PREPARED BY: MADAM YAMUNA SAUNDARI SUBRAMANIAM

What is Red? –Mary O’Neill

Red is a sunset
Blazing and bright
Red is feeling brave
With all your might.
Red is a sunburn
Spot on your nose.
Sometimes red
Is a red red rose
Red squiggles out
When you cut your hand.
Red is a brick
And the sound of a band.
Red is hotness
You get inside
When you’re embarrassed
And want to hide.
Fire-cracker, fire-engine
Fire-flicker red-
And when you’re angry
Red runs through your head.

Red is an Indian,
A Valentine heart.
The trimmings on
A circus cart.
Red is a lipstick
Red is a shout
Red is a signal
That says: “Watch out!”
Red is a great big
Rubber ball.
Red is the giantest
Colour of all.
Red is a show-off,
No doubt about it –
But can you imagine
Living without it?
 PREPARED BY: MADAM YAMUNA SAUNDARI SUBRAMANIAM

QUESTIONS
1. From the poem, list the positive examples of red.
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2. From the poem, list the negative examples of red.
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3. What is the meaning of “with all your might”?
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4. What causes a sunburn?
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5. In the poem, “you” refers to
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6. “Red squiggles out” refers to
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7. What flower does red refer to in this poem?
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8. Which line suggests that red is also the colour of love?
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9. Which line tells us that some people wear red to attract attention?
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10. What does “it” in the last line refer to?
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PRACTICE 2 (HOTS Questions)

1. Why do you think red refers to the sunset and not the sunrise?
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 PREPARED BY: MADAM YAMUNA SAUNDARI SUBRAMANIAM

2. How is it possible for you to get a sunburn? Explain.

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3. Based on your own experience, why do people dislike feeling embarrassed?

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4. Why do you think people give red roses to their loved ones?
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5. How could a visit to a circus make you happy?

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6. In your opinion, is red the best colour for a lipstick? Why?

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7. Who do you think would be interested in playing with a big red rubber ball? Why?
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8. Do you think red is the best choice of colour for a school uniform? Why?
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9. Would you want to live in a red bungalow? Why?

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10. Some people do not like red. Give two possible reasons.
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