Writing Long Answers

Points to remember:

• Always divide your answers in 3 paragraphs. If (120-150 words): Introduction (20-25

words)– Body (80-100)– Conclusion (20-25 words).
• Intro - Start you answer explaining the statement given and introducing the question
from the statement’s point of view.
• Body- Explain the context from the point of view of the statement or the question asked.
• Conclusion- Give a general conclusion connecting the statement or the question with the
context given in Body .

In the poem ‘The School Boy’, the poet has used metaphorical references to articulate and
keep his points. Explain the references.

In the poem ‘The School Boy’, the poet, William Blake has used a number of literary devices and
gives us wonderful examples of metaphors. The metaphorical references add value to any writing
as the reader can then exactly see or feel what the poet wants to convey.

We see that by demanding an answer to a rhetorical question, he pleads with whoever is listening
and asks with a sharp metaphorical analogy in which he compares himself to a bird. He knows
that he was made to learn, read, and write, but he cannot do so in school, a place he considers
equal to a cage. He then turns to address his parents as he sees them like the ones that could
possibly change his situation. He speaks about his own childhood joys as being “buds” that are
being “nipped” and “blossoms” that are blowing away. His happiness which is delicate and his
growing age as the “tender plants” should not have to be subject to disappointment at his young
age.

The difference between freedom in the natural world and the cruel restrictions of formal
education has been clearly portrayed with the help of metaphors.

Support and motivation by parents matter a lot. Do you think Penny and Maa Baxter were
responsible parents? Justify. (120-150 words)

Parenthood is a responsible venture and there can be no debate on this topic. There is nobody
like them who can shape and mould a child’s behaviour and development. In the chapter ‘This is
Jody’s Fawn’ both Penny and Maa Baxter supported Jody at every point though they had their
own point of view.

Penny Baxter allowed Jody to go find the fawn and raise it because he too was feeling guilty of
taking away its mother whose organs were used to cure his snake bite. He agreed to Jody’s
interest to bring the fawn home as he did not want the little deer who was orphaned for no fault
of its own to die from starvation. Penny felt a sense of responsibility towards the fawn when Jody
requested him if they could raise the little deer. Taking the financial conditions of the family Maa
Baxter also agreed to him by suggesting that he would have to share his part of milk.

Hence, we see that it is Jody’s parents right guidance, reasoning and positive attitude even in dire
conditions that makes Jody confident and responsible to take care of the fawn.