My Grand mother Washes
Poetry
Masks are ……………………….. on public transport.
Mandatory
The selection The Girl Who Can is an example of the genre:
realistic fiction
From our veranda, there was a clear view of the entire ……………………..
compound
Which rabbit predicts that something terrible will happen to the warren in the beginning?
Fiver
Syrian and American
Cultures Clash
matron
fertile
Which rabbit gets caught in a snare?
Bigwig
strong and pious/ devoted
ritual
“ Hasodzi lies in a very fertile lowland in a district” is an example of a literary device.................
double entendre
comprehension
Which rabbit tells great stories?
Dandelion
The narrator feels "caught in the middle" both literally and figuratively. Literally, the narrator watches her grandmother perform the ritual of washing her feet in a public sink, a practice rooted in her grandmother's cultural and religious background. This act, though familiar to her grandmother, seems out of place in the American context of a department store, creating a sense of physical and cultural tension.
Figuratively, the narrator is caught between two worlds—the traditional, religious practices of her grandmother’s heritage and the more secular, Western environment in which she now lives. She feels a blend of pride, discomfort, and conflict, as she recognizes the beauty and significance of her grandmother's ritual but also senses the judgment of others. This internal struggle reflects the narrator’s broader experience as a bridge between two identities, embodying both a deep respect for her heritage and an awareness of her American surroundings. This duality leaves her feeling "caught" between embracing her heritage and fitting into the expectations of the society around her.
It was important to maintain …………………….. in the council chamber.
decorum
“ In my eyes, all my friends have got legs that look like legs” is an example of.........................
satire
sheen
Who warns Hazel of the Efrafan attack?
A mouse
Cultural traditions are the practices, beliefs, and rituals that are passed down within a community or family, often tied to religious or ethnic identity.
Societal norms, on the other hand, are the behaviors and expectations that are commonly accepted by the wider society.
In *My Grandmother Washes Her Feet in the Sink of the Bathroom at Sears*, cultural traditions and societal norms are presented in contrast to each other, highlighting the tension the narrator feels between her heritage and her American surroundings.
**Cultural traditions** are the practices, beliefs, and rituals that are passed down within a community or family, often tied to religious or ethnic identity. In the poem, the grandmother's practice of washing her feet is part of a religious ritual, an act of purification before prayer that holds deep personal and cultural significance for her. This tradition is natural and respected within her cultural context but may seem unusual to those unfamiliar with it.
**Societal norms**, on the other hand, are the behaviors and expectations that are commonly accepted by the wider society. In this case, the setting of a public bathroom in an American department store reflects mainstream American norms, where such religious rituals are not usually performed in public spaces. To outsiders, the grandmother’s act of washing her feet might be viewed as inappropriate or strange in this setting, as it goes against the expectations of behavior in that public, secular space.
The poem highlights this difference by showing the reactions of onlookers and the narrator’s mixed emotions. The grandmother is steadfast in her cultural practice, unfazed by the environment, while the narrator is acutely aware of societal norms and feels self-conscious and slightly embarrassed. This illustrates the clash between maintaining cultural identity and conforming to societal norms, a conflict often felt by those living between two cultural worlds.
civilization
Analyse the character of the grandmother supporting your answer with evidence.
In *The Girl Who Can* by Ama Ata Aidoo, the grandmother is a traditional, protective, and loving figure. Initially, she is critical of Adjoa’s thin legs, viewing them as a weakness because, in her rural community, strong legs are valued. She says, *“I don't know where this child got these legs from,”* reflecting her concern that Adjoa may not meet cultural expectations. Despite this, her actions show genuine care, as she provides for and protects Adjoa. As Adjoa excels in academics, the grandmother’s pride grows, and she realizes that strength can take many forms. This shift reveals her deep love and her ability to adapt and appreciate Adjoa’s unique qualities.
The treatment has been tested on healthy ................... women under the age of 35.
fertile
Why do the rabbits need more rabbits?
Because they need dues to survive.