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O-LevelLiterature in EnglishPoetry2010/12 · Oct/Nov 2021 · Q325 Marks

Either 3 Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it: The Caged Skylark As a dare-gale skylark scanted in a dull cage, Man's mounting spirit in his bone-house, mean house, dwells - That bird beyond the remembering his free fells; This in drudgery, day-labouring-out life's age. Though aloft on turf or perch or poor low stage Both sing sometimes the sweetest, sweetest spells, Yet both droop deadly sómetimes in their cells Or wring their barriers in bursts of fear or rage. Not that the sweet-fowl, song-fowl, needs no rest – Why, hear him, hear him babble and drop down to his nest, But his own nest, wild nest, no prison. Man's spirit will be flesh-bound when found at best, But uncumberèd: meadow-down is not distressed For a rainbow footing it nor he for his bónes rísen. (Gerard Manley Hopkins)

  1. Explore the ways in which Hopkins uses words and images so strikingly in this poem.[25]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. Marking for this paper is based on generic level descriptors, not specific point-based criteria. Questions are assessed holistically across a mark range (0-25). The following criteria describe a top-level (Level 8) response:
  2. [25] demonstrates knowledge by incorporating well-selected reference to the text skilfully and with flair (AO1).
  3. [25] sustains a critical understanding of the text showing individuality and insight (AO2).
  4. [25] responds sensitively and in considerable detail to the way the writer achieves her/his effects (AO3).
  5. [25] sustains personal and evaluative engagement with task and text (AO4).

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About this question

Topic
Poetry, O-Level Literature in English (syllabus 2010). Structured question, 25 marks.
Source
O-Level Literature in English, Oct/Nov 2021 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 3.

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