Practice Time : Mommy Knows Best

Sample Activity Sheet


QI (A) Read the first activity, read the extract and then do all the activities (12)

A1. Read the following statements and write down two statements which explain the theme of the extract:

I. Indian moms are superior.

ii. Indian moms are happy about 'proto-fascist parenting techniques'.

iii. The father is dominated by ITM.

iv. Chinese mom is superior to ITM.



Ever since an excerpt from the book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom, appeared in the Wall Street Journal under the provocative title 'Why Chinese Moms are Superior' there has been a debate, particularly in the western media, about the proto-Fascist parenting techniques described by writer Amy Chua. Now Chua is no out-of-touch traditionalist. She's a Yale Law School professor married to an American. But she says western methods of parenting are too lax because there's no pressure on the child to excel,

In contrast, the Chinese mom has a strict set of rules which Chua herself applied to her two daughters: no sleepovers, no school plays or complaining about not being in a school play, no getting any grade less than A, watching TV or computer games or choosing their own extra-curricular activities. She talks of a regime where kids practise the piano (or violin) for

hours without complaining. In short, Mommy's way or you are so grounded and punished.

But while western mothers have expressed shock, there has been a quiet chortle of understanding here in India. Many Sherni mothers not only empathise, they cheer. Yes! At last, someone who is on the same wavelength as us. These Indian moms can be seen everywhere, ensuring that their child is a combination of Einstein, Sachin Tendulkar, Bobby Fischer, Picasso and Yehudi Menuhin. Not to forget Bill Gates. And Aishwarya Rai or Tom Cruise..



So we've got the picture of the Indian Tiger Mom (ITM), the one species not likely to go extinct anytime soon. But what about the father? What does he think of all this (assuming he thinks independently)? For argument's sake, we will assume the father too has some thoughts

on the subject. Occasionally he bleats out his views.





A2. Complete (2)

Complete tho following sentence, Indian Mothers are called Tiger Moms because

1._______________________

2. _______________________

A3. Conclusion

'These Indian moms can be soon everywhere, ensuring that their child is a combination Of Einstein, Sachin Tendulkar Bobby Fischer, Picasso and Yehudi Monuhin, Not to forget Bill Gates, And Aishwarya Rai or Tom Cruise,'



The sentence implies Indian mothers ..........(Complete it in a paragraph). 2



A4. Vocabulary

Give ono word for the following from the passage:

1 not sufficiently strict

2. speak in a weak voice

3. suppressed laugh

4. causing discussion or argument (2)

A5. Personal Response

Explain whether you side with Indian moms or Western moms. (2)

A6. Grammar

Do as Directed (2)



1. She talks of a regime where kids practise the piano for hours without complaining. (Rewrite the sentence using the Simple Past Tense in it.)

2. These Indian moms can be seen everywhere.

(Use modal auxiliary showing certainty and rewrite the sentence.)

(B)Do as directed. (3)

I was sore at my friend but I really felt sorry for this fellow.

(Rewrite beginning with 'Though....) (1)

The recipe calls.......... two cups ........ sugar.

(Rewrite the sentence using appropriate prepositions.) (1)

iii.Alice said, "l can hold my breath for two minutes, Can you do it, Fred?
(Change the narration.) (1)

KEY

A 1. (ii) Indian moms are happy about •proto-fascist parenting techniques' (iii) The father is dominated by ITM.
A 2. They are strong, they evoke fear. they are dominating, they are very strict (Accept any two)
A 3. Indian moms are ambitious for their children's success, they want their child to excel in every field. they have high expectations. they see to it that in future their child will a combination of many successful personalities. (Accept any two)
A 4. (i) lax (ii) bleat (iii) chortle (iv) provocative (% mark for each. total 2 marks) A 5. Accept any reasonably correct response.
A 6. Grammar
She talked of a regime where kids practised the piano for hours without complaining.
ii. Indian moms will be seen everywhere.
(B) Grammar
Do as directed
1 . Though I was sore at my friend, I really felt sorry for this fellow.
2. The recipe calls for two cups of sugar.
3. Alice said/told that she could hold her breath for two minutes. She asked Fred if / whether he could do thatflt.