The General Knowledge Test (IP)

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Tue, 11 Mar 2014
  • 3087 reads
15 comments
 

Who wrote ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’?
With furrowed brows, at desks a crowd
of boys attempt an awkward test –
relief for one, who thought ‘at least
I know that’, confidently wrote –
with visions of a fat ‘Pooh’ bear
with blue balloon to help him float
suspended high up in the air
sing “every little cloud
always sings aloud …
it makes him very proud,
to be a little cloud”;
he’d rolled in mud and hoped with ease
to steal some honey from the bees!
– A A Milne wrote that!

Who wrote ‘I must go down to the sea again?’
that too he’d read, a heading in a book
about the man whose life was spent
in rigours of Alaskan cold,
his sacrificial labour told,
the dangers he encountered
within the harsh environment,
adventures, skill and medicine,
his kindness for deep needs of all
the hurts of flesh and heart and soul
of isolated fishermen:
yes! he confidently penned the name:
Wilfred Grenfell, of Newfoundland fame!

The general knowledge we acquire
may not be what exams require
but may build character, inspire
with courage, and a sense of fun,
– and raise a laugh as marking’s done!

[This week’s IP:  I wandered lonely as a cloud]

 

Certificate U
Poem
Families
Humour
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Hi Rhiannon. What a great take on the IP! A lovely journey through 'the general knowledge we acquire'.  The first verse caught my attention; way back in the 60s when all the clothes boutiques were opening in London we had one open near me in Lewisham called 'How sweet to be a cloud'.  I remember it well, all painted blue with Pooh Bear and his honeypot and friends and bees all over the walls!  Thanks for the trip!

Linda

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Linda. It is a true story about my oldest son, who reported very happily what he'd answered for those 2 questions, and I think he'd found the whole test rather daunting. So, don't know exactly about the 'furrowed brows' but I imagined the scene, and often thought about the amusement for the marking teacher. At that age the ideas of what is general knowledge for children varies! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Bee on

This is wonderful. Love it!

Bee

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks Bee, glad it gave you enjoyment! Rh

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

I had a good laugh at this one. I can remember my son being incensed at an answer in a quiz that he gave being marked wrong. He went to great lengths to prove his answer was every bit as good as the required one - if not better.

 

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Enjoyed hearing about that! The trouble with the old IQ tests - 'Which is the odd one out?' etc was that there seemed to be many possible answers! Glad I gave you a good laugh! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Hello  Rhiannon,

Yes another good take on the I.P. coming at it from quite a different angle.

Moya

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Moya, nice to hear from you. The IP brought this old story so clearly back to mind! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Some answers can be hilarious. The following were taken from actual tests:

Q. What is a fibula? A. A little lie

Name six animals which live specifically in the Arctic. A. Two polar bears and four seals.

But that's by the by. Your poem was a perfect take on the I.P. Just one little query: did you mean medicene ?

Best, Luigi

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Luigi. Spelling isn't my strong point (Welsh is more phonetical!), and I didn't even think to check that in the dictionary or via my husband!
Enjoyed your 'answers', and glad you enjoyed this tale. Thanks.
Rhiannon
 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks for the cherries, which I presume means an editor enjoyed the tale too! Rh
 

 

Submitted by VeraClark on

This is so sweetly and lovingly written, packed with gentle humour, too.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you so much, Vera, for that lovely comment. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

So very wonderful, this, Rhiannon.  Cherries more than deserved.

Tina

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

So glad you enjoyed the tale, Tina, and thank you. Rhiannon