Poetry Past Paper Questions

Here are some past paper questions.
I would really like to see how you attempt each of these.

1.      ‘The poems ‘It is the Constant Image of Your Face’ and ‘Dreaming Black Boy’ are confessions of hopes and desires.”

a)      Outline the hopes and desires that are portrayed in EACH poem.    (8 marks)

b)      Discuss the poem which you find more appealing and use evidence from the text to support your choice.                                                                                     (8 marks)

c)      For EACH poem, discuss ONE device which is used to portray hopes OR desires.  

(9 marks)

2.      “The poems ‘A Stone’s Throw’ and ‘The Woman Speaks to the Man Who has Employed her Son’ are about how women are treated.”

For EACH poem:

a)      Briefly describe what is taking place.                                                 (8 marks)

b)      Discuss the speaker’s attitude to the woman.                                     (8 marks)

c)      Discuss ONE device which is used to effectively convey the treatment of women. (9 marks)

3.      “Conflicts can be internal as well as external.” Choose TWO poems which you have studied that portray some form of conflict.

For EACH poem:

a)      Describe the conflict.                                                                          (8 marks)

b)      Comment on how the conflict is treated or addressed.                      (8 marks)

c)      Discuss ONE device that is used to explore this conflict.                  (9 marks)

4.      Choose TWO poems which you have studied that focus on a significant experience or event.

For EACH poem:

a)      Describe the experience or event.                                                       (8 marks)

b)      Discuss the speaker’s attitude to this experience or event.                 (8 marks)

c)      Discuss ONE device that is used to present this experience or event.  (9 marks)