Question 1: Identify and mark the regular iambic pentameter pattern in the first line of the extract.

Answer: da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM

Question 2: What effect does the variation in the third line ('Rough winds do shake...') have on the rhythm?

Answer: It disrupts the regular metre, creating a jarring effect that emphasises the wind's impact.

Question 3: Which poetic technique is used in the line 'Nor shall death brag thou wander'st in his shade'?

Answer: Personification

Question 4: Describe how breaking the pattern in the line 'And summer's lease hath all too short a date' affects the reader's perception of summer.

Answer: Students should explore how the variation draws attention to the transient nature of summer, emphasising its fleeting beauty.

Question 5: Identify the technique used in the phrase 'When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st'.

Answer: Imagery and metaphor

Question 6: Explain how the poem maintains its rhythm despite the variations.

Answer: The poem uses mainly iambic pentameter with occasional substitutions and variations to maintain flow.

Question 7: Creative Task: Write a quatrain in iambic pentameter that subtly breaks the pattern to emphasise a contrasting idea (e.g., serenity vs. chaos). Include a brief checklist of features to include.

Answer: See full answer key

Question 8: What is the effect of using a caesura (pause) in a line that breaks the metre intentionally?

Answer: It creates emphasis, adds dramatic tension, or reflects a shift in mood or thought.

Question 9: Analyze how the variations in metre contribute to the overall tone of the sonnet.

Answer: Students should discuss how rhythmic interruptions affect the emotional impact, perhaps creating tension, emphasis, or a sense of unpredictability that aligns with the poem’s themes.