What Is Red

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WHAT Is RED?

By Mary O’Neill

Red is a sunset And when you're angry
Blazing and bright. Red runs through your
Red is feeling brave head.
With all your might. Red is an Indian,
Red is a sunburn A Valentine heart.
Spot on your nose. The trimmings on
Sometimes red A circus cart.
Is a red red rose. Red is a lipstick
Red squiggles out Red is a shout
When you cut your hand. Red is a signal
Red is a brick That says: "Watch out!"
And the sound of a band. Red is a great big
Red is hotness Rubber ball.
You get inside Red is the giantest
When you're Colour of all.
embarrassed Red is a show-off,
And want to hide. No doubt about it -
Fire-cracker, fire-engine But can you imagine
Fire flicker red - Living without it?

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EXERCISE 1
Read the poem “What is Red?’ and fill in 13 things we can see in red in color.
All the words can be found in the poem.

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EXERCISE 2
Study the pictures below. Then choose phrases/sentences in the poem that
best describes each picture.

1. 2.

3. 4.

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EXERCISE 3

Replace each illustration in the passage below with a suitable word from
the poem.

In this poem, the persona talks about the colour red. He describes it

in various ways. It is the (1) which is bright and

blazing and sunburn on your (2) . It flows out when you cut

your (3) . It is a (4) and the sound made by a band.

It is the hotness you feel when you are embarrassed. Red is a

fire-cracker and a (5) .

Red runs through your (6) when you are angry. It is an

Indian and a Valentine (7) . It is also the decorations on a

circus (8) . It is a (9) . It is a shout and a signal to be

careful. It is a big rubber (10) . It is the greatest of all

the colours. It is also a show-off. But how can we live without it?
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EXERCISE 4
Read the poem 'What Is Red?' carefully and answer the following
questions.
1. Who wrote the poem?
__________________________________________________________
2. What type of poem is this?
__________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think the poet uses the adjectives 'blazing' and 'bright'
to describe the sunset? HOTS
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. What can happen to our skin if we stay out under the sun too long?
__________________________________________________________
5. What is said to happen if you have a slight cut on your hand?
Compare the situation if the cut is deep.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6. What are the three situations of feelings as mentioned by the
persona? Describe what happens in each of the situations.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. Why do you think lipsticks are usually red in colour? HOTS
__________________________________________________________

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8. Explain the line, Red is a signal that says, "Watch out!" Why do you
think red is the colour used for such signals? HOTS
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. How does the persona describe the impact of the colour red?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. Why does the persona asks the question ’But can you imagine
living without it?’
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

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@Teacherammanijeya
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References
1.Rohini Shanta & Racheal Anthony (2017)Light on Lit Form2, Malaysia
Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd
2.Christine Tan(2016) Selected Poems, Short Story and Drama Form 2,
Malaysia Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn. Bhd
3. Special thanks to http://teachesthirdingeorgia.blogspot.com/ for the
awesome fonts.

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