SONGS OF OURSELVES VOLUME 1: from Part 5 Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 1 Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it: For Heidi With Blue Hair When you dyed your hair blue (or, at least, ultramarine for the clipped sides, with a crest of jet-black spikes on top) you were sent home from school 5 because, as the headmistress put it, although dyed hair was not specifically forbidden, yours was, apart from anything else, not done in the school colours. 10 Tears in the kitchen, telephone-calls to school from your freedom-loving father: 'She's not a punk in her behaviour; it's just a style.' (You wiped your eyes, also not in a school colour.) 15 'She discussed it with me first – we checked the rules.' 'And anyway, Dad, it cost twenty-five dollars. Tell them it won't wash out – not even if I wanted to try.' 20 It would have been unfair to mention your mother's death, but that shimmered behind the arguments. The school had nothing else against you; the teachers twittered and gave in. 25 Next day your black friend had hers done in grey, white and flaxen yellow – the school colours precisely: an act of solidarity, a witty tease. The battle was already won. 30 (Fleur Adcock)
- How does Adcock make this poem so moving?[25]
Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- demonstrates knowledge by incorporating well-selected reference to the text skilfully and with flair (AO1)
- sustains a critical understanding of the text showing individuality and insight (AO2)
- responds sensitively and in considerable detail to the way the writer achieves her / his effects (AO3)
- sustains personal and evaluative engagement with task and text (AO4)
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