Unit 4: Poem: Chivvy

Q1Written answer

Discuss these questions in small groups before you answer them.

(i) When is a grown-up likely to say this?

Don’t talk with your mouth full.

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Answer: The grown-ups are likely to say this when kids are eating and have their mouths full, and are trying to speak simultaneously.

(ii) When are you likely to be told this?

Say thank you.

Answer: Grown-ups instruct kids to say thank you when someone offers them something or when someone helps them.

(iii) When do you think an adult would say this?

No one thinks you are funny.

Answer: Adults would say this when children are told to perform some activity and they are feeling shy.

Q2Written answer

The last two lines of the poem are not prohibitions or instructions. What is the adult now asking the child to do? Do you think the poet is suggesting that this is unreasonable? Why?

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Answer: The last two lines of the poem are not prohibitions or instructions. Instead, the last two lines pose an irony.

In these lines, the adult asks the children to take independent decisions.

Yes, the poet suggests that this is unreasonable because, at all times, the grown-ups expect children to listen and follow the instructions of adults blindly. And suddenly, they want them to take their decisions.

Q3Written answer

Why do you think grown-ups say the kind of things mentioned in the poem? Is it important that they teach children good manners, and how to behave in public?

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Answer: I think the grown-ups say the kind of things mentioned in the poem in order to teach children decent and proper ways of doing things. Yes, it is important that adults teach children good manners and how to behave in public because they have experienced and learnt these things. But sometimes adults become so strict with children that they lose their innocence and playfulness.

Q4Written answer

If you had to make some rules for grown-ups to follow, what would you say? Make at least five such rules. Arrange the lines as in a poem.

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Answer: Don’t shout at children.

Don’t beat them.

Don’t use your mobile while eating.

Don’t use abusive language for anyone.

Spend more time with pets and children.

Don’t stop children from playing.

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