English Literature FORM 5

Volume 1 1/8/2011

Nature

The poem Nature talks about the beauty of nature. The poet describes natures beauty in his homeland, Jamaica. Jamaica does not have four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) but it experiences many kinds of different days/seasons. People in Jamaica experience sunny days, rainy days, windy days and dry days. Each days/seasons brings about its own natural beauty. The best season for the poet is the harvest season when plants and animals transform the land into a beautiful landscape.

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

This e-Book contains 10 sets of questions, each set has 4 questions. All together there are 40 questions.

This sample e-book was produced to provide

extra materials for students looking for extra literature exercises.

The 40 sample questions tests students of their

understanding of this poem from different literature aspects.

Sample answers are provided at the end of this

e-book. Students are advised to check their answers with their teachers to get a clearer picture.

A great way to get yourself ready before your SPM examination.

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

English Literature
Nature

SET 1

We have neither Summer nor Winter Neither Autumn nor Spring, We have instead the days When the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields - Magnificently. The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds. Also there are the days when the leaves fade from off guango trees And the reaped cane fields lie bare and fallow to the sun. But the best of all there the days when the mango and the logwood blossoms When the bushes are full of the sounds of bees and the scent of honey, When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air, When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

H.D. Carberry

1.

What does the poet highlight in this poem?

[ 1 mark ]

2.

What type of climate does his country have?

[ 1 mark ]

3.

Which line shows that it rains heavily in the poets homeland?

[ 1 mark ]

4.

Do you think the persona is a very perceptive person?

[ 2 mark ]

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

English Literature
Nature

SET 2

We have neither Summer nor Winter Neither Autumn nor Spring. We have instead the days When the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields - Magnificently. The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds. Also there are the days when the leaves fade from off guango trees And the reaped cane fields lie bare and fallow to the sun. But the best of all there the days when the mango and the logwood blossoms When the bushes are full of the sounds of bees and the scent of honey, When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air, When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

H.D. Carberry

1.

State one theme that is related to this poem?

[ 1 mark ]

2.

Who is the persona of this poem?

[ 1 mark ]

3.

Which line in this poem shows strong wind?

[ 1 mark ]

4.

What do you understand with the term the rain beats like bullets ?
[ 2 mark ]

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

English Literature
Nature

SET 3

We have neither Summer nor Winter Neither Autumn nor Spring, We have instead the days When the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields - Magnificently. The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds. Also there are the days when the leaves fade from off guango trees And the reaped cane fields lie bare and fallow to the sun. But the best of all there the days when the mango and the logwood blossoms When the bushes are full of the sounds of bees and the scent of honey, When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air, When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

H.D. Carberry

1.

Which phrase suggests personas homeland experiences dry days?

[ 1 mark ]

2.

What is the tone of this poem?

[ 1 mark ]

3.

Which literary device is used in line 8 and 13?

[ 1 mark ]

4.

What do you understand with the term struggling in the high Jamaican winds ?
[ 2 mark ]

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

English Literature
Nature

SET 4

We have neither Summer nor Winter Neither Autumn nor Spring, We have instead the days When the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields - Magnificently. The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds. Also there are the days when the leaves fade from off guango trees And the reaped cane fields lie bare and fallow to the sun. But the best of all there the days when the mango and the logwood blossoms When the bushes are full of the sounds of bees and the scent of honey, When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air, When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

H.D. Carberry

1.

Which phrase shows that one day all have to grow old and die?
[ 1 mark ]

2.

State one moral value that you found in this poem?

[ 1 mark ]

3.

What does the phrase rains have gone refer to?

[ 1 mark ]

4.

What lesson have you learnt from this poem?

[ 2 mark ]

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

English Literature
Nature

SET 5

We have neither Summer nor Winter Neither Autumn nor Spring, We have instead the days When the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields - Magnificently. The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds. Also there are the days when the leaves fade from off guango trees And the reaped cane fields lie bare and fallow to the sun. But the best of all there the days when the mango and the logwood blossoms When the bushes are full of the sounds of bees and the scent of honey, When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air, When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

H.D. Carberry

1.

Which season the poet likes the most?

[ 1 mark ]

2.

What does yellow stars refer to in the poem?

[ 1 mark ]

3.

How do you describe a tropical climate?

[ 1 mark ]

4.

Describe how the beauty of nature is highlighted in this poem?

[ 2 mark ]

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

English Literature
Nature

SET 6

We have neither Summer nor Winter Neither Autumn nor Spring, We have instead the days When the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields - Magnificently. The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds. Also there are the days when the leaves fade from off guango trees And the reaped cane fields lie bare and fallow to the sun. But the best of all there the days when the mango and the logwood blossoms When the bushes are full of the sounds of bees and the scent of honey, When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air, When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

H.D. Carberry

1.

What is the name of the poets homeland?

[ 1 mark ]

2.

Which phrase suggests that the wind was very cold?

[ 1 mark ]

3.

What does the sun symbolize in this poem?

[ 1 mark ]

4.

Explain how the phrase And the trees struggling in the high Jamaican winds relates to us?
[ 2 mark ]

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

English Literature
Nature

SET 7

We have neither Summer nor Winter Neither Autumn nor Spring, We have instead the days When the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields - Magnificently. The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds. Also there are the days when the leaves fade from off guango trees And the reaped cane fields lie bare and fallow to the sun. But the best of all there the days when the mango and the logwood blossoms When the bushes are full of the sounds of bees and the scent of honey, When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air, When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

H.D. Carberry

1.

What does the word gullies mean?

[ 1 mark ]

2.

Why do the cane fields wither and leaves fall from the guango trees?
[ 1 mark ]

3.

What do line 1 and line 2 suggest in this poem?

[ 1 mark ]

4.

Name two lessons you have learnt from this poem.

[ 2 mark ]

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

English Literature
Nature

SET 8

We have neither Summer nor Winter Neither Autumn nor Spring, We have instead the days When the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields - Magnificently. The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds. Also there are the days when the leaves fade from off guango trees And the reaped cane fields lie bare and fallow to the sun. But the best of all there the days when the mango and the logwood blossoms When the bushes are full of the sounds of bees and the scent of honey, When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air, When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

H.D. Carberry

1.

What does the word fallow mean?

[ 1 mark ]

2.

What does the use of we in line 1 signify?

[ 1 mark ]

3.

What is the main setting of this poem?

[ 1 mark ]

4.

How does the phrase gold sun shines and lush green canefields reflect mans journey through life?
[ 2 mark ]

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

English Literature
Nature

SET 9

We have neither Summer nor Winter Neither Autumn nor Spring, We have instead the days When the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields - Magnificently. The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds. Also there are the days when the leaves fade from off guango trees And the reaped cane fields lie bare and fallow to the sun. But the best of all there the days when the mango and the logwood blossoms When the bushes are full of the sounds of bees and the scent of honey, When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air, When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

H.D. Carberry

1.

Why man cannot control the forces of nature?

[ 1 mark ]

2.

Why do the fields look green?

[ 1 mark ]

3.

How does the phrase in line 13 relate to a mans nature?

[ 1 mark ]

4.

What do you understand when the poet says the earth is paved with yellow stars?
[ 2 mark ]

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

English Literature
Nature

SET 10

We have neither Summer nor Winter Neither Autumn nor Spring, We have instead the days When the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields - Magnificently. The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs And there is no sound but the swish of water in the gullies And trees struggling in the high Jamaica winds. Also there are the days when the leaves fade from off guango trees And the reaped cane fields lie bare and fallow to the sun. But the best of all there the days when the mango and the logwood blossoms When the bushes are full of the sounds of bees and the scent of honey, When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air, When the buttercups have paved the earth with yellow stars And beauty comes suddenly and the rains have gone.

H.D. Carberry

1.

What is the purpose of using the literary device personification in this poem?
[ 1 mark ]

2.

Which line suggests the use of metaphor by the poet?

[ 1 mark ]

3.

The poem is talking about..?

[ 1 mark ]

4.

What actually happens when beauty comes suddenly in this poem?

[ 2 mark ]

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

Nature [ Sample Answers ]

All the answers are only sample answers which students can use as guide to check their answers. To get a clearer picture, my advise would be to check your answers with your teacher. This is because your answers may vary from these sample answers, it does not mean that your answer (s) are wrong.

Set 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. The beauty of nature in his homeland, Jamaica. A tropical climate. Line 6. I think the persona is a very perceptive person because he takes a great interest to observe the changes that happens upon nature during the various seasons throughout the year. Set 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. Beauty of nature/The many phases of life/Appreciation Of Nature/Man has no power over nature. The poet himself. Line 8. The force of heavy downpour which sound like bullets when it hits the rooftops .

Set 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. Also there are days when the leaves fade from off guango trees. Joy/ Contentment. Personification. It shows mans constant struggle in lifes challenges.

Set 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. Leaves fade from off guango trees. Appreciate natures beauty/Acceptance/Diligence/Grateful. The rainy season is over/The beginning of the warm sunny days/The difficult times in our lives are over. I have learnt that life also has many phases like nature and it can bring us both joy and sorrow. Therefore, it important that I learn to persevere and be strong to face lifes challenges. Set 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. The harvest season. The buttercups. It is hot and wet throughout the year . The beauty of nature is highlighted through various seasons; the hot sunny days, the cold wet windy and rainy days, the harvest season and the post harvest season.

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel

Nature [ Sample Answers ]

Set 6. 1. 2. 3. 4. Jamaica. When the tall grass sways and shivers to the slightest breath of air. The sun symbolizes the nice temperament of the place. In life we face challenges and have to fight and struggle to stay alive like the tall trees wrestling against the strong winds.. Set 7. 1. 2. 3. 4. A small valley/gulch/trench/ditch/gutter It is because of the intense heat from the sun. There is no spring, summer, autumn or winter in the poets homeland. I have learnt to appreciate nature and to conserve it for future generations.

Set 8. 1. 2. 3. 4. Left untilled/unsown after plowing/uncultivated/unused/vacant It signifies that the persona could also include the people of Jamaica. The poets homeland - Jamaica. We as humans experience good times and bad times in our lives. The phrase gold sun shines and lush green canefields show good days experienced during our lifes journey. Set 9. 1. 2. 3. 4. Man cannot control the forces of nature because it is a naturally occurring phenomena that is beyond mans control. The fields look green because of the sun. It shows that man also sometimes can easily be swayed by situation in life. The poet is saying that during the harvest season the whole land is filled buttercups in full bloom. Set 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. To give human-like characteristics to things. Line 8/line 9/line 13. The beauty of nature. Flowers bloom, crops bear fruits and bees buzz around collecting pollen from flower to flower during harvest season right after the rainy season.

Copyright 2011 www.kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com Prepared by : Mr. Luke Gabriel