8th Class English Notes (Unit-2.1) A Time to Talk

“A Time to Talk” is a sub-unit of Unit #2 “Living Together” of 8th Class English book for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) textbook boards. The section is set for students to learn and practice listening and speaking with the help of a poem.

However, we being the pioneers of novelty and untraditional advocators of teaching English have added more into it.

Along with the exercises designed in the book, we have made creative worksheets and SLO based notes for class 8 students.

First, we have translation of the poem from English to Urdu language. Then, there are solved exercises from the book.

8th Class English Notes (Unit-2.1) A Time to Talk

Take turns and read this text aloud. Be sensitive to other speakers. Do not speak when someone else is speaking. Listen carefully when someone is speaking aloud.

Urdu Translation of the Poem “A Time to Talk”

گفتگو(بات چیت) کا وقت

جب ایک دوست سڑک سے مجھے پکارتا ہے۔

اور اپنے گھوڑے کو ایک معنی خیز چال میں سست رو کر دیتا ہے،

میں خاموش نہیں کھڑا رہ پاتا اور ادھر ادھر دیکھتا ہوں۔

ان تمام پہاڑیوں پر جو میں نے نہیں کھودیں

اور میں جہاں ہوں وہاں سے (آواز دے کر) پکارتا ہوں، کیا بات ہے؟

نہیں، ابھی نہیں، کیونکہ اب بات چیت کا وقت ہے۔

،میں نے اپنی کدال نرم زمین میں ڈالی،

بلیڈ والا سرا اوپر کی جانب، اور پانچ فٹ لمبا

اور بھاری (تھکے تھکے سے) قدموں سے چلتے ہوئے: میں پتھر کی دیوار تک جاتا ہوں

دوستانہ دورے (یعنی اپنے دوست سے ملنے) کے لیے۔

Exercise

A – Discuss with your partner and answer the questions orally.

1. How many people are there in the poem? How do they know each other? How do you know? Can you do it?

Answer: In the poem, there are at least two people: the speaker and their friend who calls to them from the road. They seem to know each other well, as there is a sense of familiarity and camaraderie in the interaction.

We know this because the speaker refers to the person as a friend and describes their response to the friend’s call.

2. What is the setting (location, time of day, weather)? How do you know?

Answer: The setting of the poem appears to be in a rural area, likely on a farm or in the countryside. It seems to be during the day, possibly in the afternoon, as the friend is traveling on horseback.

The weather is not explicitly mentioned, but the imagery suggests a calm and peaceful atmosphere. We can infer the setting from the mention of hills, a stone wall, and the speaker’s hoe, which are typical elements found in rural landscapes.

3. What do you see when you read this poem? Put your thoughts in your words.

Answer: When I read this poem, I envision a serene countryside scene with rolling hills and a dirt road winding through it.

The speaker is working in the fields, possibly tending to their crops or gardening, when their friend passes by on horseback. Rather than stopping their work immediately, the speaker takes a moment to acknowledge their friend’s presence and decides to join them for a chat after finishing their task.

There’s a sense of simplicity and contentment in this scene, emphasizing the importance of human connection and taking time for meaningful interactions amidst the busyness of life.

4. What do you think is the message or theme of this poem?

Answer: The message or theme of the poem seems to be about the value of friendship and human connection in our lives. It emphasizes the importance of taking the time to pause and engage with others, even amidst our daily responsibilities and tasks.

The speaker prioritizes their relationship with their friend over their work, demonstrating the significance of companionship and meaningful conversation.

Moreover, there is a sense of appreciation for the beauty and tranquility of the natural world, as reflected in the rural setting of the poem.

Vocabulary

Hoe, hoed, mellow, plod

Use contextual clues to figure out the meanings. Remember that it is not necessary to know the definitions of all the words in the poem to understand the poem’s meaning.

“Hoe”: In the context of the poem, the speaker mentions thrusting their hoe into the ground. A hoe is a gardening tool used for breaking up soil and weeding. So, in this context, “hoe” refers to the tool the speaker is using for their work in the fields.

“Hoed”: The speaker mentions looking around at “all the hills I haven’t hoed.” From this, we can infer that “hoed” is related to some action done to the hills. Considering the speaker is talking about their work in the fields and using a hoe, “hoed” likely refers to the act of using a hoe to till or work the soil on the hills.

“Mellow”: The speaker describes the ground as “mellow” when they thrust their hoe into it. Given the context of gardening and working in the fields, “mellow” likely refers to the condition of the soil. In gardening terminology, “mellow” soil usually means soil that is soft, crumbly, and easy to work with.

“Plod”: The speaker mentions “plodding” after thrusting their hoe into the ground. “Plod” usually means to walk heavily and slowly, often with a steady, monotonous rhythm. In this context, it seems to suggest the speaker’s methodical and deliberate movement as they continue their work in the fields after acknowledging their friend’s presence.

So, in summary:

“Hoe” is a gardening tool.
“Hoed” likely means worked the soil with a hoe.
“Mellow” describes the softness and ease of working the soil.
“Plod” suggests the speaker’s slow and steady movement.

In pairs, discuss the following questions with your partner and present your findings in the form of a presentation to the class. The presentation can be on a chart paper or PowerPoint, etc.

A presentation can be different based on your audience. You need to present precise information that your audience can understand and enjoy. To do this, you need to plan it carefully.

Planning a Presentation:

Write down your draft ideas.
Think about how you will support your ideas. For example, you may use quotes, pictures, videos, or other media that will help you persuade and engage your audience.
Put up only key points in your presentation. Do not read from the chart or the slide.

Your presentation time should not be more than 3-5 minutes.

1. When people get along well with each others, how do they talk and treat each other?

2. Did you ever notice how some relationships are low-maintenance, while others take more effort? If you’ve ever had to work hard to get along with someone, describe what that was like. Was it worth it?

3. Arguments are bound to happen, but they don’t necessarily have to end with a ‘winner’ and a ‘loser.’ Explain why this is true.

Draft Ideas:

1.When people get along well with each other:

They talk kindly and respectfully.
They listen attentively to each other’s thoughts and feelings.
They treat each other with empathy and understanding.
They support each other through good times and bad.
They enjoy spending time together and share common interests.

2.Low-maintenance vs. High-maintenance relationships:

Low-maintenance relationships are easy and comfortable. They require minimal effort to maintain because both parties naturally get along.
High-maintenance relationships may involve conflicts, misunderstandings, or differing personalities. They require more effort to navigate and resolve issues.
Personal experience: Share a brief anecdote about a challenging relationship and the efforts put into making it work. Discuss whether the effort was worth it in the end.

3.Resolution of Arguments:

Arguments are normal and can happen in any relationship.
It’s not about winning or losing; it’s about finding a solution that benefits both parties.
Compromise, communication, and understanding are key to resolving conflicts.
Maintaining respect and empathy during disagreements helps preserve the relationship and strengthens trust.

Figures of Speech

Alliteration:

One of the poetic devices used in this short poem is alliteration. Alliteration has been used to enhance the sound and flow of the lines. For example, in the fourth line, the words ‘hills’, ‘haven’t’ and ‘hoed’.

Another example of alliteration is given on line 3. Can you identify the words and write them in the given box؟

Answer:

Yes, the words in the third line that exhibit alliteration are:

“stand”
“still”

Imagery:

The poem contains rich imagery, and we know that because the author asks us to ‘look around’. Read the poem again and fill in the table by identifying and writing the types of imagery the author uses in the poem. The first one has been done for you.

Another example of imagery is given in line 3. Can you identify the words and write them in the given box?

Answer:

stanza and line
stanza 1, line 3 – ‘look around’
Stanza 1, Line 3 – Visual Imagery (“stand still”)
Stanza 1, Line 5 – Visual Imagery (“mellow ground”)

Exercise

Look at the photograph. The boy is in a new country and at a new school with no friends. How do you think he feels? Choose the words from the box to describe his feelings.

excited	happy
lost	outcast
lonely	popular
friendless	alone
sad	together

Answer:

I believe the boy in the photograph is likely feeling:

Lost
Lonely
Friendless
Alone
Sad

SLO Based Notes of the Poem “A Time to Talk”

Below here, I have prepared the SLO based notes from the poem “A Time to Talk”. Based on these questions, teachers can design their own exams and worksheets for their students.

Exercise

Read the poem once again, and try to solve the the following exercises.

1 – Choose the most appropriate answer for the following Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

1. What does the phrase “meaning walk” suggest in the line “And slows his horse to a meaning walk”?

A) The horse is walking aimlessly.
B) The horse is walking with determination.
C) The horse is walking slowly but with purpose.
D) The horse is walking in circles.

2. What does the speaker thrust into the ground in the line “I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground”?

A) A shovel
B) A rake
C) A hoe
D) A spade

3. What does the speaker imply about the hills in the line “On all the hills I haven’t hoed”?

A) They are all perfectly hoed.
B) They are all untouched.
C) They are covered in snow.
D) They are barren.

4. How is the hoe positioned in the ground in the line “Blade-end up and five feet tall”?

A) Blade-end down
B) Blade-end up
C) Sideways
D) Upside down

2 – Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Answer.

“I thrust my ___ in the mellow ground,” What does the speaker thrust into the ground? (hoe)

“And plod: I go up to the ___ wall” Where does the speaker go for a friendly visit? (stone)

“For a friendly ___” What is the purpose of the speaker’s visit? (visit)

“And shout from where I ___” How does the speaker respond when called from the road? (am)

3 – Mark the following as True or False

“The speaker shouts from where he is when his friend calls him from the road.” True / False
“The horse speeds up when it reaches the speaker.” True / False
“The speaker stands still and looks around when called from the road.” True / False
“The speaker immediately stops what he is doing to talk to his friend.” True / False
“The speaker thrusts his hoe into the ground with the blade-end down.” True / False

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