Sing a Song of People — Class 5 English (CBSE)
From the current Class 5 English Marigold textbook. Read the poem about busy city life, then attempt the practice questions.
1. About the poet
Lois Lenski (1893-1974) was an American author and illustrator who wrote many books for children. She was known for writing about everyday life and ordinary people. Her poems and stories often observe the small details of daily life that many of us miss.
2. The poem (summary)
'Sing a Song of People' is a poem about the busy, fast-paced life of a city. People are everywhere — walking, running, catching buses, riding trains, rushing to work, and hurrying home. The poet observes the crowds, the traffic, the noise, and the constant movement. Everyone seems to be in a hurry.
But the poem is not just about rushing. It also notices small moments of connection — a smile, a helping hand, a friendly wave. The poet suggests that even in a busy city, people can be kind and helpful to each other.
3. Theme and values
| Theme | Explanation |
|---|---|
| City life | The poem describes the energy and busyness of urban life. |
| Observation | The poet carefully observes people and their activities. |
| Community | Even in a crowd, people connect with each other. |
| Kindness | Small acts of kindness matter, even in a busy world. |
| Diversity | Cities have all kinds of people doing different things. |
Values to learn
- Observe the world around you carefully.
- Be kind and helpful, even when everyone is busy.
- Appreciate the diversity of people in your city.
- Slow down sometimes and notice the small things.
- A smile or a kind word can brighten someone's day.
4. Poetic devices
Rhyme scheme
The poem has a regular, lively rhythm that matches the busy pace of city life.
Repetition
The word 'people' is repeated throughout the poem. This emphasises that the poem is about ordinary people doing ordinary things — but seen through a poet's appreciative eyes.
Imagery
Vivid images of city life:
- Crowds of people on the street.
- Buses and trains packed with passengers.
- People rushing in all directions.
- The sounds of traffic and footsteps.
Onomatopoeia
Words that imitate sounds (like 'honk' for a car horn, 'clatter' for footsteps) bring the city to life.
5. Key vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| People | Human beings in general |
| Rush | To go quickly or hurry |
| Crowd | A large number of people together |
| Busy | Having a lot to do; full of activity |
| Traffic | Vehicles moving on roads |
| Hurry | To move or act quickly |
| Bustle | Noisy, energetic activity |
| Pavement | A path for walking beside a road |
| Honk | The sound a car horn makes |
| Commute | Travel to and from work each day |
6. Reading comprehension
Questions to think about while reading
- Where does the poem take place?
- What are the people in the poem doing?
- How does the poet describe the city?
- Are all the people the same or different? How?
- What small acts of kindness does the poet notice?
Understanding the city
The poet presents the city as a place of energy and movement. It can be overwhelming, but it is also full of life and opportunity. The poet encourages us to notice the small moments of human connection within the busyness.
7. Writing practice
Prompt 1: Describe a busy place you have visited (a market, a railway station, a festival). What did you see, hear, and feel?
Prompt 2: Write a short paragraph comparing life in a busy city with life in a quiet village.
Prompt 3: Write four lines of a poem about your neighbourhood. What sights and sounds would you include?
8. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking the poem only describes rush and stress Fix: The poem also notices kindness and connection. It is not just about being busy.
- Mistake: Forgetting to use sensory details in your own writing Fix: When describing a place, include what you see, hear, smell, and feel.
- Mistake: Writing that the poet dislikes the city Fix: The poet observes the city with appreciation. The tone is not negative.
9. Self-test
- Who wrote 'Sing a Song of People'?
- What is the setting of the poem?
- What are the people in the poem doing?
- Does the poet focus only on the rush, or also on kindness?
- What does the poem celebrate about city life?
10. Answer key
-
Who wrote 'Sing a Song of People'? Answer: Lois Lenski.
-
What is the setting of the poem? Answer: A busy city with crowds of people, traffic, buses, and trains.
-
What are the people in the poem doing? Answer: People are walking, running, catching buses, riding trains, rushing to work, and hurrying home.
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Does the poet focus only on the rush, or also on kindness? Answer: The poet notices both the busyness and small acts of kindness, like a smile or a helping hand.
-
What does the poem celebrate about city life? Answer: The poem celebrates the energy, diversity, and human connections found in city life, even amidst the rush.
11. Quick revision
- Poet: Lois Lenski.
- Setting: A busy city.
- Central theme: Observing city life — the rush, the diversity, and the small kindnesses.
- Poetic devices: Imagery, repetition, onomatopoeia, rhyme.
- The poem is about people — ordinary people doing ordinary things.
- Notice details in your own surroundings.
- Kindness matters, even in a busy world.
- Practise writing descriptive paragraphs about places you visit.
