REPORT WRITING

REPORT WRITING

Every reporter has a set of six tools that he or she uses to gather information while reporting an incident or an event.  They are the six (6) questions that start with who, what, when, where, why and how. When a report answers all these questions satisfactorily, the report is said to be complete, precise and authentic.

• A newspaper report is short. It has no unnecessary explanations and elaborate details.
• The relevant information is presented in clear and lucid language in a structured format.
• The format may include the heading followed by the byline.
• The actual reporting begins with an opening paragraph that contains answers to questions with who, what, where, when and how.
• The details of the incident or the event are covered in the subsequent paragraphs.
• The reporter makes sure that a paragraph covers only one detail.
• Quotations and eyewitnesses' accounts make the report more authentic.
• The concluding lines of the report may talk about the impact the incident has had on the people and their lives and the surroundings.

REPORTING ACCIDENTS

A report or an accident will have information on details like the number of lives lost, the extent of damage to property, the cause of the accident, the rescue operation, etc. It will also include information on the action taken by the police and the local authorities, compensation and support extended by the government.

TYPES OF REPORTING

Reporting is not always done for newspapers. There is science, research or business reporting. reports are also written to lodge a complaint. Without a report showing existing conditions, it is not possible for anyone to make decisions or take action. 

Q: Write a newspaper report on how Vikrant Dube, the captain of the Sanskriti cricket team, took his school to victory in the One Day match against Pinewood. You are Pratima Singh, the staff reporter of a leading newspaper. Use the notes given below.

REPORTER'S NOTE

What:            Interschool Cricket tournament.

Who:            Sanskriti vs Pinewood

When:           Jan. 11, 10 am.

Where:          Silchar DSA Ground

Why:             Interschool event

How:             Vikrant Dube hits 100 to put his school through

Vikrant Hits Ton to Take Sanskriti to Victory

By Pratima Singh, the staff correspondent

Silchar, January 11: Vikrant Dube hit a ton to lead Sanskriti to a sensational 2-wicket victory in the One Day cricket final played against Pinewood, Karimganj.

It was not the most comfortable position to walk in, with the team down a man, without a score on the board. Still, the captain of Sanskriti proved that he was indeed tough. he went on to score 118 runs when the victory finally smiled.

The Pinewood had earlier put 289 runs on board with 30 runs from Karan Thapar's last over. In the presentation ceremony that followed, Vikrant was declared the Man of the Match, while his team won the tournament by 2 wickets.

Q: The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and Asi celebrated the UN International Youth Day. A team of students from your school participated in the event. You visited UN House. There were many schools and many activities to create awareness. Write a report on the event for your school magazine. You are Amit/Amita of Ajay Public School.

Let us Build a Better Tomorrow

By Amit (Class IX)

New Delhi, August 9: On August 9, a team of eleven students visited the UN House in Delhi to celebrate International Youth Day.

The team reached UN House from where they embarked on a march to the historical Safdarjung Tomb. The gathering of 500 participants from 30 schools from North India was addressed by the UNIC Director, Mr Kerpelmen, the chief guest for the event. This was followed by a two-hour gala event in which students articulated their views on what kind of future they wanted through dance, songs, poems, speeches and short plays.

The celebration culminations with a binding inspiration of building a better tomorrow.

 A newspaper reporter was sent to report on a road accident. Below you can see the page of his notebook. Use the information to complete the report.

6.35 P.M. 12.02.2005
Sonapur: 25 KMs away from Guwahati
Crash: Jeep in Ditch.

Local bus: high speed – middle of the road – jeep braked to avoid
collision – swerved – hit a tree and overturned. Jeep Driver Ananta Das (35 years) killed instantly – 3 injured – hospitalized.

Answer:

A Tragic Road Accident killed one in Guwahati, Three Injured

Sonapur, 13 Feb: A road accident occurred yesterday at 6.35 PM near Sonapur, 25 kilometres from Guwahati when a jeep collided with a tree while passing a high-speed local bus. According to eyewitnesses, the jeep braked to avoid collision with a local bus travelling in the middle of the road at high speed from the opposite direction. The driver lost control of the jeep, which swerved to the side of the road and collided with a tree. Ananta Das, the 35-year-old driver of the jeep, died on the spot. Three other passengers were severely injured and were immediately rescued by locals to a nearby hospital.

Q: A newspaper reporter was sent to report on a daring bank robbery. You can see a page from his notebook. Prepare a report for a newspaper using the information given below. Do not add any new information.

• Bank robbed
• September 15, 2011 – 4.30 p.m.
• State Bank of India, Hengrabari, Guwahati
• Four persons threatened the bank staff at gunpoint
• Collected 15 lakhs and fled
• Nobody injured
• Police investigation
• No arrest has been made yet.

Answer:

A Daring Bank Robbery

Guwahati, 16 Sep: At around 4.30 p.m., yesterday, a daring daylight robbery took place at the State Bank of India's Hengrabari branch.

According to the bank employees, four-armed individuals carrying firearms stormed inside the bank at about 4.30 p.m. They also threatened the bank employees at gunpoint and looted fifteen lakh rupees and fled. Nobody was injured so far. The Police investigation is still ongoing, but no arrests have been made yet.

Q: Prepare a newspaper report using the information given below. Do not add any new information.

• Celebration of Teachers’ Day
• September 5th, 2021 – 10.00 a.m.
• Function organized by the students and presided over by the Headmaster.
• Speakers including students spoke on the significance.
• Students felicitated teachers.
• Closing of the function.

Answer:

Teachers’ Day Celebration

Kalain, 6 Sep.: The Teachers’ Day was observed yesterday at ‘Bharat Nirman Vidyapeeth.'

The students' organisation organised the function. It started around 10.00 a.m. at the school auditorium. The Headmaster presided over it. At first, flowers were offered at the portrait of Dr S. Radhakrishnan. Furthermore, the speakers including teachers and students spoke on the significance of the day. Moreover, the students presented the teachers with bouquets of flowers and gifts. The Headmaster thanked the students in his closing speech. He also advised them to follow Dr S. Radhakrishnan's noble ideals.

Q: A flood relief work was done by the students of your school. Write a report for your local daily using the information given below:

• Date and time of work
• How the place was reached
• A number of students took part.
• A number people of were affected.
• Relief materials were distributed.
• Conclusion

Answer:

Flood Relief Work Done at Bharat Nirman Vidyapeeth

Kalain, 10 Aug.: yesterday, flood relief work was done by the students of our school.

The students of our school participated in flood relief work among the flood-affected residents of the Cachar district. It was attended by a number of students from our school. They also collected medicines, clothes, food and other necessary items from the business owners and volunteer organizations.

We began our trip to the flood-affected areas at about 11.15 a.m. on August 9. The total number of flood victims was around one thousand and five hundred. We also found that four villages were severely affected. In the end, we distributed the relief materials such as medicines, clothing, food items etc. to the affected people.

Q: Write a report for a newspaper on the basis of the information given below:

(i) 20-11-2015

(ii) Guwahati

(iii) The Guwahati Book Fair commenced.

(iv) Opened by the Hon’ble Governor of Assam.

(v) Publishers from the state and outside participated.

(vi) Nice opening function – large gathering and good sale expected.

Answer:

Book Fair in Guwahati

Guwahati, 21 Nov.: The 11th Guwahati Book Fair began on the 10th of this month at the field of Assam Engineering Institute Chandmari.

The Hon’ble Governor of Assam officially opened the Book Fair. The book fair committee organised a lovely opening function. Zubin Garg and Angarag Papon, two well-known singers, performed at the event. On the other hand, many publishers from the state such as Kamakshya Book Stall, Bina Library, Jyoti Prakashan and others participated in the book fair. This year, many outside publishers also took part.

The committee anticipated a large crowd and a good sale. The book fair concluded on a high note.

Read More

AMANDA

AMANDA

By ROBERT KLEIN

CENTRAL IDEA OF THE POEM:

The poem deals with the upbringing of a small girl Amanda. It emphasizes the difficulties faced by the child. Poet Robert Klein raises an important point when he says that a child should never be denied freedom and space.

Though it is parents who are responsible for their child's upbringing, this should not make the child feel trapped. Here, Amanda is being prepared to be acceptable in society, and this preparation or training necessitates the restrictions of her freedom. Her imagination is not given enough space, which irritates her so much that she wishes to be an orphan. As a result of the nagging (continuous fault-finding), she has become moody.

EXPLANATION

Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!

Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!

Stop that slouching and sit up straight,

Amanda!

In the above lines, Amanda is being instructed, most probably by her parent for biting nails and sitting lazily with her shoulders bent. The tone of instructions here is not welcoming, and as a result, Amanda doesn't understand them. The poet here emphasizes the aspects related to a child's (girl's) upbringing and how parents go to any limit to ensure that their child is properly educated. Amanda is thus being prepared for the society in which she lives. The last word ‘Amanda’ is used with an exclamation mark, indicating the parent's annoyance and frustration.

 

(There is a languid, emerald sea,

where the sole inhabitant is me –

a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)

It should be observed that the above lines are enclosed in brackets. Brackets are used to provide more meaning to the phrase. The poet uses it here to depict the little girl's imagination, the free flow of pure thoughts. Amanda uses her imagination to escape her parent's day-to-day commands.

She feels suffocated in the actual world and thus finds peace in her very own created world, where there are no restraints. She imagines herself to be a joyful mermaid gliding across the green sea's soft waves. Amanda's world is free and contained in itself, and her happiness doesn’t require the presence of another human being. For a child, the mermaid is a symbol of freedom and wonder.

Did you finish your homework, Amanda?

Did you tidy your room, Amanda?

I thought I told you to clean your shoes,

Amanda!

Amanda is now being asked if she has finished her homework, tidied up her room, and if she has cleaned her shoes. This set of instructions differs from the ones given in stanza 1. Amanda is now being instructed about the things concerning her surroundings. The pattern of instructions demonstrates how every aspect of her is related to questioning and proper guidance. She is being disciplined for everything, robbing her of her freedom. Her innocence is gradually getting lost with time. The manner in which these instructions are delivered emphasizes the regular nature of these lessons. Her name being called again with an exclamation mark indicates that the parent seems to be losing her cool and is troubled. 

(I am an orphan, roaming the street.

I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.

The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)

Amanda’s reaction to her mother’s harsh words is depicted once again in this stanza. Amanda withdraws into another imaginary world. The very first line is extremely depressing, in which Amanda imagines herself to be an orphan, expressing her frustration with her mother's constant questioning. She is wearing no shoes, with her bare feet, she creates patterns on the dusty ground. She cherishes the silence as well as the freedom to do whatever she wants in her imaginary world. Her love for silence stems from her parent's yelling and shouting.

Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!

Remember your acne, Amanda!

Will you please look at me when I’m speaking

to you, Amanda!

The set of instructions provided here demonstrates how important it is for Amanda to understand the value of external beauty and the steps that must be taken to preserve it from a very tender age. Amanda's parent forbids her from eating chocolate because it previously caused her acne. Here, we see how a child is made aware of a natural experience, such as acne. Amanda, on the other hand, is still lost in her thoughts and doesn’t care enough to look up to her scolding parent. This carelessness angers the parent even more, and she demands her attention when she is being scolded. The role of appearance in society is given more significance than the basic values and creativities.

(I am Rapunzel, I have not care;

life in a tower is tranquil and rare;

I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair!)

Amanda is still engrossed in her dreams. She imagines herself as Rapunzel, the long golden-haired princess who lived in a castle and didn't care about anything. Amanda imagines Rapunzel's life in the tower must have been very peaceful and fantastic. However, she wishes to evade Rapunzel's because she is unwilling to let her hair down. Amanda doesn’t want her peace to be disturbed in any way. She seeks a life apart from other people. We can see here how the presence of her parents and their inhuman behaviour has made her against any human connection. Hence, she prefers to live alone because the presence of another being in her life would compel her to act in a certain way. Amanda wants to live as a free and happy person.

 

Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!

You’re always so moody, Amanda!

Anyone would think that I nagged at

you, Amanda!

The parent continues to instruct Amanda on the dos and don’ts, but Amanda remains lost in her dreams. Amanda's parent believes she is not reacting because she is annoyed. Amanda’s behaviour has made her parent look bad and she is worried about her image. She is concerned about how society will perceive her if her child always remains in a foul mood. She wants to prove herself as a responsible parent who manages to balance between what the child desires and what society expects out of Amanda. However, she has already failed in her efforts.

#AMANDA

WORD MEANING

Languid – without any force or interest.

Mermaid – an imaginary sea creature having a woman’s head and body with a fish’s tail instead of legs.

Drifting – a slow and steady movement.

Tidy – to be in the right order.

Orphan – a child whose parents are either dead or gone missing.

Roaming – to move about aimlessly, especially over a wide area.

Bare – something not clothed or covered.

Acne – common skin disease characterised by pimples, especially on the face.

Rapunzel – Rapunzel is the name of a German fairy tale character who was made to live alone in a high tower and had very long, beautiful golden hair. She was held captive by a witch dame Gothel, who used to come up to the tower by climbing her long hair. The only way one could make a contact with her was only using her long hair.

Tranquil – free from any trouble or anxiety, to be in a peaceful state of mind.

Sulking – to be angry or upset about something.

Nagged – to irritate (someone) by uncomplaining about his or her attitudes again and again.

#AMANDA

QUESTIONS:

Q: How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?

Answer: Amanda is about a 9-10-year-old school going girl. She is being scolded for things typical for that particular age. Her parents are trying to instil good manners and etiquettes in her. She is very innocent and immature.

Q: Who do you think is speaking to her?

Answer: One of her parents is speaking to her. Most probably it is her mother. In a traditional household, the mother is held accountable for her child's behaviour. The range of instructions in this case also suggests that the speaker is Amanda's mother.

Q: Why are stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?

Answer: Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 are given in parenthesis because they reflect the inner thoughts of Amanda. They can be interpreted as the child's reaction to the instructions given in stanzas 1, 3 and 5. In this case, there is an alternate sequence of the mother's scolding and the child's reaction to it. Also, parenthesis is used here to make the poem easier to read.

Q: Who is the speaker in stanzas 2, 4 and 6? Do you think this speaker is listening to the speaker in stanzas 1, 3, 5 and 7?

Answer: The speaker of stanzas 2, 4 and 6 is the child, Amanda. No, she is not paying any attention to the speaker in stanzas 1. 3. 5 and 7 because she is lost in her world. Her imaginations allow her to escape from her bleak reality.

Q: What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?

Answer: Amanda wishes she could be a mermaid and float around on a languid (relaxed) emerald sea. She simply wishes to be carried away by the green sea waves slowly and gradually. Amanda yearns for a place where she is all by herself as her happiness is not dependant on any other human being. Hence, she desires to be a mermaid because the mermaid is a symbol of freedom and wonder for a child.

Q: Is Amanda an Orphan? Why does she say so?

Answer: No, Amanda is not an orphan, though she wishes to be one. She is so much stressed by her parents' nagging with continuous nagging that she imagines herself to be better off without them. Her parents' mere presence depresses her. Amanda is a young girl who longs for 'golden' silence and 'sweet' freedom. She wishes to roam around the streets and draw patterns with her bare feet. Indeed it is depressing that Amanda expects to be an orphan.

Q: Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be a Rapunzel?

Answer: Yes, I know the story of Rapunzel. Rapunzel's story is centred on her life on a tower. A witch forced Rapunzel to live on a high tower. She eventually got used to living there. She was content and happy with her life. Rapunzel had very long golden hair, which the witch would use to visit her. Rapunzel's fate changed when a prince came to meet her using her hair one day. The witch punished both of them by separating them. After a couple of years, they finally met, only to be united forever this time.

Amanda wishes she could live on a high tower like Rapunzel, away from everyone. She seeks peace and harmony. That is why Amanda aspires to be like Rapunzel. However, she emphasizes that she would never let her hair down for anyone to climb to her to avoid being disturbed.

Q: What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?

Answer: The girl, Amanda, yearns for freedom and space for herself. She is unable to meet her parents' expectations. Amanda is a symbol for all the children who face a similar fate, regardless of class, colour or nationality. Traditional societies expect a certain type of behaviour from individuals, and the training to produce such behaviour begins at a very young age. Parents ignore their children's innocence and understanding level, and as a result, the children end up killing their imagination and thoughts.

Q. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?

Answer: Amanda, according to the poet, is sulking. Amanda is dissatisfied with her surroundings. She frequently escapes into the world of daydreams. That is why she appears to be sulking when she comes back from those dreams to the world of harsh reality.

Additional Questions

Extract Based Questions

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow:

1. Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!

Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!

Stop that slouching and sit up straight,

Amanda!

a. What is Amanda doing to her nails?

Answer: Amanda is biting her nails.

b. What does she do to her shoulders?

Answer: She hunches her shoulders.

c. What is her sitting posture?

Answer: She is sitting in a slouching posture.

d. How should Amanda sit?

Answer: Amanda should sit straight.

2. (There is a languid, emerald sea,

where the sole inhabitant is me —

a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)

a. Who do these lines refer to?

Answer: These lines refer to a little girl named Amanda.

b. How is the sea?

Answer: The sea is peaceful and beautiful/beautiful.

c. Who is the sole inhabitant of the sea?

Answer: The sole inhabitant of the sea is Amanda who is the mermaid.

d. What does the person refer to want to do?

Answer: The person referred wants to drift blissfully with the soft-moving waves of the sea. 

 3. Did you finish your homework, Amanda?

Did you tidy your room, Amanda?

I thought I told you to clean your shoes,

Amanda!

a. What does the speaker ask Amanda?

Answer: The speaker asks Amanda if she has done her homework.

b. What does the speaker ask her about her room?

Answer: The speaker asks her if she had cleaned her room.

c. What was Amanda told to clean?

Answer: Amanda was told to clean her shoes.

d. Has Amanda cleaned her shoes?

Answer: No, Amanda has not cleaned her shoes. 

 4. (I am an orphan, roaming the street.

I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.

The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet)

a. Who longs to be an orphan?

Answer: Amanda longs to be an orphan.

b. Where is the orphan roaming?

Answer: The orphan is roaming in the street.

c. How does the speaker make designs?

Answer: The speaker makes designs on the soft dust with her bare feet.

d. What does the speaker say about silence and freedom?

Answer: The speaker says that silence is golden and freedom is sweet.

5. Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!

Remember your acne. Amanda!

Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you,

Amanda!

a. What does the speaker tell Amanda about chocolate?

Answer: The speaker tells Amanda not to eat chocolate.

b. Why should she not eat chocolate, according to the speaker?

Answer: She should not eat chocolate because it causes acne.

c. What does the speaker want Amanda to do when he is talking to her?

Answer: The speaker wants that Amanda should look at her when she is addressing her.  

d. Was Amanda listening to the speaker?

Answer: No, Amanda was not listening to the speaker.

6. (I am Rapunzel, I have not care ;

life in a tower is tranquil and rare ;

I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair !)

a. Who was Rapunzel?

Answer:  Rapunzel was a fairy with very long hair.

b. What kind of life did Rapunzel lead?

Answer: She led a peaceful life in a tower in which she was imprisoned by a witch.

c. What did she do with her bright hair?

Answer: She let her hair fall down from the castle for her lover to climb upholding them.

d. What does the girl in these lines want to do?

Answer: The girl, Amanda, wants never to let down her bright hair.

7. Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!

You’re always so moody, Amanda!

Anyone would think that I nagged at you,

Amanda!

a. Whom does the speaker ask to stop sulking?

Answer: The speaker asks Amanda to stop sulking.

b. Did Amanda really sulk?

Answer: Amanda did not sulk, but she did have some bad habits, such as nail-biting.

c. What kind of girl was Amanda?

Answer: Amanda was a free-spirited and moody girl.

d. What does the speaker fear people will think about her?

Answer: The speaker fears that people will think that she nags Amanda.

Q. What are the role/importance of punctuation marks in language? Why has the poet used the exclamation mark after Amanda? Comment on the title of the poem.

Answer: (i) Punctuation is an essential part of grammar. It is used to create or add sense, clarity and emphasis to sentences. It is used to structure and organise the writing.

(ii) The exclamation mark after Amanda! indicates the mother’s surprise on seeing Amanda.

Q: Is the purpose of someone constantly giving instructions to Amanda being fulfilled? Explain.

Answer: No, Amanda sulks and becomes moody when her mother gives her too many instructions. She does not listen to her mother and does not want to follow them, but she also does not dare to ignore them, so she sulks. Parents in their efforts to make their children well-behaved, give them too many instructions. 

Q. Amanda imagines herself to be Rapunzel, yet would not like to do what all she did. Identify and state the reasons for her decision.

Answer: Amanda wishes to be Rapunzel because she wishes to live a peaceful life in a tower where no one instructs her and she is not required to do any work. But she refuses to escape with a prince like Rapunzel. She never wants to leave such a peaceful environment, with no instructions and no work to do.

Q. Who is the mermaid in ‘Amanda’? What does ‘she’ wish to do?

Answer: The mermaid is Amanda herself; as imagined by Amanda. She wishes to be alone on a dreamy, emerald sea.

Q. What is the theme of the poem, ‘Amanda’?

Answer: Children dislike having too many instructions and too much control over them. They become bored and irritated. Then they listen to their parents only half-heartedly and indulge in daydreaming.

Q. What message does the poet want to give through the poem, ‘Amanda’?

Answer: The poet wishes to convey that parents in their effort to make their children well-behaved, mannerly having good habits give them too many instructions or nag (always finding fault) them. They should take positive steps that are acceptable to children. Otherwise, they will stop listening to them and start daydreaming, just like Amanda did.

Q. Who was Amanda? What idea do you form of her through the poem? 

Answer: Amanda is a little girl who attends school. She seems to enjoy fairy tales, such as Rapunzel and mermaids. She dislikes too many instructions or nagging, which causes her to sulk and become moody. Then she stops paying attention to her mother and begins daydreaming.

Q. Why does she dream to be an orphan?

Answer: Amanda dreams to be an orphan because she believes orphans live carefree lives. There is no one around to annoy them with instructions. They can walk down the street barefoot and make patterns in the soft dust. They are not required to clean their shoes or room, nor are they required to complete their homework.

Q. Amanda imagines herself to be Rapunzel, yet would not like to do what all she did. Identify and state the reasons for her decision.

Answer: Amanda says it, in the story, Rapunzel lets down her long, beautiful hair to flee with the prince. Rapunzel’s life on the tower, on the other hand, fascinates Amanda. She never wants to leave such a peaceful environment, with no instruction and no work to do.

Q. What made Amanda sulk and become moody?

Answer: When Amanda's mother gives her too many instructions, she sulks and becomes moody when her. She does not want to follow them, but she can’t dare to ignore them either, so she sulks.

Q. How is Amanda seen behaving when the poem starts? What does the speaker ask her not to do?

Answer: Amanda is biting her nails at the beginning of the poem. Her shoulders are hunched. She is slouching while sitting. That is why the speaker asks her to behave normally. She asks her not to bite her nails and hunch her shoulders. She should sit up straight.

Q. In her daydreaming, Amanda reaches the sea. What does she imagine herself to be?

Answer: Amanda finds the sea to be relaxing and peaceful and she is the only creature in the sea. She imagines herself to be a mermaid. She is happy. She is blissfully drifting on the waves.

Q. What three things does the speaker ask Amanda to do which she has not done?

Answer: The speaker asks Amanda to finish her homework. Then she asks her if she has cleaned up her room. Finally, she finds that her shoes are not clean even though she had asked her to clean them. 

Q. How does Amanda describe her life as an orphan? 

Answer: Amanda says that she is an orphan. She is free and roams the street. The street is softly dusty under her feet. She walks quietly, making patterns on the soft dust with her bare feet. She considers silence to be golden and freedom to be sweet.

Q. Why is Amanda forbidden to eat chocolate? How does Amanda behave when she is addressed by the speaker?

Answer: The speaker asks Amanda not to eat chocolate because she has had acne already. Eating chocolate may cause more pimples. Amanda listens to the speaker without raising her face.

Q. What/Why does Amanda say, “I am Rapunzel”? What does she promise not to do?

Answer: Rapunzel was a beautiful girl with long hair. A witch imprisoned her in a tower. Amanda imagines herself to be like Rapunzel, who lived a peaceful life. She promises never to let down her bright hair. 

17. What does the speaker tell Amanda in the end? What is the speaker afraid of?

Answer: Amanda, according to the speaker, is sulking and becoming moody. She thinks that Amanda is always in a bad mood. She asks her not to sulk because she is afraid that people will think that she is nagging Amanda.

18. What is the central idea of the poem?

Answer: The central idea of the poem is that children love freedom. They do not want any limitations placed on their activities. Secondly, they have their fantasy world. They prefer to spend most of their time in their fantasy world. The elders, on the other hand, are constantly destroying that dream world by ordering them around.

Q. Is Amanda’s attitude a typical teenage behaviour? What is the lesson for parents from this poem?

Answer: Amanda’s attitude is typical of a teenager. Teenagers can be rebellious and apparently hot-headed with a highly independent perspective. In such circumstances, yelling at them and nagging them, as done in the poem with Amanda, will only make matters worse. Forcing decisions on them only makes them more detached as we see in Amanda’s case, where she wishes to be a love mermaid, an orphan or the lonely Rapunzel. She doesn’t want to listen to anyone.

Q. Bringing up teenagers can be both a challenge and fun. How far do you agree? Express your views with reference to Amanda’s life.

Answer: Amanda’s attitude is typical of a teenager. Teenagers can be rebellious and apparently hot-headed with a highly independent perspective. In such circumstances, yelling at them and nagging them, as done in the poem with Amanda, will only make matters worse. Forcing decisions on them only makes them more detached as we see in Amanda’s case, where she wishes to be a love mermaid, an orphan or the lonely Rapunzel. She doesn’t want to listen to anyone. To make things fun, one must become a friend when and where needed. Sometimes it is just nice to 'chill' with one’s kids!

Q: Write a short note on the title of the poem?
Answer: The poem is titled Amanda because it is about the upbringing of a little girl named Amanda. Her life has been full of struggles in which she has been denied freedom and expression. Amanda is so enraged that she escapes reality by living in her imaginative world. She finds peace through this gateway, away from her nagging parents.

Q: Why is Amanda getting scolded for having chocolate?

Answer: Amanda is being scolded for eating chocolates, which previously caused her acne. Amanda’s mother is very particular about such things.

Amanda is made aware of her physical appearance. Unfortunately, Amanda is forced to worry about natural experiences at such a young age.

Q: How life on a tower would be different from life anywhere else for Amanda?
Answer: Amand's life on the tower would be very different from her reality. She, like Rapunzel, wishes to live on top of a tower, away from the daily chaos. Amanda suffers due to the nagging from her parents. She seeks a place full of peace and serenity, where no one can bother her. Hence, she wishes to live on a tower.

Q: Why does Amanda seem moody most of the time? 

Answer: Amanda appears moody most of the time because she is trying to escape from her dreadful reality where she is constantly nagged. It is a sorry situation for a small child like Amanda to be in. Here the only defence against such reality is her imagination where she often escapes to. Hence, it makes her look moody and uninterested.

 

Q: Why does Amanda wish to be a mermaid, an orphan, or Rapunzel?
Answer: Amanda wishes she could be a mermaid and float alone in the blissfully languid emerald sea. She yearns to be an orphan so that she can roam the street around and make patterns with her bare feet. Being Rapunzel means she could live a carefree life on a high tower. Amanda wishes to be these to escape her suffocating reality.

Q: How does it help Amanda to be an orphan?

Answer: Amanda feels troubled around her parents, so she wishes to be an orphan. As then only she could live a life of her own without much difficulty.

Q: Do you consider Amanda’s mother to be a nagging mother?

Answer: Amanda’s mother is obsessed with instructions and finding faults. No doubt it is her responsibility to instil good values into her daughter, but not at the cost of her child’s happiness. One should know how to strike a balance between maintaining responsibilities and taking good care of oneself.

Q: Is Amanda at fault at all?

Answer: Amanda is not at fault at all. It is too harsh for a small child to understand the concept of acne and abstaining from chocolate. Amanda's life is devoid of parental love. It is with pity that we look towards Amanda. Nothing could be worse for a child who wishes to be an orphan. Amanda simply wants to be free of the oppressive environment that surrounds her.

Q: What is the central theme of the poem Amanda?

Answer: The poem Amanda by Robin Klein emphasizes the importance of the upbringing of a child. It emphasizes that upbringing doesn’t imply solely preparing a child to be responsible and fit for society only. It is important to note that upbringing involves understanding from both sides. A child cannot be forced to be civilised and well mannered. Love and proper care are required in nurturing a child.

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