English For Today chapter 16: The Giving Tree
- English For Today
- Textbook pages 82-90
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- 6,380 characters of context
Textbook (verbatim transcription): The Giving Tree
Verbatim transcription of the printed NCTB textbook pages.
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Printed page 82
1.1 Look at the picture attentively. Ask and answer the following questions in pairs.
Figure
Description: A large tree with green leaves and red and green apples, with a boy sitting in its branches on the right. A lake, green hills and a purple mountain are behind the tree, and grass is in the foreground.
a) What is your favourite tree? Why do you like it? b) How do trees help us?
Printed page 83
1.2 Read the story.
The Giving Tree
[COPYRIGHTED EXCERPT OMITTED: story "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, opening narrative and dialogue, printed page 83]
Printed page 84
[COPYRIGHTED EXCERPT OMITTED: story "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, narrative and dialogue, printed page 84]
Printed page 85
[COPYRIGHTED EXCERPT OMITTED: story "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, narrative and dialogue, printed page 85]
[ Adapted from Shel Silverstein ]
Printed page 86
2.1 Discuss in pairs whether the sentences are True or False. If 'False', give the correct information.
a) The tree didn't love the little boy. b) The boy would sleep in the tree's shade when he was tired. c) The tree was often alone because the boy grew older. d) The tree gave the boy money. e) The boy cut off the tree's branches to build a house. f) The boy cut down the tree's trunk and made furniture. g) The tree was not really happy when the boy made a boat. h) The boy came back to the tree after a long time. i) The tree had more apples, branches, or trunk to give to the boy. j) The boy wanted a quiet place to rest when he was old and tired.
2.2 Read the story again. Answer the following questions.
a) What things did the boy take from the tree?
_______________________________________________________ .
b) Was the tree really happy when the boy took her things?
_______________________________________________________ .
c) Did the boy give anything to the tree?
_______________________________________________________ .
d) Could the tree help the boy when it was just a stump?
_______________________________________________________ .
e) What can we learn from the story?
_______________________________________________________ .
Printed page 87
3.1 Language Focus: Wh-questions
Wh-questions are questions that start with the words 'Who', 'What', 'When', 'Where', 'Why', 'Which', 'Whom', 'Whose' and 'How'. We use them when we want to ask for specific information.
| We use ... | Wh-Pronouns | Rules | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | to ask about people. | Who is your best friend? | |
| What | to ask about things or activities. | What is your favourite book? | |
| When | to ask about time. | When is your birthday? | |
| Where | to ask about places. | Where do you live? | |
| Why | to ask for reasons. | Why do you like ice-cream? | |
| Which | to ask for a specific choice from a set of options. | Which colour do you prefer, red or blue? | |
| How | to ask about manner, quantity, or quality. | How many pencils do you want? | |
| Whom | to ask about person. | Whom did you give the book? | |
| Whose | to ask question about ownership or possession. | Whose book is this? |
Printed page 88
3.1.1 Notice the underlined word(s) of the following statements. and make questions on them. The first one is done for you.
a) Statement: The boy loved the tree very much. Question: Who loved the tree very much?
b) Statement: He would sleep in her shade. Question: _______________________________________________
c) Statement: The boy sold the apples in the city. Question: _______________________________________________
d) Statement: The tree felt happy helping the boy. Question: _______________________________________________
e) Statement: The boy made a boat. Question: _______________________________________________
f) Statement: The boy could not climb the tree because he grew up. Question: _______________________________________________
g) Statement: The boy came back to the tree after a long time. Question: _______________________________________________
Printed page 89
3.1.2 Make questions taking word(s) from all the three columns.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Who | loved | the boy sleep in her shade? |
| What | did | the tree? |
| Where | didn't | the boy build his house? |
| When | the tree give the boy anything? | |
| Why | the boy make? | |
| How | the boy sell the apples? |
3.1.3 Look at the questions in the following speech bubbles and write their answers in the speech bubble boxes.
- What is your favourite book? → ____________________
- When do you go to school? → ____________________
- Where do you live? → ____________________
- Why do you like ice cream? → ____________________
- How do you go to school? → ____________________
- Who is your English teacher? → ____________________
Now, practise the dialogues in pairs with proper stress and intonation.
Printed page 90
4.1 Sit in a group of six and pass a small ball around. When you get the ball, select a topic from the box and ask Wh-questions on the topic.
| school | hobby | family | pets | sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| favourite book | holidays | festivals | teacher | friends |
One is done for you:
Student 1: [favourite book] What is your favourite book?
Student 2: My favourite book is ...
Figure
Description: Six students sit in a circle on grass. A glass jar with paper slips stands in the middle; one student holds a paper slip near it. A woman at the upper right holds a small ball. Students raise their hands as they sit around the circle.
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