Blessing

Question 1

‘Blessing’

Answer 1

Extended metaphor throughout the poem and water is seen as a gift from God.

Question 2

‘Crack’

Answer 2

Harsh consonants reflects the harshness of the scorching sun

Question 3

‘never’

Answer 3

Adverb and implies relentless suffering

Question 4

‘Skin cracks like a pod’

Answer 4

Simile describing pain and suffering to describe to the reader how dry the conditions are and the physical toll it takes on them.

Question 5

‘Imagine’

Answer 5

Invites the reader to empathise with the people living in poverty and harsh conditions and encourages the reader to be involved in the experience to empathise with those less privileged

Question 6

‘Drip’ ‘splash’ ‘echo’

Answer 6

Onomatopoeia engages the senses and emphasises the severe dehydration experienced by the people

Question 7

‘Voice of God’

Answer 7

Metaphor, small drips of water are likened to the voice of God which accentuates the scarcity of water because of how it’s seen as something sacred and definitely not taken for granted

Question 8

‘Rush of fortune’ ‘silver crashes’

Answer 8

Metaphor highlights privilege that the reader probably has compared to the people in the poem who think water is a gift from God which Encourages the reader to reflect on what life is like to other communities of people. Fortune and silver are precious and for the reader whereas water is precious and rare for these people in the slums.

Question 9

‘Man woman child’

Answer 9

Lack of punctuation creates a chaotic image of what’s going on

Question 10

‘Flashing lights’ ‘blessings’

Answer 10

Religious imagery referring to Gods presence and this water is a gift from him