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Read the poem carefully and then answer the set questions - NSC English FAL - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 6
Read the poem carefully and then answer the set questions. The number of marks allocated to each question serves as a guide to the expected length of your answer. E... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read the poem carefully and then answer the set questions - NSC English FAL - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Describe the setting of this poem.
Answer
The setting of the poem takes place in Lushington, the speaker's hometown, where he reflects on the ruins of his former school. He observes the wild plants overtaking the once-familiar space, indicating decay and loss. The presence of a renovated church and a cemetery nearby highlights the passage of time and change in the community, contrasting the vibrance of past experiences with the present desolation.
Step 2
Refer to line 3 (where I was patiently moulded).
Answer
The speaker's attitude towards his teachers is one of gratitude and appreciation. He recognizes the significant role they played in shaping him during his formative years, suggesting a strong, positive connection despite the current state of ruin.
Step 4
Refer to lines 16–19 (A short distance ... formerly, now a Methodist).
Answer
One difference in the description of the school and the church is that the school is described in ruins and in a state of disrepair, while the church has been renovated and still serves a purpose in the community. This reflects the transformation and neglect faced by the school compared to the ongoing life of the church.
Step 5
Why is the following statement FALSE? The speaker feels no remorse for fighting on the school grounds.
Answer
The statement is false because the speaker expresses a sense of shame and loss regarding his former school and its decay. This suggests that he reflects on his past actions and feels a connection to the consequences of his experiences rather than a lack of remorse.
Step 7
Why are the graves not in the same condition as the graveyard?
Answer
The graves are maintained by the families of the deceased who visit to clean and put flowers, while the graveyard itself is described as being unkempt. This highlights the difference between personal remembrance and communal neglect, reflecting the broader themes of change and loss in the speaker's life.
Step 8
Step 9
The speaker is justified in feeling a sense of loss when he visits Lushington.
Answer
The speaker's sense of loss is justified as he confronts the stark changes in his hometown, particularly the decay of his former school and the alterations to familiar places. This evokes feelings of nostalgia and disconnection from a past that once held meaning for him, reinforcing the theme of inevitable change.