Question 1: Identify one poetic device used in the opening lines and explain its effect.

Answer: Repetition emphasises the questioning of authority and tradition.

Question 2: What does the phrase 'checking out me history' suggest about the speaker’s attitude towards history?

Answer: It suggests a critical approach and a desire to reclaim personal history.

Question 3: Describe how the poet uses dialect in this extract and discuss its impact.

Answer: The use of dialect makes the poem more authentic and personal, emphasizing cultural identity and giving voice to marginalised communities.

Question 4: Identify and analyse one structural feature in the extract.

Answer: The irregular line lengths and enjambment create a conversational tone and reflect the speaker’s spontaneous questioning.

Question 5: What is the significance of the repetition of ‘Wha deh deh, a who fe tell me?’?

Answer: It underscores the speaker’s challenge to authoritative narratives and emphasizes personal agency.

Question 6: Discuss how Agard’s use of Caribbean dialect influences the tone of the poem.

Answer: The dialect creates an intimate, authentic voice that celebrates cultural identity and challenges a dominant, perhaps colonial, perspective.

Question 7: Identify one metaphor or symbol in the extract and explain its significance.

Answer: The phrase ‘carving out me identity’ symbolises reclaiming and shaping one’s own sense of self from history and culture.

Question 8: How does the structure of the poem contribute to its overall message?

Answer: The repetitive structure and rhythmic flow reinforce the theme of questioning authority and celebrating self-empowerment.

Question 9: Reflect on how this extract makes you think about the importance of history and identity in your own life.

Answer: Answers will vary; students should consider how personal history shapes identity and the importance of challenging dominant narratives.