LIZZYGOLD TUTORIALS
2023 ENG1501 ASSIGNMENT 01
BASED ON THE POEM ‘HIGHER EDUCATION’ BY B. W.
VILAKAZI
Questions answered.
1. Refer to stanzas one to three.
1.1In the first stanza, the speaker describes two contrasting experiences. Write two sentences in which
you explain the contrast. (2)
1.2 The second stanza gives a hint as to what may have led to this contrast in experiences. Write a
sentence in which you explain in your own words what the speaker means when he refers to “books
/ whose authors’ skins were white” (lines 8-9) and then write another sentence in which you give a
reason as to why this may cause him to feel discomfort. (2)
1.3 In the third stanza, the speaker presents a possible solution to the dilemma he is facing. Identify
and explain the imagery used to describe the solution. (3)
1.4 Is this attempt at a solution successful? Quote from the poem to support your answer. (2)
2. Refer to stanzas four to six.
2.1 In these stanzas, the speaker describes several things that he has lost or missed out on due to his
love of learning. Identify three such things from the poem and explain why the speaker is in this
position. (3)
2.2 Identify three words in stanza six used to describe the speaker’s experience of his studies.
Explain the connotations of these words and then indicate what they suggest about his experience (5)
3. Refer to stanzas seven and eight.
3.1 Quote an example of personification in stanza eight and comment on its effect on meaning. (2)
4. Refer to stanzas nine to eleven.
4.1 The speaker’s tone at the beginning of the poem is weary and defeated. In stanzas nine and ten,
there is a change in tone. What is the tone in stanzas nine to eleven? Quote two words or phrases to
support your answer. (3)
4.2 Why do you think the speaker continues with his studies despite all the challenges? Quote from
the poem to substantiate your answer. (2)
4.2 Do you think the speaker achieves his desires? Explain your answer. (1)
2023 ENG1501 ASSIGNMENT 01
BASED ON THE POEM ‘HIGHER EDUCATION’ BY B. W.
VILAKAZI
Questions answered.
1. Refer to stanzas one to three.
1.1In the first stanza, the speaker describes two contrasting experiences. Write two sentences in which
you explain the contrast. (2)
1.2 The second stanza gives a hint as to what may have led to this contrast in experiences. Write a
sentence in which you explain in your own words what the speaker means when he refers to “books
/ whose authors’ skins were white” (lines 8-9) and then write another sentence in which you give a
reason as to why this may cause him to feel discomfort. (2)
1.3 In the third stanza, the speaker presents a possible solution to the dilemma he is facing. Identify
and explain the imagery used to describe the solution. (3)
1.4 Is this attempt at a solution successful? Quote from the poem to support your answer. (2)
2. Refer to stanzas four to six.
2.1 In these stanzas, the speaker describes several things that he has lost or missed out on due to his
love of learning. Identify three such things from the poem and explain why the speaker is in this
position. (3)
2.2 Identify three words in stanza six used to describe the speaker’s experience of his studies.
Explain the connotations of these words and then indicate what they suggest about his experience (5)
3. Refer to stanzas seven and eight.
3.1 Quote an example of personification in stanza eight and comment on its effect on meaning. (2)
4. Refer to stanzas nine to eleven.
4.1 The speaker’s tone at the beginning of the poem is weary and defeated. In stanzas nine and ten,
there is a change in tone. What is the tone in stanzas nine to eleven? Quote two words or phrases to
support your answer. (3)
4.2 Why do you think the speaker continues with his studies despite all the challenges? Quote from
the poem to substantiate your answer. (2)
4.2 Do you think the speaker achieves his desires? Explain your answer. (1)
