The Rock and the Bubble by Louisa m alcott Before reading 1

Answers
a verses 7–10 b verse 2 c verses 12–15 d verses 3–6
e verses 17–20 f verse 1 g verse 11 h verse 16
3 Students now focus on the characters of the rock and 
the bubble. Explain that there are many adjectives used 
to describe both – from their own viewpoints and from 
others’ viewpoints (the sea-birds and the waves). Refer 
them to the table and ask them to complete it with the 
relevant adjectives. When you check answers, focus on the 
meaning of the words. Elicit whether each one is positive 
or negative and establish that the bubble has many 
negative personality traits (although it thinks the opposite) 
and that the rock has many positive personality traits.
Answers
how the bubble describes 
itself
fair (meaning beautiful), 
airy, bright, queen of the 
ocean
how others describe the 
bubble
headstrong, rude, vain, 
violent
how the rock describes 
itself
sturdy
how the bubble describes 
the rock
ugly, rough, cruel
how others describe the 
rock
steadfast (meaning not 
changing your opinions 
or actions), true (meaning 
loyal), strong, cheerful, 
kind, firm against wrong
4 Now focus on the mood of the poem. Put students into 
pairs to discuss the questions about the mood at the 
beginning and end, and where it changes and how. 
Discuss answers as a class.
Answers
1  The mood is cheerful and happy – words that describe 
this include: dancing merrily, gayly cry, Ho! (a happy 
and informal way to greet someone), said pleasantly. 
2  The mood is more serious and sombre.
3  The mood changes around verse 12 when the bubble 
becomes angry: Who angrily cried, You SHALL move, 
You ugly, rough rock, Be silent, Stop laughing.