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Amber Coursebook 6

Amber Coursebook 6

Kavita Soni, Indiannica Learning

ICSEClass 6
English

It Couldn't Be Done

Albert Edger Guest

About Albert Edger Guest

Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959) was a British-born American poet. popularly known as the People's Poet. Some of his famous poems are 'Horne', 'See It Through'. and 'The Secret of the Ages'. His poems often showed an inspirational and optimistic view of everyday life.

Somebody said that it couldn't be done

But he with a chuckle replied

That 'maybe it couldn't: but he would be one

Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.

So he buckled right in With the trace of a grin

On his face. If he worried he hid it.

He started to Sing as he tackled the thing

That couldn't be done, and he did it!

 

Somebody scoffed: 'Oh. you'll never do that:

At least no one ever has done it;'

But he took off his coat and he took off his hat

And the first thing we knew he'd begun it

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin.

Without any doubting or quiddit.

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

That couldn't be done, and he did it.

 

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done.

There are thousands to prophesy failure.

There are thousands to point out to you one by one,

The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle in with a bit of a grin.

Just take off your coat and go to it;

Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing

That 'cannot be done.' and you'll do it.

Available Answers

  1. 1.

    Tick (√) the correct option:

    1. What was the attitude of the person undertaking the task?
      1. pessimistic
      2. optimistic
      3. doubtful
      4. indecisive
    2. What sense do you get from the last two lines in each stanza of the poem?
      1. failure
      2. happiness
      3. confusion
      4. accomplishment
    3. With regards to the poem, which of these statements would you disagree with?
      1. Work hard at whatever task you take on, and be proud of it.
      2. You'll never know what you can accomplish until you give it your best effort.
      3. You shouldn't accept the role you are given - keep waiting for something better.
      4. If you don't succeed  at something, keep trying until you do.
  2. 2.

    So he bucked right in with the trace of a grin
    On his face. If he worried he hid it.

    1. Who was 'he'? What was 'he' getting ready for?
    2. Why did he have a trace of a grin?
    3. What was he probably worried about?
  3. 3.

    Somebody scoffed: 'Oh, you'll never do that;
    At least no one ever has done it';

    1. Who were being referred to as 'somebody' and 'you' here?
    2. What was being referred to as 'it' here? Why had no one ever done 'it'?
    3. What did the person referred to as 'you' do immediately after?
  4. 4.

    What did 'he' reply when somebody said that the task couldn't be done?

  5. 5.

    Which lines indicate the positive and the cheerful attitude of the person undertaking the task?

  6. 6.

    Pick lines from the poem that suggest that there will be obstructions in the way.

6 more answer(s) available.

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