‘How To Be Old’ Questions
1. How does the diction in the title encourage the reader to approach the rest of the
poem? (2)
2. Explain how the use of simple sentences in lines 1-5 enhances the tone and message of the poem. (4)
3. How does the simile described in 7-11 imply a key theme in the poem? (4)
4. What effect does the use of brackets have in conveying the key idea in line 12 (2)
5. Consider the lines “every day congratulate/ one’s aging face in the mirror”.
What would the difference in effect be is the poet had used ‘acknowledge’ instead of
‘congratulate’ in this line? (2)
6. Consider the final stanza. How does the repetition of ‘in time’ as well as the rhythm
in this stanza create an emotive impact on the reader. (2)
7. Consider the last two lines of the poem.
They contain a paradox.
Identify and explain how this paradox helps convey the central argument of the
poem. (3)
‘Kubla Khan’ Questions:
1. What is the significance of the ‘stately pleasure dome’ (line 2) in the context of the poem as a
whole? (3).
2. Consider lines 1-5.
How does the diction help to create a particular mood in these lines? (3)
3. Several different yet related themes inform this poem. Choose the two themes that you think to be
the most important and discuss each theme in its own paragraph. Work closely with the text. (6).
4. Choose one figure of speech in stanza 2 and comment on how this image enhances the mood in this
stanza. (3)
5. The poem has been voted the best poem in 2017/2018 syllabus. To what extent do you agree with
this vote? Substantiate. (4)
6. Consider lines 45-46. In your own words explain what these lines suggest. (3).
‘Stealing’ Questions:
1. The poem begins and starts with a question. What is the emotive effect on the reader of using this
device? (3)
2. How does the sentence structure in stanza one enhance the atmosphere created? Quote to
substantiate your answer. (4)
3. Consider the opening sentence of stanza two: “Better off dead that giving in, not taking what you
want.” Argue that this line proves the political intention of the poem. (2)
4. Now, consider stanza 3. Using specific reference to this stanza, prove that Duffy’s intention was
also to explore the psychology of a deviant young criminal.
5. Identify one example of alliteration and discuss how it creates a particular impact. (2)
6. How does the diction used in stanza 4 show how the actions and mood of the speaker shift? (4)
7. The snowman is referred to throughout the poem. What do you think its symbolic connotations
are? Substantiate your answer. (3)
1. How does the diction in the title encourage the reader to approach the rest of the
poem? (2)
2. Explain how the use of simple sentences in lines 1-5 enhances the tone and message of the poem. (4)
3. How does the simile described in 7-11 imply a key theme in the poem? (4)
4. What effect does the use of brackets have in conveying the key idea in line 12 (2)
5. Consider the lines “every day congratulate/ one’s aging face in the mirror”.
What would the difference in effect be is the poet had used ‘acknowledge’ instead of
‘congratulate’ in this line? (2)
6. Consider the final stanza. How does the repetition of ‘in time’ as well as the rhythm
in this stanza create an emotive impact on the reader. (2)
7. Consider the last two lines of the poem.
They contain a paradox.
Identify and explain how this paradox helps convey the central argument of the
poem. (3)
‘Kubla Khan’ Questions:
1. What is the significance of the ‘stately pleasure dome’ (line 2) in the context of the poem as a
whole? (3).
2. Consider lines 1-5.
How does the diction help to create a particular mood in these lines? (3)
3. Several different yet related themes inform this poem. Choose the two themes that you think to be
the most important and discuss each theme in its own paragraph. Work closely with the text. (6).
4. Choose one figure of speech in stanza 2 and comment on how this image enhances the mood in this
stanza. (3)
5. The poem has been voted the best poem in 2017/2018 syllabus. To what extent do you agree with
this vote? Substantiate. (4)
6. Consider lines 45-46. In your own words explain what these lines suggest. (3).
‘Stealing’ Questions:
1. The poem begins and starts with a question. What is the emotive effect on the reader of using this
device? (3)
2. How does the sentence structure in stanza one enhance the atmosphere created? Quote to
substantiate your answer. (4)
3. Consider the opening sentence of stanza two: “Better off dead that giving in, not taking what you
want.” Argue that this line proves the political intention of the poem. (2)
4. Now, consider stanza 3. Using specific reference to this stanza, prove that Duffy’s intention was
also to explore the psychology of a deviant young criminal.
5. Identify one example of alliteration and discuss how it creates a particular impact. (2)
6. How does the diction used in stanza 4 show how the actions and mood of the speaker shift? (4)
7. The snowman is referred to throughout the poem. What do you think its symbolic connotations
are? Substantiate your answer. (3)
