The Girl Who Can: GLOSSARY, PARAPHRASE AND QUESTION-ANSWERS

 

The Girl Who Can

– Ama Ata Aidoo

Part One, Page 152 & 153

They say that I was born in Hasodzi; and it is a very big village in the Central Region of our country, Ghana. They also say that when all of Africa is not choking under a drought, Hasodzi lies in a very fertile low land in a district

known for its good soil. Maybe that is why any time I don’t finish eating my food, Nana says, ‘You, Adjoa, you don’t know what life is about . . . you don’t know what problems there are in this life . . .’

 

As far as I could see, there was only one problem. And it had nothing to do with what I knew Nana considered as ‘problems', or what Maami thinks of as ‘the problem’. Maami is my mother. Nana is my mother’s mother. And they say I am seven years old. And my problem is that at this seven years of age, there are things I can think in my head, but which, maybe, I do not have the proper language to speak them out with. And that, I think, is a very serious problem. Because it is always difficult to decide whether to keep quiet and not say any of the things that come into my head, or say them and get laughed at. Not that it is easy to get any grown-up to listen to you even when you decide to take the risk and say something serious to them.

 

‘problems', or what Maami thinks of as ‘the problem’. Maami

Take Nana. First, I have to struggle to catch her attention. Then I tell her something I had taken a long time to figure out. And then you know what always happens? She would at once stop whatever she is doing and, mouth open, stare at me for a very long time. Then bending and turning her head slightly, so that one ear comes down towards me, she’ll say in that voice: ‘Adjoa, you say what?’ After I have repeated whatever I had said, she would either, still in that voice, ask me ‘never, never, but NEVER to repeat THAT,’ or she would immediately burst out laughing. She would laugh and laugh and laugh, until tears run down her cheeks and she would stop whatever she is doing and wipe away the tears with the hanging edges of her cloth. And she would continue laughing until she is completely tired. But then, as soon as another person comes by, just to make sure she doesn’t forget whatever (it was) I had said, she would repeat it to her. And then, of course, there would be two old people laughing and screaming with tears running down their faces. Sometimes this show continues until there are three, four or even more of such laughing and screaming tear-faced grown-ups. And all that performance on whatever I’d said? I find something quite confusing in all this. That is, no one ever explains to me, why sometimes I shouldn’t repeat some things I say; while at other times, some other things I say would not only be all right, but would be considered so funny, they would be repeated so many times for so many people‘s enjoyment. You see how neither way of hearing me out can encourage me to express my thoughts too often?

she’ll say in that voice: ‘Adjoa, you say what?’ After I have

Like all this business to do with my legs. I have always wanted to tell them not to worry. I mean Nana and my mother. That it did not have to be an issue for my two favourite people to fight over. But I didn’t want either to be told not to repeat that or it to be considered so funny that anyone would laugh at me until they cried. After all, they were my legs... When I think back on it now, those two, Nana and my mother, must have been discussing my legs from the day I was born. What I am sure of is that when I came out of the land of sweet, soft silence into the world of noise and comprehension, the first topic I met was my legs.

Glossary

They say = people say / log kehte hain
born = came into the world / janm lena
Hasodzi = name of a village in Ghana / Ghana ka ek gaon
Central Region = a central area of the country / desh ka madhya kshetra
Africa = a continent / ek mahadeep
choking = suffering badly, gasping / bhayanak peeda jhelna, ghoont ghutna
drought = long period without rain / akaal, sookha
fertile = capable of producing crops / upjaau
low land = land at a lower level / nichla kshetra
district = administrative area / zila
known for = famous for / ke liye prasiddh
soil = earth for growing crops / mitti

any time = whenever / jab bhi
finish eating = eat completely / khana poora karna
Nana = grandmother (maternal) / naani
life is about = what life really means / jeevan ka arth
problems = difficulties / samasyaen

as far as I could see = according to my understanding / jitna main samajh paayi
had nothing to do with = was not related to / ka koi sambandh nahi
considered = regarded as / maana jaata
the problem = main samasya
Maami = mother / maa
seven years old = of the age of seven / saat saal ki
proper language = correct words and expression / sahi bhasha
speak them out = express in words / shabdon mein kehna
serious problem = important difficulty / gambhir samasya

decide = choose / faisla karna
keep quiet = remain silent / chup rehna
come into my head = occur in my mind / dimaag mein aana
get laughed at = be mocked / mazaak ban jaana
grown-up = adult / bade log
take the risk = dare to do / jokhim uthana
listen to you = pay attention / dhyaan se sunna

struggle = try with difficulty / mushkil se koshish karna
catch her attention = make her notice / dhyaan kheenchna
figure out = understand after thinking / soch-vichaar se samajhna
at once = immediately / turant
stare = look fixedly / ghoorna
bending and turning = moving slightly / jhukna aur ghoomna
slightly = a little / thoda sa
voice = tone of speaking / awaaz
repeat = say again / dohraana

burst out laughing = suddenly start laughing loudly / achanak zor se hans padna
tears run down = tears flow / aansu behna
cheeks = sides of the face / gaal
wipe away = clean / ponchhna
hanging edges = loose ends / latakte kinaare
cloth = sari or garment / kapda
completely tired = fully exhausted / poori tarah thak jaana

comes by = passes nearby / paas se guzarta
make sure = ensure / pakka karna
repeat it = say again / phir se kehna
of course = naturally / nishchit roop se
screaming = shouting / cheekhna
tear-faced = face full of tears / aansuon se bhara chehra
performance = show, act / tamasha

confusing = difficult to understand / uljhan bhara
explains = makes clear / samjhaata
considered funny = thought amusing / mazedaar samjha jaana
repeated = said again and again / baar-baar dohraaya jaana
enjoyment = pleasure / aanand
hearing me out = listening fully / poori baat sunna
encourage = motivate / protsahit karna
express my thoughts = share my ideas / apne vichaar vyakt karna

business = matter or issue / maamla
to do with = related to / sambandhit
worry = be anxious / chinta karna
issue = problem / mudda
favourite = most loved / sabse pyaara
fight over = argue about / par jhagda karna
after all = after considering everything / aakhirkar

think back = remember the past / peeche mudkar sochna
discussing = talking seriously / charcha karna
sure of = certain about / nishchit
came out = emerged / bahar aana
land of sweet, soft silence = womb before birth / janm se pehle ka shant garbh
world of noise = life after birth / janm ke baad ka shor bhara sansaar
comprehension = understanding / samajh
topic = subject / vishay

Paraphrase (English and Hindi)

1.    English: People say that I was born in Hasodzi, a large village in Ghana’s Central Region. When Africa is not suffering from drought, Hasodzi lies in a fertile low-lying area famous for its rich soil. Perhaps that is why Nana scolds me whenever I fail to finish my food, saying that I do not understand life or its hardships.
Hindi: Log kehte hain ki main Ghana ke Central Region ke ek bade gaon Hasodzi mein paida hui. Jab Africa sookhe se pareshaan nahi hota, tab Hasodzi upjaau nichle kshetra mein sthit hai, jo achchi mitti ke liye mashhoor hai. Shayad isi liye jab main apna khana poora nahi karti, Nana mujhe daantti hain aur kehti hain ki mujhe jeevan aur uski mushkilon ki samajh nahi hai.

2.    English: From my point of view, there was only one real problem, and it had nothing to do with what Nana or my mother thought of as problems. My mother is called Maami, and Nana is her mother. I am said to be seven years old, and my difficulty is that although I can think many things, I often lack the right words to express them.
Hindi: Meri nazar mein sirf ek hi asli samasya thi, aur uska Nana ya Maami ke sochne wali samasyaon se koi lena-dena nahi tha. Meri maa ko Maami kehte hain aur Nana unki maa hain. Log kehte hain main saat saal ki hoon, aur meri pareshaani yeh hai ki mere mann mein kai baatein aati hain, par unhe kehne ke liye mere paas sahi shabd nahi hote.

3.    English: This inability to express myself seems to me a serious issue, because I must either stay silent or speak and be laughed at. Even when I gather courage to say something important, adults rarely listen carefully.
Hindi: Apni baat sahi tarah se na keh paana mujhe ek gambhir samasya lagti hai, kyunki ya to mujhe chup rehna padta hai ya phir bolkar mazaak ka shikar banna padta hai. Jab main himmat karke koi zaroori baat kehti hoon, tab bhi bade log dhyaan se nahi sunte.

4.    English: With Nana, first I struggle to get her attention. After I explain something I thought about for a long time, she immediately stops working and stares at me in surprise. Then she tilts her head, brings her ear closer, and asks in a particular tone, “Adjoa, what did you say?”
Hindi: Nana ke saath mujhe sabse pehle unka dhyaan kheenchna padta hai. Jab main kisi baat ko, jise samajhne mein mujhe bahut waqt laga, unhe batati hoon, to woh turant kaam rok kar hairani se mujhe ghoorne lagti hain. Phir woh sir thoda jhuka kar kaan meri taraf laati hain aur usi vishesh awaaz mein poochhti hain, “Adjoa, tumne kya kaha?”

5.    English: After I repeat myself, she either strictly tells me never to say such a thing again or suddenly bursts into loud laughter. She laughs until tears fall from her eyes, wipes them with her cloth, and continues laughing until she is exhausted.
Hindi: Jab main apni baat dohraati hoon, to ya to woh sakhti se kehti hain ki aisi baat kabhi dobara na kahun, ya phir achanak zor-zor se hansne lagti hain. Woh itna hasti hain ki aankhon se aansu behne lagte hain, jinhe woh apne kapde se ponchhti hain, aur thak jaane tak hansna jaari rakhti hain.

6.    English: When another person passes by, Nana repeats my words to ensure they are not forgotten, and soon more adults join in laughing loudly with tears on their faces. This often turns into a long, dramatic display of laughter.
Hindi: Jab koi aur vyakti paas se guzarta hai, to Nana meri baat use dobara sunaati hain, taaki woh baat bhooli na jaaye. Phir aur bhi bade log jud jaate hain aur sab aansuon ke saath zor-zor se hansne lagte hain. Yeh aksar ek lamba aur naatkiya hansne-ka-tamasha ban jaata hai.

7.    English: What confuses me is that no one explains why some things I say should never be repeated, while other things are treated as jokes and shared repeatedly for entertainment. Neither reaction encourages me to express my thoughts freely.
Hindi: Mujhe yeh baat bahut uljhan mein daalti hai ki koi yeh nahi batata ki meri kuch baatein dobara kyun nahi kehni chahiye, jabki kuch aur baaton ko mazaak bana kar baar-baar dohraaya jaata hai. Dono hi tarah ke vyavhaar mujhe khulkar apni baat kehne ke liye protsahit nahi karte.

8.    English: The same is true about the issue of my legs. I wanted to tell Nana and my mother not to worry or argue about them, but I feared being scolded or laughed at. After all, they were my own legs. Looking back, Nana and my mother must have discussed my legs from the day I was born, because the very first thing I encountered when I entered the noisy, understandable world from silent existence was the topic of my legs.
Hindi: Mere pairon ke maamle mein bhi aisa hi tha. Main Nana aur Maami ko kehna chahti thi ki ve chinta na karein aur is baat par jhagda na karein, par mujhe daant ya hansiyon ka darr tha. Aakhirkaar, ve mere hi pair the. Peeche sochne par lagta hai ki Nana aur Maami mere janm ke din se hi mere pairon par charcha karti rahi hongi, kyunki shant aur madhur maun se bhare astitva se shor aur samajh bhari duniya mein aate hi pehla vishay jisse mera saamna hua, mere pair hi the.

MCQs

1.    Where was Adjoa born?
A. Accra
B. Hasodzi
C. Kumasi
D. Cape Coast
Ans. B. Hasodzi

2.    Hasodzi is located in which region of Ghana?
A. Northern Region
B. Eastern Region
C. Central Region
D. Western Region
Ans. C. Central Region

3.    When Africa is not facing drought, Hasodzi is described as _____.
A. dry and rocky
B. mountainous
C. fertile low land
D. coastal desert
Ans. C. fertile low land

4.    Why does Nana scold Adjoa about food?
A. She eats too fast
B. She wastes food
C. She doesn’t finish her food
D. She asks for more food
Ans. C. She doesn’t finish her food

5.    According to Nana, Adjoa does not understand _____.
A. education
B. life and its problems
C. farming
D. poverty
Ans. B. life and its problems

6.    Who is Maami?
A. Adjoa’s aunt
B. Adjoa’s grandmother
C. Adjoa’s sister
D. Adjoa’s mother
Ans. D. Adjoa’s mother

7.    Who is Nana?
A. Mother’s mother
B. Father’s mother
C. Aunt
D. Elder sister
Ans. A. Mother’s mother

8.    How old is Adjoa?
A. Five
B. Six
C. Seven
D. Eight
Ans. C. Seven

9.    What does Adjoa feel she lacks?
A. Intelligence
B. Courage
C. Proper language to express thoughts
D. Knowledge
Ans. C. Proper language to express thoughts

10. What is Adjoa’s main problem?
A. Hunger
B. Poverty
C. Inability to express her thoughts clearly
D. Illness
Ans. C. Inability to express her thoughts clearly

11. Why does Adjoa find her problem serious?
A. She is punished
B. She is ignored
C. She is either silent or laughed at
D. She is sent away
Ans. C. She is either silent or laughed at

12. Who rarely listens seriously to Adjoa?
A. Children
B. Friends
C. Grown-ups
D. Teachers
Ans. C. Grown-ups

13. What does Adjoa first do before speaking to Nana?
A. Shouts
B. Cries
C. Struggles to catch her attention
D. Runs away
Ans. C. Struggles to catch her attention

14. Nana’s first reaction to Adjoa’s words is to _____.
A. scold her
B. ignore her
C. stare at her
D. leave the place
Ans. C. stare at her

15. Nana bends her head so that _____.
A. she can shout
B. one ear comes closer
C. she can laugh
D. she can sleep
Ans. B. one ear comes closer

16. What question does Nana often ask?
A. “Why are you here?”
B. “Who told you?”
C. “Adjoa, you say what?”
D. “Is it true?”
Ans. C. “Adjoa, you say what?”

17. After repeating her words, Nana may do which of the following?
A. Cry
B. Sing
C. Warn or laugh loudly
D. Leave silently
Ans. C. Warn or laugh loudly

18. Nana sometimes tells Adjoa _____.
A. to repeat the words
B. never to repeat certain things
C. to write them down
D. to tell others
Ans. B. never to repeat certain things

19. Nana laughs until _____.
A. she gets angry
B. she falls asleep
C. tears run down her cheeks
D. Adjoa cries
Ans. C. tears run down her cheeks

20. Nana wipes her tears with _____.
A. her hands
B. a towel
C. the hanging edges of her cloth
D. leaves
Ans. C. the hanging edges of her cloth

21. Nana continues laughing until she is _____.
A. hungry
B. angry
C. tired
D. silent
Ans. C. tired

22. What does Nana do when another person comes by?
A. Stops laughing
B. Sends Adjoa away
C. Repeats Adjoa’s words
D. Changes the topic
Ans. C. Repeats Adjoa’s words

23. How many people may join the laughter?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Many grown-ups
D. Only children
Ans. C. Many grown-ups

24. How does Adjoa feel about this behaviour?
A. Proud
B. Confused
C. Happy
D. Angry
Ans. B. Confused

25. What is never explained to Adjoa?
A. Why she is young
B. Why adults laugh or warn her
C. Why Nana is strict
D. Why Maami is silent
Ans. B. Why adults laugh or warn her

26. Some of Adjoa’s words are treated as _____.
A. insults
B. lies
C. jokes
D. lessons
Ans. C. jokes

27. These jokes are repeated for people’s _____.
A. education
B. enjoyment
C. advice
D. warning
Ans. B. enjoyment

28. Does this treatment encourage Adjoa to speak freely?
A. Yes, always
B. Yes, sometimes
C. No, it does not
D. It makes no difference
Ans. C. No, it does not

29. Which issue does Adjoa mention next?
A. Her food
B. Her school
C. Her legs
D. Her friends
Ans. C. Her legs

30. Who worry about her legs?
A. Nana and Maami
B. Teachers
C. Neighbours
D. Friends
Ans. A. Nana and Maami

31. What do Nana and Maami do about her legs?
A. Ignore them
B. Fight over them
C. Praise them
D. Measure them
Ans. B. Fight over them

32. What does Adjoa want to tell them?
A. To cut her legs
B. To stop worrying
C. To consult a doctor
D. To buy shoes
Ans. B. To stop worrying

33. Why doesn’t Adjoa speak about her legs?
A. She is shy
B. She fears scolding or laughter
C. She forgets
D. She doesn’t care
Ans. B. She fears scolding or laughter

34. Whose legs are being discussed?
A. Nana’s
B. Maami’s
C. Adjoa’s
D. A neighbour’s
Ans. C. Adjoa’s

35. Adjoa believes her legs were discussed from the day she _____.
A. started walking
B. went to school
C. was born
D. learned to speak
Ans. C. was born

36. The phrase “land of sweet, soft silence” refers to _____.
A. village life
B. childhood dreams
C. life before birth
D. a quiet room
Ans. C. life before birth

37. The “world of noise and comprehension” means _____.
A. school
B. adulthood
C. life after birth
D. the market
Ans. C. life after birth

38. The first topic Adjoa encountered in the world was _____.
A. food
B. her legs
C. her name
D. her village
Ans. B. her legs

39. The story is told from whose point of view?
A. Nana’s
B. Maami’s
C. Adjoa’s
D. Author’s
Ans. C. Adjoa’s

40. The tone of the extract is mainly _____.
A. humorous and thoughtful
B. angry
C. frightening
D. heroic
Ans. A. humorous and thoughtful

41. The story highlights the problem of _____.
A. drought
B. farming
C. communication gap between children and adults
D. poverty
Ans. C. communication gap between children and adults

42. Adjoa’s thoughts are often _____.
A. ignored
B. written down
C. praised
D. punished
Ans. A. ignored

43. Nana’s laughter shows _____.
A. cruelty
B. misunderstanding of the child
C. wisdom
D. anger
Ans. B. misunderstanding of the child

44. The adults’ reactions make Adjoa feel _____.
A. confident
B. encouraged
C. discouraged
D. proud
Ans. C. discouraged

45. The author presents a child’s mind as _____.
A. foolish
B. imaginative and sensitive
C. careless
D. weak
Ans. B. imaginative and sensitive

46. The story belongs to which country’s literature?
A. Nigeria
B. Kenya
C. Ghana
D. South Africa
Ans. C. Ghana

47. Ama Ata Aidoo is the _____.
A. narrator
B. editor
C. author
D. character
Ans. C. author

48. The extract mainly deals with _____.
A. family conflict and child psychology
B. war
C. travel
D. magic
Ans. A. family conflict and child psychology

49. Adjoa’s silence comes from _____.
A. laziness
B. fear of reaction
C. illness
D. pride
Ans. B. fear of reaction

50. The central idea of the passage is _____.
A. importance of food
B. village life
C. a child’s struggle to be understood
D. farming in Ghana
Ans. C. a child’s struggle to be understood

“Who Said To Whom?”

1.    “They say that I was born in Hasodzi.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

2.    “It is a very big village in the Central Region of our country, Ghana.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

3.    “When all of Africa is not choking under a drought.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

4.    “Hasodzi lies in a very fertile low land.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

5.    “Maybe that is why any time I don’t finish eating my food.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

6.    “You, Adjoa, you don’t know what life is about.”
Who said to whom: Nana said this to Adjoa.

7.    “You don’t know what problems there are in this life.”
Who said to whom: Nana said this to Adjoa.

8.    “As far as I could see, there was only one problem.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

9.    “It had nothing to do with what Nana considered as ‘problems’.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

10. “Or what Maami thinks of as ‘the problem’.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

11. “Maami is my mother.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

12. “Nana is my mother’s mother.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

13. “They say I am seven years old.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa reported this to the reader.

14. “There are things I can think in my head.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

15. “I do not have the proper language to speak them out with.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

16. “That, I think, is a very serious problem.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

17. “It is always difficult to decide whether to keep quiet.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

18. “Or say them and get laughed at.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

19. “It is not easy to get any grown-up to listen to you.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

20. “First, I have to struggle to catch her attention.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader about Nana.

21. “Then I tell her something I had taken a long time to figure out.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

22. “She would at once stop whatever she is doing.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader describing Nana.

23. “Mouth open, stare at me for a very long time.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

24. “Bending and turning her head slightly.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

25. “So that one ear comes down towards me.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

26. “Adjoa, you say what?”
Who said to whom: Nana said this to Adjoa.

27. “After I have repeated whatever I had said.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

28. “She would either ask me never to repeat that.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader about Nana.

29. “Or she would immediately burst out laughing.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

30. “She would laugh and laugh and laugh.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

31. “Until tears run down her cheeks.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

32. “She would wipe away the tears.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

33. “With the hanging edges of her cloth.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

34. “As soon as another person comes by.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

35. “She would repeat it to her.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader about Nana.

36. “There would be two old people laughing and screaming.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

37. “Sometimes this show continues.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

38. “I find something quite confusing in all this.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

39. “No one ever explains to me.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

40. “Why sometimes I shouldn’t repeat some things I say.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

41. “Some other things I say would be considered so funny.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

42. “They would be repeated so many times.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

43. “You see how neither way of hearing me out can encourage me.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

44. “Like all this business to do with my legs.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

45. “I have always wanted to tell them not to worry.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

46. “It did not have to be an issue.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

47. “For my two favourite people to fight over.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

48. “After all, they were my legs.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

49. “They must have been discussing my legs from the day I was born.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

50. “The land of sweet, soft silence.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

51. “The world of noise and comprehension.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

52. “The first topic I met was my legs.”
Who said to whom: Adjoa said this to the reader.

Reference to Context

Extract 1:
“They say that I was born in Hasodzi; and it is a very big village in the Central Region of our country, Ghana. They also say that when all of Africa is not choking under a drought, Hasodzi lies in a very fertile low land in a district known for its good soil. Maybe that is why any time I don’t finish eating my food, Nana says, ‘You, Adjoa, you don’t know what life is about . . . you don’t know what problems there are in this life . . .’”

1.    Who is the speaker of this extract?
Ans. Adjoa is the speaker.

2.    What place is mentioned in this extract?
Ans. Hasodzi, a very big village in the Central Region of Ghana.

3.    What natural problem affecting Africa is referred to here?
Ans. Drought is referred to as a problem affecting Africa.

4.    How is Hasodzi described when there is no drought?
Ans. It lies in a very fertile low land in a district known for its good soil.

5.    Who scolds Adjoa for not finishing her food?
Ans. Nana scolds Adjoa.

6.    What does Nana mean by “you don’t know what life is about”?
Ans. She means that Adjoa is unaware of the hardships and problems in life.

7.    What narrative perspective is used in this extract?
Ans. First-person narrative is used, as Adjoa herself is speaking.

Extract 2:
“As far as I could see, there was only one problem. And it had nothing to do with what I knew Nana considered as ‘problems', or what Maami thinks of as ‘the problem’. Maami is my mother. Nana is my mother’s mother. And they say I am seven years old.”

1.    Who is speaking in this extract?
Ans. Adjoa is speaking.

2.    What “problem” does the speaker refer to?
Ans. Her own inner problem, not what adults consider problems.

3.    Who are Maami and Nana?
Ans. Maami is Adjoa’s mother; Nana is her maternal grandmother.

4.    What does “they say I am seven years old” indicate?
Ans. It shows that she is repeating what people say about her age.

5.    How is Adjoa’s understanding of problems different from Nana’s and Maami’s?
Ans. Adjoa’s problem is mental and emotional, while theirs are practical.

6.    What narrative technique is used in this extract?
Ans. First-person narration.

7.    What does this extract reveal about Adjoa’s personality?
Ans. She is thoughtful, observant, and self-aware.

Extract 3:
“And my problem is that at this seven years of age, there are things I can think in my head, but which, maybe, I do not have the proper language to speak them out with. And that, I think, is a very serious problem. Because it is always difficult to decide whether to keep quiet and not say any of the things that come into my head, or say them and get laughed at. Not that it is easy to get any grown-up to listen to you even when you decide to take the risk and say something serious to them.”

1.    Who is the speaker?
Ans. Adjoa is the speaker.

2.    What problem does Adjoa describe?
Ans. She cannot fully express her thoughts in proper language.

3.    Why does she call this problem “very serious”?
Ans. Because it prevents her from communicating and being understood.

4.    What dilemma does she face?
Ans. Whether to keep quiet or speak and risk being laughed at.

5.    Who is “grown-up” referred to here?
Ans. Adults around Adjoa who do not take her seriously.

6.    How does this extract highlight the theme of the story?
Ans. It shows the communication gap between children and adults.

7.    What does this reveal about Adjoa’s maturity?
Ans. She is thoughtful, reflective, and aware of social reactions.

Extract 4:
“Take Nana. First, I have to struggle to catch her attention. Then I tell her something I had taken a long time to figure out. And then you know what always happens? She would at once stop whatever she is doing and, mouth open, stare at me for a very long time.”

1.    Who is being described in this extract?
Ans. Nana, Adjoa’s grandmother.

2.    Who struggles to get Nana’s attention?
Ans. Adjoa struggles to get Nana’s attention.

3.    What does Adjoa try to do after getting her attention?
Ans. She tells Nana something she has thought about for a long time.

4.    How does Nana initially react?
Ans. She stops what she is doing and stares with her mouth open.

5.    What does this reaction suggest about Nana’s attitude?
Ans. She is surprised and does not take Adjoa seriously.

6.    What narrative perspective is used here?
Ans. First-person narration by Adjoa.

7.    How does this extract develop the theme of adult-child communication?
Ans. It shows adults’ inattentiveness to children’s serious thoughts.

Extract 5:
“Then bending and turning her head slightly, so that one ear comes down towards me, she’ll say in that voice: ‘Adjoa, you say what?’ After I have repeated whatever I had said, she would either, still in that voice, ask me ‘never, never, but NEVER to repeat THAT,’ or she would immediately burst out laughing.”

1.    Who says, “Adjoa, you say what?”
Ans. Nana says this to Adjoa.

2.    Why does Nana bend her head and bring one ear closer?
Ans. To listen in an exaggerated and humorous way.

3.    What are Nana’s two possible reactions after hearing Adjoa?
Ans. She either warns her not to repeat it or bursts out laughing.

4.    What does the repetition of “never” emphasise?
Ans. The firmness of Nana’s warning.

5.    What does Nana’s laughter indicate?
Ans. She finds Adjoa’s words amusing rather than serious.

6.    How does this extract show misunderstanding between adults and children?
Ans. Adults interpret a child’s serious words as a joke.

7.    How does this affect Adjoa?
Ans. It discourages her from speaking her thoughts freely.

Extract 6:
“She would laugh and laugh and laugh, until tears run down her cheeks and she would stop whatever she is doing and wipe away the tears with the hanging edges of her cloth. And she would continue laughing until she is completely tired.”

1.    Who is “she” in this extract?
Ans. Nana, Adjoa’s grandmother.

2.    What causes Nana to laugh?
Ans. Adjoa’s words, which Nana finds amusing.

3.    How is the laughter described?
Ans. Prolonged and intense, with tears running down her cheeks.

4.    What does Nana do while laughing?
Ans. Stops whatever she is doing and wipes her tears with her cloth.

5.    How long does she continue laughing?
Ans. Until she is completely tired.

6.    What does this reveal about Nana’s attitude towards Adjoa’s words?
Ans. She does not take them seriously and treats them as a joke.

7.    How does this affect Adjoa emotionally?
Ans. It makes her feel discouraged and misunderstood.

Extract 7:
“But then, as soon as another person comes by, just to make sure she doesn’t forget whatever (it was) I had said, she would repeat it to her. And then, of course, there would be two old people laughing and screaming with tears running down their faces.”

1.    Who repeats Adjoa’s words to another person?
Ans. Nana repeats Adjoa’s words.

2.    Why does she repeat them?
Ans. To make sure the other person hears it and shares in the amusement.

3.    What happens after the repetition?
Ans. More grown-ups start laughing loudly.

4.    How many people are involved initially?
Ans. Two old people laugh and scream.

5.    What does “laughing and screaming with tears” suggest?
Ans. Extreme amusement and mocking laughter.

6.    How is Adjoa’s statement treated by the adults?
Ans. As a source of entertainment rather than seriousness.

7.    What theme does this extract highlight?
Ans. The theme of public ridicule and adult insensitivity to children.

Extract 8:
“Sometimes this show continues until there are three, four or even more of such laughing and screaming tear-faced grown-ups. And all that performance on whatever I’d said? I find something quite confusing in all this.”

1.    What “show” is being referred to?
Ans. The adults’ laughter and repeated mockery of Adjoa’s words.

2.    How many people sometimes join in the laughter?
Ans. Three, four, or more grown-ups.

3.    What is “tear-faced” referring to?
Ans. Adults laughing so hard that tears run down their faces.

4.    What does Adjoa find confusing?
Ans. She does not understand why adults react differently to her words.

5.    What narrative technique is used here?
Ans. First-person narration with reflective commentary.

6.    How does this extract highlight the story’s theme?
Ans. It shows the confusion and discouragement faced by a child in expressing herself.

7.    How does this extract evoke sympathy for Adjoa?
Ans. It shows her struggle to be understood and the inconsistency of adult reactions.

Extract 9:
“That is, no one ever explains to me, why sometimes I shouldn’t repeat some things I say; while at other times, some other things I say would not only be all right, but would be considered so funny, they would be repeated so many times for so many people‘s enjoyment.”

1.    What does Adjoa complain about here?
Ans. The lack of explanation for adults’ inconsistent reactions.

2.    What happens when she repeats some things?
Ans. Sometimes she is scolded or warned not to repeat them.

3.    What happens with other things she says?
Ans. They are considered funny and repeated for everyone’s enjoyment.

4.    What does this inconsistency indicate about adults?
Ans. Adults are unpredictable and insensitive to children’s feelings.

5.    How does this affect Adjoa’s willingness to speak?
Ans. It discourages her from expressing her thoughts.

6.    What theme is reinforced here?
Ans. Communication gap between adults and children.

7.    How is the tone in this extract?
Ans. Reflective and slightly frustrated.

Extract 10:
“You see how neither way of hearing me out can encourage me to express my thoughts too often? Like all this business to do with my legs. I have always wanted to tell them not to worry. I mean Nana and my mother.”

1.    Who is speaking in this extract?
Ans. Adjoa is speaking.

2.    What does “neither way” refer to?
Ans. Being scolded or being laughed at.

3.    What effect do these reactions have on her?
Ans. They discourage her from expressing her thoughts.

4.    What new issue is introduced here?
Ans. The issue of her legs.

5.    Who are “them” in this extract?
Ans. Nana and Maami (her mother).

6.    What does Adjoa want to tell them?
Ans. Not to worry about her legs.

7.    What does this reveal about Adjoa’s nature?
Ans. She is practical, thoughtful, and sensitive.

Extract 11
“When I think back on it now, those two, Nana and my mother, must have been discussing my legs from the day I was born. What I am sure of is that when I came out of the land of sweet, soft silence into the world of noise and comprehension, the first topic I met was my legs.”

1.    Who are the “two” referred to?
Ans. Nana and Adjoa’s mother.

2.    What topic were they discussing from her birth?
Ans. Her legs.

3.    What does “land of sweet, soft silence” mean?
Ans. Life before birth, the womb.

4.    What does “world of noise and comprehension” refer to?
Ans. Life after birth, full of sound and awareness.

5.    Why is her legs the first topic she met?
Ans. Because her legs were discussed and judged from birth.

6.    What theme is highlighted in this extract?
Ans. Social scrutiny and judgement from a child’s birth.

7.    How does this extract conclude the passage effectively?
Ans. It symbolically summarises Adjoa’s lifelong experience of being judged and misunderstood.

One-Mark Questions

1. Who is the narrator of the story?
   Ans. Adjoa
2. Where was Adjoa born?
   Ans. Hasodzi
3. How is Hasodzi described in the story?
   Ans. A very big village in the Central Region of Ghana
4. What natural problem affecting Africa is mentioned?
   Ans. Drought
5. What kind of land is Hasodzi described as when there is no drought?
   Ans. Fertile low land with good soil
6. Who scolds Adjoa for not finishing her food?
   Ans. Nana
7. What does Nana say when Adjoa does not finish her food?
   Ans. “You, Adjoa, you don’t know what life is about … you don’t know what problems there are in this life …”
8. Who is Maami?
   Ans. Adjoa’s mother
9. Who is Nana?
   Ans. Adjoa’s grandmother
10. How old is Adjoa?
    Ans. Seven years old
11. What is Adjoa’s main problem at seven years of age?
    Ans. She cannot properly express her thoughts in words
12. What dilemma does Adjoa face about speaking her thoughts?
    Ans. Whether to stay quiet or risk being laughed at
13. Is it easy for Adjoa to get grown-ups to listen to her?
    Ans. No
14. What must Adjoa do first to talk to Nana?
    Ans. Struggle to catch her attention
15. What reaction does Nana give when Adjoa speaks?
    Ans. Stops what she is doing and stares at her
16. What does Nana say in a special voice to Adjoa?
    Ans. “Adjoa, you say what?”
17. What are the two possible reactions of Nana after Adjoa speaks?
    Ans. Warn her never to repeat it or burst into laughter
18. How does Nana laugh?
    Ans. Laughs until tears run down her cheeks and she wipes them with her cloth
19. Why does Nana repeat Adjoa’s words to others?
    Ans. To make sure others hear and share the amusement
20. How does Adjoa feel about adults’ reactions to her words?
    Ans. Confused
21. Why is Adjoa discouraged from expressing her thoughts?
    Ans. Because adults either scold or laugh at her
22. What specific topic has been discussed about Adjoa since her birth?
    Ans. Her legs
23. Who has been discussing Adjoa’s legs from the day she was born?
    Ans. Nana and her mother
24. What does “land of sweet, soft silence” refer to?
    Ans. Life before birth
25. What does “world of noise and comprehension” refer to?
    Ans. Life after birth
26. How does Adjoa describe adults’ laughter?
    Ans. Laughing, screaming, tear-faced, and prolonged
27. Does Adjoa find any explanation from adults for their reactions?
    Ans. No
28. How does repeated laughter affect Adjoa?
    Ans. It discourages her from speaking
29. Who are the “two favourite people” Adjoa mentions?
    Ans. Nana and her mother
30. What is the first topic Adjoa encountered after birth?
    Ans. Her legs

31. What does Adjoa mean by “problems” in her head?
    Ans. Thoughts she cannot express in proper language
32. Why does Adjoa call her problem “serious”?
    Ans. Because it affects her communication and expression
33. Who does Adjoa refer to when she says “grown-up”?
    Ans. Adults around her, including Nana and Maami
34. How long does Nana stare at Adjoa after she speaks?
    Ans. For a very long time
35. What gesture does Nana use while saying, “Adjoa, you say what?”
    Ans. Bends and turns her head slightly, bringing one ear closer
36. What does Nana use to wipe her tears while laughing?
    Ans. The hanging edges of her cloth
37. How does the laughter sometimes escalate?
    Ans. More grown-ups join, laughing and screaming with tears
38. Does Adjoa ever get an explanation for the adults’ reactions?
    Ans. No
39. How does Adjoa feel when adults repeat her words to others?
    Ans. Confused
40. What does Adjoa compare life before birth to?
    Ans. Land of sweet, soft silence
41. What does Adjoa compare life after birth to?
    Ans. World of noise and comprehension
42. Who does Adjoa refer to as “them” regarding her legs?
    Ans. Nana and her mother
43. What does Adjoa wish she could tell Nana and her mother about her legs?
    Ans. Not to worry
44. How does Adjoa describe the adults’ show of laughter?
    Ans. Laughing, screaming, tear-faced, and prolonged
45. What effect do the mixed reactions of adults have on Adjoa?
    Ans. She is discouraged from expressing her thoughts
46. Why is Adjoa’s inability to express herself considered a “problem”?
    Ans. Because she thinks and feels things but cannot share them properly
47. Who is considered Adjoa’s “favourite people”?
    Ans. Nana and her mother
48. What repeated theme is highlighted through Nana’s laughter and warnings?
    Ans. Adults’ misunderstanding and insensitivity to children
49. What physical feature of Adjoa’s is central to discussion in her family?
    Ans. Her legs
50. How does the passage end symbolically regarding Adjoa’s experience?
    Ans. Her legs were the first topic discussed after birth, symbolizing lifelong judgment

Two-Mark Questions

1.    Why does Adjoa think she has a serious problem at seven years of age?
Ans. Adjoa thinks her problem is serious because, though she can think about many things, she lacks the proper language to express them. This makes it difficult to communicate and risks being laughed at by adults.

2.    How is Hasodzi described in the story?
Ans. Hasodzi is described as a very big village in the Central Region of Ghana. It is fertile low land, known for good soil, and contrasts with Africa’s usual drought, indicating its agricultural richness.

3.    What does Nana mean by saying Adjoa doesn’t know what life is about?
Ans. Nana means that Adjoa is unaware of the hardships, struggles, and problems people face in life. She implies that Adjoa should appreciate food and resources instead of taking them for granted.

4.    How does Adjoa perceive the differences in “problems” between herself and adults?
Ans. Adjoa sees that adults focus on practical or material problems, whereas her problem is emotional and mental. She thinks deeply about life, but adults do not understand or take seriously her inner thoughts and reflections.

5.    What difficulty does Adjoa face when trying to speak to Nana?
Ans. Adjoa struggles to catch Nana’s attention and then risks being misunderstood or laughed at. Nana either warns her never to repeat something or laughs uncontrollably, making it difficult for Adjoa to communicate her serious thoughts.

6.    Describe Nana’s reaction when Adjoa speaks to her.
Ans. Nana stops whatever she is doing, stares with her mouth open, and asks, “Adjoa, you say what?” She then either scolds her not to repeat it or bursts into loud, prolonged laughter with tears running down her cheeks.

7.    How does Nana involve other adults in Adjoa’s words?
Ans. Nana repeats whatever Adjoa says to other adults, causing multiple grown-ups to laugh and scream. This public display makes Adjoa confused and embarrassed because her words, meant seriously, are treated as a joke and entertainment.

8.    Why does Adjoa find adults’ reactions confusing?
Ans. Adjoa finds adults’ reactions confusing because sometimes she is warned not to repeat something, while at other times her words are laughed at and shared widely. She does not understand why the response varies and feels discouraged.

9.    How does laughter affect Adjoa’s willingness to express herself?
Ans. The laughter, scolding, and public repetition of her words discourage Adjoa from speaking her thoughts. She fears ridicule and misunderstanding, making her hesitant to communicate her ideas, even when they are serious or important.

10. What does “land of sweet, soft silence” symbolize in the story?
Ans. It symbolizes the womb, the life before birth, a quiet, protected, and peaceful state. This contrasts with the noisy, complex world of life after birth, highlighting the beginning of Adjoa’s experiences in a world full of social observation and judgment.

11. What is meant by “world of noise and comprehension”?
Ans. It refers to life after birth, full of sounds, awareness, and social interactions. Adjoa enters this world and immediately faces attention and judgment, illustrating the sudden shift from silence and safety to observation and scrutiny.

12. Why have Nana and Maami been discussing Adjoa’s legs since her birth?
Ans. They have been concerned with her legs from the day she was born, highlighting adults’ preoccupation with physical attributes. This symbolizes the beginning of lifelong scrutiny and the way children are observed and judged from birth.

13. What does Adjoa mean by “neither way of hearing me out can encourage me”?
Ans. She means that whether adults laugh at her or scold her, neither response motivates her to express her thoughts freely. Both reactions limit her self-expression and make her cautious about sharing her ideas.

14. How does the passage highlight the communication gap between children and adults?
Ans. The story shows that children like Adjoa have complex thoughts but lack adults’ understanding. Adults either ridicule or scold, never explaining reactions, leaving children confused and misunderstood, highlighting the gap in perception, empathy, and emotional connection.

15. Explain the significance of Adjoa’s legs in the story.
Ans. Her legs are the first topic discussed after birth, symbolizing lifelong judgment and attention to physical features. They represent how children are observed, discussed, and scrutinized, and how adult opinions influence their self-perception from the very beginning.

16. How does the author show Adjoa’s reflection and thoughtfulness?
Ans. Through first-person narration, Adjoa reflects on her experiences, confusion, and emotions. She analyses adults’ behaviour, recognizes her inability to communicate fully, and critically thinks about social interactions, showing her maturity and introspective nature.

17. How do adults’ reactions contribute to Adjoa’s inner conflict?
Ans. Adults’ laughter and scolding create confusion and fear in Adjoa. She struggles to decide whether to speak or stay silent, causing internal conflict between wanting to express herself and avoiding ridicule or punishment.

18. What role does public repetition of Adjoa’s words play in the story?
Ans. It intensifies her embarrassment and highlights adult insensitivity. The repetition shows how children’s words are treated as entertainment, creating confusion and discouragement, and emphasizes the theme of misunderstanding between generations.

19. Why does Adjoa mention her age several times?
Ans. She mentions her age to emphasize that although she is seven, she has complex thoughts and feelings. This highlights her intellectual and emotional maturity, contrasting with adults’ perception of her as just a child.

20. How does the ending line link Adjoa’s birth to lifelong social scrutiny?
Ans. The ending shows that the first topic she encounters after birth is her legs, symbolizing early observation, judgment, and adult preoccupation with children’s physical traits, setting the stage for a lifetime of scrutiny and misunderstanding.

Three-Mark Questions

1.    Why does Adjoa find it difficult to express her thoughts at the age of seven?
Ans. Adjoa finds it difficult to express her thoughts because, although she can think deeply, she lacks the proper language to communicate them clearly. Adults like Nana and Maami either laugh at her or scold her, making it confusing for her to decide whether to speak or stay silent. This shows her intellectual maturity and the communication gap between children and adults.

2.    How does Nana react when Adjoa tries to tell her something important?
Ans. Nana reacts by stopping whatever she is doing, staring at Adjoa with her mouth open, and bending her head so one ear is closer. She either tells Adjoa never to repeat what she said or bursts into uncontrollable laughter. Sometimes she repeats it to others, creating a public spectacle. These reactions confuse Adjoa and discourage her from expressing her thoughts freely.

3.    What effect does the public repetition of Adjoa’s words have on her?
Ans. The public repetition of Adjoa’s words embarrasses and confuses her. What she considers serious thoughts are treated as entertainment by adults, who laugh, scream, and include others in the joke. This inconsistency makes her question why some words are scolded while others are shared widely, causing frustration and making her hesitant to speak, highlighting the communication gap and adults’ insensitivity.

4.    How does the passage illustrate the theme of adult-child communication gap?
Ans. The passage shows that Adjoa’s complex thoughts are misunderstood by adults. Nana and Maami either laugh or scold her without explaining, treating her serious words as jokes. Adjoa struggles to decide whether to speak or stay silent. This consistent misunderstanding and lack of empathy illustrate the communication gap, showing how children’s feelings and intellect are often overlooked, leaving them confused and discouraged.

5.    Why are Adjoa’s legs a significant topic in the passage?
Ans. Adjoa’s legs symbolize lifelong scrutiny and adult judgment. Nana and Maami discuss her legs from the day she was born, showing how children are observed and evaluated from birth. The focus on her legs highlights how adults’ attention and societal expectations shape children’s self-perception. This recurring discussion represents broader themes of observation, judgment, and the way children are affected emotionally by adults’ opinions.

6.    What does “land of sweet, soft silence” and “world of noise and comprehension” signify?
Ans. “Land of sweet, soft silence” signifies the womb, a peaceful, quiet, protected state before birth. “World of noise and comprehension” refers to life after birth, filled with sound, awareness, and social interaction. The contrast highlights Adjoa’s sudden entry into a world where she is immediately observed, judged, and scrutinized, emphasizing the beginning of her experiences with adult perception and societal expectations.

7.    How does Adjoa describe adults’ laughter and why is it important?
Ans. Adjoa describes adults’ laughter as prolonged, tear-faced, and intense, sometimes involving multiple people. This laughter, while humorous to adults, confuses and discourages her. It highlights adult insensitivity, the lack of empathy for a child’s perspective, and the pressure children feel to conform. The description emphasizes the emotional impact of adults’ behaviour and its role in shaping children’s hesitancy to express themselves.

8.    Why does Adjoa feel confused about the adults’ responses to her words?
Ans. Adjoa feels confused because adults’ responses are inconsistent. Sometimes she is scolded and told never to repeat something, while other times her words are repeated and laughed at publicly. The lack of explanation leaves her unsure what is appropriate to say, discouraging her from speaking. This inconsistency shows the child’s struggle to understand social norms and reflects adults’ misinterpretation of children’s serious thoughts.

9.    How is Adjoa’s reflective and thoughtful nature shown in the passage?
Ans. Adjoa reflects on her experiences, the reactions of Nana and Maami, and her inability to express herself. She analyses why adults laugh or scold and considers the impact on her self-expression. By critically thinking about communication, social behavior, and judgment, she demonstrates maturity and awareness beyond her age, showing that she is sensitive, introspective, and observant, highlighting her reflective nature.

10. How does the ending line of the passage connect Adjoa’s birth to her experiences with judgment?
Ans. The ending line shows that immediately after birth, the first topic discussed about Adjoa was her legs. This symbolizes the start of lifelong scrutiny, attention, and judgment by adults. It links her birth to a life of observation and evaluation, emphasizing that from the very beginning, societal expectations and adult perceptions shape her experiences, thoughts, and feelings throughout childhood.