News Break

Literature in Action

NEWS BREAK

by Teacher Hikmah

SYNOPSIS
NEWS BREAK BY MAX FATCHEN

The poem is about how a child's behaviour
suddenly improves and the mother is
bewildered and puzzled at the change.

The real reason is revealed at the end of the
poem.

Stanza 1 (line 1-4)

Now why so loving, darling,
and why the sudden kiss?
You’d help me with some little jobs?
For goodness sake, what’s this?

the parent is bewildered when the
child kisses her and helps her to do

little chores around the house

What does the child do to help the
parents?

Short Answer Submissions (all)

Jan helps her to do little chores around the house.

meiye being lovely and caring

Regina The child do the house chores.

Sayid Ameer Washing dishes
Haziq bin
Abdullah

꧁SHIROシ Wash the dishes
NEKO꧂

Stanza 2 (line 5-8)

You face is clean for once, dear.
Your clothes without a crease.
You saved your luncheon money?

Will wonders never cease?



What does the child do with luncheon
money?

Short Answer Submissions (all)

meiye he save it
saves lunch money.
Jan To help the parent fora job
The child keep the money
Sayid Ameer The child will put the money in the bank or buy stuff that she like.
Haziq bin
Abdullah
꧁SHIROシ
NEKO꧂

Regina

Stanza 3 (line 9-12)

No dropping of your school books,
No shrieking, childish treble.
Today you are a lamb, love,
Where yesterday a rebel.



What does the child normally do with
his school books?

Short Answer Submissions (all)

meiye he throw it at the ground
The child throw his book
꧁SHIROシ To drop the school book
NEKO꧂

Sayid Ameer
Haziq bin
Abdullah

What does the mother called her
child?

Short Answer Submissions (all)

meiye childish treble
A rebel
Sayid Ameer Her name
Haziq bin
Abdullah

꧁SHIROシ
NEKO꧂

Why does the mother call her child a
lamb?

because her child is….
A. Sweet and well behaved

B. Rebel and polite

Stanza 4 (line 13-16)

But surely you’re some stranger,
No rage or hullabaloo.

Come closer, let me look, dear,
Can this be REALLY you?



What does the word ‘hullabaloo’ mean?

A. Shouting and making a lot of noise
B. Quiet and polite

Leader Board Results

Stanza 5 (line 17-20)

Now are you struck by lightning
Or were you stunned at sport?

Ah… now I see the reason.
You’ve brought your school report!



What is the main reason for the child’s
sudden positive attitude?

Short Answer Submissions (all)

meiye his score is terrible
꧁SHIROシ Beacouse he just hit by lightning ✨
NEKO꧂ The child has brought home his school report.
The reason the child behave so good because he failed his exams
Jan

Regina

What do you think the child in the poem is
feeling?

Word Cloud details can be found in the Notes section below