odia grammar

A Funny Man

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Let us discuss

I Work in pairs. Identify the true statements. Check your answers with the teacher.
1. The poet says that she had never heard such an amusing song.
2. The funny man was quite ill-mannered.
3. The funny man wore two hats on his feet.
4. The funny man hopped on his head to reach home.
5. The funny man gave a rose to the poet.
6. The funny man smiled at the poet.

Ans. 1. False. She said “funny feeling sound” which implied strange/peculiar
2. False. The speaker found his manners polite. “His manners were polite.”
3. True
4. True
5. False. He gave Currant bun to the poet
6. True

II Identify the words from the poem based on the meanings given.
Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
1. a small seedless raisin – C __ R __ __ __ T
2. moved unsteadily – S __ __ G G __ __ __ D

Ans.
1. CURRANT
2. STAGGERED

III Complete the following sentences with a reason.
1. The tone of the poem is ___________ because ___________.
2. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ___________; and it gives a ___________ quality to the poem.
3. The poet has frequently repeated the word ‘funny’ in order to ___________.

Ans. The tone of the poem is whimsical and humorous because it presents absurd situations and sensory inversions in a lighthearted and amusing way, focusing on the comical actions of an eccentric character.
2. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB; and it gives a simple, musical, and playful quality to the poem.
3. The poet has frequently repeated the word ‘funny’ in order to emphasize the man’s extraordinary oddity and the speaker’s continuous sense of bewildered amusement.

IV Choose the correct answer from the options given in the brackets.
1. The poem uses vivid imagery to create a _______________________(humorous and nonsensical/ confusing but thought-provoking) scene.
2. The structure of the poem is in ___________ (monologue/ dialogue) form.
3. The phrases ‘sounding sight’ and ‘hopped home’ are examples of ___________. (alliteration/simile)

Ans. 1. The poem uses vivid imagery to create a humorous and nonsensical scene.
2. The structure of the poem is in dialogue form.
3. The phrases ‘sounding sight’ and ‘hopped home’ are examples of alliteration.

V Rewrite the following line from the poem in the correct order.

1. But never had I seen before
Such a funny sounding sight.
Sometimes, the poets change the word order (inversion) in a line in order to maintain a rhythm.
Ans. I had never seen before such a funny sounding sight.

2. Why has the poet used phrases like ‘funny sounding sight’ and ‘funny feeling sound’ with reference to the funny man?
Ans. The poet has used phrases like ‘funny sounding sight’ and ‘funny feeling sound’ with reference to the funny man to highlight his extreme eccentricity and to create a sense of delightful sensory confusion and absurdity. These phrases are examples of synesthesia (blending of senses), showing that the man’s actions are so peculiar they defy normal description and evoke mixed sensory reactions in the speaker. This emphasizes the man’s unique, illogical, and charming way of interacting with the world.

VI Can you think of any real-world situations where people do similar things for fun, entertainment, or performance? Share with your classmates and the teacher.
Ans. Yes, circus performance and stand up comedy are real-world situations where people do similar things for fun, entertainment, or performance.

Let us think and reflect

I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. He said, “Allow me to present
Your Highness with a rose.”
And taking out a currant bun
He held it to my nose.
I staggered back against the wall
And then I answered, “Well!”

(i) Why does the funny man address the poet as ‘Your Highness’?
(ii) Choose a phrase from the extract which indicates a polite request.
(iii) Choose the option which shows a ‘currant bun’.

(iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
When the poet says, ‘Well!’, it expresses surprise. This was so because _________________.

Ans. (i) The funny man addresses the poet as ‘Your Highness’ to add a layer of exaggerated formality and mock grandeur to his absurd gesture, making the contrast between his polite speech and his bizarre action (offering a bun as a rose) even more humorous.
(ii) “Allow me to present”
(iii) Image 2 is the currant bun.
(iv) When the poet says, ‘Well!’, it expresses surprise. This was so because the man offered a currant bun as a rose, which was a completely unexpected and illogical substitute for a flower, causing the poet to be startled and bewildered.

2. You never heard in all your life
Such a funny feeling sound.
“My friend, why do you wear two hats
Upon your feet?” I said.
He turned the other way about,
And hopped home on his head
(i) Choose the line from the extract which tells us that the sound was unique.
(ii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.

The poet calls the funny man ‘my friend’ because _________________.
(iii) What does the reaction of the funny man to the poet’s question tell us about him?
(iv) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
The last line of the extract makes the readers feel _________________.
A. dreamy
B. impatient
C. worried
D. cheerful

Ans. (i) “You never heard in all your life”
(ii) The poet calls the funny man ‘my friend’ because the speaker feels a sense of familiarity or gentle acceptance despite the man’s eccentricities, rather than fear or judgment.
(iii) The funny man’s reaction (turning the other way about and hopping home on his head without answering) tells us that he does not adhere to normal social conventions or expectations for communication. He prefers to express himself through bizarre actions rather than words, and he is comfortable in his own unique, illogical world. It suggests he is not interested in explaining his oddities.
(iv) D. Cheerful

II Answer the following questions.

1. Which character trait of the funny man was most appealing to you? Why?
Ans. What I found most appealing about the funny man is his politeness despite his strange behaviour. Even though he dressed and acted in peculiar ways, like wearing a shoe on his head or using a bun as a rose, he remained polite. He raised his “shoe” and smiled, or formally offered a “rose” to “Your Highness.” This contrast makes him charming and endearing instead of simply being weird. His actions feel playful and whimsical, making him a delightful character to meet.

2. The funny man does unusual things in the poem. How does it affect the overall mood of the poem?
Ans. The funny man’s unusual actions create a light and playful mood in the poem. His strange clothing, mixed-up sensory descriptions like “funny sounding sight,” “funny looking smell,” and “funny feeling sound,” along with his odd exit, all add to the playful absurdity. The poem stays cheerful and does not become dark or confusing; it invites the reader to enjoy the unexpected and silly moments.

3. What alternative title would you suggest for the poem? Give reason(s) for your choice.
Ans. I would suggest ‘A Peculiar Normal Man’ as an alternative title of the poem. As an oxymoron ‘Peculiar Normal’ celebrates his individuality and his version of normal.

4. Why do you think the poet has included dialogues in the poem?
Ans. The poet includes dialogues for a reason. First, the funny man’s words, like “Allow me to present Your Highness with a rose,” show his polite but silly nature in a clear way, making it funnier. Second, the speaker’s questions, such as “My friend, why do you wear two hats…” show curiosity and confusion, which helps readers connect with him. The dialogues let readers experience the man’s humorous speech and the speaker’s attempt to understand him, even if it doesn’t work.

5. What does the poet wish to convey by highlighting the unusual behaviour of the funny man?
Ans. The poet highlights the funny man’s unusual behavior to share important messages. First, it celebrates being different and unique. The poem shows that it’s great to be yourself and not follow what society expects. The man harms no one; he only brings laughter and curiosity. Second, the poet uses his behavior to make us think about reality and logic. It encourages us to find joy in the strange and unexpected. The poem invites readers to be open-minded and accepting of those who don’t fit in, showing the happiness that can come from embracing life’s peculiarity.

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A Funny Man Grammar Exercises 

 

Let us learn 

Read the following phrases from the poem.

• walking down 
• taking out 
• sat down 

These are phrasal verbs. 

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb with a preposition or adverb that together function as a single unit. They often have meanings that are different from the individual words used alone. The same verb followed by different prepositions or adverbs conveys different meanings. 

I Match the phrasal verbs in Column 1 with their correct meaning in Column 2.  

Column 1	Column 2
1. take up	(i) to understand or comprehend something
2. take after	(ii) to assume control or responsibility for something
3. take in	(iii) to begin to study, practice, or do something
4. take over	(iv) to become successful or popular quickly
5. take off	(v) to resemble or look similar to (usually a family member)

Ans.

Column 1	Column 2
1. take up	(iii) to begin to study, practice, or do something
2. take after	(ii) to assume control or responsibility for something
3. take in	(i) to understand or comprehend something
4. take over	(ii) to assume control or responsibility for something
5. take off	(iv) to become successful or popular quickly

Now, fill in the blanks with suitable phrasal verbs from the table given in I. You may change the tense of the verb, if required.

1. The new technology is set to _________________ traditional methods of communication.
2. I tried hard to _________________ what the writer wanted to say but was unsuccessful.
3. Arjun decided to _________________ painting as a hobby.
4. The smartphone quickly _________________ the sales in the market.
5. Sheela _________________ her father; they have the same smile.
Ans.
1. The new technology is set to take over traditional methods of communication.
2. I tried hard to take in what the writer wanted to say but was unsuccessful.
3. Arjun decided to take up painting as a hobby.
4. The smartphone quickly take off the sales in the market.
5. Sheela take after her father; they have the same smile.

II Match the verbs in Column 1 with any suitable adverbs or prepositions in Column 2. Write their meanings in Column 3. An example has been done for you. 

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
1. look	after, away, up, for, in, on, into, down, off, out	look after: take care of,
2. run
3. put
4. break
5. call

Ans.

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
1. look	after, away, up, for, in, on, into, down, off, out	look after: take care of   Look for: to search for someone/something Look up: to find information
2. run		run away: to escape   run after: to pursue rundown: to knock down or drive over someone or something. Run into: To meet someone by chance; to collide with Run out: To no longer have a supply of something
3. put		Put off: to postpone    Put on: to get dressed Put away: discard Put down: to write down Put in: to introduce  Put out: To extinguish Put up: To build
4. break		Break into: To enter by force; to start suddenly   Break down: To stop functioning (for a machine); to become emotionally distressed Break off: To separate a part from the main body; to end a relationship/agreement
5. call		Call off: To cancel an event   Call for: To demand; to require Call up: To make a phone call; to summon to service

 

Now, frame sentences of your own using any five phrasal verbs. 

Ans. 
(i) Could you look after my plants while I am on vacation.
(ii) We need to buy more stuff, we are running out of stock.
(iii) Please put on your coat before you go outside.
(iv) My car broke down on the highway. Can you help me?
(v) They have decided to call off the meeting because of some emergency.

III Read the following words from the poem. 

walking, staggered, hopped 

The given words denote the different ways of walking. Arrange the words given in the box in increasing order of pace.

sprint,

trot,

jog

Ans.
1. Jog- walk
2. Trot- hop
3. Sprint- run

Let us listen 

I You will listen to a girl narrate a personal incident. As you listen, select the picture related to the narration. (Transcript for the teacher on pg. 88)

Ans. Picture 3

II You will once again listen to the girl narrate a personal incident. As you listen, arrange the events in order of occurrence. 

1. Ate lunch
2. Took off shoes
3. Put shoes in the room
4. Laughed at the mistake
5. Placed the plate in the room
6. Prepared for the presentation
7. Put the plate in the kitchen
Ans.
6. Prepared for the presentation
2. Took off shoes
1. Ate lunch
5. Placed the plate in the room
4. Laughed at tile mistake
3. Put shoes in the room
7. Put the plate in the kitchen

Let us write

I A limerick is a nonsensical and funny verse consisting of five lines. Study the limerick given below and identify the rhyme scheme.

1. There was an Old Man with a beard,
Who said, “It is just as I feared!
Two Owls and a Hen,
Four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!”

Edward Lear

Now, read another limerick

2. There were two friends in Bengaluru’s lanes,
One loved books, the other flew planes.
They’d laugh and they’d play,
In their own unique way,
Creating stories and flying in dreams’ trains.
Remember all limericks have the same rhyme scheme AABBA.

Ans. Rhyming Scheme of both the limerick is AABBA

II Follow the structure given below and write a limerick on your own.

Ans. There was a child from Paharganj,
Who loved to play tunes with a wrench.
He’d tap on the pots,
Making musical dots,
An unexpected ending till neighbours would flinch!