spm poems - notes and exercises

Poems for SPM 1119/2

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES:

Activity 1:

Match the verbs found in the poem with the meanings.

1 shines (line 4) swings

2 beats (line 6) covered

3 struggling (line 9) glows

4 fade (line 10) appears

5 lie (line 12) wilt

6 blossom (line 14) battling

7 sways (line 17) hits

8 shivers (line 17) remain

9 paved (line 19) shakes

10 comes (line 21) disappeared

11 gone (line 21) bloom

SPM LITERATURE COMPONENT 2012 Page 21

Verbs Meanings

Canefields bullets harvested leaves

Grass wind visualize shedding

Delighted different


Activity 2:

Fill in the blanks with the words

From the poem, we know that the persona is a nature lover. He is able to describe the

seasons so vividly that the readers can (1)________________ it in their mind. First, he says that the

four seasons in his country is not literally there. However, there are (2)________________ days.

There are days when the sun shines right through the green (3)________________ . it is a

magnificent sight. Then, there are days when it rains heavily. The persona says it is as if

(4)__________________ are hitting the roofs. The sound of water in the gullies is like music to his

ears. If there are days with sunshine and rain, there are also days when the (5)_____________ takes

over. After the wind, comes the sad days because the trees start (6)________________ their leaves.

Meanwhile, the canefield has been (7)_____________, making it look so bare and empty. However,

the sad days are not forever. The persona is (8)__________________ when the trees begin to flower

and bear fruit. Insects can now be found among bushes. The beautiful sight of the tall

(9)___________ swaying is awesome. Soon, the ground is carpeted with yellow (10)____________.

The persona is overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of nature as teh rain is forgotten for a while.

SPM LITERATURE COMPONENT 2012 2


Activity 3:

Match the sentences parts in Column A to the correct sentence parts in Column B.

Then, write the sentences in one paragraph

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


1. Jamaica does not have

2. Instead, Jamaica has seasons of

3. The magnificent sun shines on

4. The rain is heavy

5. On rainy days, one can only hear

6. The trees struggle to remain standing

7. There are times when the guango trees shed their leaves and

8. The best days are days when trees blossom and

9. The tall grass moves

10. The fields are covered with yellow buttercups

COLUMN A COLUMN B

a) The harvested canefields are left bare

b) In the strong Jamaican winds

c) The bushes are full of bees and the fragrance of honey

d) That look like stars

e) Summer, winter, autumn and spring

f) To the slightest breeze

g) The sound of water flowing in gullies

h) Bright, sunny days and wet, rainy days

i) Beats forcefully on the roofs of houses

j) Fields rich with sugarcane waiting to be harvested


____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 4:

Write TRUE or FALSE in the space provided

1. The persona’s country experiences the four season _________

2. Days in Jamaica may be hot or wet _________

3. The sunshine is described as magnificent _________

4. The water flow through the gullies with a swishing sound _________

5. The guango trees are bare because of the strong wind _________

6. The persona sounds sad when he talks about the bare canefield _________

7. After the canes are harvested, the fields are left to fallow _________

8. The tall grass sways throughout the year _________

9. The buttercups shine like stars only in the night _________

10. The beautiful days are associated with the blossoming of flowers _________

Activity 5:

Find words or phrases from the poem which have the same meaning as the words given.

1. Season when vegetation begins to appear : ____________________

2. Extremely beautiful : ____________________

3. Move with rushing sound: ____________________

4. Ravines: ____________________

5. Harvested: ____________________

6. Ploughed and exposed to sunlight: ____________________

7. Produce flowers: ____________________



8. Plants come alive: ____________________

9. Move rhythmically forwards and backward: ____________________

10. A cup shaped flower: ____________________

Activity 6:

Answer the following questions:

1. What point is the poet stressing on in the first two lines?

___________________________________________________________________

2. What seasons Jamaica has?

___________________________________________________________________

3. What colour is the canefields when it is ready for harvest?

___________________________________________________________________

4. What is the condition of the rain in Jamaica?

___________________________________________________________________

5. Where is the sound of water swishing heard?

___________________________________________________________________

6. What causes the trees to struggle?

____________________________________________________________________

7. What kind of movement is made by the tall grass when it sways and shivers?

_____________________________________________________________________

8. In Jamaica, the phase when leaves fall off trees is similar to which season?

_____________________________________________________________________

9. What attract the bees to the bushes?

_____________________________________________________________________

10. What happens after the rain has gone?



____________________________________________________________________

Exam based Questions:

Read the poem below and answer the following sets of questionnaires:

Set 1:

1. What are the two seasons found in Jamaican?________________________________________________________(1 mark)

2. Which phrase tells you that the wind blows strongly?________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

3. How do the canefields look after being harvested?________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

4. Would you like to live in a country with different weather conditions? Why?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________(2 marks)

Set 2:

1. What does the poet compare the rain to?_________________________________________________________(1 mark)

2. What has happened to the guango trees?_________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

3. Why are the canefields bare?__________________________________________________________(1 mark)

4. What do you think are the feelings of the poet for this place? Give a reason for your answer___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________( 2 marks)

Set 3 :



1. Which of the four seasons are equivalent to Jamaica’s wet and hot seasons?__________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

2. Write two words that are related to the appearance of the canefields?i) ____________________________________________________( 1 mark)ii) ____________________________________________________( 1 mark)

3. Why do you think the poet feels that Jamaica does not need to have the four seasons? In your own words, give a reason to support your answer.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________( 2 marks)

Set 4:

1. Which line indicates that there are bright sunny days?___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

2. When it rains, where does the rain water usually flow into?___________________________________________________________(1 mark)

3. What type of winds does Jamaica have?___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

4. In your own words, describe the sad moment for the poet based on your understanding of the poem.___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________( 2 marks)

Set 5:

1. What are the weather conditions in Jamaica?___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

2. Which phrase suggests a ‘crop-free’ land?___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

3. What does the phrase “and there is no sound …” indicate?___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

4. Do you agree that sunny days are better compared to rainy days? Why?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________( 2 marks)



ANSWERS

Enrichment Acitivities

Activity 1 :

1.shines – glows

2.beats – hits

3.struggling – battling

4.fade – wilt

5.lie – remain

6.blossom – bloom

7.sways – swings

8.shivers – shakes

9.paved – covered

10.comes – appears

11.gone – disappeared

Activity 2 :

Activity 3:

1. Jamaica does not have summer, winter, autumn and spring

2. Instead, Jamaica has seasons of bright, sunny days and wet, rainy days

3. The magnificent sun shines on fields rich with sugarcane waiting to be harvested

4. The rain is heavy beats forcefully on the roofs of houses


1. visualize 2. Different 3. Canefields 4. Bullets

5. wind 6. Shedding 7. Harvested 8. Delighted

9. grass 10. leaves


5. On rainy days, one can only hear the sound of water flowing in gullies

6. The trees struggle to remain standing in the strong Jamaican winds

7. There are times when the guango trees shed their leaves and the harvested canefields are left bare.

8. The best days are days when trees blossom and the bushes are full of bees and the fragrance of honey

9. The tall grass moves to the slightest breeze

10. The fields are covered with yellow buttercups that look like stars

Activity 4:1. FALSE 2. TRUE 3. TRUE4. TRUE 5. FALSE 6. TRUE7. TRUE 8. FALSE 9. FALSE10. TRUE

Activity 5:1. Spring 2. Magnificent3. swish 4. Gullies5. reaped 6. Fallow to the sun7. blossom 8. Bushes are full9. sway 10. Buttercup

Activity 6:1. Jamaica does not have the regular four seasons of the year.2. Bright, sunny days and wet, rainy days3. Green4. Heavy rain5. In the gullies6. The strong wind7. It moves gently8. autumn 9. The nectar in the flowers 10. The Surroundings look beautiful

Exam based questions

Set 1:1. hot, sunny days and wet, rainy days2. the high Jamaican winds3. bare and fallow4. Accept any possible answers

Set 2 :1. bullets2. the leaves fall off from it3. it is harvested4. Accept any possible answers

Set 3:1. winter and summer



2. i) lush ii) reaped3. Jamaica has a very beautiful surroundings with the changing climate of sunny days and rainy days

and there are times when Jamaican people can experience the fruits and smell of honey.

Set 4:1. When the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields2. Into the gullies3. Strong4. When guango trees shed their leaves and when the harvested canefields are left bare and fallow

to the sun.

Set 5: 1. Hot , sunny days and wet, rainy days2. Bare and fallow3. There is no activities and everyone is indoors4. Accept any logical answers


ARE YOU STILL PLAYING YOUR FLUTE

Are you still playing your flute?When there is hardly time for our loveI am feeling guiltyTo be longing for your songThe melody concealed in the slim hollow of the bambooUncovered by the breath of an artistComposed by his fingersBlown by the windTo the depth of my heart

Are you still playing your flute?In the village so quiet and desertedAmidst the sick rice fieldWhile here it has become a luxuryTo spend time watching the rainGazing at the evening raysCollecting dew dropsOr enjoying the fragrance of flowers

Are you still playing your flute?The more it disturbs my conscienceto be thinking of youin the hazard of youmy younger brothers unemployed and desperatemy people disunited by politicsmy friend slaughtered mercilesslythis world is too old and bleeding

Is this the end of our lovetime is forcing us, as artiststo live outside ourselves

(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

translated by Zurinah Hassan

THE ORIGINAL VERSION

MASIHKAH KAU BERMAIN SERULING

Masihkah kau bermain serulingwalau waktu telah terlewat untuk kita bercintaaku semakin terasa bersalahmelayani godaan iramalagu yang tersimpan pada lorong halus buluhdikeluarkan oleh nafas senimandiukir oleh bibirdiatur oleh jaridilayangkan oleh alun anginmenolak ke dasar rasa.

Masihkah kau bermain serulingketika kampung semakin sunyisawah telah uzurwaktu jadi terlalu mahaluntuk memerhatikan hujan turunmerenung jalur senjamengutip manik embunmenghidu harum bunga.

Masihkah kau bermain serulingketika aku terasa mata bersalahuntuk melayani rasa rindu padamudi kota yang semakin kusut dan tenatadik-adikku menganggur dan sakit jiwabangsaku dipecahkan oleh politiksaudara diserang bom-bom ganasdunia sudah terlalu tua dan parah.Di sinilah berakhirnya percintaan kitakerana zaman sedang menuntut para senimanhidup di luar dirinya.

(Zurinah Hassan)

ABOUT THE POET

Zurinah Hassan was born on 13th June 1949. She went to an English-medium school and received her Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran in 1970. The next year she entered Pusat Pengajian Ilmu Kemanusiaan at University Sains Malaysia and graduated in 1974.

She worked for a while as an instructor with Jabatan Pengajian Melayu in Universiti Malaya and later as the Senior Officer at Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia until her retirement.

She is now the Karyawan Tamu at Institut Alam and Tamadun Melayu at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

PARAPHRASE OF THE POEM

Stanza 1

The persona questions whether the person is still playing his musical instrument. He has not paid any attention to her, the persona, who feels guilty about wanting to hear his song. The song is played on the flute and the melody is heard by the persona.

Stanza 2

The persona questions again whether the person is still playing his flute, in a quiet and lonely village and in the middle of dry paddy fields. While he is there, the persona is in a place where it is difficult to enjoy nature. The persona is unable to watch the rain, the sunset collect dew or smell of nature.

Stanza 3

The persona questions for the third time whether the person is still playing his flute. The persona is not happy and feels disturbed thinking of the person. All this is happening while her younger brother is unemployed and desperate, there are political problems and a friend has been killed. The persona feels her world is collapsing.

SYNOPSIS

The persona is thinking of someone she was close to and who plays the flute. She longs to hear the wonderful soothing music that had touched her heart a long time ago. She wonders if he is still playing his flute in their village that is now empty and quiet. She feels troubled that she should be thinking of him and her past while people around her are suffering and her world is changing

FIGURATIVE MEANING-FORM ZURINAH HASSAN (THE POET) POINT OF VIEW

Zurinah Hassan - The persona believes that it is not the time to pay attention to the arts. It is time for hard work. It is time to solve problems, rather being lulled into artistic pleasure, even though

the artists cannot serve his passion for art. Sadly as they claim, he would never become an artist again. (Adapted from [email protected])

NOTES FROM HER BLOGSPOT (ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR TEACHERS)

At first glance, it sounds like a love poem because the words used are romantic and soft.

Are you still playing your fluteAre you still playing your flute

when there is no time for our loveI am feeling guilty

to be longing for your song

But the soft and romantic message of the flute player is simply a method or style of the persona to express all that is in his mind. The theme for this poem is community. Overall the expressions of the

persona are about the state of society in her country and the people which are full of turmoil and chaos. The persona still keeps the memories of flute player. In fact the persona remembers the dying

village vividly.

Are you still playing your flutein the village so quiet and deserted

amidst the sick rice field

A flute is chosen because this is the closest instrument to nature. It is only a reed, and does not require sophisticated technology to create. So everything is back to nature. Back to basics, the

melody conceals in the slim hollow of the bamboo uncovered by the breath of an artist

composed by his lipsarranged by his fingers

blown by the windto the depth of my heart

Persona feels guilty for the nostalgia made by the flute player. That sense of guilt she thinks of something beautiful as art. In the city she should be busy because there, life is ticking away.

to spend time watching the raingazing at the evening rays

collecting dew dropsor sniffing scented flowers.

As if she is giving time to think of the small things in life while the world is being hit by various

mailto:[email protected]

problems. These problems appear in the next line. At that time many youngsters are unemployed. Her people are divided because of politics. And all over the world like in Bosnia and Palestine,

Muslims are being haunted by war and violence.

in the hazard of this citymy younger brothers unemployed and desperate

my people thorn by politicmy Muslim friends slaughtered mercilessly

this world is old and badly injured.

(this phrases are not included in the text- extra notes to help the teachers)

Is this the end of our love?time is forcing us as artists

not to be ourselves.

This is not the time to pay attention to art. This is the time to work hard. This happens when artists are unable to pursue the love of art as the world around them is plagued by problems and violence.

Activity 1

Read the poem and fill in the blanks

Are you still playing your flute?When there is hardly time for our loveI am feeling (1) ________To be longing for your songThe melody concealed in the slim hollow of the (2) ________Uncovered by the breath of an artist

Composed by his fingers

Blown by the windTo the dept of my (3) ________.Are you still playing your flute?In the (4) ________ so quiet and desertedAmidst the sick rice fieldWhile here it has become a (5) ________To spend time watching the rainGazing at the evening raysCollecting dew dropsOr enjoying the (6) ________ of flowers.

Are you still playing your flute?The more it disturbs my conscienceTo be thinking of youIn the hazard of youMy younger brothers (7) __________ and desperateMy people (8) ________ by politicsMy friend slaughtered mercilesslyThis world is too old and (9) __________

Activity 2

Based on the poem, answer the questions given correctly.

1. Where does the melody originate according to the persona in stanza 1?

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2. In stanza 1, how does the persona feel when she longs for the song?

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3. Is the persona deeply affected by the melody of the song in stanza 1?

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4. What is the meaning of the ‘sick rice field’ in stanza 2, line 3?

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5. What is the persona comparing her village to in stanza 2?

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6. What is the ‘evening rays’ indicated in stanza 2?

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7. Name one ‘luxury’ that they used to enjoy in the village.

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8. In stanza 3, why is her conscience ‘disturbed’?

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Activity 3

Tick (/) against the sentences you think are true.

Activity 4

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words taken from the paraphrase of the poem

Activity 5

Set 1

a) In stanza 1 line 7, to whom does the word his refer?

________________________________________________________________(1 mark)

b) In stanza 2 line 3, what does the phrase ‘the sick rice field’ mean?

________________________________________________________________(1 mark)

c) Which line in stanza 2 shows that the poet feels she has very little time for leisure/trivialities?

_______________________________________________________________(1 mark)

d) my younger brothers unemployed and desperatemy people disunited by politicsmy friend slaughtered mercilesslythis world is too old and bleeding

In your own words, explain the problems that the poet mentions in these lines.

____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________(2 mark)

Set 2a) In stanza 1,why does ‘I’ feel gulity?

__________________________________________________________________(1 mark)

b) From stanza 2, explain what these words refer to:

(i) here : ________________________________ (1 mark)

(ii) luxury:_______________________________ (1 mark)

c) Without using examples from the poem, give two problems that concern the society presently.i) __________________________________________________________(1 mark)

ii) __________________________________________________________(1 mark)

Set 3

1) Why does the persona ask if her loved one is still playing the flute?

___________________________________________________________( 1 mark)

2) What are two reasons the persona give for not wanting the flute to be played?

a)________________________________________________________(1 mark)

b)________________________________________________________(1 mark)

3) What are the feelings of the persona towards the music produced by the flute?

___________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________(2 mark)

ANSWERS

ACTIVITY 11. GUILTY2. BAMBOO3. HEART4. VILLAGE5. LUXURY6. FRAGRANCE7. DISUNITED8. UNEMPLOYED9. BLEEDING

ACTIVITY 21. It is in the slim hollow of a bamboo.2. She feels guilty3. Yes, she is affected4. Rice field that is barren, infertile and does not produce healthy crop.5. She is comparing it to an urban area where she is living now.

6. They refer to the sunset.7. It is ‘collecting dew drops8. One of the reasons is that her younger brothers are unemployed and desperate

ACTIVITY 31,2,4,6,8,10

ACTIVITY 4

1. LUXURY2. QUITE3. GAZING4. FRAGRANCE5. DESERTED6. HARDLY7. COMPOSED8. DEPTH9. YOUNGER10. SICK

ACTIVITY 6

SET 1a) It refer to the artist.b) rice that are barren and no longer fertilec) while here it has become a luxury /to spend time watching the raind) The problems mentioned in the lines are; rising unemployment, people and families seperated by politics, and people being killed in numerous wars.

SET 2a) “I” feels guilty because she longs to listen to her lover’s flute despite the fact that she has more important things to do.b) (i) in town (ii) being able to enjoy the simple things in lifec) (i) poverty (ii) conflict

SET 31) It seems to be frivolous to be playing music when so many things are not right.2) i) There is no time for their love ii) She is feeling guilty to be longing for the music

3) She obviously loves the music as she longs for it and think the player is an artist whose music touches the depth of her heart. (accept any suitable answer)