Textbook Solutions: When I'm an Old Lady

A. Tick (✓) the correct options.

1. As an old lady, the speaker wants to give back ________.
(a) money to her kids.
(b) happiness and joy to her kids.
(c) peace to her kids.
(d) a home to her kids.
Ans: (b)
The speaker wants to bring happiness and joy to her kids, as mentioned in the lines "And bring so much happiness... just as they did. I want to pay back all the joy they've provided."

2. The speaker will bounce on the ________.
(a) furniture.
(b) bed.
(c) carpet.
(d) sofa.
Ans: (a)
The speaker mentions, "I'll bounce on the furniture... wearing my shoes."

3. When her kids find the speaker getting into mischief, they will ________.
(a) punish her.
(b) run after her.
(c) shake their heads.
(d) laugh at her.
Ans: (c)
The lines say, "Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head."

4. At dinner time, the speaker will ________.
(a) throw food around.
(b) eat the food her kids cook.
(c) not eat the food.
(d) sing for the kids.
Ans: (c)
The speaker mentions, "I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat."

5. The speaker will throw away her socks so that she can ________.
(a) watch TV.
(b) play in the mud and get dirty.
(c) stick them together.
(d) wash them.
Ans: (b)
The lines state, "I'll take off my socks and throw one away, And play in the mud 'til the end of the day!"

6. When the speaker goes to sleep, her kids will feel ________.
(a) unhappy.
(b) relieved.
(c) delighted.
(d) surprised.
Ans: (c)
The last lines suggest happiness and contentment: "And say with a groan, 'She's so sweet when she's sleeping!'

B. Read these sentences and answer the questions that follow.

1. And when they get angry...
a. Who will be angry?
b. Why will they be angry?
c. What is the speaker going to do?
Ans:
a. The kids will be angry.
b. The reason for their anger is not explicitly mentioned.
c. The speaker doesn't mention what she will do when they get angry.

2. And say with a groan, 'She's so sweet when she's sleeping!'
a. Who is going to say this?
b. Who will be sleeping?
c. Why will they say this 'with a groan'?
Ans:
a. The kids are going to say this.
b. The speaker will be sleeping.
c. They say it 'with a groan' possibly because they find the speaker mischievous when awake, but sweet when asleep.

C. Answer these questions.

1. What does the speaker want to pay back?
Ans: The speaker wants to pay back the joy and happiness her kids provided.

2. What does she want to do when her kids will be on the phone?
Ans: She wants to get into things like sugar and bleach when her kids are on the phone.

3. How will she react to her children's cooking?
Ans: She will not eat her green beans, salad, or meat, and she may run if they get angry.

4. How will she watch TV?
Ans: She will sit close to the TV, cross both eyes, and flip through the channels.

D. Think and answer.

1. Do you think the speaker will bring joy to her kids in her old age?
Ans: Yes, the speaker intends to bring joy to her kids by engaging in playful and mischievous activities.

2. Why does the speaker want to do all of these things?
Ans: The speaker wants to repay the joy and happiness her kids brought to her life by having fun and being mischievous in her old age.

3. Did you find the poem sad or funny? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: The poem can be considered funny because it humorously depicts the mischievous activities the speaker plans to engage in during her old age, making it lighthearted and amusing.