Chapter 5 A DIFFERENT KIND OF SCHOOL
Working with the Text
A. Put these sentences from the story in the right order and write them out in a paragraph. Don't refer to the text.
Correct Order:
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I shall be so glad when today is over.
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Let's go for a little walk.
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Only you must tell me about things.
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Having a leg tied up and hopping about on a crutch is almost fun. I guess.
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The other bad days can't be half as bad as this.
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I don't think I'll mind being deaf for a day—at least not much.
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But being blind is so frightening.
B. Answer the following questions:
1. Why do you think the writer visited Miss Beam's school?
Answer:The writer visited Miss Beam's school to observe and learn about the unique teaching methods that focus on helping children develop empathy and understand misfortune by experiencing it themselves.
2. What was the 'game' that every child in the school had to play?
Answer:The 'game' involved each child experiencing various difficulties, such as blindness, deafness, lameness, and other disabilities, for a day. This was done to help them appreciate misfortune and develop thoughtfulness and kindness toward others.
3. "Each term every child has one blind day, one lame day..." Complete the line. Which day was the hardest? Why was it the hardest?
Answer:The complete line: "Each term every child has one blind day, one lame day, one deaf day, one injured day, and one dumb day."
The hardest day was the blind day, as the children were completely blindfolded and had to rely on others for help. It was difficult because the child could not see anything, and it felt frightening and disorienting.
4. What was the purpose of these special days?
Answer: The purpose of these special days was to help the children develop empathy and understanding for those who face misfortune. By experiencing blindness, deafness, lameness, etc., the children learned the importance of kindness, thoughtfulness, and responsibility toward others.
A. Match the words and phrases with their meanings:
| Word/Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Homesick (3) | Wanting to be home |
| 2. Practically (4) | Almost |
| 3. It pains me (7) | It hurts me |
| 4. Appreciate (9) | Understanding the difficulties |
| 5. Thoughtless (10) | Not very caring |
| 6. Exercise (11) | Test the strength of |
| 7. Relief (13) | A welcome change |
| 8. Ghastly (14) | Terrible |
B. Re-word these lines from the story:
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Original: I had heard a great deal about Miss Beam's school.
Re-worded: I had heard a lot of things about Miss Beam's school. -
Original: Miss Beam was all that I had expected—full of authority, middle-aged.
Re-worded: Miss Beam was exactly what I had imagined—authoritative and in her middle age. -
Original: I went to the window which overlooked a large garden.
Re-worded: I went to the window that looked out over a big garden. -
Original: "We cannot bandage the children's mouths, so they really have to exercise their will-power."
Re-worded: "We can't cover the children's mouths, so they truly have to test their self-control."
ALL BUT BLIND
Additional Questions:
1. What does the poet mean by the phrase "all but blind"?
Answer:The phrase "all but blind" means that the creatures mentioned in the poem are almost blind or have limited vision in certain conditions. They rely on other senses, like touch or echolocation, to navigate their environments.2. How does the mole's blindness relate to its habitat?
Answer:The mole's blindness is a result of living in a dark, underground environment. Since it doesn’t need sight to find its food (worms), it has adapted by relying on its sense of touch and other sensory abilities.
3. Why is the bat described as "all but blind"?
Answer:The bat is "all but blind" because it relies primarily on echolocation to navigate in the dark. While it may have some vision, its ability to sense its environment comes more from sound than from sight, making it "all but blind."
4. Why does the barn owl "blunder" in the daytime?
Answer:The barn owl is adapted to hunting at night, and its vision is suited to low-light conditions. In the daytime, its eyes are less effective, which causes it to stumble or "blunder" when moving around.
5. What is the significance of the poet’s reflection that "blind as are these three to me, so blind to someone I must be"?
Answer:The poet reflects on how these creatures, despite their adaptations, are still limited by their partial blindness. He then compares this to the idea that just as they are blind to certain things, there may be someone who is unable to fully understand or see him in the same way. This suggests that all beings have limitations in their perceptions of each other.
AnswerThe poem explores the idea that everyone has limitations in perception. While creatures like the mole, bat, and owl are adapted to their environments and their "blindness," humans too may be limited in their understanding or perspective of others. It emphasizes empathy and the idea that we all have a narrow view of the world at times.
Vocabulary Practice:
Gropes – to feel about with the hands, usually in the dark or when unsure.
Twirl – to spin or rotate quickly.
Blunder – to move clumsily or with a lack of coordination.
Hooded – having a covering or a hood, often used for animals like bats that have their heads covered b
y their wings.
