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5.1 Refer to line 1: 'Heat, all pervading, crinkles up the soil' - Languages - NSC English HL - Question 5 - 2019 - Paper 2
Question 5
5.1 Refer to line 1: 'Heat, all pervading, crinkles up the soil'. What impression is created of the heat in this line? 5.2 Refer to line 6: 'Huddled together near s... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:5.1 Refer to line 1: 'Heat, all pervading, crinkles up the soil' - Languages - NSC English HL - Question 5 - 2019 - Paper 2
Step 1
Refer to line 1: 'Heat, all pervading, crinkles up the soil'. What impression is created of the heat in this line?
Answer
The heat depicted in this line is overwhelming and destructive. It evokes an image of relentless heat that wrinkes and dries out the soil, indicating a severe and harsh landscape impacted by the drought. The description suggests that the heat is inescapable and leads to an arid environment.
Step 2
Refer to line 6: 'Huddled together near some shrunken pool –'. Explain what this line suggests about the oxen.
Answer
This line illustrates the oxen's desperation in seeking relief from the heat. They are depicted as crowding around the limited water source of the 'shrunken pool,' indicating both their need for hydration and their instinct to find comfort in numbers. Their huddling behavior highlights their struggle against the dire conditions of their environment.
Step 3
Refer to line 4: 'Warm scavengers of wind heap up the spoil'. Discuss the effectiveness of the imagery in the context of the poem.
Answer
The imagery of the wind as 'scavengers' is highly effective in conveying the themes of decay and destruction in the poem. It suggests that the wind is not merely a natural element but a destructive force that uproots and unsettles the land. The comparison to scavengers evokes a sense of abandoned and dying vegetation, reminiscent of vultures stripping away the last remnants of life from a carcass, symbolizing the harsh impact of drought.
Step 4
Refer to lines 13–14: 'And still no ... droop and die.' Comment on how the diction in the last two lines conveys the overall mood of the poem.
Answer
The diction in these lines conveys a profound sense of hopelessness and despair. Words like 'droop' and 'die' encapsulate the lethargy and inevitable demise of life under the persistent heat. The use of 'still' before the action reinforces an enduring plight where despite the passage of time, nothing changes for the better, leading to a feeling of resignation and bleakness in the poem's mood.