Question 1: Identify two poetic techniques used in the extract and explain their effect.

Answer: Possible techniques include metaphor ('shadow veiled in sorrow’s cast') and personification ('love that did not last'). These create a vivid emotional tone and deepen the sense of loss.

Question 2: What is the significance of the repeated use of the word 'silence' in the extract?

Answer: It emphasises the loss and emotional numbness experienced by the speaker, highlighting the theme of mourning.

Question 3: Identify the grammatical structure of the phrase 'a wound that time cannot console'. What is its function?

Answer: It is a relative clause ('that time cannot console') functioning as an adjective describing 'wound'.

Question 4: Find and explain the use of any alliteration in the extract.

Answer: An example is 'silent fire', where the repetition of the 's' sound creates a soft, hissing effect that mirrors the quiet but intense pain.

Question 5: List three adjectives used in the extract and discuss how they contribute to the mood.

Answer: Adjectives include 'silent', 'broken', and 'cold'. They evoke a mood of sorrow, despair, and emotional numbness.

Question 6: Describe the use of punctuation in the lines: 'Your absence cuts, a dagger in my soul, a wound that time cannot console;'. How does it affect the reading?

Answer: The commas create pauses that emphasise the pain and separation, making the reader slow down and reflect on the intensity of the emotions.

Question 7: Write a short paragraph analysing how the poet uses grammatical structures to express grief in the extract.

Answer: Students should explore the use of descriptive noun phrases, relative clauses, and punctuation to convey deep emotional pain, emphasizing the lasting impact of loss.

Question 8: Identify and explain the effect of the repetition of the phrase 'in silence' in the extract.

Answer: Repetition underscores the theme of unspoken grief and emotional withdrawal, reinforcing the depth of the speaker's sorrow.

Question 9: Create a short creative writing piece (around 20 lines) inspired by the themes of loss and longing in the extract. Include a checklist of the following: mood setting, use of imagery, emotional tone, and grammatical variety.

Answer: Students will craft a reflective poem or prose piece focusing on personal feelings of loss, incorporating descriptive language, varied sentence structures, and emotive vocabulary.