The Girl Who Can: ICSE Class 10 English questions, answers
Get notes, line-by-line explanation, summary, questions and answers, critical analysis, word meanings, workbook solutions (Evergreen and Morning Star/Beeta), extras, and pdf of the story “The Girl Who Can” by Ama Ata Aidoo, which is part of ICSE Class 10 English (Treasure Chest: A Collection of ICSE Poems and Short Stories). However, the notes should only be treated as references, and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
Summary
The story is narrated by Adjoa, a young 7-year-old girl living in a village in Ghana. Adjoa struggles to express her thoughts and feelings to the adults around her, as they often dismiss or laugh at what she says. The main source of conflict is between Adjoa’s grandmother Nana and her mother. Nana frequently criticised Adjoa’s legs, saying they are too thin and long for a proper woman. In Nana’s view, a woman’s legs should be thick with muscle to support wide childbearing hips. Adjoa’s mother defends Adjoa but does not strongly contradict Nana.
Adjoa wishes she could examine other women’s legs to evaluate Nana’s statements, but is only able to see the legs of girls her own age. Nana also thinks Adjoa attending school is a waste of time, while her mother supports her education. Adjoa enjoys school and the chance to run races with her classmates. One day, Adjoa’s teachers select her to represent her school in a district sports competition. Adjoa is surprised but excited, and goes home to share the news with her family.
At first, Nana and Adjoa’s mother do not believe she will really compete. But when Nana verifies the truth, she starts treating Adjoa differently. She launders Adjoa’s school uniform herself and carefully irons it. During the week of competitions, Nana attends each day, walking behind the schoolchildren. Adjoa wins every race she enters, becoming the district junior champion.
When Adjoa returns to the village with the champion’s cup, Nana carries it proudly on her back to show Adjoa’s mother. Nana has realised that while Adjoa’s legs may be thin, they have their own strength and speed. The experience changes how Nana sees Adjoa and her abilities.
Evergreen workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following statements is Not True of Adjoa in The Girl Who Can?
(a) She has thin and long legs.
(b) She is declared the best all-round junior athlete.
(c) She is seven years old girl from Ghana.
(d) She is proud of her abilities.
Answer: (d) She is proud of her abilities.
2. Assess the impact of education on Adjoa’s life as depicted in the story The Girl Who Can.
(a) It has no significant influence.
(b) It is detrimental to her growth.
(c) It empowers her and provides her with a sense of identity.
(d) It creates a rift between her and her family.
Answer: (c) It empowers her and provides her with a sense of identity.
3. What does Adjoa mean by “the land of sweet soft silence”?
(a) Her girlish dreams.
(b) Her native village.
(c) Her mother’s womb.
(d) Her entire world.
Answer: (c) Her mother’s womb.
4. Adjoa’s grandmother is a representative of :
(i) authority
(ii) determination
(iii) unconventional approach
(iv) patriarchal outlook
(a) (i) & (ii)
(b) (ii) & (iii)
(c) (ii) & (iv)
(d) (i) & (iv)
Answer: (d) (i) & (iv)
5. The story highlights one of the traditions of post colonial African society that
(a) a woman need not get any education
(b) a woman must remain docile
(c) a woman should not participate in sports
(d) a woman can be ‘useful’ only if she has normal, strong legs.
Answer: (d) a woman can be ‘useful’ only if she has normal, strong legs.
6. ‘She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies …’ Which figure of speech is used here?
(a) metaphor
(b) simile
(c) alliteration
(d) personification
Answer: (b) simile
7. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statement (I) and statement (II).
- I have always wanted to tell them not to worry.
- That it did not have to be an issue for my two favourite people to fight over.
(a) I is in contradiction of II
(b) II is independent of I
(c) II is the cause of I
(d) I is an example of II.
Answer: (c) II is the cause of I
8. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.
- The narrator tells about Nana paying attention to her.
- Nana and Maami must have been discussing the narrator’s legs since her birth is told by the narrator.
- The narrator tells that she is seven years of age.
- We learn that Maami is the narrator’s mother.
(a) 4, 3, 1, 2
(b) 2, 1, 3, 4
(c) 4, 2, 1, 3
(d) 1, 4, 3, 2
Answer: (a) 4, 3, 1, 2
9. “But Kaya, I am not sure about her legs. Hm….. hm….. Hm” which of the following words best describes the speaker’s tone?
(a) appreciative
(b) complaining
(c) comic
(d) satirical
Answer: (b) complaining
10. Which of these statements is NOT true?
(a) Nana has a special voice to silence or snub everyone up
(b) Maami is Nana’s daughter
(c) Nana is not liked by the narrator
(d) The narrator likes Nana despite her negative attitude towards the narrator’s legs.
Answer: (c) Nana is not liked by the narrator
11. Mammi’s words, “Mother, why are you always complaining about Adjoa’s legs ?,” made Nana feel……..
(a) happy
(b) confident
(c) annoyed
(d) frustrated
Answer: (c) annoyed
12. Adjoa is a ……………. year old girl.
(a) eight
(b) nine
(c) seven
(d) ten
Answer: (c) seven
13. The place Adjoa hails from is ……………. .
(a) barren
(b) fertile
(c) a plateau
(d) frequented by earthquakes
Answer: (b) fertile
14. Adjoa’s Maami is ……………. .
(a) dominating
(b) orthodox
(c) humble and helpless
(d) conservative
Answer: (c) humble and helpless
15. Adjoa was ……………. .
(a) headstrong
(b) timid
(c) cunning
(d) analytical and sensitive
Answer: (d) analytical and sensitive
16. Who was Kaya ?
(a) Nana
(b) Maami
(c) Adjoa’s school teacher
(d) Adjoa’s nickname
Answer: (b) Maami
17. When Adjoa thinks of her legs, she is ……………. .
(a) depressed
(b) excited
(c) analytical
(d) angry with her lot
Answer: (c) analytical
18. Adjoa is selected to represent her school in ……………. .
(a) state games
(b) international games
(c) national-level games
(d) junior district games
Answer: (d) junior district games
19. How does Nana hold the cup won by Adjoa?
(a) keeps it on her head
(b) holds it in her hands
(c) carries it on the back
(d) throws out away
Answer: (c) carries it on the back
20. In the end of the story, Nana appears as ……………. .
(a) a kill joy
(b) a progressive dynamic woman
(c) a frustrated woman
(d) making compromise with the way of the world
Answer: (b) a progressive dynamic woman
Comprehension passage
PASSAGE-1
“Like all this business to do with my legs. I have always wanted to tell them not to worry. I mean Nana and my mother. That it did not have to be an issue for my two favourite people to fight over. But I didn’t want either to be told not to repeat that or it to be considered so funny that anyone would laugh at me until they cried.”
(i) Where does the story take place ? What is the main conflict faced by the protagonist?
Answer: The story takes place in Hasodzi, which is described as a very big village in the Central Region of Ghana. The main conflict faced by the protagonist, Adjoa, revolves around her feeling that her Nana constantly implies Adjoa doesn’t understand life’s problems, and this is compounded by the physical issue of her very thin legs, which becomes a point of conflict with Nana’s traditional views on what a woman’s legs should be like for childbearing. Additionally, Adjoa struggles with not having the proper language to express the thoughts in her head and fears being laughed at if she speaks out.
(ii) Describe the relationship between Adjoa and her grandmother. Why was she made to feel inadequate ?
Answer: Adjoa considers her grandmother, Nana, one of her two favourite people and states that she really liked Nana, except for Nana’s remarks about her legs. However, Nana is a dominating woman who often silences Adjoa or laughs at her serious statements, sometimes forbidding her to repeat what she said. Adjoa was made to feel inadequate primarily because Nana constantly complained about her legs, stating they were too thin and too long for a woman. Nana believed that a woman needed legs with meat on them and good calves to support solid hips for childbearing, implying Adjoa’s legs were not fit for this purpose and thus, by extension, Adjoa was not conforming to Nana’s ideal of a woman.
(iii) Identify three ways Adjoa is shown to be an affectionate child in the story.
Answer: Firstly, Adjoa refers to her mother and grandmother as her “two favourite people.” Secondly, she expresses that she has “always wanted to tell them not to worry” about the issue of her legs, showing concern for their feelings. Thirdly, she opts for a safer course of action, choosing to remain quiet about her thoughts to avoid causing distress to Nana or becoming the subject of jokes and rebuke, which indicates her consideration for their reactions and her own desire for harmonious interaction.
(iv) How did Nana’s behaviour change from the time Adjoa was selected as a runner to represent her school at the district sports meet ? How would you justify Nana’s actions?
Answer: When Adjoa was first selected as a runner, Nana initially did not believe it and went to “ask into it properly” at the school. Upon confirming it was true, Nana looked very pleased. Her behaviour then changed significantly: she started staring at Adjoa’s legs with a strange look, began washing and ironing Adjoa’s school uniform herself with great care, and attended the district sports week every afternoon.
Nana’s actions can be justified as a result of a profound transformation. Witnessing Adjoa’s unexpected success as a runner, despite her thin legs, challenged Nana’s deeply ingrained traditional beliefs about a woman’s capabilities and the sole purpose of her physique. Her initial skepticism gave way to immense pride, leading to a realization that a woman’s body and potential are far more diverse and significant than just for childbearing.
(v) Adjoa won the cup for the best-all-round, athlete. What change did this bring about in Nana’s perspective ? How did the grandmother feel at the end of the story? Give a reason to justify your answer.
Answer: Adjoa winning the cup brought about a significant change in Nana’s perspective; Nana realized that Adjoa’s legs, despite being thin, were capable of achieving something big and that Adjoa, despite her physical condition according to traditional standards, could indeed be something. Nana began to see that thin legs could be useful and could run.
At the end of the story, the grandmother felt immensely proud and emotional. This is justified by her actions and words: she carried the gleaming cup on her back like a precious baby, and she was found carrying Adjoa on her knee, crying softly and muttering that “thin legs can also be useful… they can run … then who knows?….” This clearly indicates her changed viewpoint and her deep emotional response to Adjoa’s success, recognizing a broader potential for women.
PASSAGE-2
“And that, I think, is a very serious problem. Because it is always difficult to decide whether to keep quite and not say any of the things that come into my head, or say them and get laughed at.”
(i) Which serious problem is the narrator talking about?
Answer: The serious problem the narrator, Adjoa, is talking about is that at her age of seven, she has things she can think in her head but feels she does not have the proper language to speak them out with. This inability to express herself is what she considers a very serious problem.
(ii) What is the narrator’s dilemma?
Answer: The narrator’s dilemma, as stated in the passage, is that it is always difficult for her to decide whether to keep quiet and not say any of the things that come into her head, or to say them and risk getting laughed at.
(iii) What is the general attitude of the elders to the problems of the youngsters ?
Answer: The general attitude of the elders, as perceived by Adjoa, is often dismissive. She feels it is not easy to get any grown-up to listen even when a child decides to say something serious. They might tell the child never to repeat what they said, or they might burst out laughing. Elders often don’t pay attention to her or underestimate what she is doing, and they do not explain their inconsistent reactions, which leaves her feeling confused.
(iv) Has it been easy for Adjoa to deal with Nana? How do you know?
Answer: No, it has not been easy for Adjoa to deal with Nana. We know this because Adjoa mentions she has to “struggle to catch her attention.” Nana’s reactions to Adjoa’s serious thoughts are often discouraging, as she would either sternly forbid Adjoa to repeat her words or burst out laughing. The constant discussions and Nana’s complaints about Adjoa’s legs were a source of conflict, and Adjoa was afraid of voicing her own thoughts on the matter for fear of Nana’s typical negative reactions. Nana’s unyielding nature, even regarding Maami’s distress, further illustrates the difficulty in dealing with her.
(v) Which weakness of Adjoa is pointed out by Nana?
Answer: The weakness of Adjoa that is pointed out by Nana is her thin legs. Nana repeatedly states that Adjoa’s legs are “too thin” and “too long for a woman,” and describes them as “spindly legs… too thin to be of any use” in the traditional sense of supporting hips for childbearing.
PASSAGE-3
“I find something quite confusing in all this. That is, no one ever explains to me, why sometimes I shouldn’t repeat somethings I say.”
(i) Who is the ‘I’ here ? What is confusing to her?
Answer: The ‘I’ here is Adjoa, the seven-year-old narrator of the story. What is confusing to her is the inconsistency in the reactions of grown-ups, particularly Nana, to the things she says. No one ever explains to her why sometimes she shouldn’t repeat certain things, while at other times, different things she says are considered perfectly fine or even so funny that they are repeated many times for everyone’s enjoyment. This lack of explanation and predictability in adult responses is what she finds confusing.
(ii) What is the narrator forbidden to do? Who forbids her?
Answer: The narrator is sometimes forbidden to repeat certain things she had said. It is her grandmother, Nana, who forbids her, often telling her “never, never, but NEVER to repeat THAT.”
(iii) What surprising thing or habit of the elders is referred to here?
Answer: The surprising habit of the elders referred to here is their inconsistent reaction. While they might forbid Adjoa from repeating something she said, at other times, if they find something else she said to be funny, they themselves would repeat it many times for other people’s enjoyment. Nana, for instance, after laughing at something Adjoa said, would repeat it to any other person who came by, leading to more grown-ups laughing.
(iv) How, according to the narrator, do the elders behave about the follies or foibles of the youngsters ?
Answer: According to the narrator, elders behave inconsistently regarding the follies or foibles of youngsters. They either sternly tell the youngster never to repeat what was said, or they burst out laughing at what the youngster said. If they find it funny, they might even repeat it multiple times to other adults for amusement, without ever explaining their reactions to the child.
(v) What does the narrator think about the grown ups?
Answer: The narrator, Adjoa, finds grown-ups confusing because of their inconsistent and unexplained reactions to her words. She also explicitly states later in the story, “Oh. Grown-ups are so strange.”
PASSAGE-4
“That it did not have to be an issue for my two favourite people to fight over. But I didn’t want either to be told not to repeat that or it to be considered so funny that anyone would laugh at me until they cried.”
(i) Which issue does the narrator refer to here?
Answer: The narrator here refers to the issue concerning her legs, which she calls “all this business to do with my legs.”
(ii) Who are the two favourite people of the narrator mentioned here ? Do they have the same views ?
Answer: The two favourite people of the narrator mentioned here are her grandmother, Nana, and her mother, Maami. They do not have the same views, especially regarding Adjoa’s legs and education. Nana constantly complains about Adjoa’s thin legs, believing they are unsuitable for a woman’s traditional role, while Maami tries to defend Adjoa or downplay the issue and strongly supports Adjoa’s education, unlike Nana who thinks it’s a waste of time for girls.
(iii) What does the narrator expect of her mother and grandmother regarding her issue ?
Answer: Regarding the issue of her legs, the narrator expects her mother and grandmother not to worry about them. She wishes it wouldn’t be a cause for them to fight over. Furthermore, if she were to express her own thoughts on such matters, she wishes for a consistent and understanding reaction, rather than being forbidden to speak or being laughed at excessively.
(iv) What opinion does Nana hold about women’s ability to rear a child ?
Answer: Nana holds the opinion that for a woman to be able to rear children, she must have legs that have “meat on them: with good calves.” She believes these strong legs are necessary to support “solid hips,” which a woman must have “to be able to have children.” She thinks Adjoa’s thin legs mean she won’t be able to bear children.
(v) How is the outer world of a child as compared to the world before birth?
Answer: The world before birth is described by Adjoa as “the land of sweet, soft silence.” In contrast, the outer world, into which she came at birth, is described as “the world of noise and comprehension.” This suggests the outer world is louder, more complex, and requires understanding, unlike the peaceful simplicity of the pre-birth state.
PASSAGE-5
“And you know, such things are not for talking about everyday. But if any female child decides to come into this world with legs, then they might as well be legs.”
(i) Whose opinion is talked about here? How sound is this opinion?
Answer: The opinion talked about here is Nana’s. The soundness of Nana’s opinion that legs “might as well be legs” (meaning strong, “meaty” legs suitable for childbearing) is challenged by the story’s outcome. Adjoa’s thin legs, which Nana initially disparaged, prove to be exceptionally good for running, demonstrating that legs can have value and purpose beyond Nana’s traditional definition. The narrative satirizes the narrow view that legs are primarily to support hips for childbearing, suggesting that such an opinion is not entirely sound or complete.
(ii) What is meant by the ‘such things’ that are not meant to be talked about on a daily basis ?
Answer: “Such things” that are not meant to be talked about on a daily basis, according to Nana, refer to unfortunate and sad occurrences like a child being born without arms, or legs, or both sets of limbs due to an accident of nature or a child’s spirit mother. Nana considers these “a sad business” and not for everyday conversation.
(iii) What kind of legs are not liked ? And by whom?
Answer: The kind of legs that are not liked are those that are “too thin” and “too long for a woman,” also described as “spindly legs.” Legs without “meat on them” or “good calves” are also not liked. These kinds of legs are not liked by Nana.
(iv) With what should a female child come into the world?
Answer: According to Nana’s strong implication in this passage, if a female child decides to come into this world with legs, then those legs “might as well be legs.” By this, Nana means she should have legs that have “meat on them: with good calves,” capable of supporting “solid hips” which are essential for a woman to be able to have children.
(v) Does the narrator get any complex in her mind due to her so-called imperfection? Explain.
Answer: No, the narrator, Adjoa, does not get any complex in her mind due to her so-called imperfection of having thin legs. She herself does not suffer from any complex about them; her main concern is the adults’ reactions and their conflict over her legs, not an internal feeling of inadequacy. She is analytical and curious about the issue, wishing to see for herself the legs of women who had children. She enjoys running, wins races, and always felt that legs should be able to do other things besides supporting hips for childbearing, indicating confidence in her abilities rather than insecurity.
PASSAGE-6
“How, ‘After one’s only daughter had insisted on marrying a man like that, you still have to thank your God that the biggest problem you got later was having a grand daughter with spindly legs that are too long for a woman, and too thin to be of any use.”
(i) What does Nana lament?
Answer: In this passage, Nana laments two main things: firstly, her only daughter, Kaya (Adjoa’s mother), insisting on marrying a man whom Nana disapproved of, referring to him as “a man like that.” Secondly, she laments that the consequence of this marriage was having a granddaughter, Adjoa, with “spindly legs that are too long for a woman, and too thin to be of any use” according to Nana’s standards.
(ii) What kind of man did Maami marry ? Was it a happy marriage?
Answer: Maami married a man whom Nana refers to disparagingly as “a man like that” and who is described in the story’s summary as a “good-for-nothing fellow” who was “just bad” and had “probably abandoned his family for good.” The text implies the marriage was not a happy situation, given Nana’s disapproval and the father’s apparent abandonment, which would have caused hardship for Maami.
(iii) What evil of the society does the passage refer to ?
Answer: The passage refers to the societal evil of judging women harshly based on their marriage choices and the physical attributes of their children, especially when these do not conform to traditional expectations. Nana’s lament reflects a societal pressure where a daughter marrying against a parent’s wishes to a “bad” man, and then having a child who doesn’t meet certain physical ideals (particularly for girls in relation to future childbearing), is seen as a significant problem and a source of regret. It highlights the patriarchal tendency to devalue women who do not fit prescribed roles or produce “ideal” offspring.
(iv) Why is Nana not happy with Adjoa’s legs ?
Answer: Nana is not happy with Adjoa’s legs because she considers them “spindly,” “too long for a woman,” and “too thin to be of any use.” Her unhappiness stems from her firm belief that a woman needs legs with “meat on them” and “good calves” to support “solid hips,” which are essential “to be able to have children.” Since Adjoa’s legs do not fit this traditional ideal, Nana views them as a deficiency.
(v) What is Nana’s ideal of a perfect woman?
Answer: Nana’s ideal of a perfect, or at least a “useful,” woman is one who is physically equipped for childbearing. This means having “legs that have meat on them: with good calves” that can “support solid hips,” because, in Nana’s view, “a woman must have solid hips to be able to have children.” Her focus is on the traditional role of women as mothers.
PASSAGE-7
“School is another thing. Nana and my mother discussed often and appeared to have different ideas abut. Nana thought it would be waste of time. I never understood what she meant.”
(i) What did Nana think about the education of girls ?
Answer: Nana thought that sending girls to school “would be a waste of time.” She considered it useless for girls.
(ii) What opinion do you form of Nana?
Answer: From this passage and other parts of the story, I form the opinion that Nana is a very traditional woman who holds conventional views, especially regarding the roles and education of girls. She seems to believe that a girl’s life should be focused on domestic duties and preparing for marriage and childbearing, making formal schooling unimportant. She is also shown to be authoritative. However, the story also reveals that she is a dynamic character capable of changing her ingrained beliefs when confronted with compelling evidence, such as Adjoa’s success in running.
(iii) Did Adjoa’s mother hold the same views about the education of women as her grandmother Nana?
Answer: No, Adjoa’s mother, Maami (Kaya), did not hold the same views about the education of women as Nana. The passage states they “appeared to have different ideas about” school. Maami disagreed with Nana and felt that her own lack of schooling had “locked [her] into some kind of darkness.” She wanted her daughter, Adjoa, to learn to read and write and benefit from education.
(iv) Was Adjoa’s mother educated ? What was her regret?
Answer: No, Adjoa’s mother was not educated; she was illiterate. Her regret was her lack of education, as she felt that because she didn’t go to school, she was “locked into some kind of darkness.”
(v) Why did Nana not wish the girls to go to school? Does Adjoa agree with her?
Answer: Nana did not wish girls to go to school because she thought it “would be a waste of time.” This likely stemmed from her traditional belief that a girl’s primary role was domestic and did not require formal education. She once remarked, perhaps sarcastically, that with legs like Adjoa’s, she “might as well go to school,” implying it was a secondary option.
Adjoa does not agree with Nana’s view. She states, “I never understood what she meant,” indicating she did not share or comprehend Nana’s reasoning. Adjoa also mentions that “School is nice,” showing a positive disposition towards it.
PASSAGE-8
“You know what she did ? She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies and other very precious things. And this time, not taking the trouble to walk by herself.”
(i) What moment of pride does the passage refer to ?
Answer: The passage refers to the moment of immense pride when Nana carried the “gleaming cup” that Adjoa had won for being the “best all-round junior athlete” at the district sports week.
(ii) How does Nana react at Adjoa’s achievement ?
Answer: Nana reacts to Adjoa’s achievement with overwhelming pride and joy. She carried the trophy on her back in the same way people carry babies or other very precious things. She also showed the cup to Adjoa’s mother before it was returned. Later, she was seen holding Adjoa on her knee, crying softly and muttering about how thin legs could indeed be useful and could run, signifying a profound emotional and intellectual shift.
(iii) What change of heart and mind is seen in Nana’s personality ? How does it seem different from her earlier attitude?
Answer: A significant change of heart and mind is seen in Nana’s personality; she begins to recognize the value and utility of Adjoa’s thin legs, which she had previously criticized. She acknowledges that “thin legs can also be useful… they can run.” This is a stark contrast to her earlier attitude, where she constantly complained about Adjoa’s legs, deeming them unsuitable for a woman’s primary role of childbearing and therefore “of any use” only if they were “meaty.” Her new attitude reflects acceptance, immense pride, and an awakening to the broader capabilities of women beyond traditional expectations.
(iv) What does Nana begin to think about the role of women in society? Who brings this change in her?
Answer: Nana begins to think that a woman’s body, specifically her legs, can serve purposes beyond the traditional role of supporting hips for childbearing; she realizes that “thin legs can run” and be “useful” in other significant ways. She starts to understand that a woman’s potential is enormous and manifold, not confined merely to motherhood.
Adjoa is the one who brings about this change in Nana through her remarkable achievement of winning the district sports championship and the cup for the best all-round junior athlete, despite having the “thin legs” Nana had always criticized.
(v) How does Adjoa show the mettle of a woman?
Answer: Adjoa shows the mettle of a woman through her persistent efforts and self-belief, as she continued to run and excel despite Nana’s constant criticism of her legs. By winning the race and the trophy, she not only achieved personal success but also challenged the traditional, restrictive norms about a woman’s physical attributes and capabilities that Nana upheld. She demonstrated that a woman can carve her own path and achieve great things through determination and talent, thereby inspiring a change in her grandmother’s deeply entrenched views and showing that a woman’s potential is not limited to traditional roles.
Morning Star/Beeta workbook answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions II
1. She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies, and other very precious things.
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Irony
D. Alliteration
Answer: A. Metaphor
2. Who are referred to as ‘They’ who describe the birthplace of the narrator?
A. Her teachers
B. The village community
C. Her mother and grandmother
D. None of the above
Answer: B. The village community
3. Why would Nana reprimand Adjoa for not finishing her food?
A. She was a strict disciplinarian
B. She was an agent of patriarchy
C. She had seen hardships in life
D. None of the above
Answer: C. She had seen hardships in life
4. What is the one serious problem Adjoa has to face?
A. She cannot laugh when her grandmother laughs
B. She cannot express herself
C. She cannot understand the language of elders
D. None of the above
Answer: B. She cannot express herself
5. Which characteristic trait of Nana is revealed by her act of not allowing Adjoa to express her thoughts?
A. Authoritarian
B. An agent of patriarchy
C. Conservative
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
6. The narrator wanted to tell her grandmother and mother not to worry about which of the following?
A. Her problem of expressing her thoughts
B. Her thin legs
C. Her selection for the athletic competition
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Her thin legs
7. According to the narrator’s grandmother, what was the biggest problem?
A. Her daughter’s husband
B. Her grand-daughter’s spindly legs
C. Her daughter’s silence
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Her grand-daughter’s spindly legs
8. Why did the narrator want to see the legs of other women who had children?
A. To compare them with her own thin legs
B. To compare them with her grandmother’s legs
C. To compare them with her classmates’ legs
D. None of the above
Answer: A. To compare them with her own thin legs
9. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?
A. Adjoa could not express her thoughts freely
B. Adjoa had to take a bath in the bathhouse
C. Adjoa complained about the long distance to school
D. Adjoa had thin long legs.
Answer: C. Adjoa complained about the long distance to school
10. What was Nana’s view initially about school?
A. A waste of time
B. An idle pursuit
C. A platform to showcase her talent
D. None of the above
Answer: A. A waste of time
11. What kind of clothes did Adjoa’s grandmother wear every afternoon while visiting the town for the sports meet?
A. Fresh new clothes
B. Old properly ironed clothes
C. Fresh old clothes
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Fresh old clothes
12. What were Nana’s feelings while carrying the cup won by Adjoa for the best all-round junior athlete?
A. Proud of Adjoa’s achievement
B. Recognised the worth of her thin legs
C. It was like a ritual to her
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Recognised the worth of her thin legs
13. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.
- She carried the gleaming cup on her back.
- When I went home to tell my mother and Nana, they had not believed it at first.
- Nana would just laugh. ‘Ah, maybe with legs like hers, she might as well go to school.’
- Each afternoon, she pulled one set of fresh old clothes from the big brass bowl to wear.
A. 1, 2, 3, 4
B. 3, 2, 4, 1
C. 3, 1, 2, 4
D. 2, 3, 1, 4
Answer: D. 2, 3, 1, 4
14. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statements (1) and (2).
- ‘But Adjoa has legs,’ Nana would insist; ‘except that they are too thin. And also too long for a woman.’
- Thin legs can also be useful…That ‘even though some legs don’t have much meat on them, to carry hips, they can run.’
A. 1 is the cause for 2
B. 1 is an example of 2
C. 1 is independent of 2
D. 1 is a contradiction of 2
Answer: A. 1 is the cause for 2
Context questions and answers
Extract 1
As far as I could see, there was only one problem. And it had nothing to do with what I knew Nana considered as ‘problems’, or what Maami thinks of as ‘the problem’. Maami is my mother. Nana is my mother’s mother. And they say I am seven years old. And my problem is that at this seven years of age, there are things I can think in my head, but which, maybe, I do not have the proper language to speak them out with. And that, I think is a very serious problem. Because it is always difficult to decide whether to keep quiet and not say any of the things that come into my head, or say them and get laughed at.
(i) Who is referred to as ‘I’ in the extract? According to her, what was grandmother’s problem?
Answer: The ‘I’ in the extract is Adjoa, the narrator of the story. According to her, the grandmother, Nana, considered the problem to be Adjoa’s legs, which Nana believed were too thin and long for a girl.
(ii) What is her problem at the age of seven? Why is it a serious problem?
Answer: At the age of seven, Adjoa feels that she can think clearly but lacks the language to express her thoughts effectively. This is a serious problem for her because she is unsure whether to express her thoughts and risk being laughed at, or to remain silent.
(iii) As described after this extract, how would Nana react when she would say something?
Answer: When Adjoa says something, Nana often reacts by staring at her for a long time before asking her to repeat it, and then either telling her never to repeat it again or bursting into laughter.
(iv) How would Nana involve other people in her reaction?
Answer: Nana would often repeat what Adjoa said to other people, which would lead to even more people laughing along with her, creating a spectacle.
(v) Explain briefly the significance of the girl-child being the narrator of the story.
Answer: The girl-child narrator, Adjoa, provides a unique and innocent perspective, allowing the reader to understand the complexities of her feelings and relationships with the adults around her. Her observations highlight societal attitudes towards female beauty and worth, especially as they relate to physical appearance.
Extract 2
I have always wanted to tell them not to worry. I mean Nana and my mother. That it did not have to be an issue for my two favourite people to fight over. But I didn’t want either to be told not to repeat that or it to be considered so funny that anyone would laugh at me until they cried. After all, they were my legs… When I think back on it now, those two, Nana and my mother, must have been discussing my legs from the day I was born.
(i) Why does the narrator want to tell her grandmother and mother not to worry? What does it suggest about the narrator?
Answer: The narrator, Adjoa, wants to tell her grandmother and mother not to worry about her legs because she sees no issue with them. This suggests that Adjoa is more accepting of herself and does not understand why her legs are such a point of contention between the two women.
(ii) Who are the narrator’s two favourite people? What are their views on the issue?
Answer: The narrator’s two favourite people are her mother and her grandmother, Nana. Nana believes that Adjoa’s legs are too thin and long, whereas her mother tries to defend Adjoa, saying that at least she has legs.
(iii) Who are ‘they’ who would laugh at her and why?
Answer: ‘They’ refers to the adults, especially her grandmother and other grown-ups, who laugh at Adjoa’s comments or views because they find them amusing or ridiculous from their perspective.
(iv) Why does the narrator feel that her grandmother and mother would have been discussing her legs ever since she was born? What does it suggest about the two women?
Answer: The narrator feels this way because her legs have been a frequent topic of conversation and debate between the two women. This suggests that both women have deep-rooted concerns about Adjoa’s appearance, with Nana being more vocal about her disapproval, and Maami being more protective.
(v) Which figure of speech is used in the last two lines of the extract? Explain briefly the meaning of these lines.
Answer: The figure of speech used in the last two lines is hyperbole, as Adjoa exaggerates the extent to which her legs have been discussed since her birth. This reflects her feeling that the issue of her legs has been overemphasized by the adults around her.
Extract 3
I knew from her voice that my mother was weeping inside. Nana never heard such inside weeping. Not that it would have stopped Nana even if she had heard it. Which always surprised me. Because, about almost everything else apart from my legs, Nana is such a good grown-up. In any case, what do I know about good grown-ups and bad grown-ups? How could Nana be a good grown-up when she carried on so about my legs? All I want to say is that I really liked Nana except for that.
(i) Why could the narrator feel that her mother was weeping from inside? Why could not her grandmother hear her daughter’s inside weeping?
Answer: The narrator could feel that her mother was weeping inside because of the emotional pain caused by Nana’s critical remarks about Adjoa’s legs. Nana could not hear her daughter’s inside weeping because she was more focused on expressing her own opinions, especially about Adjoa’s legs, and did not pay attention to her daughter’s emotional response.
(ii) The narrator feels that her grandmother would not have stopped even if she had heard her mother’s inside weeping. Why? What does it suggest about her grandmother and mother?
Answer: The narrator believes that Nana would not have stopped because she is stubborn and firm in her opinions, particularly about Adjoa’s legs. This suggests that Nana is strong-willed and uncompromising, while the mother is more sensitive and unable to express her pain openly.
(iii) Why does the narrator say that except for talking about her legs, her grandmother is a ‘good grown-up’? What does it suggest about the narrator?
Answer: The narrator says this because Nana is caring and responsible in other aspects, except when it comes to her obsession with Adjoa’s legs. This suggests that the narrator has a balanced view of her grandmother, acknowledging her flaws while still respecting her overall.
(iv) What would the grandmother be discussing when she would bring in the narrator’s father in her discussion? What does she admit about the man?
Answer: The grandmother would discuss how Adjoa’s father was not her ideal choice for her daughter, implying that she disapproved of her daughter’s marriage. She admits that despite her dissatisfaction with him, her biggest problem is having a granddaughter with spindly legs, implying some reluctant acceptance.
(v) State important characteristic traits of the narrator as revealed in this extract.
Answer: The narrator is observant and empathetic, able to sense her mother’s inner pain. She is also thoughtful and reflective, trying to reconcile her grandmother’s flaws with her overall good nature.
Extract 4
Sometimes, Nana would pull in something about my father. How, ‘Looking at such a man, we have to be humble and admit that after all, God’s children are many…’ How, ‘After one’s only daughter had insisted on marrying a man like that, you still have to thank your God that the biggest problem you got later was having a granddaughter with spindly legs that are too long for a woman, and too thin to be of any use.’ The way she always added that bit about my father under her breath, she probably thought I didn’t hear it. But I always heard it.
(i) Why would the grandmother thank God? What does it suggest about her?
Answer: The grandmother would thank God because, despite her disapproval of her daughter’s marriage, the biggest issue she faced was having a granddaughter with thin legs. This suggests that Nana finds solace in small blessings, even though she is critical and dissatisfied with certain aspects of life.
(ii) What makes the narrator question her own viewpoint that her grandmother is a ‘good grown-up’? What does the narrator finally think about her grandmother?
Answer: The narrator questions her viewpoint because, despite thinking Nana is generally a good adult, she cannot understand why Nana is so obsessed with her legs. In the end, the narrator seems to accept that Nana has her flaws but is still a beloved family figure.
(iii) Describe the feelings of Adjoa’s mother when she hears about her husband. What kind of relationship existed between Adjoa’s mother and grandmother?
Answer: Adjoa’s mother feels hurt and silenced whenever her husband is mentioned in a critical way by Nana. Their relationship is strained, with Nana being overbearing and judgmental, while the mother is more submissive and unable to stand up to her.
(iv) Why does the grandmother hush up things about Adjoa’s father? What does it reveal about her relationship with Adjoa?
Answer: The grandmother hushes up things about Adjoa’s father because she does not want Adjoa to hear her critical opinions, showing that despite her harshness, she cares for Adjoa and is somewhat protective of her.
(v) Describe briefly how Adjoa’s grandmother serves as an agent of patriarchy.
Answer: Adjoa’s grandmother reinforces patriarchal standards by focusing on Adjoa’s appearance, specifically her legs, and linking them to her ability to bear children. She perpetuates traditional gender roles, where a woman’s worth is tied to her physical attributes and reproductive potential.
Extract 5
In my eyes, all my friends have got legs that look like legs: but whether the legs have got meat on them to support the kind of hips that… that I don’t know. According to the older boys and girls, the distance between our little village and the small town is about five kilometres. I don’t know what five kilometres mean. They always complain about how long it is to walk to school and back. But to me, we live in our village, and walking those kilometres didn’t matter. School is nice.
(i) How does the narrator describe her friends’ legs? What is she not sure about?
Answer: The narrator describes her friends’ legs as “legs that look like legs,” but she is unsure whether they have enough “meat” on them to support wide hips, which her grandmother values as necessary for bearing children.
(ii) The narrator says that she does not know how far five kilometres is. What does it suggest about her? Who are ‘they’ who complain about the distance?
Answer: The narrator’s statement suggests that she is young and doesn’t fully understand measurements like kilometres. The ‘they’ who complain are the older boys and girls who walk the same distance to school.
(iii) The narrator says that she does not feel uncomfortable while walking five kilometres to school and back. What is suggested by the narrator’s statement? How does she prove it at the end of the story?
Answer: The narrator’s statement suggests that she is resilient and enjoys school so much that the long walk does not bother her. She proves her resilience at the end of the story by excelling in sports and winning the district running competitions, showing her physical strength despite her “spindly” legs.
(iv) Explain two characteristic traits of the narrator that emerge from this extract.
Answer: The narrator is determined, as she does not let the long walk to school discourage her. She is also perceptive, as she notices the differences in the way people perceive physical attributes like legs and hips.
(v) Explain briefly the change in the attitude of the narrator’s grandmother by the end of the story? What brought about this change?
Answer: By the end of the story, the grandmother’s attitude changes as she becomes proud of Adjoa’s athletic achievements. This change is brought about when Adjoa wins the cup for best all-round junior athlete, showing that her thin legs have their own value.
Extract 6
Nana would just laugh. ‘Ah, maybe with legs like hers, she might as well go to school.’ Running with our classmates on our small sports field and winning first place each time never seemed to me to be anything about which to tell anyone at home. This time it was different. I don’t know how the teachers decided to let me run for the junior section of our school in the district games. But they did. When I went home to tell my mother and Nana, they had not believed it at first. So Nana had taken it upon herself to go and ‘ask into it properly.’
(i) Why would Nana laugh? Why does she allow Adjoa to go to school?
Answer: Nana laughs sarcastically, implying that since Adjoa’s legs are not fit for traditional expectations, she might as well focus on education. She allows Adjoa to go to school because it seems like a better alternative for her, given her physical appearance.
(ii) Why does Adjoa not tell anybody at home about her running on the sports field and winning all the competitions? Why does she say that this time it was different?
Answer: Adjoa does not tell anyone at home about her wins because she doesn’t think they will find it important. This time it was different because being selected for the district games was a significant achievement that she felt her family should know about.
(iii) How do Adjoa’s mother and grandmother react to the news about her being selected as a runner for the district games? How does her grandmother check the truth about the news?
Answer: At first, both Adjoa’s mother and grandmother are incredulous and do not believe the news. Nana takes it upon herself to investigate by asking around to confirm that Adjoa was indeed selected.
(iv) How does Adjoa’s mother react after her grandmother verified that Adjoa was indeed one of her school’s runners?
Answer: Adjoa’s mother is initially shocked but becomes proud and pleased after Nana verifies the truth. She is unable to express her feelings openly due to her reserved nature but is happy with the news.
(v) Explain briefly what all Nana did on getting the news of Adjoa’s selection for district sports meet and why.
Answer: After learning about Adjoa’s selection, Nana becomes more supportive. She washes and irons Adjoa’s uniform meticulously and even starts attending the sports events, showing a change in attitude towards her granddaughter’s abilities.
Extract 7
She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies, and other very precious things. And this time, not taking the trouble to walk by herself. When we arrived in our village, she entered our compound to show the cup to my mother before going to give it back to the Headmaster. Oh. Grown-ups are so strange. Nana is right now carrying me on her knee, and crying softly.
(i) What was the ‘gleaming cup’? Why did she carry it on her back?
Answer: The gleaming cup was the trophy Adjoa won for being the best all-round junior athlete. Nana carried it on her back, treating it like a baby or a precious object, symbolizing how proud she was of Adjoa’s achievement.
(ii) With whom has the narrator compared the gleaming cup? Why?
Answer: The narrator compares the gleaming cup to a baby, suggesting that Nana now treats Adjoa’s achievement with the utmost care and pride, similar to how one would treat something fragile and valuable.
(iii) Why did she want to show the cup to the narrator’s mother? How did she react to it?
Answer: Nana wanted to show the cup to Adjoa’s mother to share the pride in Adjoa’s accomplishment. Adjoa’s mother was likely speechless and emotional, overwhelmed by the moment.
(iv) Why did the grandmother cry softly? What does it suggest about her?
Answer: The grandmother cried softly because she finally realized that Adjoa’s legs, which she had always criticized, could be of great use. This suggests that Nana felt both proud and perhaps a bit remorseful for her earlier judgments.
(v) Explain how the three women in the story feel when Adjoa won the cup for the best all-round junior athlete.
Answer: Adjoa feels a sense of pride and validation, her mother is quietly proud but emotional, and Nana feels immense pride but is also overcome with emotion, realizing her earlier misjudgments about Adjoa’s abilities.
Additional/Extras
Questions and answers
Extract 1
They say that I was born in Hasodzi; and it is a very big village in the Central Region of our country Ghana. They also say that when all of Africa is not choking under a drought, Hasodzi lies in a very fertile lowland in a district known for its good soil. Maybe that is why any time I don’t finish eating my food, Nana says, “You Adjoa, you don’t know what life is about… you don’t know what problems there are in this life…”
(i) Where was Adjoa born?
Answer: Adjoa was born in Hasodzi, a village in the Central Region of Ghana.
(ii) What is the significance of Hasodzi’s land?
Answer: Hasodzi is known for its fertile soil, particularly when not affected by drought.
(iii) Why does Nana often comment about Adjoa not finishing her food?
Answer: Nana suggests that Adjoa doesn’t understand the hardships of life, possibly implying that wasting food is a sign of not appreciating its value.
(iv) How does Adjoa describe her understanding of the problems Nana talks about?
Answer: Adjoa feels that the problems Nana talks about are not the same as what she considers problems, such as her struggle with expressing her thoughts.
(v) What does the description of Hasodzi tell us about its environment?
Answer: Hasodzi is depicted as a fertile village, but its productivity is dependent on the absence of drought, highlighting the fragility of the environment.
Extract 10
Oh. Grown-ups are so strange. Nana is right now carrying me on her knee and crying softly. Muttering, muttering, muttering. That ‘saa’ thin legs can also be useful…thin legs can also be useful…That even though some legs don’t have much meat on them to carry hips… they can run. Thin legs can run… then who knows?
(i) What is Nana’s realization in this moment?
Answer: Nana realizes that despite her earlier criticism, Adjoa’s thin legs are useful and capable, particularly for running.
(ii) Why is Nana crying in this scene?
Answer: Nana is crying because she is overwhelmed with pride and possibly guilt for having doubted Adjoa’s abilities based on her physical appearance.
(iii) How does this scene illustrate a turning point in the relationship between Nana and Adjoa?
Answer: This scene marks a turning point as Nana finally acknowledges Adjoa’s worth and abilities, moving past her earlier judgments.
(iv) What does Nana’s repeated phrase “thin legs can also be useful” suggest about her earlier beliefs?
Answer: The phrase suggests that Nana is rethinking her rigid beliefs about what makes a woman valuable, particularly the connection between physical traits and societal roles.
(v) How does this moment contribute to Adjoa’s self-confidence?
Answer: This moment validates Adjoa’s abilities and helps her gain confidence, as she receives approval from someone who had been a source of criticism.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Who is Adjoa’s grandmother in the story?
A. Maami B. Nana C. Aunty D. Sister
Answer: B. Nana
30. What is the significance of the phrase “thin legs can also be useful”?
A. It signifies the need for dieting B. It signifies the need for exercise C. It signifies the usefulness of Adjoa’s legs D. It signifies the uselessness of thick legs
Answer: C. It signifies the usefulness of Adjoa’s legs
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