Family Bonds: Before You Were Mine - Comprehension Practice
English
Year 9
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
A comprehension worksheet focusing on 'Before You Were Mine', exploring themes of family, memory, and mystery through analytical questions.
Worksheet Preview
Full preview • 8 questions
Family Bonds: Before You Were Mine - Comprehension Practice
Subject: EnglishGrade: Year 9
Name:
Date:
TeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizz
Untitled Worksheet
Grade Year 9
A
Scene Summary and Context
The poem 'Before You Were Mine' by Carol Ann Duffy examines the narrator's reflection on her mother's youth before motherhood, highlighting themes of nostalgia, secrecy, and the elusive nature of the past. The scene is set in a lively, yet mysterious social environment, hinting at unresolved stories and unspoken truths. The narrator perceives her mother's former life as a space filled with glamour, secrets, and a hint of mystery, suggesting that some parts of her identity remain hidden or unknowable. The poem employs vivid imagery and subtle hints to evoke a sense of intrigue about the hidden stories behind family portraits and shared memories. As the narrator explores her mother's past, questions about identity, chance, and the unrecorded stories of youth come to the fore, emphasizing the complexity of familial bonds intertwined with mystery and the unknown.
B
Questions
Answer the following questions based on the scene summary and your understanding of the poem.
1.
What is the main theme of 'Before You Were Mine' as suggested by the scene summary?
[2 marks]2.
Identify one literary device used by Duffy to evoke a sense of mystery in the poem.
[2 marks]3.
Explain how the social environment described contributes to the mysterious tone of the poem.
[4 marks]4.
What does the phrase 'elusive nature of the past' imply about the narrator's perception?
[2 marks]5.
Which technique does Duffy use to suggest that some stories about the past are 'hidden' or 'unrecorded'?
Aa) Rhyme scheme
Bb) Vivid imagery
Cc) Unanswered questions
Dd) Formal tone
6.
Describe how the theme of mystery affects the reader’s perception of family relationships in the poem.
[4 marks]7.
Identify and explain one poetic technique used in the poem to create a reflective mood.
[2 marks]8.
Imagine you are the mother in the poem. Write a brief diary entry (around 100 words) about your feelings when reflecting on your youth, incorporating a sense of mystery.
[4 marks]Unlock Full Worksheet & Answers
Get instant access to the complete worksheet, answer keys, and 1,899 others
Unlimited answer keys for all worksheets
Download clean, formatted PDFs
Customize and remix any worksheet
Cancel anytime • No commitment • Start today
Quick Actions
What is Remix?
Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.
- • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
- • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
- • Add more questions (10 → 15)
- • Adjust difficulty
Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
- worksheet