Available Answers

1. 1.

   'By some strange paradox, you live
   Within my world whilst I am little more
   Than shadow on the edge of yours."

   1. What is the strange paradox referred to in the poem?
   2. Throw some light on the poet's condition.
   3. Describe briefly what problems one may face when one is a teen?
   4. As a parent, do you think the poet is aware of his position as an adult?
   5. What is the message the poet wishes to convey?
2. 2.

   "Yet sometimes, off my guard, I catch your eye
   And know that we're both children,  you and I."

   1. Who are 'you' and 'I' referred to in these lines?
   2. Quote phrases from the poem which show that the poet is convinced that the position of an adult no better than that of  teen, i.e. both are children.
   3. Which lines bring out the insecurities, and in that sense, the similarities between the teen state and adult state.
   4. What does 'off my guard' mean?
3. 3.

   Replace the underlined words with synonyms from the poem.

   1. Ramona's worldview changed one she reached her teens.
   2. Young adolescents skirt on the periphery of childhood and adulthood.
   3. They were both jealous of each other's positions in life.
   4. I hated being included withing that group of rebellious troublemakers.
   5. The vision of the generation gap has been passed down through the ages.
4. 4.

   Replace the words in bold with antonyms from the poem.

   1. Certainties in life cannot be foreseen.
   2. Reacting to a situation in public is not always a good idea.
   3. It was a genuine case of misrepresentation.
   4. He faltered considerably in his judgement of characters.
   5. It was foolish to disregard all that had happened.
5. 5.

   Read the poem and answer the questions that follow.

   Time

   We grow up then we grow old
   Take for granted the space in between
   Neglecting the wonders we've seen.

   As a child, sheltered from the real world and its pain
   Crazy adolescent years drive some insane
   Ignorance is bliss
   While making choices, teenagers, the bigger picture they miss.

   By the time we think we've figured life out
   Our bodies decay and our hair falls out

   ~ By More Than Death

   1. Recount the main points of the poem.
   2. Discuss the similarities between this poem and 'Generation Gap' if any. If yes, how?
   3. Present the same in the class. One person can recount the main points while the other can present the similarities if any, with explanations. In case no similarities are found, an explanation for this viewpoint should also be presented.