Let’s Rewind and Rejoice – Question & Answers
1. What is the significance of the line ‘Nothing can ever happen twice’?
It means that every moment in life is unique. We cannot relive or repeat any experience in exactly the same way.
2. What does the word ‘course’ refer to in the second stanza?
It refers to the journey of life, where we live and learn without the chance to repeat any part.
3. What does the poet mean by ‘this course is only offered once’?
The poet means that life is a one-time opportunity. We don’t get to relive it or repeat any part of it.
4. How does the poem reveal the uniqueness of each day?
The poet says no day or night is like the other. Even repeated things like kisses or names feel different each time.
5. When does the poet feel that a rose has been flung into the room?
When someone mentions the poet’s name, it makes her feel happy, like a rose was thrown in—a beautiful, sudden surprise.
6. Why can’t the poet help looking at the clock?
The poet is anxious because she knows that every moment passes quickly and never returns.
7. Why does the poet ask us not to treat the fleeting day with fear and sorrow?
Because the nature of the day is to pass. We should enjoy it instead of wasting it in sadness or worry.
8. What does the line ‘Today is always gone tomorrow’ tell us about time?
It tells us that time moves on quickly. Today will soon become the past.
9. How does the poet show that each person is different?
She compares people to two drops of water—they may seem the same but are different. Everyone has their own uniqueness.
Let’s Appreciate
1. How is time portrayed in the poem?
Time is shown as fleeting and irreversible. It moves quickly and never repeats itself.
2. What feeling does the mention of ‘your name’ evoke?
It brings joy and warmth, like the sudden appearance of a rose with its color and fragrance.
3. What does the clock symbolise?
The clock represents time passing quickly—it creates a sense of urgency and reminds us to live the moment.
4. How does the poem view human relationships?
Human relationships are seen as beautiful but always changing. Each moment of connection is different and should be treasured.
5. What is the tone of the poem, and how does it contribute to the theme?
The tone is thoughtful and reflective. It helps the reader understand the deep message about the value of time and life.
6. The poem emphasises the importance of enjoying every moment in life. Do you agree? Discuss.
Yes. We must enjoy life because no moment can be repeated. Each day and experience is special and should be lived fully.
Let’s Recall and Recreate
Activity 1: Imagery Table
| Type of Image | Instance | Significance |
| Visual | A rose | Shows beauty and uniqueness of a moment |
| Auditory | Some idle tongue mentions your name | Highlights the joy of hearing a name spoken |
| Olfactory | Scent | Connects memory with fragrance |
| Kinaesthetic | Fleeting day | Shows the passing movement of time |
| Tactile | Kisses | Represents emotional connection and warmth |
Paragraph on Imagery:
The poem “Nothing Twice” uses rich imagery to show the uniqueness of life’s moments. The visual image of a rose represents sudden beauty and joy. The sound of someone’s name creates an emotional moment, while scent adds depth to memory. The kinetic feeling of a day moving quickly and the tactile sense of kisses remind us that love and time are always changing. These images make the poem deeply emotional and relatable.
Activity 2A: Worksheet Summary
- Title of the poem: Nothing Twice
- About the poet: Wislawa Szymborska was a Nobel Prize-winning Polish poet known for her deep and thoughtful poetry.
- Theme: Life is unrepeatable; each moment is special and must be valued.
- Summary: The poem says no event or emotion can happen the same way again. Life is a one-time journey.
- Structure: 6 stanzas of free verse
- Poetic Devices: Imagery, metaphor, simile, personification
- Alliteration: “some summer,” “so much sorrow”
- Assonance: “rose were thrown,” “fleeting day”
- Rhyme scheme: Irregular
- Rhyming words: dunce/once, bliss is/kisses
- Images: Rose (visual), scent (olfactory), kiss (tactile)
- Figures of Speech: Simile, metaphor, personification
- Message: Enjoy the present. Life doesn’t repeat itself.
- Your views: It’s a touching poem that teaches us to live fully and cherish every moment.
Activity 2B: Note of Appreciation
The poem “Nothing Twice” by Wislawa Szymborska is a thought-provoking and philosophical reflection on the uniqueness of time, experiences, and human relationships. The poet beautifully expresses the idea that every moment in life is unrepeatable and must be treasured.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of powerful imagery—such as the rose, the fleeting day, and the clock—to evoke emotions and highlight how moments of joy, love, and connection are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The mention of a rose being “flung into the room” just by hearing a name captures the depth of emotional memory with poetic beauty.
The poem also conveys the message that no two people or days are exactly the same, just like no two drops of water are identical. Through this, the poet reminds us of the diversity and individuality in every human relationship.
Structurally, the poem uses free verse with subtle rhymes and sound patterns. The tone is gentle, reflective, and sincere, and it successfully creates a deep connection with the reader. The use of figures of speech like simile, metaphor, and personification adds artistic richness to the poem.
Szymborska’s central message is clear: Time moves on, and we must live each day with awareness, gratitude, and joy, without fear or sorrow. This timeless wisdom, expressed in simple yet powerful language, makes the poem highly relatable and meaningful for readers of all ages.
In conclusion, “Nothing Twice” is not just a poem—it is a life lesson. It encourages us to embrace the present, value each moment, and appreciate the beauty of uniqueness in both time and people. It leaves a lasting impact, inspiring readers to live more mindfully and love more deeply.
B. Match Sentences to Situations
| Passive Voice Sentence | Situation |
| The Women’s Reservation Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha. | Official announcement |
| The decision to conduct the tour was taken by the Headmistress. | Business correspondence |
| The software was installed on the computer. | Technical documentation |
| The patient was examined by a team of doctors. | Healthcare and medical reports |
| The contract was signed by both parties. | Legal document |
| The order was accepted by the vendor. | Reporting an event |
C. Convert Active to Passive Voice
| Active Sentence | Passive Sentence |
| I challenged my father openly. | My father was openly challenged by me. |
| He is throwing me into this building. | I am being thrown into this building by him. |
| Father was tearing me away from my home. | I was being torn away from my home by Father. |
| The men were sorting us. | We were being sorted by the men. |
| He has played all sorts of games. | All sorts of games have been played by him. |
| We have chanted our first song. | Our first song has been chanted by us. |
| They had introduced language to us. | Language had been introduced to us by them. |
| I shall not annoy you. | You shall not be annoyed by me. |
D. News Report (from Journalist Notes)
KANNANTHALI HSS WINS FIRST PRIZE AT DISTRICT ENGLISH OLYMPIAD
Kannanthali Higher Secondary School’s Class IX students won the first prize in the One-Act Play competition at the District English Olympiad held on [Insert Date] at [Insert Location].
The play was based on the story “Half a Day” and was praised for its meaningful plot and strong performances.
The hard work and talent of the students, combined with the dedicated support of their teachers, impressed the audience and judges alike. The school community expressed its appreciation for the efforts of both students and faculty, and the play received a standing ovation.
Grammar: Tense Practice (Activity 3)
A. Past Tense Identification
| Completed Actions | Actions in Progress |
| They walked through a street lined with gardens. | The boy was walking to school with his father. |
| His father and he had walked along a street… | His mother was standing at the door watching them. |
| A few children were playing in the garden. | He was arguing with his father. |
Differences:
- Simple Past = completed action → “walked,” “stood”
- Past Continuous = action happening at that time → “was walking,” “was standing”
Let’s Analyse Sentence Structure (Activity 4)
A. Identify Noun Phrases
- All rustle and bustle – NP
- The coaches – NP
- My father – NP
B. Mark NP and VP
| Sentence | Noun Phrase (NP) | Verb Phrase (VP) |
| The sound of the wheels becomes a soothing, peaceful melody. | The sound of the wheels | becomes a soothing, peaceful melody |
| Father will straighten up in his rocking chair. | Father | will straighten up in his rocking chair |
| I was coming to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. | I | was coming to receive the Nobel Prize |
| The coaches no longer run on rails and sleepers. | The coaches | no longer run on rails and sleepers |
| My fellow passengers were dozing in their respective corners. | My fellow passengers | were dozing in their respective corners |
| I was listening to the rattling of the train. | I | was listening to the rattling of the train |
Let’s Play with Words – Activity 1: Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Clues – Answers:
DOWN
- Misgivings (10) – doubts, apprehensions
- Perseverance (12) – continuing with determination
- Intricate (9) – very complex
- Vaulting (8) – leaping or jumping
- Grim (4) – harsh in appearance
- Screech (7) – loud, shrill sound
ACROSS
- Contentment (11) – a state of peace and satisfaction
- Crammed (7) – filled or crowded
- Untouched (8) – not damaged
- Scowl (5) – angry or bad-tempered look
Activity 2: Identify Adjectives and Compound Adjectives
A. Adjectives from the Passage:
- Pitiful
- Penniless
- Carefree
- Playful
- Melodious
- Vivid
- Youthful
These words describe people or emotions and make the description richer.
B. Identify Compound Adjectives:
From the line: “Dust-laden winds and unexpected accidents…”
Dust-laden is a compound adjective = dust + laden
Other Compound Adjectives in the Unit:
- Carefree-looking
- Soft-spoken
- Green-lined (inferred from street context)
- High-walled
- Red-topped (tarboosh description)
C. Complete the Story Using Compound Adjectives
Words Provided:
- double
- red
- kind
- tree
- soft
- spoken
- hearted
- lined
- storeyed
- bricked
Story:
A kind-hearted girl lived in a small, red-bricked house on a quiet tree-lined street. Every day, she walked to the nearby double-storeyed school where she was taught by a soft-spoken teacher.
Activity 3 – Affixation (Prefixes and Suffixes)
A. Table: Add Suitable Affixes
| Prefix | Word | Suffix |
| fear | fear | ful → fearful |
| value | value | able → valuable |
| un | bear | able → unbearable |
| enjoy | enjoy | able → enjoyable |
| extreme | extreme | ly → extremely |
| dis | believe | → disbelieve |
B. What Happens When We Add Affixes?
Prefixes:
- Change the meaning of the word → Example: happy → unhappy
Suffixes:
- Change the form or tense → Example: enjoy → enjoyable (verb → adjective)
C. Word Creation from Affix Box
Affixes Provided:
dis-, -ible, -ly, non-, -ful, -ing, -ed, un-, re-, -able, sub-, -ness, -s
Example Table:
| Word | Affixed Word |
| agree | disagree, agreeable |
| quick | quickly |
| play | playing, playful |
| merge | submerge |
| afford | unaffordable |
| enjoy | enjoyable, enjoying |
| flex | flexible, inflexible |
| happy | happiness, unhappy |
| build | rebuild |
| existent | nonexistent |
D. Complete the Paragraph with Affixed Words
Original Paragraph:
In her vivid dream, Selma Lagerlof met her late father in his ………….. abode. ………………………..
with emotions, she ………………….. discussed with him the immense gratitude she had for every
aspect of life that had helped her achieve the ………………. Nobel Prize.
Completed Paragraph:
In her vivid dream, Selma Lagerlof met her late father in his heavenly abode. Overflowing with emotions, she passionately discussed with him the immense gratitude she had for every aspect of life that had helped her achieve the prestigious Nobel Prize.
Let’s Converse – Activity 1
A. Expressions to Seek and State Opinions
From the Conversation:
- “How did you feel when you first went to school?” – Seeking opinion
- “To be honest…” – Stating opinion
- “I too had the same questions…” – Stating opinion
B. Organise the Expressions
| Seeking Opinion | Stating Opinion |
| How would you…? | In my opinion… |
| What’s your viewpoint…? | I’m of the opinion that… |
| If you ask me… | I guess… |
| What’s your stance on…? | It seems to me… |
| How did you feel…? | To be honest… |
C. Expressing Opinions About the Story Ending
The story Half a Day ends with a young boy helping the narrator cross the road, calling him “Grandpa.”
Opinion Sample:
“I’m of the opinion that the ending is emotional and powerful. It shows the full journey of life — from childhood to old age — in a single day. I guess the narrator realises how fast life has passed.”
Let’s Converse – Activity 2: Gratitude Expressions
A. Expression from the Speech:
“I owe them gratitude” – This shows heartfelt thanks.
B. More Expressions of Gratitude:
- I’m so thankful.
- I’m truly grateful.
- I appreciate your help.
- I’m in your debt.
- You’ve been amazing.
- Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
- I couldn’t have done it without you.
- You’ve made my day.
- Thanks a lot for your support.