- a "benevolent dictator" is someone who is has control over a group, but makes decisions that are good for them. A benevolent person says and does things to help people.	Someone doing something benevolent.	What are three things a benevolent person could do?
malevolent	intending bad things to happen ("mal" is a word part meaning "bad"). If something is done malevolently, that person knew that what was done could be bad, and that's why he or she did it.	Someone doing something malevolent?	What are three malevolent things a person could say?
MORT:
mortal	adjective -- subject to death, or causing death. People are mortal, since they die. A mortal illness or injury is one that makes a person die.		What are three kinds of mortal injuries or illnesses?
immortal	never dying; living forever.		What are two things a person might do if he/she thought he/she was immortal?
mortuary	Funeral home	a mortuary	What are three things you would find at a mortuary?
mortify	To embarrass or humiliate completely; Teenagers are sometimes easily mortified; for some students, school is a place of frequent mortification. . (A less common meaning is to "subjugate by disciplinary austerities")	Someone who has just been mortified	What are three things that someone might say or do if he were feeling mortified?
mortician	Someone who prepares a body for burial		What are two things that you should be good at if you wanted to be a mortician?
post mortem	Examination of a body after death ("post" is a word part meaning "after), often to figure out what caused the death.		Why would a post mortem be done?
rigor mortis	the rigidity of a body that happens after death (and why zombies in movies walk stiffly)	zombies in movies

Complete these sentences with the vol or mort word that fits. Be sure review words learned in previous lessons.
1. Voldemort is a very ________________________________ character who likes to see bad things happen to people.
2. A _________________________________ showed that the man had died of natural causes.
3. Joining the Reading Club is ______________________________ , so only join if you really want to read.
4. Cary was ______________________________ when the entire school learned about his secret crush.
5.Is there a __________________________ who would be willing to go pick up our pizza?
6. Even though Shakespeare died, people consider his plays and poems to be ___________________________.
7. Cassie went to school to learn how to become a ___________________________, and then got a job at a mortuary.
8. He's a _______________________________ man who is always looking for ways to help people.

Answers:  1) malevolent 2) post mortem 3) voluntary 4) mortified 5) volunteer 6) immortal 7) mortician 8) benevolent

Source: http://www.resourceroom.net.comprehension/wordparts/index.asp

copyright © 1998-2004 Susan Jones, Resource Room. All Rights Reserved.

VERT

VERT means TURN or TWIST

"vert" is the next of a set of common, but somewhat abstract, word parts.

I. FOR EACH WORD:

1. Write the word
2. Write what it means
3. Draw a picture to go with it
4. Answer the question about it.

word	meaning and example	what to draw	question to answer (you may draw your answer, too)
vertical	"perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis," (example: anything standing up, not lying down; a line that goes up and down)	three vertical things	WHat are three things that are usually vertical?
vertigo	dizzy, confused state of mind (the world is spinning or turning) - sometimes caused by looking down from a high place.	a person with vertigo	What are two things that could give someone vertigo?
vertebrate	animal with a backbone (the bone we turn around with)	two of your favorite vertebrates	What are three of the most unusual vertebrates you can think of?
invert	To turn inside out or upside down (a cup, a fraction in math, a shirt a dive)	something being inverted	What is something you shouldn't invert, and why?
convert	to turn from one thing to another (to convert to a different religion, to convert from feet to inches)	something or someone being converted	How is convert different from invert?
revert	to turn back to an earlier state or condition (reverting back to your old religion, or a habit or way of doing things, or reverting money back to what you had when you return to your old country)		Why might someone want revert to their old way of doing things? What is one thing they might say?
controversial	the subject of argument or dispute; turning people (or their words) against each other;	people talking about something controversial	What are three controversial things?
introvert	to turn inward, or someone who is shy and reserved and keeps to him/herself	an introvert	What are three things an introvert might like to do in spare time?
extrovert	to turn outward; a person who is outgoing	an extrovert	what are three things an extrovert might like to do in spare time?
avert	to turn away; to see something coming and avoid it(to avert an accident, failing a test, a conversation with someone)	someone averting something	What are two things you would like to avert?
adverse	turning against what is wanted (especially adverse weather)	adverse weather for a baseball game	What would be adverse conditions for taking a test?
adversity	conditions that make things harder or turn against you; things that make you have to work or fight hard to get what you want or need	an example of adversity	What are two examples of adversity?
subversive	trying to undermine (or overthrow; "turn over from underneath") a government or leadership; planning a school strike would be subversive behavior.	someone doing something subversive	Where are three places where someone might do something subversive?
diverse	different; made up of different kinds of things or people	a diverse collection of rocks or animals or people	What are two good things and one problem with having a diverse group (of anything or people)

Other vert words: diversion, inversion, aversion, diversity, diversify, subvert, versus, version, covert, overt, persevere, versatile, converse, advertise
Complete these sentences with the vert word.. Be sure to mix these sentences with words learned in previous lessons.
1.After the spinning ride at Disneyworld, Pat had _______________________ and had to sit down until he was steady again.
2. We will try to see problems before they arrive and ___________________________ them.
3. I think I will ______________________________ back to the way I used to drive to work because there is less traffic.
4. We have to ________________________ our dollars and cents into pounds and pence before we go to England.
5. When students got together and refused to take standardized tests, they were suspended for the ________________________ activity .
6. We might go camping if the weather is not too _______________________.
7. The rule for the dance marathon was that you had to be _____________________________ and moving. If you stopped or sat down you were out.
8.A good salesperson is often an ________________________ who really likes to get out and talk to people.
9. You have to sign this form to show you give your ___________________ for them to take you on this dangerous rafting trip.
10. Carl had a lot of ________________________ growing up, but he didn't let it keep him from being a good student and going to college.
11. A slug is not a _________________________ because it has no backbone.
12. If you ______________________ the number 9, it looks like a 6.
13. Beth has a ________________________ rock collection from many different places in the world.

Answers: 1) vertigo 2) avert 3) revert 4) convert 5) subversive 6) adverse 7) vertical 8) extrovert 9) avert 10)adverse 11) vertebrate 12) invert 13) diverse

Source: http://www.resourceroom.net.comprehension/wordparts/index.asp

copyright © 1998-2004 Susan Jones, Resource Room. All Rights Reserved.