CHENG@2011

Form 1 English - Week 4

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THE RIVER
by Valerie Bloom
The river’s a wanderer,
A nomad, a tramp,
He doesn’t choose any one place
To set up his camp.

The river’s a winder,

Through valley and hill.
He twists and he turns,
He just cannot be still.

The river’s a hoarder

And he buries down deep
Those little treasures
That he wants to keep.

The river’s a baby,

He gurgles and hums
And sounds like he’s happily
Sucking his thumbs.

The river’s a singer,

As he dances along
The countryside echoes
The notes of his song.

The river’s a monster,

Hungry and vexed
He’s gobbled up trees
And he’ll swallow you next.

Tone and Mood

• Cheerful, _____________, joyful in tone and mood.

Theme

• The joys ____________ bring.

• Nature is both ______________ and ______________.

• Nature has its simple charms.

Moral Value

• Being carefree and happy.

• Appreciate nature- We should not ______________ nature

• Keep our rivers clean.

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Practice 1:

State the conclusion of the sentences below:

What the river does Answer Conclusion made about The River
1. “He doesn’t choose one place to set up his (a) The river can be a dangerous place for

camp.” us.
2. “He just cannot be still.” (b) The river flows along merrily.
3. “And the buries down deep those little (c) The river only ends at the river mouth
treasures.” where it joins the sea.
4. “He gurgles and hums”. (d) The river has a destructive side.
5. “The River’s a singer, As he dances along.” (e) The river is forever flowing.
6. “Hungry and vexed, He’s gobbled up trees.” (f) The river bed is full of stones, pebbles

and other materials.

7. “And he’ll swallow you next.” (g) The moving currents make a lot of

sounds.

Practice 2: Choose the best answer.

1. From the poem, we know that The River ________________ the contents of the river bed.

a. moves b. values c. ignores d. guards

2. The expression, _________ tells us that The River is always flowing.

a. want to keep b. cannot be still c. set up his camp d. buries down deep

3. The River becomes destructive when it assumes the character of a ______________.

a. winder b. wanderer c. nomad d. monster

4. The river is always on the move when it takes on the role of a_________________.

a. baby b. tramp c. winder d. hoarder

5. The phrase, the notes of his song refers to the _________________

a. lyrics of a song b. music for a dance c. sounds of the river d. music from an
instrument.

6. Which of the following words does not describe The River as a baby?

a. Happy b. Grouchy c. Satisfied d. Contented

Practice 3: Circle the correct answer- The River by Valerie Bloom

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