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O-LevelLiterature in EnglishPoetry2010/12 · Oct/Nov 2021 · Q525 Marks

CAROL ANN DUFFY: from New Selected Poems 1984–2004 Remember to support your ideas with details from the writing. Either 5 Read this poem, and then answer the question that follows it: Head of English Today we have a poet in the class. A real live poet with a published book. Notice the inkstained fingers girls. Perhaps we're going to witness verse hot from the press. Who knows. Please show your appreciation by clapping. Not too loud. Now 5 sit up straight and listen. Remember the lesson on assonance, for not all poems, sadly, rhyme these days. Still. Never mind. Whispering's, as always, out of bounds – but do feel free to raise some questions. 10 After all, we're paying forty pounds. Those of you with English Second Language see me after break. We're fortunate to have this person in our midst. 15 Season of mists and so on and so forth. I've written quite a bit of poetry myself, am doing Kipling with the Lower Fourth. Right. That's enough from me. On with the Muse. Open a window at the back. We don't 20 want winds of change about the place. Take notes, but don't write reams. Just an essay on the poet's themes. Fine. Off we go. Convince us that there's something we don't know. Well. Really. Run along now girls. I'm sure that gave an insight to an outside view. Applause will do. Thank you 25 very much for coming here today. Lunch in the hall? Do hang about. Unfortunately I have to dash. Tracey will show you out.

  1. How does Duffy make this poem so entertaining?[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 5.

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