Expressing Unexpected Results (The Road Not Taken & A Scary Secret of Two Sisters)

Reading I: The Road Not Taken

Vocabulary in use

Match the following words with their meanings.

Reading comprehension

Fill in the blanks using suitable words from the box. You may need to use one word twice.

less travelled road, roads, decision, difference, speaker, difficult, dilemma, choices

The poem is about a dilemna that the speaker has faced. He has a decision between two roads. He compares both the roads. He takes a long time to take the final decision. It is difficult for him. Finally, he chooses the the less travelled road that has made a differemce in his life.

Find the words from the poem which rhyme with the words given below.

• wood: stood, could
• fair: chair, bear, wear
• day: say, ray, way
• sigh: high, sky, try

Read the poem again, and answer these questions.

a. Who is the speaker in the poem?

The speaker is a person who is faced with a decision between two paths or choices in life.

b. Where is the speaker standing in this poem?

The speaker is standing at a fork in the road.

c. Why does he stop there for a long time?

He stops there for a long time because he is trying to decide which path to take.

d. Why is he in a dilemma?

He is in a dilemma because he has to choose between two paths and is unsure which one to take.

e. Which road does he choose to travel?

He chooses to travel the road less traveled by others.

f. Why does he leave the other one?

He leaves the other one because it is more commonly traveled and he wants to take a different path.

g. Is the speaker optimistic? How can you say this?

The speaker is optimistic because he believes that taking the less traveled road will make all the difference in his life.

h. Do you think he has made the right decision?

Yes, I think he has made the right decision because he has chosen to take a different and unique path in life.

i. What do you think ‘the roads’ refer to?

The "roads" in the poem can be interpreted as different paths or choices in life.

j. What is the central idea of the poem?

he central idea of the poem is the idea of making choices and how they can shape one's life. It also touches on the theme of individuality and the importance of taking risks and going against the norm.

Have you ever been in the situation like the speaker of the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ has been?

I had an interest in studying aerospace engineering, which was not a common or preferred field of study among the people in my community. My parents also encouraged me to pursue a different field, such as civil engineering. Despite these challenges and outside pressures, I made the decision to follow my passion and study aerospace engineering. This decision may have been difficult, as it required me to go against the norm and potentially face challenges or setbacks. However, by following my own interests and making a choice that aligns with my values and goals, I may have been able to achieve a sense of fulfillment and personal growth.

Recite the poem in a group and paraphrase it.

To paraphrase the poem, it is about a person who is faced with a decision between two paths or choices in life. He stand at a fork in the road and consider both options carefully, but ultimately choose the road less traveled by. This decision may have been difficult, as it required the person to go against the norm and potentially face challenges or setbacks. However, by following their own interests and making a choice that aligns with their values and goals, he have been able to achieve a sense of fulfillment and personal growth. The poem suggests that the decision to take the less traveled road has made a significant impact on the person's life.

What message do you think the poet wants to convey to the readers?

The message of the poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost can be interpreted in various ways, as poetry often has multiple layers of meaning and is open to interpretation. Some possible messages that the poet may be trying to convey to the readers include:

• The importance of making decisions and choices in life and the impact they can have on one's future.
• The value of taking risks and going against the norm, rather than following the more commonly traveled path.
• The theme of individuality and the importance of following one's own interests and values, rather than conforming to the expectations of others.
• The idea that the journey and the choices made along the way can be more important than the destination itself.

Overall, the poem suggests that making a unique and unconventional choice can lead to personal growth and fulfillment, and that the decision to take a different path can make a significant difference in one's life.

Reading II: A Scary Secret of Two Sisters

Vocabulary in use

Find the words from the text above that describe the following noun.

Example: lodge: small, ..., ...

a. street: narrow, gravelled
b. thug: tall, lanky, black beard, dirty, curly hair, black face mask, spectacles, terrible smell of alcohol

Reading comprehension

Choose the best alternative, and fill in the blanks.

1. The weather was pleasant while they were travelling.
2. The sisters did not like the lodge because it was dirty.
3. The thug said, “Give me your chain.”
4. My sister said, “**We won't.**”
5. The two sisters learnt to be obedient after that incident.

Read the text, and answer the following questions.

a. Where did the two sisters go to spend their vacation?

The two sisters went to spend their vacation in their grandparents' hometown.

b. What did they decide to do in the absence of their grandparents?

In the absence of their grandparents, the sisters decided to go out and explore the town.

c. Why did they go out of the lodge?

They went out of the lodge because they were disappointed with the condition of the lodge and wanted to find a different place to stay.

d. What happened when they reached the street?

When they reached the street, they encountered a thug who demanded their valuables and took their jewelry and handbag.

e. What important lesson did they learn from their mistake?

The sisters learned an important lesson about the importance of respecting the advice and guidance of their elders.

f. Why did they decide not to share that scary incident to anyone?

The sisters decided not to share the scary incident with anyone because they feared being punished by their grandparents or parents.

g. What lesson did you learn from this text?

The lesson that can be learned from this text is the importance of listening to and respecting the advice of one's elders, as their experience and knowledge can serve as guidelines for making better decisions and avoiding dangerous situations. It is also important to be aware of one's surroundings and to be cautious when in unfamiliar places.

Imagine you are the narrator’s sister. Write your experience in your own words.

I had an experience that I will never forget. One autumn, my sister and I went on a holiday together to our grandparents' hometown. We were excited to be away from home and spend time with our grandparents, but when we arrived at the lodge where we were staying, we were disappointed. It was dirty and poorly furnished, and we didn't feel comfortable there. Despite our grandparents' warning not to go outside, we decided to explore the town and see if we could find a better place to stay.

As soon as our grandparents were out of sight, we left the lodge and walked down a narrow gravelled street. It was already dusk and the view of the setting sun was beautiful. However, things took a turn for the worse when a thug stepped out from the bushes and demanded our valuables. He was tall and lanky, with a black beard and dirty, curly hair. He was wearing a black face mask and spectacles, and had a terrible smell of alcohol on his breath. My sister and I were terrified, and we gave him our jewelry and handbag without saying a word. He snatched my handbag and then vanished into the bushes.

We were both in shock and couldn't stop crying. Eventually, we pulled ourselves together and ran back to the lodge. We locked ourselves in our room and didn't feel safe until our grandparents returned. The incident was a scary and terrible experience, but it also taught us a valuable lesson. We realized that we should always listen to and respect the advice of our elders, as their experience and knowledge can help guide us to make better decisions and avoid dangerous situations. From then on, we became much more obedient and followed their guidance. However, we also decided to keep the incident a secret from our grandparents and parents, as we didn't want to get into trouble. That dangerous adventure is still a secret that I only share with my sister.

Grammar

Choose the best alternative, and fill in the blanks.

a. Although a huge amount of money has been poured into literacy programmes, literacy levels do not appear to be improving.
b. Despite the fact she was very popular, she didn’t win the election.
c. In spite of her busy time schedule, she completed her task on time.
d. Despite the fact that they were very shy, they gave a wonderful presentation.
e. Even though harmful effects are well known, people continue to pollute.
f. In spite of the fact that I had no money, the shopkeeper gave me a pen.
g. Although it was raining, I didn’t carry a raincoat.

Change the following sentences as directed in brackets.

a. Can she speak Japanese? (Statement)
She can speak Japanese.

b. I did not see anybody in the park. (Interrogative)
Did you see anyone in the park?

c. I haven't submitted my assignment yet. (Affirmative)
I have submitted my assignment yet.

d. The man walked slowly towards the door. (Negative)
The man did not walk slowly towards the door.

e. Is there anyone hiding in the cave? (Statement)
There is someone hiding in the cave.

f. Neither of the girls completed their work. (Affirmative)
Both of the girls completed their work.

g. John usually plays with his dog in the garden. (Interrogative)
Does John usually play with his dog in the garden?

h. Do you know the way to his house? (Statement)
You know the way to his house.

i. This gave him a deep and lasting pleasure. (Negative)
This did not give him a deep and lasting pleasure.

Writing

Write a travel experience including interesting information and exciting experience. You may use the above information.

I recently had the opportunity to travel to the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain. Located on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona is known for its rich culture, delicious food, and stunning architecture.

One of the most interesting things about Barcelona is its art and architecture. The city is home to many famous works by the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, including the Sagrada Família basilica and the Park Güell. The Sagrada Família, a massive cathedral that has been under construction for over 100 years, is an architectural marvel that is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who sees it. The Park Güell, a public park filled with colorful mosaics and sculptures, is another must-see destination in Barcelona.

In addition to its art and architecture, Barcelona is also home to a vibrant food scene. From traditional Catalan dishes like paella and tapas to more modern fusion cuisine, there is something to suit every taste in Barcelona. I had the chance to try a variety of delicious dishes while I was there, and I was particularly impressed by the seafood. The seafood in Barcelona is fresh and flavorful, and it is served in a variety of creative ways that are sure to delight foodies.

Aside from sightseeing and eating, I also had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities in Barcelona. I visited the beach, went on a boat tour of the city, and took a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter. Each activity provided a unique perspective on the city, and I was able to learn more about its history and culture.

Overall, my trip to Barcelona was a memorable and exciting experience that I will never forget. From visiting iconic landmarks and trying delicious food, to participating in various activities and learning about the city's rich culture and history, I had a truly enriching experience. This trip has also taught me the importance of exploring new places and trying new things, and it has inspired me to continue traveling and discovering new corners of the world.