Module Lit Form 1-NewsBreak
Module Lit Form 1-NewsBreak
Module Lit Form 1-NewsBreak
BY MAX FATCHEN
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Warm-up Activity
News Break
1. Have you done anything wrong?
________________________________________________________
2. How do you tell your parents when you have done something wrong?
________________________________________________________
3. Have you ever hid your examination marks from your parents or siblings?
___________________________________________________________________
4. Why did you hide your examination marks?
___________________________________________________________________
5. How did your parents react when you failed the examination?
___________________________________________________________________
6. How do you convey your examination results to your parents?
___________________________________________________________________
7. In your opinion, what is the meaning of News Break?
___________________________________________________________________
8. Why do you think the title of the poem is News Break?
___________________________________________________________________
9. Do you change your marks to avoid being scolded by your parents?
___________________________________________________________________
10. How do you feel when your parents meet and discuss with your teacher?
___________________________________________________________________
11. Who would you prefer to come to school to collect the examination results?
___________________________________________________________________
12. What did you get when you obtained good results?
___________________________________________________________________
13. What would you like to have for the good results you obtained?
___________________________________________________________________
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NEWS BREAK
MAX FATCHEN
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About The Author
MAX FATCHEN
Max Fatchen (1920-2012) was an Australian journalist and childrens writer. His childhood
times was spent on an Adelaide Plains farm at Angle Vale, Australia. Part of his High School
studies was done at home. He went to Gawler High School once in week to get his papers
corrected. Later he entered journalism as a copy boy and after five years was in the
Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, as a journalist with The
News and later The Advertiser. He began writing for children in 1966. His published works
include 20 books and poetry. Three of his books received commendation in the Childrens
Book of the Year Award. He wrote for children in the primary school group. His poetry is
well-known throughout the English-speaking world.
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Elements of The Poem
PERSONA
1. The speaker is a parent who is puzzled to see the childs sudden change of behaviour.
POINT OF VIEW
SETTING
1. Time : No specific time frame is mentioned although it can be inferred that the child
has just returned home from school.
2. Place : At home
THEMES
1. Parents responsibility
The child pretends to be good before showing the school report to his mother.
Parents play the role of boundaries setters. Children have to be aware of certain
boundaries thus knowing consequences to their actions. It is good to change your
attitude for the better; however, mere pretending is meaningless. Being good and
pretending to be good are of two different matters. Parents have to make their
children aware of this.
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MORAL VALUES
1. We must be aware of the changes in the way people think and act.
2. We must try to behave well at all times and not only on certain circumstances
3. We must be brave to face the consequences of our actions instead of giving excuses.
4. Parents should try to understand their children if they hide their reasons for behaving
differently.
LITERARY DEVICES
1. Metaphor
The persona uses metaphor to describe the behaviour of the child.
E.g: Today you are a lamb signifies innocence and obedience.
Where yesterday a rebel signifies disobedience and defiance.
2. Symbol
Your face is clean symbolises the child looking sweet and lovable.
Your clothes without a crease symbolizes the child standing upright and
obediently waiting for his mother.
3. Imagery
Now why so loving, darling, and why the sudden kiss gives the image of a
loving son hugging a very surprised mother.
no rage or hullabaloo gives the image of a noisy crying child throwing tantrums.
4. Assonance
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sound in words that are close to each
other.
5. Alliteration
Alliteration occurs when a series of words repeat the same consonants or
sounds.
E.g: .....clothes without a crease , surely youre some stranger.
6. Hyperbole
An outrageous exaggeration used for effect.
E.g: Now were you struck by lightning is an exaggeration of the mothers
feeling with regards to the reason for the change in his behavior.
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Paraphrase Of The Poem
MEANING
The persona is greeted with a kiss and hug from the child. The child also helps the
parent with household chores. The parent is puzzled with this change of behaviour.
MEANING
The parent is surprised to see that the childs face is clean and the clothes are neat
without any wrinkles. The child also did not spend his lunch money, which is
unusual.
MEANING
The child did not drop the school books. The child also did not scream or show
and outburst of anger. On that day, the child acts innocent and gentle. This
contradicts the previous day where the child was rebellious.
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STANZA 4 But surely youre some stranger,
No rage or hullabaloo.
Come closer, let me look, dear,
Can this be REALLY you?
MEANING
The persona begins to wonder if the child is a stranger. The child did not show any
anger or make any noise. The persona wants to take a closer look at the child to
confirm the identity of the child.
MEANING
The parent wonders if the child has been struck by lightning or hit during a game.
Then, the parent finds out the truth about the childs improved behaviour. The
child has brought home the school report.
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Literal Meaning
The persona finds it hard to understand the sons change in behavior. He is like a different
person. He hugs and kisses her and offers to help her with some work. He looks clean and
tidy for a change and he has even saved his luncheon money. The persona is further
surprised by the boys quiet behavior, not his usual boisterous self. He does not even throw
down his school books. Unlike his usual rebellious self, he is a gentle as a lamb. It dawns
on her that she might be talking to a stranger. She wonders if he was involved in accident
and had hurt his head. The reason becomes obvious when she notices his school report in
his hand.
Figurative Meaning
There are different categories of people with different types of behaviour. In general, we
expect people to be their normal self or behave in the same way all the time. We feel save
as we know what to say or do. However, people do change their behaviour once in a while.
They may change due to circumstances or for personal reasons.
When a person who is usually cool and collected becomes loving and caring, we wonder
about their motives. A person who does not usually lift a finger to help and suddenly offers
to help do the chores will cause eyebrows to be raised. An untidy person who begins to take
care of his appearance or a spendthrift who begins to count the pennies will raise doubts
about his motives. A boisterous and unruly person who turns meek, polite and respectful
may make us doubt his sincerity.
We may query as to whether they are for real. Do they have an ullterior motive? Eventually,
he or she will show his true colours and the actual reason will be revealed. Be alert to these
changes of character and act accordingly.
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Practice 1
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words or expressions from the poem.
Some little
jobs Reason Stunned at
For
sport
goodness
sake
School
Without a books
crease Shrieking,
School report childish
No rage or
lovingly hullabaloo
The boy reaches home and he hugs and kisses the persona (1)__________. He offers to help her
with (2)__________. She is taken aback and wonders to herself, (3)__________, whats this? He
looks like a different person, as his face is clean for once and his clothes are (4)__________. He
had saved his luncheon money. Looking at him with a puzzled look, she marvels that he does not
drop his (5)__________ and he displays a quiet behavior, there is no (6)__________ as he like a
lamb compared to the day before when he was a rebel. The persona is sure the person standing
in front of her showing (7)__________ must be a stranger. She looks at him closely and thinks he
might be having concussion or is (8)__________. Ah...then she sees the (9)__________, he has
brought back his (10)__________. As she said, wonders will never cease.
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Practice 2
1. 4.
Loving
Sudden kiss
2. 5
Little jobs
Clean
3. 6.
Dropping
Lamb
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Practice 3
1.
Rebel
Rebel Very tidy
2.
Spend
Spend money
money
Lamb
Lamb for
for lunch break
lunch break
3.
Mild mannered,
Mild mannered,
Clean
Clean gentle
gentle
4.
Go
Go against/
against/
Shrieking
Shrieking disobedient
disobedient
5.
Luncheon
Luncheon Screaming/
Screaming/
money
money squealing
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Practice 4
There are 10 words used in the poem that are hidden in the word maze below. Find
them, underline and write the words in the space provided.
L V D B T C L E A N
O C A N M Y G F Q S
V X R W O N D E R S
I Z L M N U H D H D
N S I P E I J F K L
G G N W Y O L A M B
D J G Q F E K C N M
R L S A B P L E B V
S K C E A S E W Z C
H D R O P P I N G X
9. To come to an end.
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Practice 5
Unscramble the words from the poem. Match them with the appropriate meaning.
WORDS MEANING
1. ndsenut a) a line or mark made by folding, pressing, or
crushing something (such as cloth)
2. acees b) a strong feeling of anger that is difficult to
control
3. ddesun c) a written statement of a student's grades that is
given to the student's parents
4. iekrgshin d) an innocent, weak, or gentle person
5. nggtihnli e) formal lunch that occurs as part of a meeting or
for entertaining a guest
6. petorr dcra f) happening, coming, or done very quickly in a
way that is usually not expected
7. unceohnl g) the flashes of light that are produced in the sky
during a storm
8. tlereb h) the highest range of sounds used in music
9. mbla i) to make a loud, high-pitched cry
10. egra k) to stop happening; to end
11. sreeac l) to surprise or upset (someone) very much
Adapted from Merriam Webster Dictionary
1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________
6. ______________________________________________________________
7. ______________________________________________________________
8. ______________________________________________________________
9. ______________________________________________________________
10. ______________________________________________________________
11. ______________________________________________________________
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Practice 6
Find words in the poem that have the meanings below. Complete the crossword
puzzle with the words.
2 3
6 7
8 9 10
11
12
13 14
15
Across Down
2. a person who is defiant 1. anger
5. see 3. mid-day meal
8. hit 4. fresh
9. noise 6. wrinkle
11. shocked 7. screaming
14. explanation 10. affectionate
15. put aside 12. stop
13. chores
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Practice 7
Based on the poem and the pictures, what differences can you find?
YESTERDAY
TODAY
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Practice 8
List the differences in the childs behaviour after he obtains the school report.
BEFORE AFTER
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Practice 9
Oh no! I
got my
report
card.
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Practice 10
7. His normal behaviour is to act like a rebel and throw his books.
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Practice 11
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Practice 12
Complete the following sentences with the correct words from the following pairs of
words that rhyme.
1. kiss this
2. sport report
3. dear clear
It is _____________ that the price for this bag too _______________ for me.
4. crease cease
If you can keep your shirt smooth without a _______________, mother will
______________ nagging at you.
5. reason season
6. treble rebel
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Practice 13
Fill in the blow out spaces with the items indicated in the rocket.
1. How
would the
parent
react after
knowing
the real
reason?
2. What is
the real
reason for
the childs
changes?
3. List two
changes
in the
child.
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Practice 14
Imagine you are the mother of the child. What would you say to your child
when you received his/her report card? HOTS
______________________
______________________
______________________
Report Card
with good ______________________
results ______________________
______________________
______________________
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Practice 15
Imagine you returned home with a bad report card. Describe things that you will do to
cheer up your mother or father. Why do you do so? Use the pictures to help you. HOTS
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CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Test Yourself . . . . .
i. __________________________________________________________________
ii __________________________________________________________________
10. If you are a parent, what would be your reaction when your childs behaviour
improves suddenly?
___________________________________________________________________
11. Do you think a sudden change of attitude could save yourself?
___________________________________________________________________
12. Do you think the child will continue with his good behaviour after showing his report
card. Why do you think so?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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PT3 PRACTICES
Practice 1
______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
(d) What was his mothers reaction after hearing the offer from his son? Provide the textual
evidence for your answer.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
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Practice 2
______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
(b) How can we prevent our clothes from creases? Provide two suggestions. HOTS
i. ___________________________________________________________________
ii. ___________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
(c) Do you think the child presented the report card to his father or his mother? Provide
reasons to support your answer. HOTS
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
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Practice 3
Today you.
_______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
____________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
(d) Give two examples of how a child would behave in order to be called a rebel.
i. ______________________________________________________________
ii. ______________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
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Practice 4
(a) What did the boy not do to be regarded as a stranger by his mother?
______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
(b) Why did the mother say Now were you struck by lightning. ?
______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
(c) Why did she call the boy to move closer to her?
______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
(d) When the persona understands the reason for the sons strange behaviour, how do you
think she feels? Give a reason for your answer. HOTS
i. Feeling:
______________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
ii. Reason:
___________________________________________________________________
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(1 mark)
Practice 5
(a) In the first stanza, how is the childs behaviour today different from that of yesterday?
______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
(b) But surely youre some stranger. Why does the child appear to be a stranger?
______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
_______________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
(d) What does this poem show about human nature? Justify your answer. HOTS
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
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ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Activity 1
Imagine you are the child. You feel worried about your poor results. In about 50 words,
write an email to your parents apologizing for your results.
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Activity 2
ROLE PLAY
Create a dialogue describing the conversation between the mother and the child based on
what you understand in the poem. Act it out in class.
Activity 3
Debate
Divide the class into groups A and B. Conduct a debate on Should report cards
should be given to parents. Provide reasons why report cards should or should not
Activity 4
How would you want your report card to look like? Design your own report card that
you like. Be creative in your design.
Activity 5
A TO Z Game
Lets play the A-Z game for News Break. The teacher writes alll the alphabets on the
board. Students complete the alphabets with words from the text. After that, choose
five words and create your own sentences using the words.
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Answers
Practice 1
Practice 3
Practice 5
1. sudden- happening, coming, or done very quickly in a way that is usually not
expected
2. crease- a line or mark made by folding, pressing, or crushing something (such as
cloth)
3. luncheon- formal lunch that occurs as part of a meeting or for entertaining a guest
4. cease- to stop happening; to end
5. shrieking- to make a loud, high-pitched cry
6. treble- the highest range of sounds used in music
7. lamb- an innocent, weak, or gentle person
8. rage- a strong feeling of anger that is difficult to control
9. lightning- the flashes of light that are produced in the sky during a storm
10. stunned-to surprise or upset (someone) very much
11. report card- a written statement of a student's grades that is given to the student's
parents
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Practice 6
Across Down
2. rebel 1. rage
5. look 3. luncheon
8. struck 4. clean
9. hullabaloo 6. crease
11. stunned 7. shrieking
14. reason 10. loving
15. saved 12. cease
13. jobs
Practice 7
YESTERDAY TODAY
Child shouts and behave childishly Child does not shout or behave childishly
Child never helps with the house chores Child helps to do some little house chores
Practice 8
Before After
The child was defiant like a rebel yesterday The child is obedient like a lamb today
The child drops his school books on the floor The child does not drop any of his school
books on the floor
The child never helps with the house chores The child helps to do some little chores
The childs clothes are crumpled The childs clothes are neat without any
crease
The child was himself yesterday The child is like a stranger today
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Practice 9 Practice 11
Practice 10 Practice 12
1. True
2. True 1. kiss,this
3. False 2. report,sport
4. False 3. clear,dear
5. False 4. crease,cease
6. True 5. reason,season
7. True 6. rebel,treble
8. False
9. False
10. False
Practice 13
1. i. The parent might scold the child for getting poor results.
ii.The parent would ask the child to study harder for the next exam.
(Accept any logical answers)
Practice 14
Report Card with good results: Report Card with poor results
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Practice 15
PT3 PRACTICES
Practice 1
(b) The boy gives the mother a hug and a kiss lovingly.
(c) He has offered to help his mother with some little jobs.
(d) The mother is very surprised. It can be found by the line, For goodness sake, whats
this?
Practice 2
Practice 3
(b) He does not throw his books and he does not scream and shout.
(d) i. The boy kicks up a fuss about having too much work at school.
ii. The boy cries that he is not going back to school anymore.
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Practice 4
(b) It means he was hurt in some way or other. She says this because she is totally unable
to understand the change in the boys behaviour.
(c) She wants to have a better look to make sure he is her son.
ii. Reason :- She feels this way because this is what she expects him to do hoodwink
her with his good behaviour for possibly a poor school report.
Practice 5
(b) The child did not show his bad temper like yesterday.
(c) The poet capitalises the word to show the mothers high degree of bewilderment.
(d) Humans are sometimes pretentious people; in order not to get scolded for getting bad
result, the child behaves extremely well in front of his mother.
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REFERENCES:
1. Choo, J. (2015). Lets Score In Literature: Selected Poems, Short Story and
Novel (Tingkatan 1). Petaling Jaya, Selangor: Penerbit Ilmu Bakti Sdn. Bhd.
2. Leela, C. & Rukumani Devi, M. (2015). An Easy Guide to Literature
Component: Poems, Short Story and Graphics Novel (Form 1). Shah Alam
Selangor: Pan Asia Publications Sdn. Bhd.
3. Noel & Morgan. (2015). Siri Topikal PT3: English Form 1. Seri Kembangan,
Selangor: Alaf Sanjung Sdn. Bhd.
4. Sadler, R. K. & Hayllar, T.A.S. (2014). Text Book Literature Component For
Secondary Schools: Form 1 Form 3 (KPM). Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur:
Everbest Media Sdn. Bhd.
5. Tan, C. (2015). Understanding New Literature: Selected Poems, Short Story
and Graphic Novel (Form 1). Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor: Penerbitan
Pelangi Sdn. Berhad.
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