Say the Right Thing English - Say the Right Thing

The mother finally refers to her son as a

How did the son behave in the grocery queue?

What is Mrs. Shaw’s primary aim in inviting Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lee?

What colour combination does Mary find amusing in Mrs. Best’s clothes?

Why is Mary embarrassed about the dog outside the house?

The mother uses praise to support the polite behaviours she wants her son to continue practising.

The son receives all advice readily while understanding its importance.

The son feels that covering his mouth when coughing is only important when he’s at home.

The mother discourages her son from speaking softly in public, suggesting that people should adjust to his voice level.

The son is gradually learning the importance of polite words and actions from his mother’s guidance.

According to Mary, Mrs. Cotter often asks the ______ to visit her.

Mary describes the dog outside as looking very ______ .

Mr. Best travels to ______ every day for work.

Mrs. Shaw advises Mary to avoid saying things that might ______ others.

Mary mistakes Mrs. Harding as someone who has ______ .

What does Mary say about Mr. Best’s life and work habits?

How does Mary embarrass Mrs. Harding with her remarks about children?

What advice does Mrs. Shaw give Mary to handle conversations with the guests?

Why does Mrs. Shaw want Mary to go out for a walk during the guests’ visit?

What does Mary say about Mr. Pomeroy?

In what way does the play show the importance of knowing how to engage in polite conversation?

What do Mrs. Harding’s and Mrs. Lee’s responses to Mary’s blunders during their visit reveal about their characters?

How does Mary’s attitude towards the guests change throughout the play?

What do you think the repeated – stage direction ‘no one speaks’ indicates • about the atmosphere in the room when Mary speaks?

What can we infer about Mary’s understanding of polite conversation based on her interactions with the guests?

Fill in the blanks using the verbs given in brackets in present continuous or present perfect continuous tense.
The students (i) _________ (organise) a play and setting up the stage. They (ii) _________ (prepare) for weeks to make everything perfect. The performers (iii) _________ (rehearse) every day, and their excitement (iv) _________ (grow). The sound in-charge (v) _________ (test) the microphones to check the sound quality. Everyone (vi) _________ (work) hard, and now the place is _________ (buzz) with energy and excitement

Fill in the blanks using words given in the brackets
To communicate (i) _____________ (effective), choose your words and topics (ii) _____________ (wise). Avoid (iii) _____________ (discuss) things you don’t know much about or that could upset someone. Remember to be (iv) _____________ (respect) towards others, including yourself, and express your (v) _____________ (appreciate). Finally, always fee (vi) _____________ (response) by replying promptly to communicate.

Sometimes you find that a few friends in class are rude while disagreeing with each other on certain issues. Work in groups. How would you deal with such a situation? Share at least three ways in which you can do this.

Rewrite the play ‘Say The Right Thing’ as a short story, focusing on Mary’s interactions with her mother and the guests.
Ensure the story captures the main events, characters , emotions, and humorous moments effectively.
Use paragraph to organise your story and include descriptive language to bring the characters and events to
life.

Read the explanation about the kinds of sentences

Kinds of Sentences	Function	Punctuation	Examples from the text
Declarative sentences	to state or convey information	end with a full stop (.)	There's always something to say
Interrogative sentences	to ask questions	end with a question mark (?)	What shall I do when they want to go?
Exclamatory sentences	to express strong feelings or emotions	end with an exclamatory mark (!)	What beautiful children you have, Mrs. Harding!
Imperative sentences	to give order, command or request	end with a full stop (.)	Put that coat away in your bedroom

1. Identify the kinds of sentences and punctuate them appropriately.
(i) the meeting starts at 10.00 a.m. in the conference room
(ii) what an exciting adventure it was
(iii) how did you solve the problem so quickly
(iv) what is the weather forecast today
(v) how beautiful is the rainbow
(vi) clean up your room before dinner
(vii) the children are planning a surprise party for their mom
(viii) turn off the music

Study the words in Column 1. Match the suffixes in Column 2 with their meanings or purpose in Column 3. Write a few examples for each in Columq 4. Share your answers with the teacher.

Analyse Mary’s character based on her interactions with the guests. What do her actions reveal about her personality?

Discuss the role of humour in this play. How does it help highlight the misunderstandings?

MARY: I saw Mrs. Cotter this afternoon. I met her in the street.
No one sees her in the morning because she always stays in bed then.
And she’s always asking the doctor to go to see her.
I can’t understand women who stay in bed in the morning.
And why must she always ask for the doctor?
I’ve never been to a doctor in my life.
Ms. HARDING: I stay in bed in the morning myself.
Q.1. Complete the following sentence suitably.
Mary could spot Mrs. Cotter in the street because _____________.
Q.2. What does Mary’s comment about Mrs. Cotter staying in bed and calling the doctor suggest about her understanding?
A. She is worried about why Mrs. Cotter stays in bed all morning.
B. She is unable to understand why people need medical help.
C. She thinks Mrs. Cotter is scared and lonely for staying in bed.
D. She believes Mrs. Cotter is right to rest and take care of herself.
Q.3. How can we say that Mary enjoyed good health?
Q.4. Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
Mary might have unintentionally offended Mrs. Harding.

MARY: What are you going to talk about?
Mrs. Shaw: I don’t know. All kinds of things. One day you’ll have to go to some of these houses yourself and talk to the people there.
MARY: I can talk now. I’ve been able to talk for a long time.
Mrs. Shaw: Yes, that’s true. You always talk too much. But does anyone want to hear the things that you say?
MARY: I can talk very well when I like. I’ll stay with you today and talk to them when they come.
Mrs. Shaw: Oh, I don’t think so. You can go out for a walk. It will be better if you do that.
Q.1. What does Mrs. Shaw imply when she says, “One day you’ll have to go to some of these houses yourself and talk to the people there”?
A. She believes Maiy should start learning about hosting guests then.
B. She thinks Maiy is ready to visit these houses independently.
C. She wants Maiy to develop social skills for the future.
D. She hopes Maiy will avoid these social interactions entirely.
Q.2. Complete the following sentence with the correct option from the brackets.
Mrs. Shaw and Mary are discussing how to _____________
(have a polite conversation/ get to know people better)
Q.3. Why did Mary insist on staying with her mother when the guests arrived?
Q.4. Match the following character traits to the characters in the extract:
A. eager
B. inexperienced
C. cautious
Mary
Mrs. Shaw

MRS. HARDING: (looking at Mrs. Lee) It’s getting a little late. We must go now, Mrs. Shaw it has been very nice to have a little talk. (she looks at Mary) to see us please.
MRS. Lee: Very nice (she looks at Mary).
MRS. Shaw: It as very good of you to come stay a little longer.
MARY: Oh, must you stay? Can’t you go?
Q.1. Mary correctly follows her mother’s advice when the guests leave. (True/False)
Q.2. Mrs. Harding decides to leave after’ Mary’s remark. (True/False)
Q.3. What does Mary say when the guests are about to leave?
Q.4. How does Mrs. Harding react to Mary’s comment?

MARY: But have you seen her clothes?
She goes out in a blue dress with a red coat over it. (she laughs)
MRS. HARDING: I have a blue dress, and I often put on my red coat at the same time.
Q.1. Mary makes fun of Mrs. Best’s fashion choices. (True/False)
Q.2. Mrs. Harding never wears a blue dress with a red coat. (True/False)
Q.3. What colours does Mary criticize in Mrs. Best’s outfit?
Q.4. How does Mrs. Harding respond to Mary’s comment?

MARY: What beautiful children you have, Mrs. Harding! I’ve often seen them walking along the road.
MRS. HARDING: Oh, I haven’t any children.
MARY: Oh, yes, you have! I’ve seen them: a little boy and a little girl.
Q.1. Mrs. Harding has two children, a boy and a girl. (True/False)
Q.2. Mary insists that she has seen Mrs. Harding’s children. (True/False)
Q.3. How many children does Mary claim Mrs. Harding has?
Q.4. Does Mrs. Harding actually have children?

Rectify the false statements :
Mary shares that she finds the dog outside the window cute.

Rectify the false statements :
Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Shaw agree that wearing a blue dress with a red coat is unfashionable.

Rectify the false statements :
Mrs. Shaw shared that she liked Mrs. Best as she read a lot of newspapers.

Rectify the false statements :
Mrs. Harding was pleased to know that Mary was familiar with her children.

Rectify the false statements :
Mrs. Harding states that they do not like London as it is not the same as Lanfield.