Skip to main content
O-LevelLiterature in EnglishPoetry2010/12 · May/June 2020 · Q525 Marks

Either 5 Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it: Stealing The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman. Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate with a mind as cold as the slice of ice within my own brain. I started with the head. Better off dead than giving in, not taking what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso, frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough. Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look. I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera. I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob. A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this – Aah. It took some time. Reassembled in the yard, he didn't look the same. I took a run and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world. Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself. One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once, flogged it, but the snowman was strangest. You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you? In what ways does Duffy make this such a disturbing poem?

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [25] demonstrates knowledge by incorporating well-selected reference to the text skilfully and with flair (AO1)
  2. [25] sustains a critical understanding of the text showing individuality and insight (AO2)
  3. [25] responds sensitively and in considerable detail to the way the writer achieves her/his effects (AO3)
  4. [25] sustains personal and evaluative engagement with task and text (AO4)

Write your answer and get it marked

On Oracle Prep you can write or photograph your own answer and have it marked by AI against this mark scheme, with feedback on what you missed.

Sign up free →

About this question

Topic
Poetry, O-Level Literature in English (syllabus 2010). Structured question, 25 marks.
Source
O-Level Literature in English, May/June 2020 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 5.

Questions and mark schemes are from past examination papers and remain the copyright of the exam board. How Oracle Prep builds its content

Related Literature in English questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep