Sounds of the day TQ version

Question 1

“clatter”

Answer 1

• Onomatopoeia of “clatter” illustrates vivid/loud/strident sound of horses‟ hooves which were a familiar part of everyday life.

 

Question 2

“horses crossing”

Answer 2

• Sibilance of “horses crossing” creates a soothing tone to echo his feelings of contentment in this place.

Question 3

“clatter came”

Answer 3

• Alliteration in “clatter came” emphasises the expected quality/ordinariness of the sound.

Question 4

“creaked”

Answer 4

• Onomatopoeia of “creaked”. The high pitched sound conveys the energy of the location/the variety of sounds surrounding the narrator.

Question 5

“snuffling puff”

Answer 5

• Consonance of “snuffling puff” contrasts with harsher sounds to create a sense of reassurance, establishing the blanket of sounds which were part of the environment.

Question 6

“blocking … unblocking”

Answer 6

Repetition of “blocking … unblocking” to echo the cyclical order of the natural world and its continuous, everyday sounds.

Question 7

“black drums rolled”

Answer 7

Imagery of “black drums rolled”. Just as a drum roll is a loud and booming sound, the poet is suggesting that the roar of the sea illustrates the strength and power
of nature. Reference could be made to word choice of “black” foreshadowing the difficulty that lies ahead.

Question 8

“when……it was”

Answer 8

Parallel structure of “when……it was” to reinforce the familiar/customary/regular pattern of the place and its inhabitants.

Question 9

“lapwing”

Answer 9

Humorous/ironic reference to the “lapwing” conveys MacCaig‟s dislike of the attitude of self-interested landowners whose attitudes are mirrored by the bird‟s territorial instinct

Question 10

“scraped shut”

Answer 10

Sibilance/onomatopoeia of “scraped shut” mirrors the emotional pain of the narrator as the closing door scratches the hard surface creating a harsh /unnatural /unpleasant sound. Contrasts with previous stanza which highlighted the reassuring sounds of the natural world.

• Symbol of a door scraping shut to echo the fundamental nature of the change/finality of the closed door emphasises the cessation of what has gone
  before

Question 11

“end”

Answer 11

Positioning of “end” emphatically conveys the absolute/definitive nature of the change (and its implications) on the narrator.

Question 12

“all the sounds”

Answer 12

Word choice of “all the sounds” reinforces the dramatic change. All that mattered is gone as the previously comforting effect of “all the sounds” is now lost.
Change in verb tense to present (at end of stanza) makes clear the impact of the change as the immediacy invites the reader to share their distress.

Question 13

“You left me”

Answer 13

Word choice of “You left me” creates a blunt/ accusatory tone. Displays narrator’s emotional response. Candidates may offer valid comments linked to feelings of shock/anger/resentment.

Question 14

“You… me”

Answer 14

Reference may also be made to personal pronouns “You… me” to create intimacy and further establish the deep emotional effects of the parting.

Question 15

“beside”

Answer 15

Word choice (and positioning) of “beside” demonstrates the lack of the physical presence of the loved one, conveying feelings of isolation.

Question 16

“quietest”

Answer 16

Word choice of “quietest” stands in stark contrast to life affirming sounds of stanza 1 emphasising the void of meaningful sound now the person has left.

Question 17

“I … I … my”

Answer 17

Personal pronouns “I … I … my” convey the narrator’s immediate reaction as being somewhat naïve/self-indulgent.

Question 18

“pride only”

Answer 18

Word choice of “pride only” suggests the narrator’s reaction to the shock was initially on a superficial level.

Question 19

“forgetting that”

Answer 19

Positioning of “forgetting that” signals the dawning realisation that the emotional effects of the loss will be on a much deeper level.

Question 20

“plunge”

Answer 20

Word choice/onomatopoeia of “plunge” has connotations of depth/immersion suggesting that the impact will be much greater than initially perceived.

Question 21

“freezing”

Answer 21

Word choice of “freezing” creates a bleak/despairing tone highlighting his pain/distress/anguish.

Question 22

“you feel”

Answer 22

Positioning of “you feel” begins to plot how the narrator’s positive emotions have been overtaken and shut down as a consequence of the parting.

Question 23

“bangle of ice … numb”.

Answer 23

Extended metaphor “bangle of ice … numb”. Just as a hand thrust into ice-cold water will take a moment to react, so the poet suggests that the impact of the loss moves from an initial, localised shock into a general closing down of all feeling. The blow of the person leaving has overwhelmed the narrator and isolated him from all that was previously meaningful. This clarifies the poet’s message about the all-consuming nature of loss.

Question 24

Q 53 (10 marks)
Up to 2 marks can be achieved for identifying elements of commonality as identified in the question, ie use of contrast to develop theme.
A further 2 marks can be achieved for reference to the extract given.
6 additional marks can be awarded for discussion of similar references to at least one other poem by the poet.

Answer 24

In practice this means:
Identification of commonality (2) (eg: theme, characterisation, use of imagery, setting, or any other key element…)

from the extract:
1 x relevant reference to technique/idea/feature (1)
1 x appropriate comment (1)
(maximum of 2 marks only for discussion of extract)

from at least one other text/part of the text:

as above (x3) for up to 6 marks
OR
more detailed comment x2 for up to 6 marks

Thus, the final 6 marks can be gained by a combination of 3, 2 and 1 marks depending on the level of depth / detail/insight. The aim would be to encourage quality of comment, rather than quantity of references.

Additional guidance
In comments on other poems, possible references include:
The external grotesqueness contrasting with the inner beauty in Assisi
The noisy life force that is Aunt Julia contrasting with the silence of death
The professionalism contrasting with the raw suffering in Visiting Hour
Many other references are poss