🔥 Lesson 6: Still Singing Inside — Complete Solutions
This lesson centers on the personal diary of 13-year-old Nimi, who loses her home and belongings in a devastating house fire. Through her writing, Nimi explores the emotional journey from feeling “hollow” and “devastated” to finding a “small voice of hope” that allows her to begin again.
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📘 Section 1: Textbook Activity Solutions
1. Comprehension Questions
a) What caused the fire in Nimi’s house?
Answer: The fire was caused by a short circuit.
b) Which poem helped Nimi hold on to hope?
Answer: The poem Hope is the Thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson helped her.
c) Why do the nights feel the hardest for Nimi?
Answer: Because everything is quiet, and when she closes her eyes, she sees the fire happening all over again.
d) “Maybe that’s where I can begin.” What does this tell you about Nimi’s thoughts?
Answer: This shows that Nimi is shiftng from despair to optimism. She realizes that while she lost “stuff,” she still has her family, her memories, and her “bright ideas”.
f) What do you think will happen when Nimi and her mother visit the bank and the school?
Answer: They will likely start the paperwork to replace the important documents, certificates, and papers that were destroyed in the fire.
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21. Fill in the Blanks with ‘Be’ Verbs
a) Nimi was upset after the fire.
b) Her memories are still with her.
c) The family is staying with relatives now.
d) Tomorrow will be a new beginning.
e) Hope is like a bird inside her.
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🧠 Section 2: Grammar & Vocabulary
4. Homonyms (Same spelling/sound, different meaning)
Close: 1. To stop or shut. 2. Nearby.
Can: 1. Ability (it is possible). 2. A metal container.
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5. Advice with ‘Should’ and ‘Shouldn’t’
Should: Used to suggest what is right or a good idea (e.g., You should call the fire department).
Shouldn’t: Used to warn or say what is a bad idea (e.g., You shouldn’t go back inside for belongings).
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6. Pronoun Types
Emphatic Pronouns: Add force to the subject (e.g., myself, herself, ourselves).
Interrogative Pronouns: Used to ask questions (e.g., who, whose, which).
Distributive Pronouns: Talk about people/things one at a time (e.g., each, either, neither).
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12. Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA)
The verb must match the subject in number.
Singular: She/He/It is/has/comes.
Plural: They/We/You are/have/come.
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✍️ Section 3: Poetry & Literary Devices
9. “Hope” is the Thing with Feathers
Metaphor: The poet describes hope as a bird that “perches in the soul” and sings without words. It doesn’t say hope is like a bird; it says hope is a bird.
Poetic Licence: Poets use rare or “unusual” words to be more musical. An example is “chillest” (used instead of coldest).
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23. Tongue Twisters
“Five firefighters fought the furious flames.”
“Very vivid views make valuable visions.”
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🚒 Section 4: Fire Safety Tips
You Should —— You Shouldn’t
Alert others immediately—- Panic or run around
Call the fire department —–Go back inside for belongings
Stay low and crawl ——-Hide under a bed or table
Go to a safe open area ——-Open doors without checking for heat
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