What Were They Like? (1967) (Edexcel GCSE English Literature): Quizzes
📚Quizzes
Practise the questions
13 questions from this quiz
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Practise the questions
13 questions from this quiz
In which year did Denise Levertov write 'What Were They Like?'?
In which year did Denise Levertov write 'What Were They Like?'?
1966
When did the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War take place?
When did the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War take place?
1955 to 1973
In what time period is 'What Were They Like?' set?
In what time period is 'What Were They Like?' set?
In the future
How many stanzas does the poem have and what is their function?
How many stanzas does the poem have and what is their function?
Two: first questions, second answers
What does the metaphor 'their light hearts turned to stone' show?
What does the metaphor 'their light hearts turned to stone' show?
The war hardened and damaged them
What does the metaphor 'there were no more buds' symbolise?
What does the metaphor 'there were no more buds' symbolise?
Loss of children and new life
Which language device is used in 'laughter is bitter to the burned mouth'?
Which language device is used in 'laughter is bitter to the burned mouth'?
Alliteration and metaphor
What does the imagery 'all the bones were charred' emphasise?
What does the imagery 'all the bones were charred' emphasise?
Physical destruction and violence
What does 'it is silent now' symbolise in the final line?
What does 'it is silent now' symbolise in the final line?
Complete destruction and cultural erasure
Why is the poem written in free verse?
Why is the poem written in free verse?
To mirror the chaos of war
Which phrase is repeated twice in the poem?
Which phrase is repeated twice in the poem?
'It is not remembered'
What juxtaposition highlights the shift from peace to violence?
What juxtaposition highlights the shift from peace to violence?
'Old tales' vs 'time only to scream'
How is the life of most Vietnamese people described in the poem?
How is the life of most Vietnamese people described in the poem?
Peasants; life was in rice & bamboo