Ministry of Education

Secondary Engagement Programme

September 2020

Subject: English A Grade: Seven

Topic: Comprehension
Sub-Topic: Understanding Poetry

Objective: With the aid of the poem, students will provide the correct answer for the questions
give.

Concept: To understand poetry, it is important to be able to identify and understand the situation
in the poem.

Content
Understanding poetry
When you read a poem, the first thing that strikes you is the situation in the poem – what takes
place or what is being talked about. You can ask yourself the question: who is talking to whom
about what?
TIP: Pay attention to words in the poem that you are unfamiliar with. Use your dictionary to
check their meaning.

The Snare
I hear a sudden cry of pain!
There is a rabbit in a snare:
Now I hear the cry again,
But I cannot tell from where.

But I cannot tell from where

He is calling out for aid!
Crying on the frightened air,
Making everything afraid!
Making everything afraid!
Wrinkling up his little face!
As he cries again for aid;
-And I cannot find the place!

And I cannot find the place

Where his paw is in the snare!
Little One! Oh, little One!
I am searching everywhere!
James Stephen

1. The rabbit is caught in a snare. What do you think a snare is?

2. The poet repeats the last line of each verse. Do you know why he does this?
3. Which of these words scribe the poet‟s experience? – sad, frightening, exciting, painful
Give reasons for the words you have selected.
4. Which line tells us that the rabbit is dear and delicate to the poet?
5. Select the lines which show that the rabbit is in distress.
6. How do you think we should treat animals? What does the poet suggest by his own
actions?