A POISON TREE (by William Blake)

1. In stanza 1, explain the phrase ‘my wrath did end’.

The persona’s anger became lessened and disappears.

2. In stanza 2, what does the word ‘it’ refer to?

The word ‘it’ refers to the feeling of anger. / Anger.

3. In stanza 3, which line shows the persona’s anger increased?

The line ‘And it grow day and night’

4. What would you do if you are angry with your friend? Give a reason for your answer.
Answer: I would communicate my dissatisfaction with my friend.
Reason: I want to solve the issue quickly so that we will remain friends.

5. In stanza 1, how does the persona deal with anger differently?

He tells his friend about his anger but conceal/hide his anger from his enemy.

6. In stanza 2, which word means ‘being dishonest’?

The word means being dishonest is ‘deceitful’.

7. In stanza 2, what does the persona do to ‘it’?

He pretends to be friendly with his enemy but his anger is growing like a tree.

8. Would you like to make friends with the persona? Give a reason for your answer.
Answer: No, I would not.
Reason: It is because he is revengeful towards other and bring harm or even kill. /He is a deceitful
person.

9. In stanza 3, what is another word for ‘grew’?

The word is ‘increased’.

10. What is the outcome of this growth?

The persona’s anger increased until it bears fruit which is an evil plan to hurt the enemy.
11. In stanza 4, what does the foe do in the night?
The foe enters the persona’s garden to steal the apple.

12. If your friend tells you that he/she is angry with you, how would you react?
Response: I would be upset but I will find out why he/she is angry with me.
Reason: I treasure our friendship and I do not want an unsolved issue drifts us apart.

13. In stanza 1, why does the persona not tell his foe when he is angry?
He doesn’t want his enemy to know about it.

14. In stanza 2, which line shows the persona pretending to be friendly with his enemy?
The line ‘And I sunned it with smiles’.

15. In stanza 3, which word means ‘produced’?

The word is ‘bore’.

16. Do you think the persona is a deceitful person? Why do you say so?
Response: Yes, I do.
Reason: It is because the personas tries to hide his anger behind lies and deception. /He pretends to
be friendly with his enemy and at the same time he plans something cunning to deceive him.

17. In stanza 1, which word means ‘very angry’?

The word is ‘wrath’.

18. In stanza 2, what does the persona do to increase his anger?

i) The persona conceal the anger and cover it with smile /He sunned it with smiles.

ii) He watered it with fears.

19. If you were the persona, would you vent your feelings to your enemy? Why do you say so?
Answer: No, I would not.
Reason: It is because the enemy is not my friend who understands me.

20. Name the symbol used in the poem? What does it symbolize?
A tree is the symbol in the poem. It symbolizes the persona’s anger.
21. In stanza 4, why does the persona’s foe enter the garden?
The foe wanted to steal the persona’s apple.

22. If you are the persona, would you allow your anger towards someone to fester for a long time?
Why do you say so?
Answer: No, I would not.
Reason: It is because the anger will grow into hatred and make us cruel and vengeful. /It is not
healthy as it will make me more stressful.

23. In stanza 1, how does the persona resolve his conflict with his friend?
He tells his friend about his anger.

24. Give the meaning of the following words:

i) Wiles [stanza 2]
Tricks /Scheme

ii) Beheld [stanza 3]

Saw

25. What is your opinion of the persona? Why do you say so?
Opinion: The persona is cruel and revengeful person.
Reason: He does not forgive his enemy yet plans an evil/cunning trick to hurt him.

26. [SPM 2013]

a) In stanza 1, which word means ‘extreme danger’?
The word ‘wrath’.

b) In stanza 2, which line shows the persona is pretending?

The line ‘and I sunned it with smiles’.

c) In stanza 4, which word suggest the persona’s rival is defeated?

The word ‘outstretched’.

d) I was angry with my foe

State one bad effect of anger. Provide a solution to manage anger.
Effect: We will lose friends.
Solution: Identify possible solutions to resolve issues with friends.
27. [SPM 2015]
a) In stanza 1, what effect had taken place after ‘I’ kept the anger?
My wrath did grow.

b) In stanza 2, how are the persona’s strategies described as?

The strategies are described as soft and deceitful.

c) In stanza 4, which line shows the night is very dark?

The line ‘when the night had veiled the pole’.

d) I was angry with my friend

How would you avoid getting angry with a friend? State a good effect of your action.
Method: Remember our good times together.
Effect: I will calm down and be able to manage my anger.

28. [SPM 2017]

a) The persona used tricks,
Which line in the poem refers to these tricks?
The line ‘And with soft deceitful wiles.’

b) Why does the persona use the phrase “day and night” in Stanza 3?
To show ‘all the time’ /idea of ‘always’.

c) In stanza 4, why do you think the foe was “outstretched beneath the tree”?
It is because the foe got tricked by the persona /fell victim to the persona’s trick /revenge.

d) What advice would you give to the persona and why?

Advice: Speak out your dissatisfaction and settle the issue as soon as possible.
Reason: Holding grudge will destroy happiness /It is bad to take revenge /Anger causes
damages.
 THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (by Alfred, Lord Tennyson)

1. How many soldiers are in the unit?

There are 600 soldiers in the unit.

2. In stanza 1, who do you think gives the command, “Forward, the Light Brigade!”
The commander

3. In stanza 2, what does the line someone had blundered mean?

The line means someone had make mistake.

4. Many soldiers fought for our country’s independence. Suggest two ways we can continue to
honor these soldiers.
a) Held a special day to commemorate/remember them.
b) Make historical documentation film.

5. What is the name of the army unit?

The Light Brigade

6. Which phrase indicates that the soldiers will follow an order to their death?
‘Theirs but to do and die’.

7. What weapons are used in the battle?

The weapons used in the battle is cannons and guns.

8. Are wars worth fighting for? Provide a suitable reason for your answer.
Response: No, it is not.
Reason: It is because many soldier will die and involve loss and damage of properties.

9. What is the soldiers’ mode of transportation?

The mode of the transportation for the soldier is horse.

10. In stanza 2, what does the line into the valley of death tell you about the war?
The war was horrifying and frightening which lead to many death.

11. How would you describe the soldiers?

Bravely and heroic.
12. Name one moral value you have learnt from this poem. How can you apply it in your life?
Moral value: We must be loyal and courageous.
How to apply: We must be courageous to overcome the obstacles in our lives.

13. In stanza 2, what does the line was there a man dismayed mean?
The post asks if the soldiers were upset.

14. Which line tells us that the Light Brigade is being attacked?
Storm at with shot and shell.
15. Name one theme of the poem.
Loyalty and duty.

16. Name two negative aspect of war.

i) Lost their loved ones.
ii) Environment destruction.

17. Where does the situation in the poem take place?

Battlefield.

18. In stanza 2, what does the soldier know?

They know that they will die.

19. What happens in stanza 3?

The soldiers were surrounded and attacked by the enemies from all sides.

20. Predict what happens to the soldiers at the end of the battle. Provide a reason for your answer.
Prediction: The soldiers die.
Reason: It is because they have been attacked from all sides.

21. In stanza 1, what are the soldiers commanded to do?

Attack their enemy and to seize their guns.

22. Which 2 line indicate that the soldiers do not question an order?
The soldiers command to attack their enemies and to seize their guns.

23. Which word in stanza 3 has the same meaning with assaulted?
The word stormed.
24. Is there a better way to solve a problem rather than going to war? Provide one suggestion.
Response: Yes, it is.
Suggestion: We can solve a problem by having a conversation for everyone’s safety.

25. Why do you think the poet repeat the word death many times in this poem?
It is because the poet is trying to tell about the death of the soldiers.

26. Which line tells us that the soldiers were not afraid to fight the battle?
‘Boldly they rode and well’.

27. Describe the situation in stanza 3.

The soldiers were surrounded and attacked by enemy and they had a slim chance of surviving.

28. Do you think following orders without question is a good quality to have? Give a reason for
your response/
Response: No, it’s not. Reason: It is better to question things before following orders to be certain
we are doing the right thing.
29. The soldiers charged into the valley although they knew something was wrong with the order
they received.
i) Why do you think the soldiers did that?
They obeyed the order because it was their duty to do so without question.

ii) Would you do the same thing if you were one of the soldiers? Why?
No, I wouldn’t. Young and innocent lives should not be blindly sacrificed for the sake of
patriotism.

30. What were the soldier ordered to do?

They were ordered to charge into the valley.

31. The soldiers charged into the valley after receiving orders from their officer.
i) What do you understand from the phrase the valley of Death?
It is a place which offers no escape for the soldiers except their certain Death.

ii) In your own word, describe what might happened to the soldiers in the valley.
They fought the enemy bravely. Sadly, many were killed by the powerful force of the cannon
fire.
32. What is the poem about?
It is about the heroism and the sad fate of a brigade of soldiers.

33. In stanza 2,
i) Which word is similar in meaning of ‘horrified’?
The word ‘dismayed’.

ii) What did the soldiers know?

They knew that their leader had made a mistake in giving orders.

34. Do you think war between countries is necessary to solve problems? Why?
No, I don’t because most of the time war only causes great suffering among innocent people.

35. [SPM 2011]

a) In stanza 1, how many soldiers were in the cavalry?
600.

b) In stanza 2, which word means a mistake was made?

The word ‘blundered’.

c) In stanza 3, which line shows the cavalry is very courageous?

The line ‘boldly they rode and well’.

d) Was there a man dismayed?

What other feeling would the soldiers feel before the battle? Provide a reason for you
answer.
Answer: Anger
Reason: The soldiers are very angry at the commanders for making fatal decision.

36. [SPM 2012]

a) In stanza 1, which word in the poem suggests the meaning ‘on horsebacks’?
The word ‘rode’.

b) In stanza 2, which phrase shows they will fight to death?

The phrase ‘theirs but to do and die’.
 c) Who do you think have made the wrong decision?
The leader of the cavalry.

d) Into the jaws of Death

Suggest one suitable word to replace ‘Death’. Provide a reason for you answer.
Word: Hopelessness Reason: They do not stand a chance in seizing the cannons.

37. [SPM 2014]

a) In stanza 1, how far is it to reach the battlefield?
Half a league

b) In stanza 2, which line shows the commands cannot be questioned?

The line ‘theirs not to reason why’.

c) In stanza 3, what is surrounding the cavalry when they are in the valley?
Cannons.

d) Cannon in front of them

What equipment do you suggest the soldiers to bring to save them from getting killed?
Provide a reason to support your answer.
Equipment: Metal jacket
Reason: The jacket can prevent weapon from piercing their bodies.
 THE LIVING PHOTOGRAPH (by Jackie Kay)

1. In stanza 1, what is the persona’s grandmother wearing in the photograph?

White broderie, anglaise shirt, pleated skirt, flat shoes.

2. Which line indicates that the grandmother’s back in bent forward?

Her back is round and hunched.

3. What does the phrase her soup forgot to boil tell you about the grandmother?
She becomes senile/forgetful.

4. In stanza 2, the persona states that her grandmother went to an awful place. What do you
think she means by this? Why do you think she went there?
Meaning: The grandmother passed away /dies.
Reason: She might have passed away due to illness or old age.

5. Who are the two people in the photograph?

Grandmother and the persona.

6. How does the persona describe her grandmother?

Kind, old smile around her eyes. /She is small.

7. In stanza 1, what does the persona see in her grandmother’s eye?

She sees death in her grandmother’s eye.

8. What are the most vivid attributes you remember about your own grandmother?
Yes, I remember my grandmother. I remember how she told me stories about the past. She even
cooked me delicious meals. /She comforted me when I am sad /She gave me life advice.

9. What is the setting of this poem?

At home where old photograph is kept.

10. How old was the persona when the photograph was taken?
The persona was 3 years old when the photograph was taken.

11. Why do you think the grandmother’s characteristic change in stanza 2?

She has grown older and probably fallen sick.
12. Do you think the persona was close to her grandmother? Give one evidence from the poem
to support your answer
Response: Yes, the persona was close to her grandmother.
Evidence: She still has vivid memories of her grandmother. Although the grandmother has
passed away. /She still remember how her smile.

13. In stanza 1, what does the line Her sharp blue eyes look her own death in the eye mean?
It means that death is near for her grandmother.

14. In stanza 1, where does the persona see her grandmother?

She sees her in the photograph.

15. Name one theme of the poem.

Family relationship /Death is a natural part of life /Appreciating the love ones.

16. Do you think The Living Photograph is a suitable title for the poem? Provide a reason to
support your answer.
Response: Yes, it is.
Reason: It is because it could help to keep the memory of the photograph alive in the persona’s
heart.

17. In stanza 1, what does the phrase white hand in black hand tell you about the race of the
grandmother and the persona?
The grandmother and the persona are from in different races.

18. Compare the grandmother in stanza 1 and 2. Name one difference.

The grandmother is tall at stanza 1 but not at stanza 2 because she has shrunk /become hunched
due to old age and illness

19. Which word in the poem mean unimaginable?

The word is ‘unthinkable’.

20. Do you think the grandparents are important to you? Provide a reason to support you
answer.
Response: Yes, they are important.
Reason: They provide good advice and words of wisdom for the younger generation. /They are
the parents of our parents. Therefore, they are very important people in the family.
21. In stanza 1, who is holding the persona’s hand?
The grandmother is holding the persona’s hand.

22. What word in the poem means horrible?

The word is ‘awful’.
23. What is the tone of the poem?
Sad and reminiscing.

24. Aside from taking photographs, what can you do to keep the memory of a loved one alive?
Provide a reason for your suggestion.
Suggestion: Keep their belonging. /Spend as much time as possible with our loves one.
Reason: It is because it could remind us of them. /By spending time together, we will create
memories that can be cherished.

25. What is stanza 1 about?

Stanza 1 is about the description of the persona’s grandmother.

26. In stanza 2, which line tells us that the persona grandmother has passed away?
‘She went to awful place that grandmothers go’.

27. In stanza 3, what does the line the crinkled smile is still living, breathing mean?
It means that the grandmother is still alive in the persona’s heart.

28. Do you like the poem? Give a reason to support your answer.
Response: Yes, I do.
Reason: It is because it shows unconditional love between grandchildren and grandparents. /It
shows that photograph are very important in our life

29. The persona says that the grandmother went to an ‘unknown place’. What is that place?
Why do you think the persona called it ‘unknown’?
The ‘unknown place’ is ‘death’. Since we are not really sure what happens to us or where we go
after we die, the persona calls it the ‘unknown’.

30. Describe the relationship between the persona and the grandmother.
Full of love and affection.
31. In stanza 1,
i) What does the word there refer to?
A photograph of the persona with her grandmother.

ii) How did the persona’s grandmother wear her hair?

She wore her hair in a bun.

32. The grandmother was kind towards the persona although she is of a different race and
colour.
i. Why do you think the grandmother treated the persona kindly?

ii. Why do you think it is important to avoid racial prejudice in today’s society?
Racial prejudice will only make people feel threatened and look at each other with
distrust. Thus, if we avoid social prejudice there will be harmony in today’s society.

33. In stanza 2,
i) Name one common feature of people in their old age.
Hunched /forgetful /have wrinkles

ii) What do you understand by the phrase Somewhere unknown, unthinkable?

It means the other world that people go when they die.

34. In stanza 2,
i) Which word shows that the grandmother was unable to stand up straight?
The word ‘hunched’.

ii) What happened to the soup?

The soup did not boil.

35. The grandmother experienced physical and mental decline as she grew older.
i) Why do you think the persona still remember the grandmother in her younger
days?

ii) Why do you think the grandmother had that look?

She knew that she might not have much time to live and thus she willingly accepted the
fact.
 WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO LULU? (by Charles Causley)

1. In stanza 1, what is the persona asking the mother?

The persona is asking the mother where his sister is.

2. In stanza 2, what causes the circle on the dusty shell?

The circle mark is caused by the moneybox which was left on a dusty shelf.

3. In stanza 3, which line shows the persona’s mother is crying?

The line “And why do the tear-drops fall?”

4. Who do you think writes the note? Why do you think the person writes the notes?
I think Lulu wrote the letter. She wrote it because she wanted to tell her mother about her leaving
home.

5. In stanza 1, what does the ‘rag-doll’ symbolize?

The rag-doll symbolizes Lulu’s childhood and innocence.

6. In stanza 3 line 1, what is the persona asking the mother?

The persona asks the mother why she looks another way away from him.

7. In stanza 4, why do you think the mother is wandering about in the house?
It is because she feels worried and maybe confused not knowing what to do.

8. How do you feel if your brother/sister is missing? Why do you say so?
Response: I feel worried/sad
Reason: It is because I did not know if he/she doing fine out there /He/she is my family member and
he/she should be at home with the rest of the family member.

9. According to the persona, what does Lulu take with her?

Lulu takes her money-box

10. What is the mood of the poem?

The mood is sad /confused /full of anxiety.
11. Did you enjoy the poem? Why do you say so?
Answer: Yes, I did.
Reason: It is because this situation is based on true event that happened to teenagers nowadays and
there are many lessons to be earned.

12. In stanza 4, what awakens the persona?

The persona awake to the sound of voices and a car engine.

13. State to moral values you have learned from the poem.
i) We must respect our parents because they have been taking care of us since we are young.
ii) We must tell the truth when someone asks us questions.
iii) We should not entertain in the idea of running away from home.
iv) We should be concerned about our parents’ feeling.

14. In your opinion, what do you think Lulu has done? Why do you say so?
Response: She has run away from home.
Reason: It is because Lulu has run away in the middle of the night when someone in a car comes to
get.

15. In stanza 1, what are lying in the bed?

And old rag-doll and a shoes are lying in the bed.

16. In stanza 3, why does the mother throw the note in the fire?
It is because she does not want the persona to know the content of the note.

17. In stanza 4, what does the mother tell the persona?

The mother tells the persona that everything that he hears are only a dream.

18. In your opinion, why does Lulu leave the home?

Response: She feels her family does not understand her.
Reason: She has a quarrel with her mother that she decided to leave home.

19. Where are the mother and the persona?

The mother and the persona are in the living room.
20. In stanza 5, the persona hears someone cry in the night. Who do you think is crying? Why do
you think this person is crying?
I think Lulu is crying. It is because she has a fight with her mother.

21. Imagine you are the mother. Would you answer the persona’s question? Why do you say so?
Answer: No, I won’t.
Reason: It is because he still small that he would not understand the situation.

Answer: Yes, I will.

Reason: It is because it is better to tell the truth.

22. Who are the personas in the poem and where are they?
The personas are the brother and mother of the missing Lulu. They are in Lulu’s bedroom.

23. Why do you think the window is open?

It is open because Lulu left the house by climbing out the window.

24. How would you describe the persona’s mother feeling?

She feels sad and probably, responsible for Lulu’s actions.

25. ‘And say it is nothing at all.’

Why does the persona’s mother say that? Is it right for her to make light of the situation?
Reason: She says that to help the persona get over the situation and not feel sad about his sister.
Opinion: No, I don’t think it is right as the persona has the right to know the actual situation unless
he is a small of six and below.

26. What does the persona observe about the sister’s room?
He observed that there are an old rag doll and a shoe.

27. In stanza 3, list the actions of the persona’s mother.

She shakes her head, cries, crumples a note and says it is nothing at all.

28. How does the persona’s mother try to calm him concerning the sounds he heard the night
before?
She tells him the sounds are part of a dream and attributes the cries of pain or anger them to the rain.
29. ‘What has happened to Lulu’
How does the sentence reflect the persona’s feeling? If you know of someone who has this
problem of a missing sibling, what would you say to him or her?
Reflection of feeling: It shows the persona feels sad and hopeless
Advice: I would advise the person to be calm and investigate why the sibling went missing.

30. How do we know that the mother is sad about Lulu’s disappearance?
We know that the mother is sad from her reactions and her look helplessness.

31. What does the ‘flipping of the curtains’ signify?

It signifies that Lulu climbed out the window in her escape.

32. What is the theme of this poem?

The theme is appreciation of family love and concern.

33. ‘And by its side a shoe’

What does this tell you about the way Lulu left the house? What possible reasons would Lulu
have for doing what she did?
Impression: It gives the impression that she left hurriedly and noiselessly so as not to disturb the
family.
Reasons: The reasons could be unhappiness with her situation at home or she was influenced by a
friend or friends.

34. [SPM 2016]

a) And why do you crumple that note on the fire [Stanza 3]
i) Why do you think the note is about?
I think the note is from Lulu telling that she has run away.

ii) Why do you think Lulu’s mother crumpled the note on the fire?
Lulu’s mother probably felt very upset when she read the note and that is why crumpled
it. /Lulu’s mother crumpled the note on fire to avoid the persona from knowing the
content of the note.

b) The poem mentions waking up to voices. Whose voice do you think are heard? Suggest one.
The voice were probably Lulu’s voice and the boyfriend’s whom she had run away with.
c) In your opinion, why didn’t Lulu take the rag-doll with her when she left?
Explain.
Lulu probably did not take the rag-doll with her when she left because she no longer has the need
for a rag-doll since she is most probably a teenager.