a compilation of quiz questions on are you playing yr flute

1. ARE YOU STILL
PLAYING YOUR FLUTE
by Zurinah Hassan
QUIZ QUESTIONS

2. At whom is the question (in the
first line) directed?
To the persona’s beloved/ the
flutist

3. What is the relationship between
the flutist and the persona?
They are lovers

4. From stanza 1, what is the problem
in the relationship between the
persona and the flutist?
They have contrasting/
different ideals/ priorities

5. From stanza 1, what is meant by the
phrase ‘to the depth of my heart’?.
Deep yearning that touches
the innermost core of the
heart

6. Which line in stanza 1 tells you that
the persona is missing her beloved?
To be longing for your song

7. From stanza 1, name two parts of
the body used to play the flute ?
Lips and fingers

8. From stanza 1, how does the
melody affect the persona?
The melody touches her heart deeply

9. According to stanza 1, where
does the melody originate ?
It came from the slim hollow
bamboo/flute when blown by
the flutist

10. How does she feel when she
longs for the song in stanza 1?
Guilty

11. Why do you think the persona feels
guilty when she listens to the music?
Because she feels listening to music is
trivial/waste of time and can make
her forget about other
pressing/important social issues

12. Do you feel the persona is deeply
affected by the melody of the song
in stanza 1? How do you know?
Yes, because the melody
touches her heart deeply

13. From stanza 2, what has
happened to the village?
It has become quiet and
deserted

14. Name 2 activities the persona
enjoyed doing in the village?
-Watching the rain
-Watching the sun set
-Collect dew drops
-Smelling the fragrant flowers

15. What does the ‘sick rice field’ in
stanza 2 indicate?
The rice field is unattended because
youths have left the village
causing poor yield

16. What are pleasurable pastimes in
the countryside as mentioned in
stanza 2?
-Watching the rain
-Watching the sun set
-Collect dew drops
-Smelling the fragrant flowers

17. Why do you think the persona
has left the village for the city?
Because of work commitment/
looking for greener pastures

18. Why do you think the flutist still
remains in the village?
Because he is afraid of change/
continue and embrace traditions

19. What is ‘the evening rays’
referred to in stanza 2?
The setting sun

20. What is the mood portrayed in
the poem?
Enquiring /desperation/
reflective tone

21. What problems do you think her
country is facing?
-Youth migration
-Political divide/ disunity
-Unemployment
-Environmental problems
-Innocent lives killed without mercy

22. How would you react/feel if you
were in persona’s position?
I will feel guilty too because

23. What are the themes of the
poem?
Sacrifice/ making choices/
yearning vs reality/
contrasting lifestyles

24. Why is her conscience
‘disturbed’ in stanza 3?
Because the flutist still keeps
playing the flute when there are
other pressing issues need to be
attended to

25. Which season is applicable when
we see leaves fade and fall off trees?
Dry / sunny/ hot season

26. Would you like to visit a country
with four seasons or with two
seasons ? Why?
Yes because …
No because…

27. Write two words that are related to
places the rain falls on and flows
down.
i) Gullies
ii) Roofs

28. What type of fruits can we find in
Jamaica ?
Mango

29. What sounds are heard on rainy
days ?
Water running in the gullies

30. When is the harvesting season in
Jamaica?
Dry season

31. In your opinion, has the poem given
you a comprehensive picture of the
changes that take place in Jamaica?
Yes because it shows the
changes during dry and wet
season in Jamaica

32. When do canefields become
barren?
After the harvesting season

33. What happens in the gullies after
the rain ?
Swift water filling in gullies

34. In your own words, explain the
last line of the poem.
Beauty takes over when the
rain stops

35. Give one word that describes the
canefields when the harvest is over
Bare/ barren/ unproductive

36. What is the main theme of the
poem?
Appreciation of nature

37. Jamaica is a beautiful country.
Would you like to live there? Give a
reason to support your answer
Yes because…
No because…

38. What do you think is the main crop
in Jamaica? In your own words give
a reason to support your answer.
Cane / sugarcane because…

39. The poet makes a reference to the
four seasons in other countries. Do
you think the poet would like to
have four seasons too? Give a
reason to support your answer.
No because he sounded
appreciative of the 2 seasons
Jamaica has

40. When is the persona’s favourite
season? Give a reason.
Dry season because that is the time
when mango trees bear fruit/
logwood blossom/ tall grass sways
gently when blown by the wind/
buttercups covered the earth

41. THE END