Solution of English Grade IX || Unit 18 || Rickshaw Ride by John Hill

Rickshaw Ride by John Hill

Stanza-Wise Summary

"Rickshaw Ride" by John Hill is a short poem that describes a ride in a rickshaw in Hong Kong. The poem explores themes of labor, class, and cultural differences. The poem portrays the hardship endured by working-class individuals in the face of economic inequality.

Stanza 1: In the first stanza of "Rickshaw Ride," the speaker observes an old man by the harbour in Hong Kong, spitting into the water. The speaker notes that the man is as old as China. This sets the tone for the poem, creating a sense of the old, traditional, and timeless.

Stanza 2: The second stanza describes the old man as being made of leather, with a face that is folded like a sandbar at low tide. The speaker asks if the reader would like to take a ride on the old man's rickshaw. This stanza emphasizes the physicality of the old man, as well as the worn and rugged nature of his appearance..

Stanza 3: In the third stanza, the speaker notes that the old man would not thank the rider for their dollar, as he knows that it does not matter much to them. The rider sets off with a clatter up to Victoria, up a long hill, passing the cathedral, and finally to the peak tram. This stanza sets the scene for the rickshaw ride, emphasizing the steepness of the hill and the difficult journey ahead.

Stanza 4: The fourth stanza is where the rickshaw ride actually begins. The speaker urges the old man to pull the rickshaw with all his might, noting the strain on his neck, calf, and shoulder muscles. The speaker notes that the old man's dark, snaking veins are more noticeable than the passing scenery. This stanza highlights the physical effort required for the rickshaw ride, and emphasizes the old man's strength and endurance.

Stanza 5: The fifth stanza shifts the focus to the aftermath of the rickshaw ride. The speaker imagines people asking the rider about their trip to Hong Kong and whether they took a rickshaw ride. The speaker wonders if the rider had fun and if the rickshaw man ran. This stanza emphasizes the curiosity and interest in the experience of the rickshaw ride.

Stanza 6: The final stanza confirms that the rickshaw man ran, but notes that the ride was not particularly enjoyable. This stanza highlights the difficulty and discomfort of the rickshaw ride, despite the old man's strength and endurance. It brings the poem to a close, leaving the reader with a sense of the harsh reality of the experience.

A. Match the words with their meanings.

a. harbour - iii. a protected area on the coast

b. folded - viii. having slight folds; wrinkled

c. sandbar - vii. a long mass of sand, especially at the mouth of the river

d. snake - i. to move in long twisting curves

e. sake - ii. for the purpose of; in the interest of; in order to achieve or preserve

f. clatter - vi. loud noise from hard objects knocking together

g. cathedral - iv. the main church

h. tram - v. a vehicle driven by electric

B. Fill in the blanks with the correct words/phrases from the poem.

a. The old man is waiting for customers at the harbour.

b. He is very weak with folded face.

c. He knows that a dollar is nothing for the rider.

d. He takes the rider as far as to the peak Tram.

e. The rider’s eyes are caught by the old man’s twisted veins.

f. The rider didn’t have the fun when riding.

C. Answer the following questions.

a. How old is the rickshaw puller?

The rickshaw puller is as old as China.

b. What does ‘he is made of leather’ mean?

"He is made of leather" is a metaphor used to describe the rickshaw puller's weathered and toughened skin, indicating that he has spent a lot of time outside, working hard in the sun and elements.

c. What attracts the attention of the rider?

The rider's attention is caught by the rickshaw puller's twisted veins, which are described as snaking across his body.

d. Why does the rider want the rickshaw puller not to fall?

The rider wants the rickshaw puller not to fall because he does not want the puller to injure himself or damage the rickshaw while carrying him up the steep hill.

e. Did the man enjoy the rickshaw ride? Give reasons.

The rider did not enjoy the rickshaw ride very much, as revealed in the final stanza of the poem where he says "No, it was not much fun."

Grammar II

Use the correct forms of the adjectives or adverbs given in the brackets.

a. The Marsyangdi is one of the ………….. rivers in Nepal. (big)

biggest

b. Thani Mai is a …….. temple in the whole district. (famous)

famous

c. A spider is not usually as ……….. as a snake. (deadly)

deadly

d. The children are really enjoying the movie. They are watching it …… than the adults. (interestingly)

more interestingly

e. Mr Shrestha is the …………… teacher in the whole school. (humorous)

most humorous

f. Children are considered to be …….. than adults. (innocent)

more innocent

g. A computer is ……… than a pocket calculator. (expensive)

more expensive

h. My sister is almost as …….. as my mother. (tall)

tall

i. My maths exam was much ……… than the history exam. (good)

better

j. Bungee jumping really scares me. I find it …………… than paragliding. (dangerous) more dangerous

k. Sima is walking ……… than Sarad. (carefully)

more carefully

Writing II

You might have travelled to different places. Write an account of one of your journeys. Include the following guidelines in your writing.

where you went how you travelled there

who you went with what you did

what you’ve learnt

My Trip to Tokoy

Last summer, I went on a trip to Japan with my family. We traveled there by plane and landed in Tokyo. I was excited to visit this country for the first time and was looking forward to experiencing its culture and history.

During our trip, we visited various places, including the Tokyo Skytree, Senso-ji Temple, and the Imperial Palace. We also visited some smaller towns outside of Tokyo, where we tried traditional Japanese foods and explored local markets.

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where we learned about the tragic history of the atomic bombing and paid our respects at the memorial. It was a somber experience, but it was also a reminder of the importance of promoting peace and understanding in the world.

Throughout the trip, I learned a lot about Japanese culture, including its traditional arts, religion, and cuisine. I was particularly struck by the importance of respect and politeness in Japanese society and the emphasis on harmony and balance in many aspects of life.

Overall, the trip was a memorable experience, and I came away with a greater appreciation for Japanese culture and history.