SECTION D: POETRY
In this section there are questions set on the following poems:
• ‘Death be not proud’ by John Donne
• ‘A prayer for all my countrymen’ by Guy Butler
NOTE: Answer the questions set on BOTH poems, i.e. QUESTION 7.1 AND QUESTION 7.2.
QUESTION 7
7.1 Read the poem carefully and then answer the questions which follow. The
number of marks allocated to each question serves as a guide to the
expected length of your answer.
7.1.1 Refer to the structure of the poem.
(a) What type of sonnet is this? (1)
(b) Discuss the structure of this sonnet. (2)
7.1.2 Identify the figure of speech in lines 1–2 (‘Death be not … art not so’) and explain why death is regarded as ‘Mighty and dreadful’. (2)
7.1.3 Is the underlined word in line 4 (‘poor death’) meant LITERALLY or FIGURATIVELY? Give a reason for your answer. (2)
7.1.4 Refer to lines 5–6 (‘From rest and … more must flow’).
Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence. Write only the letter (A–D) next to the question number (7.1.4) in the ANSWER BOOK.
In these lines the speaker suggests that death is an experience which is …
A frightening.
B pleasurable.
C harmful.
D destructive. (1)
7.1.5 ‘Thou art slave to Fate’ in line 9 is an example of a metaphor. Using your OWN words, explain why the speaker uses this image here. (2)
7.1.6 Give ONE word for the speaker’s tone in lines 11–12 (‘poppy or charms … swell’st thou then?’). (1)
7.1.7 Identify and discuss the theme evident in this poem. (3)
7.1.8 Refer to the poem as a whole.
In your opinion, how does the speaker convince the reader that Death has no reason to be proud? (3)
AND
7.2 Read the poem carefully and then answer the questions which follow. The number of marks allocated to each question serves as a guide to the expected length of your answer.
7.2.1 Refer to lines 1–4 (‘Though now few … tragic time’s complexities’).
(a) What is the ‘tragic time’ the speaker refers to? (1)
(b) Explain why this time is referred to as ‘tragic’. State TWO points. (2)
(c) Using your OWN words, give a reason why it was difficult for people to ‘see beyond’ this tragic time. (1)
7.2.2 Explain why the speaker asks God to intervene in lines 5–11. (2)
7.2.3 Identify the figure of speech in line 12 (‘Through rotting days’) and explain this image in the context of the poem. (3)
7.2.4 Identify the sound device in line 13 (‘beaten, broken’) and explain how the image it creates, contributes to the message of the poem. (3)
7.2.5 Some people remained optimistic about the future.
(a) Quote THREE consecutive words to prove this statement TRUE. (1)
(b) Use your OWN words to explain how some people managed to remain optimistic. (1)
7.2.6 The title indicates that the speaker thought his countrymen were in need of his prayer. Why, in your opinion, was this needed? (4)
[35]
TOTAL SECTION D: 35
GRAND TOTAL: 70