III Buttercups and daisies pied, How they with each other vied! And forget-me-nots so true. Told their tales as oft before. Told their tales and near the ending Paused before this message sending,- We've come to stay, To romp and play, All the long glad days of May." Read the poem through silently. -S. E. Simons. What wakes the flowers after the cold winter has passed? What makes the flowers seem to frolic? What makes the flowers look as if they were dancing? Name the flowers told about in the poem. ones do you know? Name other spring flowers. Which What spring flowers do you find in the woods near your home? What are the early spring flowers that you see in the parks of a city? How many of you have gardens? How many of you have planted seeds? Tell the story of how the little seeds you plant burst into life in the springtime. 246 LEARNING ABOUT PHRASES Men of courage performed great deeds during the World War. The aviators of the Allies did wonderful work. George Guynemer was an aviator of France. He often started in the early morning and flew with great speed over the German lines. What men performed great deeds? Of what country was George Guynemer an aviator? When did he often start? How did he fly? Where did he fly? 1. Notice that you have answered each question by using a group of words. Each of these groups answers one question and is used as a part of speech. A group of words used as a part of speech is called a phrase, Notice that the phrase has neither subject nor predicate. 2. What word does the phrase of courage modify? What part of speech is it? What single word could you use instead of the phrase of courage? Tell how the phrases of the Allies and of France are used. What single word could you use in the place of each of these phrases? As what part of speech are these three phrases used? 3. What question does the phrase during the World War answer? As what part of speech is it used? Tell what question is answered by each of the following phrases: 1. in the early morning 2. with great speed 3. over the German lines What word is modified by the first of these phrases? by the second and third? What is the name of the part of speech that modifies a verb? A phrase is a group of words used as one word and having neither subject nor predicate. A phrase may be used as an adjective or an adverb. 247 USING PHRASES In the following verses finish each incomplete line by adding a phrase. Tell whether the phrase is used as an adjective or adverb. Be sure that the last word of the phrase rimes with the last word of the next line. There was a monkey climbed When he fell down, then down fell he. There was a crow sat When he was gone, then there was none. There was a horse going When he went on, he stood not still. Copy the following rime, underlining the phrases. When the wind is in the east, "Tis neither good for man nor beast; It blows the bait in the fishes' mouth; Then 'tis at the very best. -Old Rime. Write sentences in which the phrases that follow modify nouns. 1. with the red cover 2. in the blue dress 3. on the river 4. under the tree 5. by the gate Write sentences in which the phrases that follow modify verbs. 1. to the woods 2. over the fence 3. through the window 4. across the street 5. into the waste basket 248 FINDING PHRASES In the following story find all of the phrases. Tell whether they are adjective or adverb phrases. Remember that a phrase is an adjective when it modifies a To noun, and an adverb when it modifies a verb. decide whether a phrase is an adjective or adverb, therefore, it is necessary to find the word that it modifies. HERCULES AND THE DRIVER A man was driving a heavy load over a bad road. After a time, he came to a place where the wheels of the wagon sank half way into the mud. He at once jumped from the wagon, and kneeling, prayed to Hercules for help in his difficulty. Hercules answered, "Put your shoulder to the wheel and help yourself." 249 GIVING REASONS Select one of the following to talk about. 1. Tell a boy who always wants others to help him why he should do things for himself. 2. Tell a boy who spends all his pennies why he should buy Thrift Stamps. 3. Tell a girl who frequently comes late to school why she should come early. 4. Tell why a boy or girl should have a garden. 5. A robin tells a boy why he should not take the eggs from her nest. 6. A cat tells a mouse why he must not let her go. 7. A horse tells his master why he should treat him kindly. 8. A polar bear at the zoo tells why he should not be kept in captivity. Give three good reasons in your talk. Write a paragraph, giving your reasons. |