cameroon gce advanced level June 2026 literature in English 3

SECTION C – POETRY APPRECIATION

Mastering literature and language analysis requires consistent practice with high-quality assessment materials. Poetry appreciation, in particular, challenges students to think critically about structure, vocabulary, tone, and figurative devices. This curated revision exercise is designed to test your comprehension, contextual analysis, and creative writing abilities under exam conditions.

Carefully read the text provided below, paying close attention to the vivid imagery, contrasting themes, and structural development across the stanzas. Once you have fully digested the piece, proceed to answer the structured analysis questions to gauge your understanding and refine your analytical skills.

The Poem

Complete and warming joy of the desert!

Nowhere is the sky as blue

Than on these hills of sand and fire

Furrowed by powerful and clear winds.

Parched of all greenness as my heart

Of man matured by evil times

Lured by you, o beautiful dreams

When my sole shelter was apathy!

Here before your barrenness

Your stillness and your thirst and your hunger,

Your landscape seemingly without end,

Like the dread of eternity.

Balancing my joy and my emotion

I dream of an art as pure as you.

Revision Questions

Try answering these questions independently before comparing your responses with your study groups or instructors. Allocate about twenty to thirty minutes for this section to simulate real examination timing.

• a) In about 150 words, say, what you consider to be the meaning of this poem, clearly bringing out the speaker’s tone. (2 marks)

• b) Give the meaning in context of the following words and expressions:

  • i) Furrowed (line 4)

  • ii) Parched (line 5)

  • iii) sole shelter (line 8)

  • iv) dread of eternity (line 12) (2 marks)

• c) Select two figures of speech from the poem and comment on their effectiveness. (2 marks)

• d)

  • i) Underline the noun phrase in this expression: “my sole shelter was apathy”? (1 mark)

  • ii) Explain the speaker’s mood in the poem. (1 mark)

• e) Write a one stanza poem of at most six lines describing any landscape of your choice. (2 marks)

Additional Revision Tips

When answering poetry questions, remember to quote directly from the text to support your points, especially when analyzing figures of speech or tone. Keep your contextual definitions brief and directly tied to how the word functions within its specific line.

📱 Study on the Go!

Looking for more literature exercises, language guides, and comprehensive mock papers? Download the Kawlo App today to access a vast library of past exam questions, answer guides, and interactive revision tools directly on your smartphone. For complete syllabi, revision resources, and regional academic updates, visit the official gcerevision website to maximize your exam preparation!