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Are You Still Playing Your Flute?

State whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).

The persona is glad that the person is playing the flute again.

The persona thinks that the flutist is very good in his playing.

The village in stanza two has rice fields that are growing.

The persona thinks that watching the sun set is a luxury.

Enjoying the fragrance of flowers is foolish.

The poem is a call for people to be more aware of other peoples need.

The persona is disappointed that the flutist is unaware of her brothers suffering.

We must know what is important and what is not in life.

Questions for Stanza One 1 The musical instrument in the poem is a ________. A B flute guitar C trumpet

The flute is made of __________. A B wood Bamboo C D Leather Plastic

Which phrase shows that the flute is a wind instrument? A B C Composed by his fingers. The slim hollow of the bamboo. Uncovered by the breath of an artist.

Question for Stanza Two 4 Why is the rice field described as sick? A B It is dirty It is infertile C D It is full of weeds It is empty and unplanted

Where is the persona? A B In the city In the village C D In another country In the centre of the town

The persona wishes she has the time to do this A B Watch the rain Listen to the flute C D Compose music for the flute Longing for the music of the flute

Question for Stanza Three 7 What is disturbing the conscience of the persona? A B She longs to hear the flute. She thinks constantly of her lover. C She is not doing enough for her family and friends.

What is the problem her younger brothers are facing? A B They are unemployed. They are uneducated. C D They are in politic. They are desperate.

The persona compares the world to ____________. A B people in politics. her desperate brothers. C an old man who is sick and suffering.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words from the box below. luxury watching complains politics deeply world artistically flute problems conscience-stricken

The poem Are You Still Playing Your Flute? by Zurinah Hassan is about a lady who questions her partner about the relevance of playing a flute during troubled times. She ( 1)

__________________________ that there is not time for their love and yet he is indulging himself by playing a flute. However, she longs to hear his song which by plays very (2) _____________________ on the flute. His song touches her (3) _______________________ but she feels guilty that she should enjoy his music when so many things are wrong with the world. The village has its share of (4) ____________________ as the rice fields seem to be doing badly and the village is quiet and deserted. It is a time when (5) _______________________ the sunset or enjoying fresh flowers becomes frivolous. Doing such things is a (6) ______________________ when others are going through bad times. The persona is (7) __________________ as she thinks of her love while her brothers are unemployed and desperate. Her people are torn by (8) _____________________ and her friend has been wickedly killed. The whole (9) ____________________ seems to be falling apart. Does she need the music of the (10) _____________________ at such a time? The persona wishes that there was a greater sense of responsibility and commitment from the flautist, even as she longs to hear his music.

SPM Format Questions (a) From stanza 1, what has touched the personas heart? _______________________________________________________________________[1 marks] (b) State one problem faced by the villagers. _______________________________________________________________________[1 marks] (c) Why has the village become so quiet and deserted? _______________________________________________________________________[1 marks] (d) Without using examples from the poem, suggest two activities you would spend your pastime in the village. (i) (ii) _________________________________________________________________[1 marks] _________________________________________________________________[1 marks]

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