Starter quiz
- What is the poem 'Living Space' by Imtiaz Dharker about?
- the poem describes the slums of Mumbai ✓
- the poem describes a family escaping the slums of Mumbai
- the poem compares a new home with the slums of Mumbai
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- Which word from the poem 'Living Space' shows the communities resourcefulness while living in the slums?
- "problem"
- "fragile"
- "slanted"
- "squeezed" ✓
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- In Mumbai the ______ are densely populated and used as a dumping ground for companies across the city.
- 'slums' ✓
- In 'Living Space' Dharker wanted to ______ the resilience and resourcefulness of the people living in the slums.
- 'celebrate' ✓
- To 'unify' means ...
- to split apart.
- to bring together. ✓
- to reorder.
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- ______ is when two things are placed close together with contrasting effect.
- 'juxtaposition' ✓
Exit quiz
- What does the word 'ingenuity' mean?
- to admire/ to appreciate
- skilled at working out how to do things ✓
- being kind towards others
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- In 'Living Space' Dharker juxtaposes shape. Which two quotations show this juxtaposition?
- "crookedly" ✓
- "edge"
- "curves" ✓
- "seams"
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- In 'Living Space' the eggs may be a metaphor for ______ and hope in the poem.
- 'faith' ✓
- In 'Living Space' the irregular form and differing line length could reflect the __________ of the inhabitant having to life in the slums.
- order
- chaos ✓
- routine
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- In 'Living Space' which quotations show the community finding solutions to “problems” they face?
- "balanced" ✓
- "flat"
- "bright"
- "dared" ✓
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- What word, beginning with 'M', does Dharker use to describe the structures of the slums 'Living Space'?
- 'miraculous' ✓
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- In the poem, Dharker shows us the unifying qualities of faith and hope.
- Dharker juxtaposes shapes in the poem, arguably to reflect the fragility and beauty of human life.
- The fragility of the eggs arguably reflects the fragility of the people’s hope and faith.
- The poem’s irregular structure might reflect the irregular structure of the slum itself.
- Dharker marvels at the way in which the slum communities find solutions to “problems” - she celebrates human ingenuity.
Common misconception
Students think that Dharker is critical of the structures in the slums.
Though Dharker portrays how dangerous these buildings are, she also shows great admiration of the slum community's resourcefulness in building these structures - she celebrates their fortitude and resilience in the face of adversity.
Keywords
Unifying - to bring together
To juxtapose - to contrast two ideas by placing them next to another another
Inhabitant - someone who lives in a particular area or place
To marvel - to admire/ to appreciate
Ingenuity - skilled at working out how to do things or how to invent things
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