Poem 9162020: KCSE English Poetry Questions and Answers

Poetry Questions and Answers

Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow.

Thou art indeed just, Lord, if I contend

With thee; but, sir, so what I plead is just.

Why do sinners’ way prosper? and why must

Disappointment all I endeavour end?

Wert thou my enemy O thou my friend

How wouldst thou worse, I wonder, than thou dost

Defeat, thwart me? Oh, the sots and thralls of lust

Do spare hours more thrive than, that spend,

Sir, life upon thy cause. See, banks and breaks

Now, leavèd how thick! lacèd they are again

With fretty cherril, look, and fresh wind shakes

Them; birds build – but not I build; no, but strain,

Time’s enough, and not breed one work that wakes.

Mine, O thou lord of life, send my roots rain.

Questions

(i)    Identify four examples of assonance in the poem.    (2mks)   
(ii)    Write out and describe the rhyme scheme of the poem.    (2mks)
(iii)    How would you perform the last line of the poem?    (2mks)
(iv)    Indicate whether the following lines in the poem would be said with a falling or rising intonation. (2mks)
    a)    Why do sinners’ way prosper?   ..…
    b)    Disappointment all I endeavor end? …

Answer

(i) Identify four examples of assonance in the poem.     (2mks)

• deed, if
• but, just
• endeavour, end  
• wonder, dost
•  (any other answer) (4 x ½ = 2mks)

(ii) Write out and describe the rhyme scheme of the poem.    (2mks)

• abba  abba  cd cd cd   – Regular rhyme scheme

(iii) How would you perform the last line of the poem?   (2mks)

• I would kneel and raise my eyes, use a low, prayerful tone to capture the essence of  prayer. (Any other appropriate verbal + non verbal cue).

(iv) Indicate whether the following lines in the poem would be said with a falling or rising intonation.   (2mks)

• Why do sinners way prosper?         Falling intonation
• Disappointment all I endeavor end?   Rising intonation

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