Poetry — IGCSE English - Literature In English (0475) questions by topic
Ted Hughes poems such as The Harvest Moon, Wind and The Thought-Fox are tested through how-questions on fascination, fear and vivid conveying of feeling, drawn from 30 real questions set in 2023 to 2025 papers, all worth 25 marks.
In what ways and explore dominate every question, asking you to analyse how the poem achieves its effect, and reports repeatedly reward responses that focus tightly on the exact word used in the question, such as 'strikingly' or 'compelling', over a general account of the poem's subject. Drafting a response built around that focus word and marking it instantly checks whether the answer actually addresses it rather than describing the poem's content in general terms.
What examiners look for
- Strong answers recognise both the natural and supernatural influence of a subject, such as the moon, and note its effect on humans, animals and nature together.
- Strong responses consider the precise key word in the question, such as 'powerful', and provide convincing supporting points, for example the power to compel a 'religious hush' or 'petrified' animals.
- Strong answers respond to the musical quality and provocative phrasing of a poem's language, going beyond a general sense of its subject.
- Strong responses respond personally to a key word such as 'compelling', sharing a genuine sense of awe, majesty or fear rather than a detached summary.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
Read the poem 'Wind' by Ted Hughes, and then answer the question that follows it: How does Hughes make this poem so frightening?
Answer this question and get it marked →In what ways does Hughes make the horses so mysterious in The Horses?
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
Read the poem 'Football at Slack' by Ted Hughes (printed on the paper, with most content removed for copyright), and then answer the question that follows it: Explore the ways in…
Answer this question and get it marked →How does Hughes use words and images to striking effect in 'The Harvest Moon'? (The poem is printed on the paper, with most content removed for copyright.)
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. Read this poem (Anniversary by Ted Hughes, printed on the paper), and then answer the question that follows it: Explore the ways in which…
Answer this question and get it marked →TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. In what ways does Hughes make Telegraph Wires such a striking poem? (The poem is printed on the paper.)
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. Read this poem ('Football at Slack'), and then answer the question that follows it: In what ways does Hughes vividly convey the pleasure that…
Answer this question and get it marked →TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. Explore the ways in which Hughes creates memorable impressions of his mother and her sister in Anniversary.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. Read this poem ('A Memory'), and then answer the question that follows it: In what ways does Hughes powerfully portray the sheep-shearer in…
Answer this question and get it marked →TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. How does Hughes make the thoughts and feelings of the speaker so disturbing in The Other?
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 13
TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. Read this poem ('Wind'), and then answer the question that follows it: Explore the ways in which Hughes powerfully conveys the violence of…
Answer this question and get it marked →TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. In what ways does Hughes make Roe-Deer such a mysterious poem?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. Read this poem ('The Jaguar'), and then answer the question that follows it: Explore the ways in which Hughes makes this such a vivid poem.
Answer this question and get it marked →TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. In what ways does Hughes make The Harvest Moon such a fascinating poem?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. Read this poem ('Relic'), and then answer the question that follows it: Explore the ways in which Hughes makes this poem so intriguing.
Answer this question and get it marked →TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. In what ways does Hughes make the bird so powerful in Hawk Roosting?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. Read this poem ('The Thought-Fox'), and then answer the question that follows it: How does Hughes make this such a fascinating poem?
Answer this question and get it marked →TED HUGHES: from New Selected Poems. Explore the ways in which Hughes creates such a powerful atmosphere in The Horses.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
Read the poem 'Relic' by Ted Hughes, and then answer the question that follows it: In what ways does Hughes make this such a striking poem? (The poem is printed on the paper; the…
Answer this question and get it marked →How does Hughes create such a compelling portrait of the hawk in 'Hawk Roosting'? (The full poem is printed on the paper; central lines removed here for copyright.)
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Read the poem 'The Thought-Fox' by Ted Hughes, and then answer the question that follows it: Explore the ways Hughes strikingly depicts how thoughts come to him as he writes the…
Answer this question and get it marked →How does Hughes powerfully depict his early morning walk in 'The Horses'? (The poem is printed on the paper; lines removed here for copyright.)
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
Read the poem 'The Harvest Moon' by Ted Hughes, and then answer the question that follows it: How does Hughes make this such a powerful poem? (The poem is printed on the paper;…
Answer this question and get it marked →Explore the ways in which Hughes vividly portrays caged animals in 'The Jaguar'. (The poem is printed on the paper; lines removed here for copyright.)
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Read the poem 'A Memory' by Ted Hughes, and then answer the question that follows it: Explore how Hughes vividly conveys this memory of sheep-shearing. (The poem is printed on the…
Answer this question and get it marked →How does Hughes make telegraph wires so intriguing in 'Telegraph Wires'? (The poem is printed on the paper; lines removed here for copyright.)
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Read the poem 'Roe-Deer' by Ted Hughes, and then answer the question that follows it: How does Hughes memorably convey his experience of seeing the roe-deer?
Answer this question and get it marked →In what ways does Hughes movingly convey strong emotions in 'Anniversary'? (The poem is printed on the paper; lines removed here for copyright.)
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Read the poem 'The Other' by Ted Hughes, and then answer the question that follows it: How does Hughes vividly convey jealousy in this poem?
Answer this question and get it marked →In what ways does Hughes make 'Snowdrop' such a powerful poem? (The poem is printed on the paper; lines removed here for copyright.)
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE English - Literature In English topics
- Prose (210)
- Drama (150)
- Poetry anthology (Songs of Ourselves) (60)
- Prose anthology (Stories of Ourselves) (30)
- Unseen poetry and prose (30)
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